Posted on 2022-09-292022-09-29

Team news | v Finn Harps

Shelbourne FC Head Coach Damien Duff has no new fresh injury issues ahead of the long trip north to face Finn Harps tomorrow night. 

Mark Coyle once again got minutes as he continued on his return to full fitness having struggled with injuries in recent weeks, the midfielder came on as a 77th minute substitute in the 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park last Thursday. 

Jad Hakiki continues a gradual return to action as he steps up his rehab from a persistent issue that has limited his contribution for a number of weeks now. 

The trip to Harps will come too soon for Jack Moylan and Brian McManus, but Duff told ShelbourneFC.ie that the pair will be given every chance to prove their fitness over the coming weeks: “We’re still waiting on Brian McManus and Jack Moylan, they’re making progress. A bit too early to make a call or put in a timeline, but they’ll do everything they can to recover.

“Brian has a hamstring issue, he had a scan during the week, he’s pain free and nothing too bad, but we won’t take chances, we’ll give him some time. There are big games coming thick and fast.

“We’re down to bare bones again, we have been a few times this season and we have to be clever over the next few weeks and manage loads. I know the lads out injured will do everything to make it back, huge league games, and an FAI Cup semi-final, that’s a big motivator.”

The Donegal side remain rooted to the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table, but just a point separates them from UCD in 9th. Despite their struggles, Duff is expecting a tough test against the Harps:

“The weather is turning up there, that’ll be a factor, the pitch too. I don’t think you can go there and expect to play the same game of football we did at home, there’ll be a tense atmosphere I’m sure, it’s all or nothing for Harps, they near on have to win, you know that by looking at the table. They’re a hard working side, they’re a lot more dangerous than maybe the recent results and position in the league would have you believe.”

Speaking of the previous meetings so far with Harps this season, Duff said: “We’ve grown as a team since our last performance against Harps. 

“The game at Tolka, a 3-1 win. It was a brilliant football performance. We were in total control, and we were full value on that day. Up there though on Friday, it’s a totally different beast to be honest. 

Harps go into the game off the back of a loss to Bohs 2-0 in their most recent game at home, Ollie Horgan’s side have just 1 win in their last 5 outings. Despite their struggles, Duff is braced for a tough test: 

“In previous seasons, this is where you’d argue they come alive, Ollie’s been there before. He’s the best man possible for this, he knows the fight and he has shown they can turn things. We are not underestimating the task. 

“Watched a lot of their stuff recently, it’s a very hard place to go to and play, and even harder to get out of there with a result.”

Duff has been pleased with what he’s seen from his side in recent weeks: “You’d be happy to see us put in a run of good performances, helps to create a momentum, going back to the game on TV against Dundalk, a really well earned point, solid performances against Sligo, didn’t get what we deserved from that game, but encouraging signs. Then we had Bohs, Rovers, we saw two really good shifts from the lads.”

Gavin Molloy has won plaudits from supporters for a number of solid performances, and Duff was keen to add to those who have praised the third generation Red:

“Gav Molloy has been magnificent, he’s still so young, I think people look at his size and physical strength and he seems a lot older on the pitch, he’s still only 20-years-old. He’s been immense. People might take that versatility for granted, but it’s brilliant to be able to do what he does, flip in and out of centre midfield and centre half, not many players can do that as well as Gav has been, and look comfortable at that level.”

Posted on 2022-09-292022-09-29

Shelbourne Football Club is today delighted to announce that John Ross Wilson has agreed a new contract.

The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Tolka Park until the end of the 2023 season.

Wilson’s solid form has been rewarded with a contract extension. The defender has made 26 appearances this season in the SSE Airtricity League, including 20 starts for the Reds.

The Dubliner has also made 2 starts in the FAI Cup, playing in the comprehensive wins against Bonagee United and Bohemian FC.

A talented and pacy defender who is as much an asset in attack as he is at the back, Wilson joined the Reds from Bohs in 2019. 

That First Division title winning season was curtailed by a serious injury, the Ringsend native, who’s father Karl also played for the Reds, then joined Bray for the 2020 season.

He returned to the Reds for the 2021 season and played a key role in the team that went on to win the SSE Airtricity League First Division title.

Wilson made 25 appearances, including 20 starts as the Reds secured their return to the top flight.

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “We are very pleased that JR has decided to commit 2023 to Shelbourne. He plays a very specific position that not many people are suited to. He is tailor made for it with his defensive qualities and his athleticism in getting forward. We look forward to working with JR for another year and helping him improve more.”

JR Wilson said: “I’m delighted to commit to Shels for next season, I love playing for this club and I feel I’m playing my best football here under the staff and will only learn more and improve as a player everyday. It’s a great young group of hungry lads that want to kick on and achieve big things and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”

Posted on 2022-09-292022-09-29

Shelbourne Football Club has today launched a new mental health awareness campaign encouraging people to: Mind Yourself, Mind Your Mates, Mind Your Family.

