Month: February 2021

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Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce that talented local teenager and Youth Academy player David Toure has signed a professional contract with the club.

The 16-year-old, who can play as a right-back or central midfielder, has played for all U15, U17 and U19 national league teams at the club.

Under the guidance of Shelbourne Head of Youth Development, Stephen Henderson and U17 League of Ireland Manager Damien Duff, David has greatly impressed throughout his time in the academy.

Shelbourne CEO David O’Connor said: “David is an outstanding young player and we are delighted to secure him on his first professional contract. He has benefited greatly from the coaching, guidance and support that he has received in our academy structures to date and with him being around our first team squad during the coming months, we have no doubt that he will continue to develop and thrive.”

Shelbourne U17 League of Ireland Manager Damien Duff said: “I am really pleased for David signing his first professional contract at 16 years of age. He has been a pleasure to work with the past 6 months. Everybody at the club has high hopes for him and now it is up to us coaches and David himself to make sure that he fulfills his potential. It also sends a message to other young footballers that Shelbourne FC can help players grow, improve and give them a pathway to professional football”

Shelbourne FC First Team Manager Ian Morris said: “The pathway is there for all our players to see. Huge credit to Stephen and all of David’s coaches. They have provided the environment and coaching for all of our young players to flourish. It is brilliant for me as the first team manager having players coming through from our underage set up.”

Shelbourne Head of Youth Development Stephen Henderson said: “Our Academy staff are delighted that our new structures are beginning to show dividends with the news that 16 year old David Toure has signed a professional contract with our senior team. 

“David has shown huge potential since being signed by Paul Mcatee for our U15 League of Ireland team in 2019 from Stella Maris. His speed and athleticism were easily identified but his technical & tactical development has seen his overall game improve significantly especially since his move to our U17 LOI team where Damien, Luke and Lee have put much bigger demands on him which he has responded brilliantly to. 

“The club and senior manager have sent a very strong positive  message to all our Academy players  with this signing. Personally I would like to thank everyone in our Academy for creating a fantastic learning environment for players like David to grow as a player and a person.”

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Shelbourne FC is deeply saddened to hear of Liam O’Connor’s passing. Liam was a lifelong Red and an ever present season ticket holder, former director and shareholder.

He will be hugely missed by all at Tolka. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Marion, family and friends.

Táimid fíorbhuíoch as an tseirbhís dhílis a thug sé dár gcumann peile. Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam.

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Goalkeepers

Jack Brady

Having played underage football with Shels, secondary school teacher Brady has Red running through his veins. Despite growing up in Tipperary, Jack’s father is from Drumcondra and often brought the keeper to Tolka when they were back in Dublin. Now in his second spell with the club having re-signed in 2020 following spells with Longford Town and Limerick, the Ballina man is a fan favourite in Section E and has no problem reminding people about his ‘don’t you want me, Brady?’ chant.

Brendan Clarke

The Ballyfermot man caused quite a stir when, after winning St. Pat’s Player of the Year two years in a row, he swapped Inchicore for Drumcondra and signed for the Reds. The 35-year-old is a one-time League winner, two-time FAI Cup winner and three-time League Cup winner, and broke the LOI clean sheet record with nine in a row for Sligo Rovers in 2011.

Defenders

Johnross ‘JR’ Wilson

Right full JR Wilson, who grew up in Finglas and Tallaght, signed for Shels in July 2018. After an impressive start to the 2019 promotion campaign, Wilson suffered a season-ending injury in Drogheda and missed the rest of the season. He spent last season with Bray Wanderers before being re-signed by Ian Morris ahead of the 2021 season.

Michael Barker

A versatile defender who can play at right full or centre half, 27-year-old Barker joins Shelbourne for 2021 after two seasons with Bohemians. Barker’s arrival was popular among Reds fans, as signing in working clothes on his lunch break immediately resonated with the club’s working class roots.

Luke Byrne

The left-footed centre half, who played at left full for his previous clubs, has been one of Shelbourne’s standout performers in each of his two seasons with the club. Luke is a leader in the dressing room, even though he’s only 27. His composure and organisation of the back four led the Reds to a good defensive record in 2020 despite relegation.

Ally Gilchrist

Another left-footed centre half, Edinburgh native Gilchrist learned his trade at St. Johnstone. He had loan spells with Elgin City and Peterhead before moving to Ireland to play for Shamrock Rovers and Derry City. Injuries restricted him to six league appearances in 2020, but he was a mainstay in the Candystripes back four in 2019.

