Posted on 2023-06-302023-06-30

The Reds will go head to head with Glasgow FC in the first round of the UEFA Champions League.

Following the draw in Nyon on Friday, Lituania was revealed as the host nation for the group.

Noel King’s side will meet the Scottish champions on Wednesday, 6 September.

Victory would put the Reds on the path to face either Gintra of Lithuania or Cardiff City in a group final on Saturday, 9 September. The winner advances to the next stage of the tournament.

Group 8 semi-finals

Gintra (Lithuania) v Cardiff City (Wales)

Glasgow City (Scotland) v Shelbourne (Republic of Ireland)

Posted on 2023-06-302023-07-01

Posted on 2023-06-292023-06-29

The Reds look to get back to winning ways when they host Derry City at Tolka Park tomorrow in the League of Ireland (7:45pm).

Damien Duff’s side were unlucky to leave Richmond Park on the losing side of a cagey Dublin Derby a week ago, as a perfectly struck free from Jake Mulraney gave St Patrick’s Athletic a 1-0 win. 

In team news, Damien Duff will have to plan without Matty Smith, while the long term injured players are Kian Leavy and Brian McManus:

“Matty is still unavailable with Brian and Kian out too. Aside from that, everyone is okay and ready to rock. The training has been really good this week, we came in on Saturday and dusted ourselves down. We had our post-match analysis on the game against Pats and started preparing for Derry. The lads trained well with great energy, and that was alongside a nice calmness to how they approached the week too.”

Duff was in attendance at the Tallaght Stadium on Monday as Derry City suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Shamrock Rovers. Duff feels Derry deserved more from the game and carrying the disappointment of that result into tomorrow makes them an even more dangerous side: 

“There’s an awful lot of quality players in their squad. Derry dominated the ball for large spells, and look they were disappointed with the result obviously.

“It’s probably added something to tomorrow’s game for them, it is a big one in terms of the league title. They’ll be looking to win, they know how important that could be to stay in the title race.”

The Reds have faced Derry City twice this season, the game at Tolka ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, while Duff’s side were unlucky not to pick up all three points on the road after a 0-0 draw. The Reds boss took plenty of positives from their performances against the Candystripes this season.

“There are a lot of positives to take, we played very well, those games against Derry and even if you look at the matches too against Pats, they are very tight games, in games like that it often comes down to key moments to settle the matches. It’s important that we come out on the right side rather than the wrong side. Who will step up and create the magic?

“We have players in our squad capable of doing it. We’ve seen it already. Mulraney last week with his goal, that big moment and Ryan Graydon then in Tolka for Derry, they have been influential. Many tight games are decided by these crucial moments, we need to be on the right side of them tomorrow.”

The Reds are facing into matches with Derry, UCD and a Dublin Derby with Bohemian FC. Duff knows the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the path they take for the rest of the season:

“The results we get in those games can go a long way in deciding things later on in the season. They are three great games to have, when you include the Leinster Senior Cup match too. The lads are embracing it, quickly parked the disappointment last Friday and there’s a real excitement about the place and in training. That’s what we want to see, it’s time to approach it with enthusiasm rather than dread. These next games, the points on offer, they are big points that can take us far and propel us towards our desired destination.”

Duff is urging his players to play without pressure and enjoy their football: “I’m trying to take the sting out of it. I want the pressure off the players, I guess you could say it is on me and Ruaidhri Higgins, as well as the Derry players. We have our aims, hopes, and goals, but it’s not an additional pressure. They need to know they can go out and relax. Our guys are good enough without putting that extra pressure on themselves.

“Being brave with the ball is something I emphasised this morning, especially in the final third of the pitch. It’s evident for everyone to see. Our players are coached both with and without the ball, but sometimes that cutting edge, that little gamble you take in a split second, the instinct to try something nobody else would, that can’t be coached. It’s about sensing the opportunity and being brave, but also remaining relaxed in the final third.”

