Month: November 2023

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Shelbourne FC are pleased to announce the signing of Lorcan Healy from  UCD AFC.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper has spent the last three seasons in Belfield, where has made 85 appearances.

Healy joins Dean Williams, Shane Farrell, Conor Kearns, Gavin Molloy, Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney, Jad Hakiki, Evan Caffrey, Brian McManus, Matty Smith, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson, Kameron Ledwidge, Sean Boyd, Shane Griffin, Shane Farrell, Keith Ward and Sean Gannon in the Shels squad for 2024.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “After spending the last 4 years playing for UCD, I am delighted that Lorcan has chosen us over other clubs. We want our goalkeeping position to be competitive and Lorcan will make that happen with his many qualities and his drive. He has a lot of experience for one so young and he has all the attributes that we want in a keeper. Lastly, he is hungry, which must be a given in our dressing room.“

Lorcan Healy said: “Joining Shelbourne FC feels like a big step forward in my career. The opportunity to compete at this level and be a part of a club with such a rich history and an exciting future is something I’m really grateful for. I know Conor Kearns well, I’m excited to work him and the other goalkeepers and great coaches here like Paul Skinner. It all happened very fast, but I’m so happy to be a Shels player.”

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Shelbourne FC are pleased to confirm the signing of Dean Williams from  Bohemian FC.

The 23-year-old attacker has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Tolka Park until the end of the 2024 season.

Williams made 16 appearances for Bohs last season, scoring three goals in the League of Ireland Premier Division, including a winning goal at the Brandywell against Derry City.

An ankle injury curtailed campaign and saw him spend four months on the sideline as he recovered from ligament damage.

Before moving to Dalymount at the start of the 2023 season, Williams played for Drogheda United where he notched six goals in the Premier Division in 2022.

He made his League of Ireland debut with Shamrock Rovers at the end of the 2018 campaign, before spells at Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers and Longford Town.

Williams will officially join the Reds on December 1st, 2023. He joins Conor Kearns, Gavin Molloy, Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney, Jad Hakiki, Evan Caffrey, Brian McManus, Matty Smith, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson, Kameron Ledwidge, Sean Boyd, Shane Griffin, Shane Farrell, Keith Ward and Sean Gannon in the Shels squad for 2024.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “I can’t wait to get on the pitch with Deano and see his qualities up close. His movement is elite and his finishing is top class also. He is a different string to our bow, brings qualities that we maybe haven’t had before so he is a great signing. His penetrating runs alone will help improve our players deeper on the pitch. Aligned with the above, he loves football, which isn’t always a given with players!“

Dean Williams said: “Walking into Tolka Park today for the first time as a Shelbourne FC player felt great, this is a huge club and it’s going in the right direction. I was delighted to get the call from the manager. He had a clear vision and huge ambition and it was an easy decision for me. I had a rough time last year, my first real injury but I’m back now and feeling great and really eager to show what I can do now at Shels.”

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Shelbourne FC are pleased to confirm that Evan Caffrey has signed a new and improved deal that will keep him at the club until 2025.

The Tallaght man joined the Reds in the winter of 2022 from UCD and made an immediate impact for Damien Duff’s side.

Caffrey had already committed for 2024 but following a hugely impressive debut season at Tolka Park, the midfielder has been rewarded with improved terms and the addition of an extra year on his contract.

The 20-year-old has made 40 appearances for the Reds in his maiden season, including 27 starts in the League of Ireland, scoring two goals that proved to be very important when it was all said and done at the end of the season.

Caffrey netted the equaliser away to Drogheda United in a 1-1 draw and also scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over the same opposition at Tolka Park earlier in the campaign. Caffrey’s fine season was recognised as he was shortlisted for The 1895 Young Player of the Year Award, an accolade voted for and decided by his teammates. 

For Caffrey, the Reds is a family affair, his first cousin Gavin Molloy pipped him to The 1895 Young Player of the Year Award while his grandad, the late great Theo Dunne captained the Reds with distinction throughout the 1960s and was one of the finest ever to represent this great club.

