Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to open recruitment for this year’s Football Coaching and Sporting Events diploma course in partnership with the Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board via the Baldoyle Training Centre.

The course, now entering its third year, is a full-time course, central to Shelbourne’s Reds Together community programme, is open to all early school leavers aged between 17 and 23 with 25 places available for the course which will be run across a full academic year of 48 weeks. 

Funded by the DDLETB, the programme is centred on a VTCT Level 2 / EQF Level 3 / QQI Level 4 Diploma in Business Administration and aims to provide participants with the skills and competencies to progress to further education or employment. 

Participants will learn about the business basics of running sports clubs and events and the content of the programme has been adapted and merged with the VTCT Business Diploma course content ensuring that all VCTC learning outcomes are fully addressed.

The FAI, DDLETB and Shelbourne FC will cooperate to facilitate this unique learning opportunity for local young people.

The course will introduce participants to the skills and knowledge required to work in the business and administration sectors of the Sports and Leisure industry offering learners the opportunity to attain a VTCT Diploma in Business Administration

A Soccer Coaching module (QQI5) will also be delivered primarily to develop learner’s “soft skills” such as organising, presenting and demonstrating and this will also contribute to learners developing confidence and essential life skills, people management skills as well as helping to enhance their self-esteem.

To ensure learners have the requisite skills to perform effectively in an administration role, learners will also complete 4 QQI Level 4 Minor Awards in Customer Service, Teamwork, IT Skills and Career Planning. Additional workshops such as Child safeguarding, working with people with disabilities and intercultural/diversity training will also be delivered.

Those who wish to sign up can do so via this link: https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder?sfcw-courseId=351317

Team news | Shelbourne v Cork City (H)

Shelbourne FC have a number of injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s League of Ireland Premier Division clash with Cork City at Tolka Park. (7:45pm KO)

The Reds head into the game without Shane Farrell who serves the first of a three match suspension, while Kian Leavy is the latest to join the growing injury list.

Unavailable for selection are Leavy, Conor Kane, Sean Boyd, Gavin Molloy, and Mark Coyle.

The Reds boss delivered a squad update ahead of tomorrow’s game. He told ShelbourneFC.ie: “Tyreke Wilson is back from suspension which is a boost, it’s as we were on the injury front mostly, Sean Boyd, Gav Molloy, Conor Kane, Mark Coyle are out. Kian Leavy is struggling and he’s going for a scan, he won’t be available for the weekend.

“JR Wilson is back training and feeling good, says he’s 100%, there are guys who have been playing through issues like Luke Byrne and Shane Griffin, they are fine.

“David Touré is in the squad. It was a really impressive display from him against Dundalk, very proud to see him make his debut in the Premier Division last week, he’ll have an interesting day, he’ll be going to school Friday morning, get out at 3:30pm and then jump on the bus up to Tolka Park.

“Might just about have time to stop in the shop for a pot noodle pre match, not the perfect preparation on a match day but at that age you just run on adrenaline don’t you and after the performance the last day, we have great faith in DT.”  

The Reds are in a good vein of form and have lost just once in 8 games. Three months into the new season has Duff seen improvements from the opening day draw against Drogheda United:

“I have and I haven’t,” Duff told ShelbourneFC.ie 

“I believe with the way we work our team will continuously grow, they give so much for each other. Why I say haven’t what I mean is I don’t think the league has settled down yet at all, there’s still a real chaotic feel to the games, all across the division now even in the second series of matches we haven’t settled down into our rhythm, the way we want to play and impose ourselves on the match, wanting to keep the ball and dominate games. It hasn’t happened yet.

“We’re trying to get to that point but the chaos is still there. You could argue that Shamrock Rovers are the only side properly settled into their stride, even when people said they were struggling, they were playing really well and never far away from clicking. What I want us to do now is bring some calm in the chaos.”

In August 1987, Mike Tyson delivered the immortal words when discussing the strategy of his upcoming opponent Tyrell Biggs: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” 

For the Reds at Tolka last week the proverbial punch in the face came after 10 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men after Shane Farrell saw a straight Red after an interaction with Keith Ward. Having gone a man down in the early exchanges of the game Duff praised his player’s resilience:

“We’re pretty well drilled on how we play with 10 men, and the guys work so hard for each other defensively. People think we lost Shane for 3 games, yes he’s banned now for the next 3 but we lost him for 4 really. The suspension is a massive blow when we’re so low on bodies. 