Tickets

Tickets for the Reds upcoming clash are available here: https://shelbournefc.ie/tickets-2/

TV

Watch all the action on LOITV, coverage begins from 7:30pm with kick off at 7:45pm. Commentary from Adam Leonard and former Red Georgie Poynton.

Posted on 2023-06-232023-06-23

As we wave farewell to Jessie Stapleton this weekend here’s a pictorial look back at her time in Red.

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Jessie’s first goal in Red away to Treaty United. She has gone onto score 21 goals for the Reds to lie inside the top 10 goal scorers for our #LOIW side.

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In goal scoring form again as Shels dramatically sealed the 2021 women’s national league title on the final day picking Peamounts pockets at the death.

Crucial goal against Peamount in the title run in of 2022 which the Reds would ultimately go on to win league and cup honours.

Celebrating Heather O’Reillys winning goal in last summer’s champions league qualifying campaign, the Reds women’s first win on foreign soil in UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying.

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Celebrating after scoring the goal that opened the floodgates as the Reds turned in one of the performances of the season on the final day in Wexford to secure back to back titles

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Celebrating completion of the league & cup double with teammate Alex Kavanagh a game in which Jessie was named player of the match and scored the opening goal of the game.

Jessie’s performance throughout the year earn her the young player of the year award aswell as a place in the team of the year for 2022

• 

Jessie during her time with Reds earned her first senior international cap in a friendly versus the Philippines and has also captained the Irish under 19s international underage side.

Jessie’s final goal in Red was a crucial equaliser in our first meeting with the reformed Shamrock Rovers Womens Team.

• 

It’s goodbye for now Stapo.

Posted on 2023-06-222023-06-22

St Patrick’s Athletic and Shels go head to head on Friday as the League of Ireland returns following the summer break.

The Reds are looking to build on a solid first half of the season which saw them enter the break in sixth place in the League of Ireland table, just 4 points off the top four.

Damien Duff delivered a squad update after training in the AUL on Thursday. He told ShelbourneFC.ie: “Matty Smith is the only doubt, as he’s struggling with an ankle injury. Apart from that, everybody is fit bar the long term injured players Brian McManus and Kian Leavy.

“Paddy Barrett is back in contention, which is a brilliant boost for us. He’s been a great signing. The most important thing now is to keep him fit, as we can’t afford to miss him for multiple games. It has been quite frustrating in that sense. Having him available is fantastic for the team, the squad, and the overall energy around the place.

“Coming in after the break, we could feel the enthusiasm and excitement around the place, although there were still some cobwebs after the 6 or 7 days off. 

“We decided to come in a day early to get back into the swing of things. We are raring to go and eager to get back on the pitch, and I expect the lads to show that tomorrow.”

The Reds went into the break with a draw at home to Sligo Rovers. Reflecting overall on their season Duff feels they’ve made positive strides so far:

“We’re currently on a nice run, having lost just one game in the last 13 matches, in terms of the League of Ireland, with teams turning each other over every week, that’s considered good form. 

“We’ll be honest, we were really disappointed not to beat Sligo in our last game. It felt like two points dropped definitely for me, and we know we could have done better. Now, our focus is on getting back to winning ways and ensuring we’re more clinical with those chances, turning draws into wins is going to be important as the season goes on.”

The Saints and Shels have plenty of history and the duels of the 2000s was the big story in Irish football at the time. Despite efforts to dampen the rivalry by some, Duff feels it’s alive and well:

“Contrary to what some people say, there is indeed a rivalry between Shels and Pats and that has brought some intense games, they’ve been tight matches, hard fought.

“The recent game at Tolka was a real disappointment for us. The games this season, both decided by two set pieces that we were not good enough on. In Tolka, we didn’t offer much, particularly in the second half. Richmond Park has always been a difficult place for visiting teams to go, we know how hard it’ll be to get the win, but that’s our aim, we know what we need to bring and the players are embracing that.”