Caffrey joins Conor Kearns, Gavin Molloy, Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney, Jad Hakiki, Shane Farrell, Brian McManus, Matty Smith, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson, Kameron Ledwidge, Sean Boyd, Shane Griffin, Keith Ward and Sean Gannon in the Shels squad for 2024.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “It is important that we keep on building for now and for the future hence we have tied Evan down on a longer contract. He has been exceptional for us whilst being played in many positions. Ev was involved in every game last season and played the last two months in a lot of pain, so much so that he went in for surgery after the last game. This shows the character of the man and the desire he had to help his teammates. I would also like to thank Mickey O’Rourke and the club for getting so many signings over the line in the last week so quickly and so efficiently. It is greatly appreciated by everyone. UTFR”

Evan Caffrey said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be signing a new deal with the club, last season was incredible. The atmosphere in Tolka Park week in, week out was electric and I can’t wait to experience that again next season. I’m really looking forward to kicking on and helping to get the club back to the top of Irish football, where we belong. To be playing European football next season is unbelievable and a massive achievement for the club as a whole and I can’t wait to put the Red jersey on in Europe like my grandad did many years ago. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter in the club’s history and can’t wait to be back in Tolka again, a place I’m proud to call my home now.”.

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Shelbourne FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Eoin Wearen as Manager of our Women’s Premier Division team.

Wearen holds a UEFA A coaching licence and is an accomplished football player and highly regarded young and upcoming coach. He has been part of the Shelbourne FC Academy set up since July 2023

As a player, Eoin joined West Ham United at 16 and spent 5 years at the Premier League outfit, playing youth and reserve team football and working with managers such as Gianfranco Zola and Sam Allardyce. During this period he played international football for Ireland at U17, U18 and U19 level. He returned to the League of Ireland in 2014, making 87 appearances for Bohemians, Sligo Rovers and Limerick FC before a spell with Glenavon in the Northern Ireland Football League.

Following his retirement from playing, Eoin moved to the US to coach in the Evolution SC Academy in Texas before joining the Liverpool FC International Academy in Illinois as Head Coach. His final year in the US, before his return to Ireland this summer, was spent as Head Coach of the Chicago City Soccer Club’s USLW side – a league that included the North Carolina Courage team that featured Maggie Pierce.

During his time in charge of the Shels U17W side, he guided the team to a league and cup double. Wearen has been tasked with overseeing a player pathway from elite underage to senior football for the many talented players that are being produced by our Academy.

Eoin’s educational background boasts a BA Hons in Business Management (Sport & Football) and a Football Management Degree, complemented by UEFA A and B licences, as well as an FAI Youth Certificate. 

In his most recent roles, including the Shelbourne FC WNL U17 Manager and Head Coach positions at Chicago City Soccer Club and the Liverpool International Academy, Eoin has showcased leadership, a proven ability in player development, talent scouting, and he brings a range of impressive attributes to the role.

Eoin will be joined by Rory Kirk as his Assistant Manager. Rory is also a UEFA A licensed coach who is currently head of Academy for our girls’ teams, where he has overseen considerable success in terms of both results and player development. The process to appoint a successor to Kirk’s role in the academy has begun.

Eoin Wearen, Shelbourne FC Manager said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new first team manager at this fantastic football club and can’t wait to get going and begin preparations for next year. We already have a brilliant core group at the club, which contains some of the top senior players and leaders in the country and also an exciting crop of talented young players who are at the beginning of their careers as we look to help them fulfil their full potential. We will look to play an expansive, attacking brand of football which will excite the supporters and compete on all fronts once again next season.”

Barry Mocke, Shelbourne FC CEO  said: “We are delighted with Eoin Wearen’s appointment as Manager of Shelbourne FC Women’s Team Eoin has a very clear and ambitious vision for this team and is perfectly poised to elevate the club’s women’s football program to new heights. Eoin’s enthusiasm, experience, skill, and passion for the women’s game makes this a very exciting appointment for the club.”

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by Kevin Doyle

Senior Men’s Player of the Year

Nominee’s: Conor Kearns, Jack Moylan & Gavin Molloy.