“Look, the plan goes out the window, but we soon adapted a Plan B and Plan C and the lads did really well to manage that in the circumstances. 

“I know after the game Stevie O’Donnell said they should’ve won, but when you look at the out and out real chances, they hit the post, but I think we’re the better team and are the ones that should’ve won it, hats off to the guys I thought they were magnificent.”

Cork City begin the game in 9th place in the table, 5 points behind the Reds in 6th. Duff says the Rebels are a formidable side:

“Really difficult task tomorrow, Cork City are a very good team, they have a brilliant manager in Colin Healy, he commands so much respect in the game for what he has achieved. 

“What he’s done with Cork City is very impressive as well, getting them back to where a big club of their stature belongs. As with any game, I won’t be disrespecting them, that’s not our style, we’ve warned the players they can’t either, it’s a really tough game, it’s there for all to see, they are a good team, we saw what they did away to Rovers, 4-4 draw, they beat Dundalk, Cork City are a really organised side and it’s a tough task for sure.”

Shels took all three points in Turners Cross on St Patrick’s Day, an own goal and a tidy finish from Jack Moylan handed Duff’s side the win on the road. The Reds boss is braced for a tough test:

“As always we reviewed their video this morning, we spoke about it yesterday on the pod, how we prepare for games, the level of detail and how we get our messages across in those clips.

“We did show a lot of footage from that game in Turners Cross, but it won’t mean much at 7:45pm tomorrow, it’s a different ground, different weather, different travel arrangements, we do know what we’re facing in terms of personnel.

“It’s the same squad, similar shape, but we know Colin might tweak it, that said our boys have a feel for them what they bring. We know they’ve got quality, and we’ll show them the respect they deserve.”

The Reds are facing into a busy few days with a Friday – Monday turnaround and a trip to Weavers Park to face Drogheda United to come early next week. The Reds boss is urging his young guns to seize the opportunity to impress:

“It’s all about stepping up now, Gbemi Arubi, Luke Browne and Lewis Temple are in the squad. DT took his chance last week, you always have a doubt when it’s a young lad, coming in after a serious injury.

“Taking an important position on the pitch when we’re a man down. That’s a very tough assignment, take out Rayhaan Tulloch and nullify his threat, a massive challenge, he’s one of the best players in the league, he scores a great goal, but DT coped well with that and that’s what he did for large parts. We know we can trust DT and those young players to step up and show what they can do.”

Tickets

Tickets for the Reds upcoming clash are available here.

TV

Watch all the action on LOItv, coverage begins from 7:30pm with kick off at 7:45pm Commentary from Adam Leonard and Reds icon Tony Sheridan

The Reds boss joins Steven Doody and Darren Cleary in studio on the latest episode of The 1895 Podcast.

Damien Duff discusses his start to life as a schoolboy footballer in Dublin, his professional career in England with Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham, his pride at representing his country and memories of that glorious summer of 2002 in Saipan.

Duff talks about his path to Shels and his aspirations as a coach. The Reds boss also tackles your listener questions.

Shelbourne FC can confirm a change in kick-off time for our upcoming game with Drogheda United.

The Bank Holiday Monday meeting with Drogheda United, originally scheduled for Monday, May 1 at 19:45 has been brought forward.

It will now kick off on the same date at 17:00 in Weavers Park.

Ticket info will be sent to season ticket holders in due course and any remaining tickets will subsequently go on general sale.

Top flight action returns to Tolka Park tomorrow as the Reds welcome Dundalk to Drumcondra in the League of Ireland Premier Division.  (7:45pm KO)

Damien Duff’s side come into the game after picking up a point on the road in a 2-2 draw with Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium a week ago.

Duff has been dealing with a difficult injury list in recent weeks with JR Wilson, Conor Kane, Sean Boyd, Gavin Molloy, and Mark Coyle among the players who’ve missed games.

The Reds boss delivered a squad update ahead of tomorrow’s game. He told ShelbourneFC.ie: “Good week for us training, great to be back to a normal week after the Easter Friday-Monday games, we had some good tough training days earlier in the week then did our walkthrough and video work today. 