With the transfer window opening shortly, Duff spoke about his plans to bring in reinforcements, and hoped they would mirror the impact of Matty Smith upon his arrival to Tolka at the same time last season:

“It is very important for us to strengthen, that’s the aim. We see the impact that Matty had last year, and that’s exactly what I’m hoping for this year as well. It’s not just about getting one player like Matty, but if we can secure two, that’s great even better, we’re looking for three, that would be amazing for us. With new owners and the board, they are aware of my views. They know where we want to get to together, we are currently in a good position, but we want to provide the whole squad with a boost for the second half of the season, we need to strengthen our team to give us that impetus”.

Posted on 2023-06-222023-06-22

Dear all,

As the Academy Director, it fills me with pride to see the progress we have made in developing underage players for both elite and grassroots participation.

Our commitment to nurturing talent from an early age is unwavering, our Sunday “Super Reds” academy (5–7-year-olds) has grown to 60 girls and boys, we have 10 small-sided games teams (two per age group) from U8 to U12, we now have two vibrant and enthusiastic community teams. These teams will serve as the foundation for our future players, instilling a love for the game and providing them with invaluable skills and experiences.

Building on this foundation, in our boys’ section, we have dedicated community sides (DDSL) at each age group from U13 (where there are two) to U17. These teams will continue to represent our club with pride and compete against other clubs in the league, showcasing the talent that emerges from the community pathway.

At the national level, we have established one team each in the elite League of Ireland at U14, U15, U17, and U19 categories. These national league sides are a testament to our commitment to excellence and our aspiration to compete at the highest level. We believe in the potential of our players and are determined to provide them with the opportunities they deserve.

Rory Kirk leads our comprehensive girls’ program. In the MGL community teams, we now have one team at every age group from U11 to U17. In addition, our national league teams feature U17 and U19 teams. This full coverage from U11 to U19 ensures that aspiring female players receive the support and guidance they need to flourish in the sport.

One remarkable aspect of our academy’s growth is that it has occurred while other professional clubs’ academies have faced reductions in size. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, from coaches to players, and the continued commitment of the club at board level.

As we continue to expand, we face important decisions regarding the provision of a high-quality football program to our community and club. These decisions revolve around factors such as access to facilities and the availability of coaches and managers who can deliver the required training expected of our academy.

While planning for the upcoming season, we recognized that due to resource and capacity constraints, two of our DDSL teams could not be accommodated in our future plans. We communicated this to the affected teams toward the end of May while the current season was still ongoing. The teams affected were viewed together toward the end of the season and assessed by the respective managers before upcoming trials in July. All affected managers were assured that they would still have roles within our academy should they choose to remain.

The club is working tirelessly to expand its opportunities and to enhance the facilities that we use. The challenges we face are significant, but we believe the amendments to the structures of our academy will ensure we can make the most meaningful long term positive impact on young people and continue to provide an exceptional footballing experience for all our players.

The future of Shelbourne FC’s academy is undeniably bright. Our commitment to player development, both at the elite and grassroots level, remains at the forefront of everything we do. Together, let’s continue to nurture talent, foster a love for the game, and create a thriving football community for years to come.

Yours in football,

Colm Barron
Shelbourne FC, Academy Director

Posted on 2023-06-212023-06-21

Shelbourne FC, in partnership with the Liverpool Football Club Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony O’Neill as the new Community Officer. Tony will play a crucial role in advancing the club’s community engagement strategy and supporting the Reds Together Programme.

As the Community Officer, Tony O’Neill will lead and deliver high-quality sports and education activities in various school, club, and community settings around Dublin. His responsibilities will include developing and nurturing relationships with community partner clubs, groups, and schools, driving the growth and development of the ‘Reds Together’ program across north Dublin, and ensuring that all activities are executed to the highest standards.

Tony O’Neill brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the Community Officer at Shamrock Rovers FC. During his tenure, he helped to grow the fanbase citywide, educated community coaches in affiliate and partner clubs, and managed various projects, including the summer camp program. Tony’s dedication and commitment to community involvement made a big impact in his former role and the increased community engagement brought with it a growth in attendances at games at the Tallaght Stadium.

