2007 Shelbourne F.C. season

Shelbourne
2007 season
Chairman Joe Casey
Manager Dermot Keely
First Division 5th
FAI Cup Second Round
League of Ireland Cup Second Round
Top goalscorer League:
Mark Leech (12)
All:
Mark Leech (12)
Highest home attendance 1,896 vs Dundalk (March 23, 2007)
Lowest home attendance 549 vs Finn Harps (August 12, 2007)
Home colours
Away colours
← 2006 Season 2008 Season →

In the 2007 season, Shelbourne finished 5th in the League of Ireland First Division.

Contents

Club

Club Information

Chairman, Director Joe Casey
Director Andy Byrne
Secretary Colm Murphy
Commercial Manager Niall Fitzmaurice
Ground Tolka Park

Commercial partners

Title Sponsor
Main Sponsor JW Hire
Kit, Associate Sponsor Umbro
Associate Sponsor Nivea for Men
Associate Sponsor Irish Daily Star
Associate Sponsor Bus Eireann
Associate Sponsor Dulux

Coaching and Medical staff

Position Name
Manager Dermot Keely
Assistant Manager Colin O'Neill
Goalkeeping Coach Fred Davis
Head Physio Tony McCarthy
Assistant Physio Stephen Weafer
Equipment Manager Pat Roche
Kit Administrator Johnny Watson

Pre-season

Exodus

This is the squad that completed the 2006 season, winning the Premier Division in the process. Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Steve Williams
2 DF Owen Heary (c)
3 DF David Crawley
4 DF Dave Rogers
5 DF Jamie Harris
6 MF Jim Crawford
7 MF Ollie Cahill
8 MF Stuart Byrne
9 FW Glen Crowe
10 FW Jason Byrne
No. Position Player
12 MF Greg O'Halloran
14 MF Richie Baker
15 MF Alan Moore
16 FW Gary O'Neill
17 MF Bobby Ryan
18 MF Joseph Ndo
19 DF Colin Hawkins
20 GK Dean Delany
22 DF Sean Dillon
24 MF Liam Kearney

The following players were registered to Shelbourne, but had been sent out on loan by the then manager Pat Fenlon.

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
MF James Chambers (on loan at Waterford United)
MF David Tyrell (on loan at Bray Wanderers)
MF Gary Deegan (on loan at Kilkenny City)

Following the ongoing financial problems during the 2006 season, Pat Fenlon resigned and the vast majority of players left. Several of them had reached the end of their contracts, whilst some were sold shortly after the celebrations in November, and others left after being declared free agents in the courts following missed payment of wages. Only 2 senior players remained with the club, the experienced Jim Crawford, and the young James Chambers who had spent 2006 on loan at Premier Division side Waterford United.

Withdrawal from the Setanta Cup

In February Shelbourne were forced to withdraw from the 2007 Setanta Sports Cup shortly before it was due to commence. The general assumption was that the club would be unable to field a team. St. Patrick's Athletic were invited to fill the vacancy, and they duly accepted.

Demotion

Before the start of the new league season, the club were demoted to the First Division by the FAI.

The FAI issued a First Division licence in place of the Premier Division licence which had been revoked by order of the FAI's First Instance Committee due to the financial situation. Shortly after this, the club's majority shareholder Ollie Byrne suffered a brain tumour and Joe Casey was installed as Chairman.

Former manager Dermot Keely was brought in as manager once more and assembled a squad of players in barely 72 hours - just in time for the club to take its place in the 2007 First Division.

Withdrawal from Champions League

On 30 March 2007, when applications for UEFA licences were nearly due and the clubs' First Division licence was up for review, Shelbourne announced that they would not be applying for a UEFA licence; thus relinquishing the Champions League spot that was rewarded for winning the league in 2006. Part of the statement read:

“ The club feels that following its recent success over the last number of years it would not be of benefit to the club's record to play in this year's Champions League qualifying round.

It also felt that it would be of no benefit to the league's co-efficient in Europe.

 ”

League runners-up Derry City were handed the Champions League place.

Players

Jim Crawford and James Chambers were the only existing senior players to stay with the club for the 2007 season. Jim was appointed captain by Keely. Goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd signed for Shelbourne, returning to the club with whom he had started his footballing career. Experienced defender Alan Murphy was signed from Longford Town and was appointed vice-captain, whilst a plethora of young players arrived from a host of clubs.

Mark Leech signed on a season-long loan from Premier Division club Drogheda United, and new Derry City arrival Kyle Moran did the same.