“Injury wise Luke Byrne is dealing with ongoing issues, but coming closer to pain free so he’ll be available tomorrow. Mark Coyle is an aggravation of the same issue, in a slightly different place, but the same leg, same muscle. 

“That’s disappointing for Mark as he’d done well when he was in, now it’s about building up his fitness and getting him right so he can hopefully put together a run in the team. Tyreke Wilson is suspended, obviously a big loss. He’s been a brilliant signing for us and done well since coming in.” 

Duff also revealed that Conor Kane has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury by returning to full training this week. The defender who had been an ever present in the side and one of the consistently strong performers last season suffered a season ending injury in September 2022 in the 0-0 draw with Dundalk at Oriel Park. The Reds boss was thrilled to see the 24-year-old back: 

“Conor Kane is back in full training. We’re delighted to see him back, we still have to monitor and look after the contact he takes. Conor being back training with the group is another step on the long road to recovery. Look I don’t think people will be expecting to see him soon, he’s been out since September last year so there’s still a long road back, it won’t be right overnight but having him back on the grass and in full training is a great step forward and I’m delighted for Conor on a personal level.”

Brian McManus came in for his first start last week and acquitted himself well, Duff was full of praise for the energetic midfielder: “We changed things slightly in midfield, it worked well and tied in nicely with how we wanted to press Rovers and try to deal with where they hurt you. The way we wanted to play and press probably suited Brian McManus as well, it was good for Brian to get his first start, he’s had to be patient this year, but Brian has done really well.

‘’Tactics wise what we go with tomorrow night, you have to wait and see, but overall we were pleased when we reviewed last week, the lads did wonderfully well individually and as a collective, but are we disappointed we didn’t take all three points, absolutely.”

Duff’s side have been on a good run of results, having lost just one of the last six games, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Derry at Tolka Park after a dubious decision to send off Paddy Barrett left the Reds reduced to 10 men. Games against Dundalk in recent times have all been close run affairs. Assessing the challenge Duff said:

“All been tight games, we haven’t beaten them yet in the League of Ireland but the Leinster Senior Cup game up in Oriel, we won 4-0, that was a really competitive match, they had a strong team out and it was the same on both sides. We respected the competition.

“I said last week, Dundalk are one of only two teams we’ve not beaten in the league since coming up, we want to win the game but in many ways all pressure is on Dundalk, look they are a top team in the League of Ireland, full of really talented players, brilliant manager in Stevie O’Donnell, we’ll respect them, as we do every team that comes here, or if we’re away, but the pressure in on them. They’re expected to win, they’re the favourites.”

It’s been a tricky run of games for the Lilywhites, they are without a win in 5 competitive games, but snapped a four game losing streak in all competitions last week by drawing 2-2 with Derry City. Duff feels the recent disappointments make them a dangerous side:

“Team on a tough streak is more dangerous, you always worry that maybe a team after losing a few games, when we play them then it will be us that suffers the bite off them. The recent results don’t mean much, they’re a team consistently in Europe, they hit St Pats for 5. We won’t disrespect them, as I said they are a top team, top young manager and favourites to get three points, we’ll have to be at our best to win the game.” 

Only goal difference separates the Reds in 5th place from Dundalk in 8th. Duff knows the importance of a win given how tight the division is this year with every team capable of beating each other:

“Teams taking points off each other we’re seeing consistently week in week out, there’s no easy games at all. I don’t think it’s going to change, not sure when the last season was like this where there was so much competition and such fine margins. 

“Teams are at a certain level and you can see consistently capable of beating each other, regardless of budgets. 

“One week you might lose two on the bounce and end up down near the bottom two, but if you have a good fortnight and pick up 2 or 3 wins you could end up top 2.”

The Reds will be on tv for the third time this season, with RTÉ2 in Tolka Park to broadcast the meeting with Dundalk. Duff feels his young squad, which has the second youngest average age in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland (23.1) are embracing the occasion

“As much as the FAI Cup Final was a difficult day, we knew that every game after that was going to be easier. The pressure that come with that, live tv, the showpiece game in the calendar, the whole nation watching, once you’ve come through that as a player, you can embrace and enjoy anything, any game in the league, be it on TV, Rovers away, big derbies, it’s not going to be the the same worry or pressure that was on for the FAI Cup Final.