Having worked at Shelbourne FC from 1997 to 2000 as the Community Relations Coach, Tony O’Neill is no stranger to the club. With his return, he aims to strengthen existing club and school affiliations across Dublin City, establish a social inclusion program, collaborate on coaching education programs with affiliate clubs, and actively engage with the community to grow the next generation of Shelbourne fans.

Expressing his excitement about joining Shelbourne FC, Tony O’Neill said, “It is great to be back and be a part of this great football club rising again. We have two great managers in Damien Duff and Noel King in both the men’s and women’s teams, respectively, and it’s an amazing time for this League of Ireland giant. I am proud to be your representative to our fanbase, young and old, season ticket holder and future Shel’s fans. Looking forward to meeting you at the games and in the community. Here’s to having a great season.”

Barry Mocke, CEO of Shelbourne FC said: “We are delighted to welcome Tony O’Neill as our new Community Officer at Shelbourne FC. Tony brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of community engagement to the role. His passion for football and commitment to making a positive impact in our local community make him the perfect fit for this position. We are confident that Tony will play a vital role in further developing our ‘Reds Together’ Community Program and strengthening our relationship with the community. We look forward to working with him and seeing the positive impact he will undoubtedly make at Shelbourne FC.”  

All at Shelbourne FC are thrilled to welcome Tony O’Neill and believe that his extensive experience and passion for community engagement will contribute significantly to the club’s overall strategic vision.

Posted on 2023-06-202023-06-20

Shelbourne Football Club can confirm that Jessie Stapleton will play her final game for the club on Saturday 24th of June against Linfield FC in the Avenir Sports All Island Cup at Tolka Park. (K.O 2pm)

Stapleton is widely regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Irish football. She departs the Reds having made 71 appearances, scored  21 goals, won two League of Ireland titles and an FAI Cup.  

The 18-year-old is moving to the UK to join a Women’s Super League side, who will confirm the signing on July 1.

Since arriving at Tolka Park in 2021, Stapleton has become central to the success enjoyed under Noel King. In her first season in senior football, she was nominated for Young Player of the Year and named in the Team of the Season as the Reds won the title in the most dramatic of fashions, pipping Peamount United on the final day to win the 2021 Women’s National League title. The Reds made it to the FAI Cup final that season, but were denied the double by Wexford Youths.

The next season Stapleton was a vital part of the Reds side that followed up the 2021 title win with a remarkable League and Cup “double”. She was crowned Young Player of the Year and retained her place in the Team of the Season. Stapleton also made up for the disappointment of missing out on the FAI Cup in 2021, as she scored the opening goal and won the Player of the Match award as the Reds beat Athlone Town 2-0 in the 2022 FAI Women’s Cup Final, while also claiming the 1895 Young Player of the Year award for 2022.

Stapleton has captained the Republic of Ireland U-19s side and named U-19s Player of the Year at International level at the FAI Awards in 2022 an award for which has been nominated again for this year. 

She went on to make her senior international debut against the Philippines as a substitute in June of 2022 in Turkey. 

All at Shelbourne FC would like to express a heartfelt gratitude to Jessie for her exceptional loyalty, unmatched dedication, and invaluable service to the club. Her contribution and commitment both on and off the pitch have been massive. Jessie’s work ethic, professionalism, and leadership have been instrumental in the success we have achieved as a team. We wish Jessie all the luck in the world for the next chapter in her career.

Jessie Stapleton, Shelbourne FC said: “It’s been a pleasure to play for this incredible club. I’ve grown so much as a player winning two league titles, an FAI Cup and had the amazing experience of playing in the Champions League. Firstly I wanted to thank the staff, especially Noel King who gave me the opportunity of playing and helped develop me as a player. To Pearl Slattery and all the girls who not only helped me on the pitch but became a family to me off the pitch, I’ve learned so much from the “oldie goldies”, however it’s the memories and the laughs I’ll cherish the most. To the fans who made every game feel like a home game, from Tolka to Slovenia, thank you so much for all the support. For now, I’m onto my next challenge but I’ll be Shels biggest fan.  As the saying goes, once a Red, always a Red.”