Winner : Conor Kearns

When it was announced that the Templeogue man would be replacing universal fans favourite Brendan Clarke between the Reds goal this author along with very many other Reds I would venture took a wait and see view on the move, well the results are now in and it has been an absolute master stroke by the manager Damien Duff… oh us of little faith.

The 25 year old would go onto make 36 out of a possible 40 appearances in 2023 of which 35 games came in the 36 game league campaign, illness preventing a perfect season in this regard one would imagine. 

Conor kept 14 clean sheets in league action just behind the league’s golden gloves winner for 2023 in Derry City’s Brian Maher, these 14 clean sheets are the most by a Reds keeper since Dean Delany kept 18 throughout the course of the 2010 campaign if Conor can go onto have half the career in Red as Deano did he will have done very well for himself indeed. 

Throughout the course of his club leading 3,522 minutes on the pitch in 2023 or 90% of the total played by the Reds, Conor only conceded 25 league goals and was part of a defensive unit that conceded the tied 2nd fewest in the entire league alongside 4 in a row winning Shamrock Rovers and behind Derry City on 24 goals conceded. 

All good sides are built on a solid defence and with Conor and the majority of the back line already re-signed for 2024 the Reds should once again be extremely difficult to break down next season both at home and abroad. What a delight it is to type that.

Senior Women’s Player of the Year

Nominee’s: Megan Smyth-Lynch, Maggie Pierce & Keeva Keenan.

Winner : Maggie Pierce

The 22 year old American is richly deserving of this award evident by the fact that she was chosen as the winner by unanimous decision by her fellow players in the senior squad. Maggie was also named in the Team of the year last Thursday night at the leagues award’s ceremony. 

The North Carolinian was recruited by Noel King in February on the advice of Heather O’Reilly and had a standout first season in Red appearing in 29 out of 29 games.

Tied for the most with fellow nominee Megan Smyth-Lynch throughout the course of the 2023 campaign across 5 competitions playing in various positions with apparent equal ease and confidence. 

In league action Maggie started 19 of the 20 league games behind only the other nominee Keeva Keenan. Scoring once in the away convincing victory over eventual champions Peamount in PRL Park back in march.

Maggie played a total of 2717 out of a possible 2791 minutes for the Reds in 2023 or a tad over 97% of the time and was part of a very good defensive line that would keep 12 clean sheets and  conceded only 13 league goals all year to be tied with Galway United for the best defensive record in the league last year. We actually only conceded 12 of those while Maggie was on the field in the league.

Wouldn’t be an understatement to say everyone in Tolka park is hoping and dare I say praying to see Maggie don the Red jersey of Shelbourne again in 2024 having bought so well into what it means to be a Red this past year I’m hopeful we will.

Young Men’s Player of the Year

Nominee’s: Evan Caffrey, Gavin Molloy & Jack Moylan.

Winner : Gavin Molloy

The 22 year old Dubliner was the rock of an excellent Reds defence in 2023 and is fully serving of his young player of the year award an almost weekly addition to the league’s team of the week this year has been a stellar one for the grandson of a great Red from the past in Theo Dunne who made 139 appearances for the club between 1956 and 1965.

Making 29 appearances for the club this year including his 50th in all against Cork in September, of which 27 came in the league during which Molloy was part of the 2nd tightest defence in the league conceding only 20 times with him present in it and 27 times in total. 

Molloy did pick up a nasty knock in our away fixture to Ucd in April missing the next 9 league games on the whole the Reds conceded 0.8 goals per game without Gavin during this spell compared to 0.7 goals per game with him in the side of which he spent 2,748 minutes in throughout 2023.

Another one re-signed for 2024 and our European adventure where he will be following in his grandfather’s footsteps after Theo played for the Reds against Sporting Lisbon, FC Barcelona and Belenenses of Portugal.

Young Women’s Player of the Year

Nominee’s: Courtney Maguire, Hannah Healy & Rebecca Devereux.