Maxim Kouogun

A product of UCD’s conveyor belt of LOI talent, six-foot-three centre half Kouogun joined the Reds in February 2021 having left Harrogate Town in England’s League Two. He is the second Cameroonian to play for Shels, the other of course being Joey Ndo. Maxi also had spells with Waterford and Warrenpoint Town, but Shels fans will mostly remember his dominant performances for UCD against the Reds in Belfield in 2018.

Alex O’Hanlon

A former Liverpool academy player, Blanchardstown man O’Hanlon joined Shels in 2019 as a midfielder but made the left back spot his own a year later, playing more minutes than any other Red in 2020. A versatile left-footed player, O’Hanlon can play at full back, centre midfield or on the left wing.

Kevin O’Connor

Left back O’Connor grew up in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, but is a product of the St. Pat’s academy. He made his LOI debut with Waterford, before moving to Cork City where he won the FAI Cup in 2016. He moved to Preston North End in the Summer of 2017, but still played a major part in City’s League and Cup double that season. O’Connor returned to Cork in 2019 and was part of their relegated team in 2020.

Midfielders

Ryan Brennan

A fan favourite in Tolka, Ryan Brennan was one of the stars of the 2019 promotion campaign and was voted Shelbourne Player of the Year in 2020, when he was the club’s top goalscorer from midfield. A vastly experienced player, Brennan won promotion with Monaghan United in 2011 and Shels in 2019, earned an FAI Cup runners-up medal with Drogheda United in 2013 and has played in the Europa League three times.

Georgie Poynton

Having grown up in Laytown, Co. Meath, Poynton joined Dundalk as a 15-year-old in 2013 and made his first team debut for the Lilywhites aged 16. Following a loan spell with Bohemians and a season with Waterford, Poynton signed for Shelbourne ahead of the 2020 season. Despite playing at right full, instead of his preferred position in midfield, the 23-year-old was a model of consistency, and also grabbed a goal against his former team in Oriel Park, before a season-ending injury at home to Sligo in October.

Seán Quinn

A 22-year-old midfielder, who joined Shels from UCD, Quinn didn’t see much playing time in the promotion season but was a regular in the starting 11 in 2020. His energy and eye for a pass from midfield garnered well-deserved praise. Quinn’s creativity will be crucial to the Reds’ promotion bid in 2021.

JJ Lunney

A left-footed central midfielder, 23-year-old Lunney comes from Swords, Co. Dublin. He arrives at Tolka having previously played for Malahide United, St. Pat’s, Waterford and two spells with Bohemians.

Gerardo Bruna

A 30-year-old creative midfielder who has played for both Real Madrid and Liverpool’s academies in the past. Following spells with Huesca (Spain), Ottawa Fury, Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley, the Argentine came to Ireland in 2019 and spent two seasons with Derry City. Bruna has represented Spain (where he grew up) at Under 17 level and Argentina (where he was born) at Under 20 level.

Brian McManus

Another Swords man, McManus returned home to sign for the Reds after leaving Preston North End in July 2020. The 19-year-old central midfielder played for St. Kevin’s Boys before going across the water.

Shane Farrell

20-year-old Farrell was brought to Tolka from Finglas United (previously WFTA) by Owen Heary in January 2018. His direct running from behind the centre forward has caused nightmares for defenders in his three seasons in Red. ‘Apro’ was a regular in the starting 11 when Shels won promotion in 2019, making 17 starts.

Denzil Fernandes

23-year-old winger Fernandes joined Jaze Kabia in making the trip north from Cobh Ramblers in July 2019. Before his two seasons with the Rams, the West Cork man played for Drinagh Rovers, Bandon, College Corinthians and Cork City.

Dayle Rooney

Ballymun native Rooney played his schoolboy football with St. Kevin’s before joining Shelbourne in 2015. He made his senior debut in 2017, and became a mainstay on the left wing in the Premier Division in 2020.

Alex Cetiner

Another Shelbourne academy product, Cetiner was promoted to the first team by Ian Morris in July 2020. The 19-year-old winger will be looking to break into the starting 11 more regularly in 2021.