“The lads have adjusted to it and grown as players and people and enjoy having the eyes on them now, it shows the growth, they’re happy to embrace it.” 

Tickets

Tickets for the Reds upcoming clash are available here.

TV

Watch all the action on RTÉ, coverage begins from 7:35pm with kick off at 7:45pm Commentary from Adrian Eames and Lisa Fallon.

Shelbourne FC are delighted to announce a continuation of our partnership with BestDrive by Continental for the 2023 League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division season having had them on board last year.

Operating in Ireland since 1967 and with 29 branches, BestDrive offers nationwide expertise in the field of automotive maintenance and full car servicing and with their help along with other key partners; our women’s team will be looking to drive on to further success in 2023 at home and abroad.

With nine branches in the Dublin region, we would encourage our supporters to support those supporting the Reds when thinking of maintaining your vehicles. In addition, we would like to extend our thanks to Marketing Director Eddie Ryan and all at BestDrive by Continental for their continued support.

Speaking at the launch Eddie Ryan said “BestDrive have been associated with women’s football in Ireland for 10 years, and we are delighted to continue to help develop the game by being a major sponsor of Shelbourne FC. Shelbourne FC continues to innovate in the development of the game and its academy produces a never ending stream of talent that can only help the club and hopefully the national team in the future. We are very impressed with the professionalism that is shown by the club and the passion of both the players and supporters and we wish the team continued success for 2023.”-Eddie Ryan, Marketing Director BestDrive by Continental.

On securing the BestDrive partnership Keith McDarby of Shelbourne FC told the media team: “We are thrilled to be working with Eddie and the team at Bestdrive again this season. Bestdrive’s continuous support of our Womens team has played a massive part of the success on the pitch and the continuous stream of talent coming down the line. Hopefully we can achieve more great things this year and share more success with Bestdrive and our other major partners. I would like to extend my thanks to Eddie and all the team at Bestdrive. It’s a real pleasure to work with them” -Keith McDarby, Commercial Director.

Shelbourne FC make the trip to Tallaght Stadium for the Ringsend Derby on Friday night in the League of Ireland Premier Division.  (7:45pm KO)

The Reds will travel across the city with renewed confidence having taken three points on Easter Monday with a 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers at Tolka Park. 

Mark Coyle was forced off injured during the Reds most recent outing, while Gavin Molloy suffered an ankle injury in UCD last Friday.

Head coach Damien Duff delivered a squad update ahead of tomorrow’s game. He told ShelbourneFC.ie:

“Low key enough this week with bodies needing a break and the amount of changes we made, even subs getting more minutes than we might have expected.

“It was just recovery for Tuesday, everyone really involved with that, we didn’t have a training group. Wednesday we were off. Back in today and trained well. We did our work on Rovers in the video room and then took it out onto the pitch in the AUL. We’re good to go now tomorrow, we’re down numbers wise again, few doubtful, you have to manage the situation.

“Mark Coyle has a slight strain again, he’s out of action, a couple of guys we’ll have to make a call on so we’re not sure yet on the starting line up. 

“Then the long term injured are still out, Sean Boyd and Conor Kane. Gav Molloy’s results came back of his medical scans, it’s going to be a few weeks, we’re disappointed for Gav, he’s been playing really well.

“He’s done ligament damage so too early to put an exact time frame on it, but it will be a few weeks for sure, and will come down to no setbacks in the recovery and how quick Gav can heal.” 

The Reds have lost just one of their last six games, a narrow defeat to Dundalk in Oriel Park is the only blot on the copy book since the start of March.

Reflecting on his side’s start to the 2023 season Duff said: “I think we’re in a nice position. We’ve definitely left points behind during the first round of games. Other teams can say the same I’m sure. It’s a phrase we’ve said a lot over 18 months. 

“Last weekend was very important for us to set the direction we’d go in heading into the second round of matches, our aim was 6 points from two games we got 4 points, it leaves us 3 points better off than at this time last season.

“I think the improvements are there, I know fans will see that but being honest, I’m never happy, I want more and know we’re capable of more, but it’s an ok place to be.” 