Winner : Hannah Healy 

The 15 year old (yes you read that correctly) dubliner who is a transition year student currently taking part in the first ever running of a football based education course being run by Fingal County Council in conjunction with the FAI in swords where she is mentored by teammate Megan Smyth-Lynch star has certainly risen in 2023 and she is richly deserving of the young player of the year award even at her tender age.

I remember the first time i saw Hannah play it was in the WU-17 Reds cup semi final victory over Shamrock Rovers on a bitterly cold midweek night in Roadstone at the end of last season 2022 and she ran the show from box to box, I remember on the way home texting Rachel Graham and saying there’s a 14 year old girl in that 17’s team called Healy that will be coming for your jersey in 2 or 3 years, well that process was certainly fast tracked.

Having made her debut for the club in a 1-0 away win over Athlone town in May in doing so becoming the youngest women’s player for the club, Hannah would go onto make 18 appearances for the first team in 2023 add in 22 at academy level as well between U19 & U17 levels it’s been a busy year. 

Hannah would score the first of her 3 senior goals this year in the home victory over Wexford in June in doing so becoming the clubs youngest ever goalscorer beating the mark set by her fellow nominee Rebecca Devereux earlier in the year, Hannah also found the net on 11 occasions at academy level in 2023. 

In September just gone Hannah made a little bit of history when appearing as a substitute against Glasgow City she became the youngest ever player in Uefa Women’s Champions League History. The future is certainly bright for this rising star in Red who also appeared in the Green of Ireland at both U17 & U19 level this past calendar year.

I along with most Reds i’m sure can’t wait to see what 2024 holds for Hannah in Red and also the Green of Ireland.

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Shelbourne FC are pleased to confirm that it has extended the contract of Shane Farrell for another season.

The Finglas man joined the Reds in 2017 and is currently the longest serving player in the first team.

Farrell signed a new deal last season with the option to extend to the end the 2024 campaign.

Farrell has won the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division twice with Shelbourne in 2019 and 2021. 

The 23-year-old has made 157 appearances for the Reds, scoring 18 goals. Last season Farrell made 33 appearances for the Reds as they finished 4th in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Farrell joins Conor Kearns, Gavin Molloy, Mark Coyle, JJ Lunney, Jad Hakiki, Evan Caffrey, Brian McManus, Matty Smith, Paddy Barrett, Tyreke Wilson, Kameron Ledwidge, Sean Boyd, Shane Griffin, Keith Ward and Sean Gannon in the Shels squad for 2024.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “He is one of our own. As much as he wanted to go travel the world with his Love Island wingman, common sense has prevailed. Shane has incredible ability and is part of the DNA of this club. We will continue to put big demands on Shane as we know he has so much to give us. UTFR.”

Shane Farrell said: “Tolka Park feels like home to me, Shels has been such a big part of my life and I’m delighted to be here again for 2024. The club has come on so much since I came back in 2017, it’s amazing to see. It’s on a really positive path and I’m honoured to represent the Reds and can’t wait for next season”.

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Shelbourne FC are pleased to confirm Brian McManus has put pen to paper on a new deal for the 2024 season.

The Swords native joined the Reds from Preston North End in the 2020 season and has been an ever-present since. 

He has made 72 appearances for Shels scoring on two occasions including a memorable winner away to Derry City in the Brandywell in April 2022.

Frank, as he is affectionately known by his teammates, is a dynamic, hard working, tough tackling central midfield player.

The versatile and adaptable McManus can also play at wing back. He previously played for St. Kevin’s Boys prior to his move to England.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “Brian has had awful luck with injuries over the past 2 years. It is quite ironic as he is an absolute beast of a man. He has amazing attributes and they will be there for all to see when we get him back fit and firing. He excited me 2 years ago and nothing has changed. The players love him, the staff love him and we all are desperate for him to stay fit now and see him regularly in a Shels shirt.”

Brian McManus said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to extend my journey at Shels. Since joining in 2020, this club has become my home, and I’m very excited about the future here. The setbacks from my injury were tough, but they’ve only made me more determined to push forward. I’m eager to make a big contribution and help the lads push on to another level next year. There’s a lot more to achieve, and I’m ready to give it my all.”