This launch of this new campaign takes place against a backdrop of extraordinarily high rates of mental health difficulties in Ireland. 

According to Mental Health Ireland, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life. A recent study shows that over 40% of the population experience difficulties and one in 10 people report a history of attempted suicide.

The same study revealed that only 16% of people in Ireland regularly take steps to look after their mental health, with 48% saying they should be talking about it more. 

The t-shirt will be available in navy and white in sizes from S – XXXL and will go on sale today in the Shelbourne FC Online Shop from today and the Shelbourne FC Club Shop at Tolka Park from Saturday, October 1st. The price of the t-shirt is €25.

There will also be a special double shirt package if purchased from the Club Shop @ Tolka Park, a white t-shirt and navy t-shirt, on sale at a discounted price of €40, with the idea being those who purchase the bundle can give the second t-shirt to a friend or family member as a gift and as a means to encourage positive dialogue around mental health. 

Shelbourne FC head coach Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC first team attacker Matty Smith, and Shelbourne FC first team goalkeeper Amanda Budden were on hand to launch the jersey at Tolka Park on Thursday morning.

All monies generated from the campaign will go directly to The Reds Together Charitable Fund. The Reds Together Charitable Fund, an extension of the Reds Together programme has been set up to make a meaningful, long-term, positive impact in our local community and for our charity partners.

The new t-shirt features a design by Shels supporter and Dublin designer and artist Zoe Redmond on the left side, emblazoned on the right side is a message from a display Shelbourne FC supporters produced before the recent game against Bohemian FC, encouraging people to: Mind Yourself, Mind Your Mates, Mind Your Family.

The club would like to echo that important message and encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to seek the support of a friend, family member or trained professional. It always gets better. Help and support is on hand and nobody should suffer alone, in silence. Taking that first step towards getting support can be difficult. You may feel afraid or embarrassed but it will be the most positive move you can make. 

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “I’m happy to support the campaign, it’s a very simple message but a very important one: ‘Mind yourself, mind your mates, mind your family’. Shels supporters look out for each other, it’s great to see. The recent fans display in the Riverside was very moving. It’s a powerful message and it sums up what this club is about.”

David O’Connor, CEO, Shelbourne FC said: “The mental health and wellbeing of everyone involved with Shelbourne Football Club is at the centre of our thoughts. As a club we have lost far too many people, too young to suicide, we know how important it is to support the mental health needs of everyone associated with Shelbourne FC.”

The t-shirt is available now here: https://shelbournefc.ie/shop/

Zoe’s work can be found here: https://zoeredmond.com/

Mental health support and information can be found here: https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/

For Emmo, Smurf, Paul, and all the Reds we have lost too young.

Posted on 2022-09-282022-09-28

Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to today announce an exciting partnership with Larkin Community College. This new three year educational initiative will link football and fitness.

A group of 23 first year students – girls and boys – described by Larkin College as ‘a healthy mix of gender, ethnicity, talent and passion’ has been selected to spearhead the three-year programme that will capitalise on their love of football, using coaches and facilities provided by Shelbourne FC. The scheme will also have the support of the extensive mental and social health programmes already in place at Larkin Community College.

The initiative harks back to a project launched in 2001 by the inner city Dublin school and the Reds which then had the aim of keeping young people in secondary school. The new programme, while sharing the academic motivational objectives of its predecessor, has the added responsibilities of strengthening the integration of girls and boys from many different nationalities. Students may also study Physical Education as a Leaving Cert. subject in the Senior Cycle.

The Larkin / Shelbourne FC partnership is being funded by private sector donations and is being managed by a board of educators, business leaders and Shelbourne FC supporters.

Shelbourne FC will assume responsibility for the coaching and football development of the students. The young people who are part of the project are not obliged to join the club or any of its under-age teams. The promotion of pathways into careers in sports and fitness will be a defining feature of this football development programme.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “Sport can be such a positive force in a young person’s life, it can help teenagers develop vital skills that will stand to them later in life. From a health and wellness perspective it’s so important for not just physical health but the mental side as well, this is a very important partnership for the club.”

Posted on 2022-09-212022-09-21

Shelbourne Head Coach Damien Duff is looking to make it back to back wins in the Dublin Derby as the Reds welcome Shamrock Rovers to Tolka Park on Thursday evening.

Duff was boosted by a return to fitness of Kam Ledwidge and Luke Byrne for the 3-0 win over Bohs in the FAI Cup quarter-final.

Duff will have to plan without Jack Moylan for this one, he told ShelbourneFC.ie: “It’s a short week with the game on Sunday then out again Thursday, so it’s a different training schedule, we had our pre match meeting and back on the grass today. We’re in good shape. Jack Moylan is out, he picked up an injury in the win over Bohs. Aside from that we’re doing well for bodies. Jad is still managing his injury, we need to rest him, and obviously the long term injured lads as well.”