Forwards

Michael O’Connor

Dundalk native O’Connor signed for Shelbourne from Scottish Premiership side Ross County ahead of the 2021 season. The 22-year-old striker’s previous clubs include Dundalk, Bristol City, Linfield and Waterford. He played for St. Kevin’s Boys before making the step up to LOI football with Dundalk in 2015.

Glen McAuley

A former Liverpool academy player and Irish underage international, 21-year-old McAuley joins the Reds having previously played for St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians in the LOI. The striker from Tallaght is one of three promising options for Ian Morris up front in 2021.

Yoyo Mahdy

Limerick man Mahdy was the cause of much excitement when he joined Shelbourne from UCD in January 2021. The 22-year-old striker scored 16 goals in 18 games for the Students in 2020. He signed for the Reds amid offers from several Premier Division clubs.

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Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the signing of defender Maxi Kouogun for 2021. 

The powerful centre-back joins the club having spent almost four years with UCD, including representing the club in the Europa League in 2015.

Cameroon-born Kouogun has also played for Warrenpoint Town in the Northern Irish Premier League and Waterford FC. 

Kouogun, 23, played his early football with Peamount United, Leixlip United and Cherry Orchard before joining UCD. He was named in the First Division Team of the Season in 2016 (scoring six goals).

Speaking to Shelbournefc.ie, Maxi said he is “thrilled to be at Tolka Park for the season ahead.”

“I’m looking forward to enjoying my football this season and have been in touch with Ian for a while now.

“I know a few of the lads here already and can’t wait to get going,” he said. 

Shelbourne manager Ian Morris said: “Maxi is a big powerful defender. I met him a couple of times last year to try to get him in before he went to England. 

“He will bring competition and balance to our options at the back. I’m delighted to finally have him in,” he added. 


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Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to announce Alan Caffrey as Sporting and Technical Director at the club. 

Alan joins the club after developing a superb reputation for player development at St Kevin’s Boy’s schoolboy club.

Alan will be responsible for the performance of the club’s overall football departments and will look forward to working in conjunction with first team managers Ian Morris and Noel King.

The Dubliner will lead the footballing operations at the club and look to build on the solid foundations put in place by Director of Football Operations David Henderson, Academy directors Stephen Henderson and Stephen Mulhern. 

Caffrey’s reputation is formed through developing a large level of talent during his time at the Dublin schoolboy club, overseeing the formative years of players such as Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Dara O’Shea and Jack Byrne.

His role will oversee the entire football operations of the club containing our two senior SSE Airtricity League teams as well as our boys and girls sections of the Shelbourne FC Youth Academy.

“It’s a role I’ve always been interested in. I’ve been planning it myself for five years. The role is a massive part of developing football clubs the right way. I’ve been around football clubs around here and in Europe and there’s a huge opportunity,” he told shelbournefc.ie.

“It’s so important for Irish football as well as here,” he added.

The former West Bromwich Albion Assistant Academy Director said he has “kept a close eye” on developments at Shels in recent years.

“I’ve seen the club’s plans and Dave Henderson, Stephen Henderson and all the coaches have done a great job to get it this far. 

“The foundation is there, I look forward to building on it. It’s not about me, it’s a team of people, whether it be the playing staff or at board level. We’re all football people. 

“I aim to bring everyone together, to facilitate ideas together along with my own. The aim is to build a football club in a very different way than ever before in this country,” he added. 

Shelbourne CEO David O’Connor said: “I am incredibly excited to be able to announce Alan Caffrey as the clubs Technical Director. This is a new role, and is a statement of intent in our ambitious plans as a club.

“Alan is a person of the highest caliber. His track record in underage Irish football speaks for itself, he depth of knowledge is second to none, but even more encouraging is the enthusiasm, drive and desire that he has shown in taking on this role. Alan will be an fantastic addition to the entire club.

“The creation of the Sporting and Technical Director role is of strategic importance for the club and is one which we believe will drive the club forward in an upward trajectory. 

“We have made massive strides as a club over the course of the past number of years, in particular through incredible work in our academy structures. 

“The progress that we have seen over the past 18 months in our academy structures, boys and girls, has been astonishing and is a testament to people like Stephen Henderson, Dave Henderson, the schoolboy and schoolgirl committees and the dozens of coaches, managers and volunteers that have been the backbone of all of the progress that has been made. 

“This new role will only benefit, enhance and add to that progress and Alan is already really looking forward to working with everyone in helping to continue to build upon the great work that had been done. 

