Posted on 2024-03-282024-03-28

The Reds return to League of Ireland Premier Division action on Friday night as Dundalk visit Tolka Park (7:45pm KO)

Damien Duff’s side will be looking to continue to build on a positive start to the season which has seen them win 5 and draw 1 of their first six games.

It promises to be a blockbuster weekend of Easter action at Tolka Park as Dundalk visit on Friday, while Easter Monday sees the Reds entertain Derry City.

The Reds had a full training programme and in house game during the international window.

After the break from competitive action Duff is eagerly awaiting the return of the only show in town:

“It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend. The last 2 weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football, is not the National team but the League itself. It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday, nothing else.

Duff delivered an injury update to ShelbourneFC.ie following training at the AUL on Thursday and the Reds boss is preparing for the upcoming games with a near fully fit squad to choose from:

“John Martin is back with us, he had his first full day training today, he’s fit and available for selection. Shane Griffin is finishing his last few days of rehab. We’ll have Griff back training early next week, outside of that everyone is fit and well and ready for the weekend.”

The Reds begin the night top of the table on 16 points, 5 clear of Derry City who are in second place but Duff is not getting too excited by the solid start:

“The message to the players is stay grounded, humble and keep working hard, minute we come off who we are and let ourselves get carried away, in any sport that’s when you’re in trouble. The lads know, they don’t need me to tell them, if you smell yourself after a few games you can fall. What we need to do is just continue to be true to who we are, keep working hard, we’ll be on the right path”.

Dundalk begin the night at the bottom of the table, and go into Friday in search of their first win of the season. A wounded Dundalk are a dangerous opponent for the Reds and Duff knows it: 

“It’s a tough game and we’re under no illusions, it’s a massive task ahead of us. Our players watched them this morning and are also aware of the quality they have. They probably are not too happy with their start, Stevie O’Donnell will be disappointed, but they have quality everywhere, massive players in their team, brilliant manager and staff who’ve won more in the league than I’ve won. 

“Results can be a bit misleading, they have come out on the wrong side of tight games, but played well, it’s a fine line in football, we’ve come out on the right side of tight games. There’s not much in it and it’s as tough a game as we can play in this league, as we’ve faced them before we know how good they are. Forget the table, I’m not looking at where we are or where they are because it won’t make much difference tomorrow night.”

Duff feels the most encouraging aspect of their start to the season is his side will continue to improve over the coming weeks and months:

“That’s early season football, you can’t say any team is in full swing or full flow in the first round of games, they are chaotic games. The exciting thing for us, this season will mirror the first two seasons here. Just who the group is and how they grow we know over the season we know we are going to get better and better.” 

Monday’s meetings with Derry will be a clash of the top two early season pace setters. While it is too early for defining moments Duff believes the next week will be very important nonetheless:

“It’s important to pick up as many points as you can early doors, in round one or round four, doesn’t matter where the points come, they’re worth the same. We want to keep building and keep building big and quick, six points on offer over the weekend, 9 points over the next seven days, it’s going to be a week of movement.

“We’re playing very good and powerful sides in Dundalk, Derry, Drogheda, and we want to finish off round one by hitting our goal, we have a points target for each round and that’s our focus now is on hitting that by next Friday night. I’m pleased of course with the start, how could I not be? 

“You’re winning games, really pleased with how we won it against Pats, like I said we’re very grounded, maybe teams in recent years have got off to good starts and got carried away, I don’t get carried away, I probably fear the worst rather than anything. So I won’t be getting carried away. We’ve to keep going, we’ve got an aim points wise and hopefully we can hit that.” 

Posted on 2024-03-212024-03-21

Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the extension of its partnership with Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport for the 2024 season.

Welcoming the announcement, Thomas Doyle, General Manager of the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport said: “We are absolutely thrilled to extend our partnership with Shelbourne Football Club! Our shared emphasis on teamwork and continuous improvement in all we do ensures that we deliver nothing short of extraordinary results and unforgettable experiences. Here’s to a fantastic season ahead for Shelbourne FC.”

As one of the closest hotels to Dublin Airport, Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport offers unparalleled convenience for travellers. Stress-free flying starts with a stay at the hotel, where guests can wake up refreshed and prepared for their journey. Their luxurious rooms provide the perfect sanctuary, while the fine dining options for every budget, include the Playwright Bar and The Italian Kitchen, both promising a positive culinary experience.