The Reds are on a high after the win over their fiercest rivals, but Duff is confident his squad will quickly back down to earth after the 3-0 demolition over the Gypsies: “They trained really well today, you feel a focus off them, just pressing a reset button. Today was the first proper day on the pitch. We’ve told them a sign of a good team is following up one really good performance with another one. That’s what top teams do. We don’t want to be up and down, amazing one game then flat the next.”

Rovers remain top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table, but with a tricky run of fixtures in the league and in Europe they have won just 1 of their last 5 game. Despite their recent results, Duff knows the Reds are gearing up to face the best team in the country. Duff told ShelbourneFC.ie: “They’ve had difficult games in Europe, but at the end of it all they are the best team in the country, winning the last two leagues, they have the best group of players, I don’t read into recent results too much, they’re a quality side.”

The Reds have played the Hoops twice this season, losing on both occasions. Despite being undone by a late goal in Tolka Park, on a night where a draw would’ve been well deserved for Shels, Duff is keen not to gift them goals this time around: “What have we learned? Don’t give them a goal after 1 minute, ridiculous the head start we’ve given them in both games. We need to make a proper game of it, give ourselves a chance. Conceding after 1 minute isn’t acceptable. They have the best technical players, up in Tallaght too. I didn’t think we could concede faster than we did at Tolka, but we managed it. Tomorrow we need to stay compact and organised, got to be willing to press them to win the ball back. The goals we gave away were very poor and with a team of their quality, you can’t give them that kind of head start.”

The Reds have been drawn to face Waterford FC in the FAI Cup Semi-Final, reacting to the draw Duff said: “It’s a difficult tie, Waterford are a dangerous team. They’re a close knit group, but they have real quality too and some talented players. Waterford, Treaty United, first division, premier division, it doesn’t matter in a cup semi-final. Won’t have a bearing, no matter what team we got, our approach would be the same. This level, you have to respect the teams you face, look at how they’ve got here. Big results. A team with their quality and ambition, nobody will look past this game or take Waterford for granted.”

Tickets

Tickets for the Reds upcoming SSE Airtricity League clash are available online here:  https://shelbournefc.ie/

LOITV

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers. Watch all the action on LOI TV, every Premier Division fixture is available to watch for €7. Commentary from Conan Byrne and Ciaran Kilduff

Posted on 2022-09-202022-09-26

Shelbourne FC can confirm our game against St Patrick’s Athletic has been rescheduled to now be played at Tolka Park on Monday, 3rd October at 7:45pm.

Shelbourne FC expressed our deep frustrations and concerns to the FAI on behalf of our supporters, players and staff around St Patrick’s Athletic being unable to play as planned on the 7th of August.

Shelbourne FC welcomes the FAI’s decision to hold a review of the policy around fixtures for all clubs involved in UEFA club competitions ahead of the 2023 League of Ireland season.

Posted on 2022-09-192022-09-19

Shelbourne Football Club is today delighted to announce that Sean Boyd has signed a new contract.

The 24-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Tolka Park until the end of the 2023 season.

Boyd’s fine form this season has been rewarded with an early contract extension, the striker has scored 7 goals and in 23 appearances this season in the SSE Airtricity League.

The Dubliner has also netted 4 crucial goals in the FAI Cup, including a brace against Bohs that helped the Reds secure a famous victory over their rivals and set up a semi-final date with Waterford.

His tally across league and cup now stands at 11 goals for the 2022 campaign, his best return so far of his senior career. 

His previous highest goal tally was the 2021 season, where he scored 8 goals for Finn Harps, 4 in the league and 4 in the FAI Cup.

A talented and mobile centre forward who can be a handful for opposition defenders, Boyd counts Shamrock Rovers, Longford Town, and Finn Harps among his previous clubs.

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “It has been a great 24 hours for Sean, scoring two great goals yesterday and extending his contract today. I absolutely believe this is Sean’s home. The staff and players get the best out of him and he has without doubt gone to another level. He is a big part of what we want to build at Shels.”

Sean Boyd said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed a new deal with Shels, from my first day I felt at home at the club so I’m delighted to be at Tolka Park for next season. I can’t thank the manager and staff enough for what they have done for me, they have been brilliant all year for me and I’m really loving my football thanks to them, this is an exciting time for the club so there’s no place I’d rather be.”

Posted on 2022-09-172022-09-17

All eyes will be on Tolka Park on Sunday as Shelbourne take on bitter rivals Bohemian FC in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.

The Reds secured their spot in the quarter-finals having overcome Bray Wanderers and Bonagee United. 