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Shelbourne FC are delighted to announce the re-signing of Kameron Ledwidge for the 2024 season.

Ledwidge joined the Reds during the summer of 2021 helping Ian Morris’ side win the League of Ireland First Division title and promotion. He has gone on to make 75 appearances for Shelbourne in all competitions netting once for the club.

The 22 year old is a highly-rated and versatile defender, with a blistering burst of pace, the Ballymun native has appeared across both the back line and midfield during his time at the club.

Prior to joining Shels, Kameron played for Southampton FC. The Dubliner has also represented the Republic of Ireland at underage level. 2024 will be his fourth season with the club.

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “We are all delighted that Kam has re-signed with us. He has pace, power and a left foot that is the envy of many. He has become a very popular member of the dressing room and we all look forward to helping him fulfil his big potential”.

Kameron Ledwidge said: “I’m really happy to be signing back with Shels for my fourth season. It’s a privilege to continue representing this great club and its fans have welcomed me. We’ve a great group, I’m excited for the journey ahead and Europe and I’m eager to contribute my best to the team.”

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Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to announce that Shane Griffin has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club.

The contract will see the defender remain at Tolka Park for the 2024 season and his commitment will serve as a significant boost for Reds boss Damien Duff as he plans for next season. 

Griffin made the move to Tolka Park from Inchicore for the 2022 season. He’s since emerged as a key player for the Reds. 

The defender has made 59 appearances to date scoring his only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory over UCD in Tolka Park in May of this year.

The Cork native has been handed the captain’s armband by manager Damien Duff on numerous occasions in the absence of club captain Luke Byrne.

The talented defender has won League of Ireland and FAI Cup honours. Before joining the Saints in 2020 the Carrigaline man spent three years at Cork City, where he helped the Leesiders to win both league and FAI Cup honours in 2017.

Griffin has been capped for the Republic of Ireland up to U21 level, and began his career at the academy of Reading FC.

A fan favourite, the left footed centre half has been a consistent performer at the heart of the Reds defence for the past two seasons and has shown his quality as a leader on and off the pitch.  

Damien Duff, Shelbourne FC Head Coach said: “Shane has been here from day one with myself and the staff so it was imperative that he stayed on. He has been fantastic, has played numerous positions in and out of possession which is never easy. He is a silent warrior, does his talking on the pitch and I am in no doubt he will continue to play a massive part in rebuilding this great football club.”

Shane Griffin said: “I’m delighted to sign a new contract and continue my journey with the club. It’s a pleasure working everyday with the staff and team, and a great feeling wearing the shirt on Friday nights. I’ve loved my time so far at Shels, and hoping we can have another good year both domestically and in Europe.”

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Shelbourne Football Club is delighted to announce the extension of Tyreke Wilson’s contract. 

The 23-year-old joined the Reds from Bohemian FC last winter and last season made 33 appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division, including 29 starts.

A versatile defender, Wilson featured at both right back and left back for the Reds across the 2023 season. 

Wilson played his schoolboy football with Cherry Orchard before moving to Manchester City where he spent five seasons in the Citizens academy.

He left England to return home to begin his League of Ireland career, first with Waterford FC, before joining Bohs in 2021, where he spent two seasons.

Damien Duff, Head Coach, Shelbourne FC said: “What a brilliant signing Ty has been for the club. He came as an out and out left back, but finished the season playing right wing back on top of many other new positions. That shows the football brain he has. We love working with him, he is a top quality footballer with an absolute edge as well which is important. Welcome back Ty.”

Tyreke Wilson said: “Delighted to be a part of the club again for 2024. Really excited to get going again. We want to kick on again next year, although last season was good and we got into Europe. We want to get to the next level again. Last year was the most enjoyable year I’ve had in football and I’m hoping next year will be better again. Everyone part of the group wants to push on in the league and all the competitions. We want to bring silverware to Tolka because that’s what this club is about. The support from the fans was incredible last year and I can only imagine it will get better and it makes you want to give everything for them at all costs . So it’s a very exciting place to be this year. We are on the up.”