“Alan will also provide a central point of contact between our academy structures and our senior structures, something which we believe will be central in this role. 

“In his role as Sporting and Technical Director, Alan will work closely with both Ian Morris and Noel King, and both of their respective back room staff, in ensuring that both of our senior teams continue to achieve sustained success on the pitch, and hopefully some trophies along the way! We all welcome Alan to the club and look forward to working closely with him”

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Shelbourne Football Club is excited it is seeking to recruit it’s first ever player to represent them in the new eLOI tournament.

The eLOI will be an officially sanctioned tournament and part of the EA Sports FIFA Global Series.

This will attract the very best of Irish talent to the eLOI, and the club are looking for a serious and committed individual to represent it. We are looking for a candidate with the following: 

  • A demonstrated track record of excellence within FIFA 2021 on the PlayStation. 
  • An enthusiasm for eSports.
  • Competencies in online engagement. 

A selection process will be conducted by the club, after the closing date of Friday the 26th of February.

Application forms are available by emailing slo@shelbournefc.ie. Only those over 18 may apply and a merit based scoring system will be used to evaluate each candidate. The decision of Shelbourne Football Club will be final.

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Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce our new Umbro Away Kit Range for 2021. Our new navy away jersey is available now on the Shels online store. 

The new jersey features an innovative and sleek Dublin sky blue design within it as we return our traditional crest after our 125th anniversary kit. 

The away kit will be worn by our men’s and women’s SSE Airtricity League teams for 2021 as we continue our push for gender parity in football. 

We’re delighted to have Hamptons Homes as front of jersey sponsor for our away kit as well as our home kit. 

The training range also features a slick navy tracksuit as well as a stunning Dublin blue sky blue warm up top with navy highlights.

All the range is available on the Shels online store and Umbro Ireland online store now.

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Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the double signing of Republic of Ireland international Amanda Budden and former Shels player Rebecca Creagh.

Budden is from Cork and began her soccer career with Wilton United. On 27 July 2008, she won the FAI Women’s Under-14 National Cup, playing (outfield) in the final against Longford Town.

She joined the newly-founded Cork City as one of the six teams that competed in the WNL’s inaugural 2011/12 season.

Budden played in the 2017 FAI Women’s Cup final, as Cork beat UCD Waves 1–0 at the Aviva Stadium in November 2017. 

She transferred to Galway WFC ahead of the 2020 WNL season before her move to Tolka Park this year. 

Speaking to Shelbournefc.ie, Amanda said she was “delighted to be at Tolka Park” for the season ahead. 

“I spoke to Noel King and the ambition was there and I think this is the right place to help the team and also get in contention again for the Ireland team,” she said. 

Rebecca Creagh returns to Tolka Park having a great history with the Reds already. 

The attacker was with Shels from 2017 to 2020 before a brief stint at Bohemian’s women’s side and had originally been a part of the Raheny United set up. 

Creagh boasts an impressive scoring record and said she is thrilled to be back and looking forward to getting back.

Creagh joined up with her Shels teammates on Wednesday night as we returned to pre-season training. 

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Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the signing of Republic of Ireland international Saoirse Noonan after her time with Cork City. 

Noonan played a key role as Cork City reached the 2020 FAI Women’s Cup Final, in which they were beaten by Peamount United.

Saoirse was the subject of much interest from England and Iceland and we are delighted to have secured the midfielder/forward’s signature. 

The 21-year-old, who was also a member of the Cork ladies’ GAA football team, was included in a provisional Republic of Ireland senior squad for the European Championship qualifier against Germany in December. 

She was named Women’s National League Player of the Month last September after scoring twice during a five-match win streak for Cork City.

Saoirse took part in training with Noel King’s first session on Wednesday night and the Reds are due to open their season against Athlone Town on March 27. 

Speaking to Shelbournefc.ie, Saoirse said:

“I am delighted to be joining Shelbourne FC for the upcoming season. It’s an exciting venture for me and I am really looking forward to working with Noel and the team.

“I would like to thank Cork City FC for everything over the last number of years. They have helped me grow as both a player and as a person and I want to truly thank them all for the support.


“I look forward to taking up a new role and playing my part Shelbourne,” she said.