The Reds win over Sligo Rovers marked the first time since April 2022 against Derry City that they won having conceded the opening goal. Duff hopes that will help boost belief among his young squad: “For me stats like that show the belief, when you’re 1-0 down, and then coming back to win, it’s a mentality thing, it’s good for the boys to be able to have that. We generally don’t lack belief. 

“We were 1-0 against Derry a few weeks back and we believed we’d win. Second half then we have the sending off, that’s changed the game. I think coming from behind last Monday, that will definitely help the lads, for next time. The belief is there that if they get into that situation, and look over the course of the season it will happen again, you’ll go a goal down, but the belief is there they can turn it around and will only grow having done it on Monday night..

“Looking back on Monday, there were a few issues in the first half but that’s down to lads struggling with injuries, fitness and form, we made the changes and that gave us a spark. 

“You’d say over the course of the first round we earned that bit of luck, the Mahon own goal. I was more than pleased with the result and the performance too in that second half, good to see attacking players looking dangerous. 

“Second half we defended well. Joey O’Brien clipped the game and we watched it as a group on Tuesday, there’s always learnings. The lads bounced in and were delighted to get the win, but looking back on those clips, the areas to improve, brought them back down to earth.

Shamrock Rovers go into the game having won their last three games in the League of Ireland and despite a slow start to the season, Duff feels the Hoops were never far away from firing on all cylinders: “They were never far off form even when they were not getting results. Tallaght Stadium is the hardest place to go in the League of Ireland. 

“They were unbeaten in 70 odd matches until Derry won against them. We know the task at hand. 

“Our mentality never changes. We’re going to win the game. Boys will take that approach in and they need to go there with genuine belief as well.”

“Last season they were very tight games, credit to the guys, we played them 5 times, first few games we lacked belief you’d say, obviously it’s a team coming up from the first division, can be hard to instil the confidence early on, but over the games last season and the one already this year, we’ve seen that confidence and belief grow in our lads. We’ve seen the performances get better too.

“The lads need to get the monkey off the back. There are only two teams we haven’t beaten since we came back up, Dundalk and Rovers. There is no better time than tomorrow. I said it this morning, I think they’re ready to do it and end that wait.”

The Ringsend Derby is a storied rivalry and the fixture’s importance is recognised by the interest in it, with the game screening live on RTÉ 2 on Friday night. Duff has urged his players to embrace the pressure that comes with the occasion and savour every minute of it:

“It’s never the motivation I do worry about, I think the lads need to consistently back themselves and not be fazed by the big occasion.

“That’s where playing in the FAI Cup Final will stand to them, albeit a disappointment on the day, the experience of that stage, helps you not be fazed by big occasions again, playing Rovers in Tallaght, full house, tv cameras rolling, it’s a big game. 

“Our lads will be highly motivated, they’ll need to play with calm and confidence, they are good enough to go there and win, I firmly believe that they’re good enough, they need to believe it too.”

A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE, GREAT Brendan O’Brien

By Pat Cordelle

Women’s Senior Team

2022 Goals Review

by Kev Doyle

Good evening and welcome to our 1st encounter with Sligo Rovers this season. The Bit o’ Red are the only side remaining in the premier division we have yet to face and sit 4th seven games into 2023 at the time of writing.On the pitch since our last issue the red’s deservedly beat Cork City on St.Patrick’s Day in the rebel county an enjoyable day was had by the large traveling contingent followed by the long awaited return to the calendar of the Leinster Senior Cup where we easily saw off Dundalk to advance to a meeting with Wexford in the next round.

Followed by a frustrating game against Derry City in Tolka Friday before last due to some questionable decisions. The women’s side meanwhile had two home games, a well earned draw with Shamrock Rovers in what was an excellent game followed by the disappointing home defeat at the hands of Galway. They bounced back in some style however, demolishing Peamount away from home 4-1. Now onto the main body of this the 36th edition of #RedsStats reviewing the goals scored & conceded by our women’s side throughout last season in 2022.

The Numbers:

Goals Scored = 71 or 2.22 per game.

Goals Conceded = 17 or 0.53 per game.

Goals Scored:Set Piece vs Open play = 28% vs 72%

Most common type was goals scored via a shot from inside the box (44) which was 62% of the reds goals in 2022.

Least common type of goal was an own goal (2) which accounted for 3% of red’s goals. A similar style collection of data is planned and already in action for goals conceded from now on.