Guests can also take advantage of their secure car park, with both long-term and short-term parking options available, providing peace of mind throughout their travels. The Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport also offers complimentary shuttle buses operating every 30 minutes, serving both terminals at Dublin Airport, eliminating the hassle of transportation logistics.

Keith McDarby, Commercial Manager at Shelbourne FC, added, “We are pleased with Shelbourne FC’s commercial progression, as evidenced by the increasing number of sponsors joining our ranks.”

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Clayton Hotel, Thomas Doyle and his talented and hard working team for their support of this partnership and all they do behind the scenes to support the club.”

The extension of our partnership with this key sponsor reflects a prosperous and mutually beneficial working relationship. All at Shelbourne FC thank the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport for their continued commitment to supporting the Reds and becoming a part of the local north Dublin community.

Posted on 2024-03-182024-03-18

Joint Statement from Shelbourne FC and St Patricks Athletic on Racism.

Shelbourne FC and St Patrick’s Athletic FC condemns all forms of racism, discrimination, and intolerance. We believe that football should be a unifying force that brings people together regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.

On Friday evening before the start of the match a juvenile shouted some racial abuse at a Shels staff member. St Pats fans and stewards immediately intervened. This conduct is not acceptable, and the guardians of the child have been asked to engage with him to ensure he understands the gravity of the situation and that this type of behaviour is not acceptable.

St Pats have issued an apology to the Shels staff member, which has been graciously accepted.

Racism has no place in our clubs, our sport, or society as a whole. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
We stand in solidarity with those who have been affected by racism and discrimination, both within the football community and beyond. We recognise the importance of using our platform to actively challenge and combat racism wherever it may occur.

As clubs, we are dedicated to promoting education, understanding, and empathy to help eradicate racism and create a more equitable future for all.

We encourage our players, staff, supporters, and partners to join us in our efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in football and beyond.

Together, we can make a difference.

Posted on 2024-03-142024-03-14

The Reds face a second successive Dublin Derby tomorrow night as they make the trip to Richmond Park to face St Patrick’s Athletic. (7:45pm KO – live on LOItv)

Damien Duff’s side start the night top of the table following a 2-0 win over Bohs at Dalymount Park last Friday night.

Duff has a near full strength squad to choose from. Shane Griffin is closing in on a return to action from a calf strain and continues his rehab.

Club captain Mark Coyle is relishing the clash with the Saints: 

“It’ll be a tough encounter, they’ll be right up for it, Pats had a good win against Dundalk. Every game they’ve played hasn’t been many goals. They looked dogged and organised definitely, over the games we’ve played against them since I’ve been here, set pieces have played a massive part. We need to be on it. Try to impose ourselves on them, bring what we have to the table.”

“We’ve had a decent start but it’s too early in the season to think we’ve done something. Pats are a very dangerous side. Lots of quality and if we’re any way off it we know we won’t get a result. We’ve had a good start yeah, but at 7:45pm tomorrow that won’t mean much”

Following Shels season opener in Waterford, which ended 1-1, the team have gone on to beat Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Galway United and Bohemian FC. Reflecting on the first five games the Donegal man said:

“It’s an extremely good start, 4 wins and a draw, can’t ask for much more. The most encouraging thing is I think everybody is feeling in our dressing room that we haven’t reached the heights we can reach. Which is the exciting part. Every week is going to be tough, everybody is beating everybody, the best thing is we keep churning out results. Feel like we haven’t played particularly well over the full course of the 90 minutes, so we’ve done ok, but we know there’s room to improve as well.”

A win would see Shels enter the international break as league leaders and Coyle believes tables don’t tell much at this early stage, the real motivation is maintaining momentum: 

“Momentum is the most important thing, we’ve tried to build that up. It’s something we want to keep doing, we want to keep that relentless streak. This week we had some proper good sessions, good tough day on Tuesday and we did another one today. Motivation is massive. We know this Friday if we get 3 points that’s 5 wins and 1 draw and it really would be a great start.” 

Coyle believes the manager and his staff will help keep players focused and doesn’t feel there’s any danger that the Reds’ good start could lead to some complacency creeping in:

“We’ll stay grounded, that comes from the manager and the staff, the gaffer has always got a great message, every story he tells us has a point to it, himself and Joey’s meetings always have a meaning that resonates with the players. It could be a movie clip or a quote or reference and it just hits you, I get it, what they mean. They always have one.