Luke Byrne and Kameron Ledwidge missed the last game, while Mark Coyle returned to action last week having come off the bench in the 2-0 loss to Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park. Head coach Damien Duff was delighted to see him return to the field. 

Duff told Shelbournefc.ie: “We’re near on full strength, for the first time in a long time. Everyone except Conor Kane and Dan Hawkins. Aodh went off the last day, but he is fine, trained fully this week. He’s the kind of player who’d play with two broken legs. No issues with Aodh. We were glad to get Mark Coyle back, we still have to manage him. 

“It’s one we’ll need to be patient with. Luke Byrne missed the last game, has trained this week though and we’re working from day to day with Luke to get him right, he’s a massive presence. We know how important he is, he’s doing everything possible to be ready. Kameron Ledwidge trained too, which is positive.”

Reflecting on the 2-0 loss to Sligo last Friday night, Duff says his players won’t find it difficult to refocus ahead of the next game: “You move on very quickly, especially with a game like this, an FAI Cup quarter-final, it’s bloody exciting, for the staff, for the players, for everyone at the club.”

The Reds face a Bohs side who lost 1-0 to Derry City in their last outing. This will be the fifth meeting between the sides this season. The Reds drew 1-1 at Dalymount and at Tolka, while also losing two of the matches. A 1-0 loss away back in June and a 4-1 defeat at home in April.

On the opponents Duff said: “The temporary manager has come in, not an awful lot has changed in the way they play and set-up. They’ll come out all guns blazing we know. They had a win against Rovers, that was a big one for them.

Duff is looking forward to the game: “It’s a big day for the club, I don’t remember the last real big game like this at Tolka, one with proper juices flowing. A big prize at stake, full house, sold out, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a game like this. 

“We’ve had a good week’s training, the cup will always carry an emotional edge, but we’re treating it like a normal game. We know the consequences of winning, what might happen, where you might go. It’s a massive opportunity for us.”

Duff has been keen to point out how important the supporters have been to the team this year, but is eager now to turn the tables and see his team put in a big performance for the supporters: “They’ve been amazing all year, it’s a young team, and having supporters like that, vocal, encouraging, they give us such a lift at times when we need it and I think they sense when we need it. Now I want to see the players give the supporters that lift. It’s up to the players now.”

Treaty United and Waterford secured safe passage to the semi-final stage, but Duff is not looking beyond tomorrow: “Our sole aim is to beat Bohs, we haven’t spoken about the make-up of the semi-finals,” Duff added.

Tickets: Tickets for the Reds upcoming SSE Airtricity League clash with Shamrock Rovers are available online here: https://shelbournefc.ie/tickets-2/

TV: Shelbourne v Bohs (Kick-off 2pm). Live coverage of the FAI Cup encounter at Tolka Park. Commentary from Adam Leonard and Stuey Byrne

Posted on 2022-09-122022-09-12

Shelbourne FC have announced they are offering free entry for all season ticket holders to attend the upcoming FAI Cup semi-final clash with Bohemian FC on Saturday, September 24th.

Attendances at Shels WNL games at Tolka Park have been increasing significantly over the last 12 months and the club would like to encourage all season tickets holders to avail of the opportunity to attend the Cup Semi Final game for free.

In support of the club’s continued commitment to growing the women’s game in Ireland, we would also like to extend the offer to attend the game free of charge to all members and current season ticket holders of Bohemian FC as well.

The club would like to remove any barriers to attend what will be a brilliant game and a special occasion. Traditionally, season tickets do not extend to cup games and separate tickets usually are required for the FAI Cup.

The winner of our tie with Bohs will face either the holders Wexford Youths or Athlone Town in the showpiece decider on November 6th at Tallaght Stadium.

Tickets will go on sale this week for €5 for adults, while students and U12s will be able to attend for free.

Posted on 2022-09-122022-09-12

Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Walsh as a Non-Executive Director.

Karen is a Consulting Director with Genesis, one of Ireland’s leading strategic advisory firms, and joins the board with immediate effect. 

Karen has nearly three decades of experience with Fortune 500 and blue-chip companies in the UK and Ireland, and brings substantial commercial strategy expertise to the board.

As a former Head of Digital and Business transformation at Vodafone, Karen is also a positive change-maker and disruptor, and will accelerate the board’s efforts to innovate and modernise.

Karen Walsh said: “It is my absolute pleasure to join the board of Shelbourne. I am excited about the opportunity to make a real difference, get behind the changes already happening in women’s football, and support Shelbourne in its vision to lead the transformation of Irish football.

David O’Connor, CEO, Shelbourne FC said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome someone of Karen’s calibre and experience to the Strategic Board of Shelbourne FC. Karen brings a unique skillset to our board, and has already proven to be a catalyst in focusing and directing our strategic vision. We look forward to working closely with her as we collectively drive the club forward.”