Top Scorer: Only 5 red’s scored 5 or more goals in 2022 these were as follows:

1st: Noelle Murray on 12.

2nd: Jessie Stapleton on 8.

3rd: Jemma Quinn, Abbie Larkin and Saoirse Noonan on 7.

So that accounts for 58% of red’s goals among those 5 players.

Goal Scored Times:1st Half 59% vs 2nd Half 41%.

Top 3 time periods for the red’s to score goals in 2022 were 0-15 mins (18) at 25%, 75-90 mins (13) at 18% and 30-45 mins (12) at 17%.

Least likely times for the red’s to score last year were the two periods of stoppage time at the end of either half 1st half (3) at 4% and 2nd half (5) at 7%.

Goals Conceded Times:

1st Half 47% vs 2nd Half 53%.

Top 3 periods in this category in 2022 were 60-75 (5) at 29%, 45-60 and 15-30 minutes (3) at 17.5%.

The least likely time for the red’s to concede last year was during the period of 2nd half stoppage time (0) accounting for just 0% of goals conceded by the side in 2022.

Analysis:It’s clear to see that the 2022 edition of the reds were certainly mean at the back conceding just 17 goals all year. The 13 league goals they conceded equating to 0.48 per game was the lowest goals to game ratio conceded in the Women’s national league since its inception.

With 84.5% of red’s goals being scored from a position within the opposition’s penalty area it is clear where the main threat from the reds last year lay.

On the goal scoring front it is impressive to note that in a tie for third place Saoirse Noonan with 7 goals achieved this in only 11 games and 758 minutes on the pitch compared the other top scorers before her summer departure to Durham FC.

This gives her a goals to minute ratio of 1 goal per 69 minutes played compared to 1 per 221 minutes for top scorer Noelle Murray and 1 per 349 minutes for 2nd placed Jessie Stapleton.

The reds certainly bossed 1st halves of games last year scoring nearly 60% of their goals in this period. But they didn’t then die off in the second half as seen by the fact that the second most common period for them to score was in the final 15 minutes of the game showing they could stay the course in games and part of the reason beyond there doublewinning campaign.

Form Guide:

The visitors tonight to tolka park are Sligo Rovers, a side against whom we had a record of 2 win, and 2 defeats in 2022, obviously yielding a 50% win rate.

Our LOIW side completed the 1st phase of the league campaign out in Greenogue, and are now in the middle of 2 weeks off while international camps return with our own Jessie Stapleton present in preparation for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand they return to action on April 15th in Tolka Park against Treaty United.

That’s your lot for this the 36th #RedsStats enjoy the game tonight, We’ll return in 2 weeks time ahead of the visit of Dundalk Fc to Tolka Park with an article summing up the First Series of games for our men’s side which ends tonight. Until then UP THE REDS.

Shelbourne FC make the short trip across the city to face UCD in the League of Ireland at the Belfield Bowl on Friday (7:45pm KO). 

The Reds go into the game looking to make it 3 away wins on the spin having beaten Cork City and Dundalk in recent trips.  

After a number of weeks of injury issues Head coach Damien Duff is dealing with a full deck. He told ShelbourneFC.ie that things are looking up once again on that front: 

“We had a good week’s training finishing off today, everyone in good form. Lads working hard. Great to have more bodies out on the pitch. Injuries wise its only the long term absentees we’re without, Sean Boyd and Conor Kane.

“Happy to get JJ Lunney and Mark Coyle back into the team last Friday, I thought they did very well, looked sharp after a little spell out injured. Very happy with the display, considering it was under difficult circumstances, playing against a top team with 10 men. Never easy, but the lads were great. Worked hard and great to have them in the mix again now tomorrow

“Listen we will have to use the squad wisely with a Friday – Monday turnaround, JR Wilson will be ok, he had an impact on the hip and went off early against Derry City, but back on the pitch and we expect him to play.

“We’ve plenty of options now to choose from, Luke went off with a slight issue, but he’s fit. Paddy Barrett’s out with suspension, he’s fit for Monday and with the turnaround we’ll use the squad”

The Students have endured a difficult start to the 2023 season. They are rooted to the bottom of the table having taken just a single point from 7 games so far this season. Duff though feels the Reds would be foolish to underestimate them:

“UCD are a good side, their current position probably does not reflect the talent they have, they get more dangerous the longer that wait for a win goes on.