“The message is if you get too far ahead of yourself you get caught out. They are geniuses on the motivational side. They know what we have to do and so do we. We have to be at it and be relentless if we want to have a successful season.”

Over 1,150 Shels fans will cram into the terrace in Richmond Park as the away end sold out shortly after going on general sale. Coyle’s message to fans is simple, thank you, your support cannot be underrated:

“We were chatting about it, the numbers we couldn’t really believe it. It’s great for the club, we’re well aware too what it means to the fans and that’s who we represent, it means a lot to us and it’s pure pride to walk out there and see that away end packed, they give us that extra lift in the Dublin Derbies.

“No doubt in my mind at all about that. We have to go out and do the job and send them home happy, we’ve built a bit of momentum and we want to keep that going.” 

Posted on 2024-03-072024-03-07

The Dublin Derby is the focus of a busy Friday night of SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division action as Shelbourne make the short hop to Dalymount to face Bohemian FC (7:45pm KO – live on LOItv)

Damien Duff’s side start the night top of the table following a 1-0 win over Galway United at Tolka Park on Monday night.

Shane Farrell’s injury was cause for concern for Reds when he was forced off the pitch after a heavy blow to his shoulder, leaving the Reds to see out the game with 10 men. Duff delivered an upbeat fitness update to ShelbourneFC.ie this evening: “The injury situation is good. Shane Farrell is grand, there is nothing wrong with him… don’t worry he’s getting some stick in training, the lads are on him. Going off in a sling on Monday, he actually trained fully the next morning. Farrell is flying around the place in training but he won’t be let forget (about Monday), he’s getting slaughtered.” 

“Sean Boyd is back from suspension, great to have him. It is never a good time to be suspended, but in this case, it wasn’t any harm because it helped him get sharper and fitter, Boydy didn’t really do a pre season because he was coming back from injury, he’s done a mini pre season while suspended.

“Sean feels good, chomping at the bit, told me yesterday he’s ready to explode…  it’s a fine line, if he explodes too much he’s back in the stands sitting beside me, so he needs to manage that but he’s ready, he’s up for it and can’t wait. Everyone is fit except for Shane Griffin. Griff is coming along nicely though, walking around pain free. He has a calf strain which can be frustrating. We’ll just give it the time to heal fully so he has no setbacks.”

Reflecting on the start to the season which has seen the Reds occupy the top spot in the table for the first time since 2006, Duff isn’t getting carried away:

“It’s been a good week for us, it doesn’t get any better, six points and a clean bill of health and look at the two teams we’ve played and their results so far. Sligo had a big win over Dundalk, Galway have been very good, really competitive, shows you how good our wins were. We know how hard that is to do over Friday-Monday, so to come through that weekend with the points and no injuries is really positive, it’s been a great week so far.”

The Reds’ wait for a win at Dalymount in the League of Ireland stretches back to 2013, where a Dean Kelly double and a goal from Sean Brennan saw Johnny McDonnell’s side record a 3-0 victory in an otherwise awful season. Duff knows they’ll need to be at their best to take all three points:

“It has been mentioned we havent won there in quite awhile. We can’t say we feel any added pressure, we put enough pressure on ourselves already. Going into Rovers a few weeks back, we knew it was 18 years since a win at Tolka, we referenced it before the game, but it didn’t make us want to win more. Every time the players go out there, they want to do the club proud and have that motivation to win, we know it’s been a long time, but it won’t impact us, we know to go to Dalymount and win we need a special performance regardless of where they are in the league or the recent results, it won’t make a difference.”

A 3-0 win over Bohs in the FAI Cup in 2022 is a standout memory of recent Dublin Derbies for Shels fans. Duff says while it was a high point of his first season in charge, it will not be on his mind tomorrow:

“It was a great day, you could call it a turning point in that season or a statement result, I like to think we’ve had plenty of those along the way. I think it’s a result that sticks out in everyone’s mind for good reason. It’s a cup quarter-final at Tolka, place was jammers, lovely day, early kick off and it was a great performance, everyone still fondly remembers it now, supporters, me, players, and staff. It was a proper performance and great result, but it was soon forgotten about and the only focus is on 7:45pm tomorrow night.”

