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.”.