“We won’t be disrespecting them, we won’t be showing up with the mentality that we just have to walk out there to win, we’re expecting a tough, competitive game.

“UCD have lost more quality than anyone in the League of Ireland in the last 12 months. Liam Kerrigan, Colm Whelan, Evan Caffrey, Thomas Longergan, four of the brightest young players in the country, really top players in this league

“I’ve a lot of respect for Andy Myler and he deserves huge credit for what’s been achieved there. Keeping them up in the division last year, winning the playoff, they are a dangerous team. People go out the door, but they always have players ready to replace them.”

“Our lads will be up for it, I don’t accept the suggestion or mentality that it’s easier to lift your levels or motivate yourself for the Derry game or the Dublin derbies. I hate that mentality to be honest, if there’s players who are struggling to get up for tomorrow they shouldn’t be here.” 

Earlier today the club confirmed that Gavin Molloy has put pen to paper on a new deal. Duff feels to secure his signature so early in the campaign is a big boost to the side and sends out a positive message to the fans:

“We work off a tight budget so I’m grateful to the board that it was greenlit straight away, now we need to keep building.

“I think it’s an important message to the fans, it shows that myself, the staff and club are all aligned, we’re not thinking short term. 

“The vision is clear and it’s a long term play and getting Gav’s future secured at the club is a big part of that. He has ambitions to go to England, but as long as Gavin Molloy is playing in the League of Ireland, Shelbourne FC is the only place he wants to be.”

With the return of a number of players in recent weeks competition for places has increased. Duff admits staff meetings to pick the team at times were short affairs last season as they operated off a thin squad, this year, thankfully discussions take a little longer:

“We’ve a deeper squad, staff meetings are longer, probably Monday and Tuesday when the conversations on the starting XI are had, it took a lot longer than last year.

“We’re not taking our eyes off tomorrow, but you do have to plan line-ups over the days, we have a fair idea for the Sligo game line-up.

“We can’t understate that these two are very important games and I think in some ways will go a long way to deciding what way we go this season.”

“Of course we’ve done our work on them and watched a lot of clips in the meeting but for me it’s all about us. 

“Many times you win a game when you deliver a high quality performance, we know that’s what we need to see first and foremost.

“We’re demanding a high quality performance from the players, I want to see energy, intensity, desire, that’s what I’m asking. I don’t want to ask the players how much do you want this? I want to see the answer on the pitch.”

Tickets for the game are available here: UCD (A)

Shelbourne Football Club is today delighted to announce that Gavin Molloy has agreed a new contract with the club.

The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Tolka Park until the end of the 2024 season.

The versatile midfielder has been an ever-present in the team since making the breakthrough last season under Damien Duff.

The Dubliner has also started every game this season for the Reds, and has played all across the pitch as part of a back three, wingback and in midfield. Molloy’s string of excellent individual displays have seen him featured on a number of occasions in the League of Ireland Team of the Week.

His most recent display was a Man of the Match performance against Derry City at Tolka Park a week ago.  

A natural leader on and off the pitch, Molloy has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late great Theo Dunne, and captained the Reds in a competitive game having been given the honour to wear the armband for the away game in Dundalk earlier this season. 

Molloy made 19 appearances last season as Shels finished 7th and made it to the FAI Cup final, he started 15 games in the League of Ireland Premier Division and 4 in the FAI Cup.

He scored two goals last season as well for the Reds in the League, both coming in the 3-1 win over Finn Harps at Tolka Park, while also netting the winner in the FAI Cup semi-final against Waterford FC at the RSC.

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “It is great news that Gavin has agreed to another year here. As long as Gavin is playing in Ireland, I will always want him at Shelbourne. He has continuously grown week in, week out since his debut. He is a pleasure to work with on and off the pitch and is without doubt a top player in the league. We are very happy he is staying  as I am sure his Grandad Theo is from up above.”

Gavin Molloy said: “I’m delighted to extend my deal until next year, I feel I’m at an important part of my development, and I think there’s no better place to be than at Shels. My football at the moment is giving me the most enjoyment I’ve ever experienced and long may it continue. The club has been excellent with me since I’ve come in and I can’t wait to build on this.”