“Parking the good results against Sligo Rovers and Galway United, to win at Dalymount you can’t put in a 60 min performance, we need a special, top class performance. We know what’s needed to win the game, it’s a lot easier to do it when we come out of the traps and start well and not chase a performance. Guys are aware, they need to start quickly, in a Dublin Derby, there’s no time to work your way into the game, you need to be on it from minute one, it might not be pretty, you might have to do the ugly work and then make your quality count.” 

Before finishing his weekly press, Duff paid tribute to Mark Coyle who won the Player of the Month for February and also the Goal of the Month. It’s the second time in three months a Shels player has won the top individual monthly award, Jack Moylan won it in October, November went to Ronan Coughlan of Waterford, while Coyle won the February award.

“We were surprised by his Goal of the Month if I’m honest, Mark was told this morning. It was a brilliant goal, it has to be said, a big goal for us in a Dublin Derby, but I think Jarvo’s was better. Goals once they go in. That’s all that matters. Really pleased he’s won the Player of the Month award, if I could choose one player for it, I would choose him, that’s why we made him captain, he’s a leader, and he can do great things at this club. The scary thing for Mark is he’s won player of the month and he can play and will play an awful lot better, the only way is up for him and the players.”

Posted on 2024-03-062024-03-06

Ahead of Friday’s game we are writing to supporters in the wake of a number of incidents around the League of Ireland in recent weeks. The safety and enjoyment of our supporters is our primary concern. We have enjoyed a great start to the 2024 season. We strive to make Tolka Park a welcoming, safe and family friendly environment. You as supporters, help us to do that. 

The League of Ireland and all of its member clubs maintain a zero tolerance policy on the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks before, during and after matches. Ahead of our upcoming match against Bohemian FC at Dalymount Park this Friday, the club has been put on notice that any breach of these regulations will result in serious and severe sanctions up to and including partial or full stand closures, bans on our fans attending away fixtures, or full ground closures for games, the suspension of matches and forfeiture of games.

Shelbourne FC wishes to emphasise that we maintain a strict zero-tolerance stance towards the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks within our stadium or at any of our matches home or away. Such actions pose significant risks to the safety of everyone present, including supporters, players, staff, and officials.

Proactive measures will be taken to identify anyone who is holding pyro, or found in possession of or deploying such items, they will be promptly removed from the stadium and subjected to the maximum penalty of indefinite or multi season bans from attending games home and away.

The potential away fans bans for future games is a real danger and a precedent has been set in recent weeks elsewhere. This would not only affect the club but also our loyal supporters who travel around the country to roar on the Reds, and the players on the pitch who thrive off the atmosphere and energy of our supporters.

The behaviour of the vast majority of match going attendees is exemplary and you are a credit to Shelbourne FC. Unfortunately the increasing incidents of reckless and dangerous use of pyrotechnics elsewhere have left us with no option but to issue this warning to the minority in the sternest possible terms.

While we are aware and accept that this is an issue created only by a handful of individuals, their actions have widespread repercussions that will impact us all. A number of League of Ireland clubs issued open letters last week on this subject.

Shelbourne FC did not do so at the time as we did not feel it appropriate to lecture the majority of the fanbase on an issue that is created by a handful of individuals. Having been made aware of the severe sanctions such actions will carry, the club feel the time is right to make you aware of the serious consequences the club is facing should there be any use of pyro on Friday.

Posted on 2024-03-062024-03-06

PRICELESS EXPERIENCE

Our VIP mascot package is an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience for any Shelbourne fan aged 4 to 14! 

It is a truly memorable day, not only for the mascot, but for an accompanying adult too, with an opportunity to meet their Shelbourne heroes while enjoying the matchday experience at Tolka Park. 

You can find full details on our VIP mascot packages for the 2024 season below. 

Category A Fixtures (Men): €150* 
Category B Fixtures (Men): €125 

The package includes: 

– 2 tickets to see the Reds* 
– A home jersey for the mascot*  
– Mascot information to be announced over the PA system 
– Player meet and greet after full-time  
– Walk out with the Shelbourne team at kick-off 
– Official centre circle photograph with the team captains, which will be sent digitally 
– A goodie bag to enjoy during the game

*Category A fixtures include fixtures against Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, and St Patrick’s Athletic. 