Noel King, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “Jessie has been a role model, not only for her teammates but for aspiring footballers in our community. Her professionalism, humility, and determination are qualities that we greatly admire and respect. Her positive influence has extended far beyond the pitch, it was a privilege to work with Jessie and I wish her all the best for the future.”

Pearl Slattery, captain, Shelbourne FC said: “I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication and incredible service that Jessie has given to our club. Her loyalty and commitment have been nothing short of brilliant. We are grateful for the selfless contributions Jessie made both on and off the pitch. It’s incredible for someone so young to achieve what she has, but Jessie has left an indelible mark on Shels and she should be very proud of all she achieved.” 

We’d like to encourage all Shels fans to please get down to Tolka Park on Saturday to give Jessie a great send-off and acknowledge her remarkable service to the club. Season Tickets are valid for free entry for the game, and all season tickets holders can bring U16’s for free. Tickets can be purchased here.

Posted on 2023-06-152023-06-15

Shelbourne Football Club can confirm that Scott van der Sluis has left the club.

The goalkeeper requested and was granted a release from his contract so he can take a break from his professional football career to participate in the ITV television show Love Island. 

The 22-year-old signed for the Reds in the summer of 2022, he made his debut in the FAI Cup Round of 16 clash away to Bonagee United where he kept a clean sheet in a comfortable 4-0 victory.  

The Welshman has made two appearances this season in the Leinster Senior Cup, in the opening round 4-0 win over Dundalk FC and the 2-0 win over Wexford FC in the quarter-final.

The club would like to thank Scott for his time at Shels and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “I was shocked and saddened that Scott chose a villa in Mallorca full of beautiful, single women over myself, the staff and the players,” Duff said, jokingly.

“All jokes aside, I thank Scott for his services to Shelbourne FC and we all wish him the very best for the future, whatever that holds.”

Scott van-der-Sluis said: “I’d like to thank Shelbourne FC for everything they’ve done for me, the gaffer, the lads, the staff, the fans and people around the club have been brilliant with me since coming in. 

“I’ve loved my time at Shels, football is all I’ve ever done, all I’ve ever known. So this is a new and exciting opportunity for a change-up in life.

“Shels are a great club going in the right direction and I look forward to seeing what the lads can achieve. Shels is my club, I’ll be cheering on the lads as a fan when I leave the villa.”

Posted on 2023-06-122023-06-12

Shelbourne Football Club is this evening delighted to announce that Conor Kearns has signed a new contract.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper has become a key player since joining the Reds from Galway United where he’d spent the last two seasons.

Kearns’ new deal will keep him at Tolka Park until the end of 2024 at the earliest. A gifted shotstopper, the Dublin native has made 20 appearances for Damien Duff’s side this season.

Kearns has kept 9 clean sheets, and conceded the fewest number of goals in the League of Ireland Premier Division, just 14 goals in 20 games.

Conor Kearns said: “I couldn’t be happier to extend my time at Shelbourne Football Club. It’s a really exciting place to be at the moment, on and off the pitch and I’ve loved every minute since stepping through the door here at Tolka Park.

There’s huge ambitions here from the manager and the staff, the players, and everyone behind the scenes, I really want to be a part of that. Things are moving in the right direction at Shels and I hope I can play a role in helping the club continue that forward progression.”

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “We are all delighted that Conor has extended his stay with the club. He has been an incredible signing and has quickly shown that he is the best goalkeeper in the League Of Ireland. What is even more exciting is that he is a top pro who has an elite mentality and he will no doubt improve a lot more with the help of Paul Skinner and with the environment he is working in, I would like to thank the owner Acun Ilıcalı and Tan Kesler for completing the deal so quickly.”