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Pat Cordelle

Ben Hannigan was born on September 3, 1943 and sadly passed away last week on February 4. At the age of 18, he was signed by the Shelbourne manager – the late Gerry Doyle from junior club East Wall in the north inner city in August 1961.

He had three spells with Shels – the first from 1961 to December 1965 and was an immediate hit with the Reds and became known as ‘Big Ben’ thereafter. 

In that period, playing in midfield, he averaged an impressive tally of over eighteen goals a season. 

He won the 1962 League of Ireland title and the 1963 FAI Cup. He played in two losing FAI Cup finals in 1962 (Shamrock Rovers) and 1973 (Cork Hibs). With the Reds he also won The 1962 Top Four Cup, 1962 Leinster Senior Cup, City Cup (twice) in 1962/63 and 1964/65 and represented the League of Ireland v Irish League in 1962/63 – a game in which he scored in a 1-3 defeat. 

He made 117 League and FAI Cup appearances scoring 47 goals. He scored another 43 goals in other cup competitions including the Shield and European competitions, a grand total of 90 goals in all competitions for his Shelbourne career. 

Of course, this was on top of the assists that he made for Eric Barber and the other forwards to demonstrate his real value to the team. 

He played every minute in every game in the title winning season and played in all nine European fixtures in the sixties. 

There are no stats available for appearances in competitions other than those in the league and cup but I guess we can add at least another 50/60, which would mean he made something like 180 appearances in all competitions in his Shelbourne career over three spells.

Memorable goals

  • A fierce forty yard left footed volley in a league game against Sligo Rovers in April 1962 considered to be goal of the season.
  • The winner in the 1962 League Title Playoff v Cork Celtic
  • The third goal in the semi-final of 1962 Top Four which ended in a 4-1 win over Shamrock Rovers
  • One of the two goals which won the 1963 City Cup v Cork City.
  • The winner in LSC final on 27 December 1962 v Shamrock Rovers for a first LSC success since 1948.
  • The second of two goals in a 3rd game playoff with Portuguese side Belenenses in 1964/65 for a historic first win for Shels in European completion to set up a meeting with Athletic Madrid
  • The only goal in the marathon 1973 FAI Cup semi-final win over Cork Celtic after two replays
  • In February 1973 he scored a hat-trick in a league game against Limerick played at Tolka Park.

He possessed a lovely touch, brilliant control and was an excellent passer of the ball. In addition he could create and score goals. He was the link between defence and attack. Technically brilliant and pivotal to the way Shels played in that he would control the tempo and pace of the game. He left Shels in December 1965 to join Wrexham but soon after he returned home and signed for Dundalk.

Almost seven years to the day after a very successful spell with Dundalk, Ben returned to Shels for a second spell on December 8, 1972 and helped us reach the final of the 1973 FAI Cup which they lost to Cork Hibernians after a replay. He was released in November 1973. In 1981, he answered Shelbourne’s call and came out of retirement at the age of thirty eight for a third spell with the Reds. He played only a handful of games before making his final bow in the colours of Shelbourne FC at Tolka Park on April 5, 1981 in a 5-2 loss to Drogheda United.

Without a doubt he was one of the outstanding talents of his generation. He may well have been reasonably disappointed at not gaining the international recognition he craved and so deserved when often overlooked for selection for players of lesser ability. 

Blessed with all the footballing skills, he had exceptional control, a good touch and an immaculate passer of the ball. For a player who normally employed in a deep lying midfield role his goal scoring record was exceptional. Ben stood out and established himself as one of the colourful and great entertainers in League of Ireland football.

He earned legendary status during his spells with Shelbourne and long after his playing days were over he would be seen on a regular basis at Tolka Park where he threw his support behind the Reds.

Those of us lucky enough to have seen him play regularly in his heyday know what a special player he was. It’s common to eulogise about some when they die, overstating their abilities but talking up Ben Hannigan’s footballing abilities involved no exaggeration whatsoever.

I will finish with a paragraph from Sean Fitzpatrick’s excellent book Cult Heroes, when Ben was asked if he had an unfulfilled wish after his long, spectacular, event-filled career in football.’ I think I’d like to have been able to sit in the stand in Tolka Park and watch myself play,’ he would reply. This was no more than one would expect from one of the greatest characters to have ever played in the League of Ireland.

That summed up Ben beautifully, no lack of self- confidence or belief.

It was with great sadness that I learned he had passed away on February 4, 2021.

May he rest in peace.