*One ticket allocated to the mascot and one additional ticket for the accompanying adult. 

*All mascots must wear their own red shorts and socks on match night. 

Packages are only available for those aged 4 to 14 years old. Please note, the above prices apply to league games only. 

To book your mascot package or for further details, please contact the commercial team on 0838402137 or email at pearse.butler@shelbournefc.ie 

Posted on 2024-03-052024-03-05

Shelbourne FC is pleased to announce a special Shels Legends game, dedicated to the memory of Des McAleenan, in support of Pieta House.

Des McAleenan, a remarkable individual with a profound passion for football, left an indelible mark on the community and the lives he touched. His journey from local clubs to international coaching arenas was a local success story. Des sadly lost his life to suicide.

The Shels Legends game will see a Shelbourne FC XI face off against a Des McAleenan XI in a match on March 30th, 2024, at 1pm, hosted at Hadden Park, Killester. The event aims to celebrate Des’s life, contributions, and commitment to the football while raising funds for Pieta House, a charity who align with Shelbourne FC’s mission to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. As a club we have lost far too many people to suicide.

Members of the Shelbourne XI include Reds icons like Jason Byrne, Owen Heary, Trevor Molloy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, and Luke Byrne, who will honour Des’s legacy on the pitch.

Des McAleenan’s journey is a remarkable one, from St John Vianney Boys to his international coaching endeavours, Des’s impact transcended borders and inspired countless individuals everywhere he went.

His coaching legacy, passion and commitment, spanned continents, influencing aspiring footballers and professionals alike. From his tenure with the New York Metro Stars to being involved in coaching the Colombian national team, Des’s imprint on the sport endures.

Des’s family continues to uphold his legacy, engaging with local teams and nurturing the next generation of football players. His posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame at Connecticut University stands as a testament to his extraordinary contributions to the sport stateside.

Luke Byrne said: “It’s a privilege to honour Des’s legacy with this game while raising vital funds for a good cause. We’d ask all people involved with Shels, in the terraces, on the pitch, in the background, past or present, to please get behind this. We want to celebrate a remarkable man and also reaffirm our commitment to mental health awareness. Together, we honour Des’s memory while championing a cause that resonates deeply within our community.”

Posted on 2024-03-042024-03-04

Shelbourne FC is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural Women’s League of Ireland Season Ticket for the 2024 season.

This new ticketing option is designed to enhance accessibility and support for women’s football while offering supporters an affordable alternative to the full price season ticket, which offers access to both senior womens and mens games at Tolka Park. This newly launched pass offers entry exclusively to the women’s senior team games and is the most affordable and convenient way to enjoy Saturdays at Tolka Park.

Priced at €80 for adults, the Women’s Season Ticket guarantees entry to all home League of Ireland games hosted at Tolka Park throughout the season as well as a 10% discount in the club shop and a special physical season ticket featuring club captain Pearl Slattery and our longest serving player Alex Kavanagh. The 10 match ticket package offers a saving of 20% across the season on buying general admission tickets for each game.

“We are excited to introduce our Women’s Season Ticket for the 2024 season,” said Barry Mocke, CEO of Shelbourne FC. “This initiative reflects a growing number of fans who are keen to support the growth of the women’s game and create more opportunities for fans to engage with the sport. We believe that this season ticket, just for fans of the women’s game, is an affordable way for people to follow the sport and we are confident it will contribute to the growth and development of the game in Ireland.”

In addition to the introduction of the Women’s Season Ticket, Shelbourne FC is also announcing new pricing structures for the 2024 season:

• Adults: €10

• Concessions, Students, and Seniors: €7

• Children under 12: Free

The club aims to welcome individuals and families from across the community to join in the excitement of experiencing Saturdays at Tolka Park. Children under 12 will enjoy free access, they must be accompanied by an adult with a valid season ticket or match ticket. Women’s League of Ireland Premier Division games in 2024 will be all ticket. Season Tickets are not valid for cup competitions.

The Women’s Season Ticket is available for purchase now here, while tickets for the first game against Sligo Rovers on March 9th are on sale now here.

For more information about Shelbourne FC, upcoming matches, and ticketing options, please visit Shelbourne FC or follow us on social media @ShelsFC.