Four players arrived at Shelbourne from Dublin rivals Bohemians; Conor Rafferty and 2006's top scorer for the First Division Davitt Walsh signed on loan deals until the end of July, defenders Aidan Collins and Niall O'Reilly made their moves to Tolka Park permanent.

FIFA Regulations: Article 5.3

Two of Shelbourne's new players, Mark Leech and John Brophy, who had already played with two clubs within the year prior to the season's kick-off, were left ineligible to play for the club in competitive action until July at the beginning of the season as FIFA's rules, or, in particular, Article 5.3 of FIFA’s Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, stated that no player could play for more than two different clubs between 1 July of one season and 30 June of the following year.

Both players were eventually cleared by FIFA, and made their competitive debuts in a 1-1 draw with Kilkenny City at Buckley Park on 30 March 2007.

2007 Squad

A total of 37 players represented Shelbourne at various stages during the 2007 season.

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
GK Tony O'Dowd
GK James Hussey
DF Niall O'Reilly
DF Aidan Collins
DF Alan Murphy (Vice-captain)
DF Aaran McEneff
DF Daniel Ennis
DF Brian Gartland
DF Stuart Malcolm
DF Sean L'Estrange
DF Marc McCulloch
DF Alan Keely
DF Conor Rafferty (was on loan from Bohemians)
MF Jim Crawford (Captain)
MF Kieran Harte
MF Glen Lacey
MF Robbie O'Neill
MF Mark O'Brien (was on loan from Bohemians)
MF Graham Curran
No. Position Player
MF Peter McGlynn
MF Alan Reilly
MF Joey O'Neill
MF Noel Haverty (was on loan from St. Patrick's Athletic)
MF James Chambers
MF Ciarán Ryan
MF Chris Mulhall
MF Stephen Doran
FW Darren McKenna
FW John Brophy
FW Mark Leech (was on loan from Drogheda United)
FW Anto Flood
FW Lee Roche
FW Mark Rooney
FW Davitt Walsh (was on loan from Bohemians)
FW Wayne Byrne
FW Ciaran Quinn
FW Kyle Moran (was on loan from Derry City)

Results

League of Ireland First Division

Table

Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
Final effect of position
1
 Cobh Ramblers (C.P)
36
22
11
3
57
17
+40
77
Promotion to Premier Division and Setanta Cup qualification playoff
2
 Finn Harps (P.P)
36
23
7
6
61
20
+41
76
Promotion/relegation playoff semi-final; winner to play 11th in Premier Division
3
 Dundalk (P)
36
19
9
8
56
30
+26
66
4
 Limerick 37
36
14
11
11
46
41
+5
53
5
 Shelbourne
36
11
10
15
46
46
0
43
6
 Athlone Town
36
11
8
17
40
55
-15
41
7
 Kildare County
36
9
12
15
48
62
-14
39
8
 Monaghan United
36
9
11
16
38
52
-14
38
9
 Wexford Youths
36
7
10
19
31
55
-24
31
10
 Kilkenny City
36
5
11
20
33
77
-44
26
Must re-apply for 2008 league membership

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

League Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
36 11 10 15 46 46 0 43 7 6 5 23 18 +5 4 4 10 23 28 −5

Last updated: November 10, 2007
Source: League of Ireland First Division Fixtures

League Form/Results by Round

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Ground H A H A H H A H A A A H A A H A H A H A H H H A H A A H H A H A A H A H
Result D L L D W D L D D D L W L L D L W L W W W D L D W W W L W L D W L L L L

Last updated: November 10, 2007.
Source: League of Ireland First Division Fixtures
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Lose; W = Win; P = Postponed.

FAI Ford Cup

The draw for the FAI Ford Cup took place on May 31, 2007. Shels, like all League sides, automatically went into the second round.

League of Ireland Cup

Shelbourne began the League of Ireland Cup in the Second Round, as the club was officially classed as European entrants when the draws were made. Shelbourne were drawn against Dublin rivals Bohemians, who had begun the 2007 season in the top flight with two of last year's championship winning Shelbourne team, Owen Heary and Glen Crowe. Despite a valiant effort from the young Shelbourne team, the difference in quality eventually told, with Bohemians qualifying for the next round due to 2 late goals from the man who had scored the goal that won Shelbourne the league just a few short months previous, Glen Crowe.

Friendlies

Season Overview

Shelbourne's 2007 season in the First Division began brightly with a dogged display against Kildare County at Tolka Park less than 2 weeks after their squad was assembled. Darren McKenna's dramatic late equaliser in that game secured a point for Shels giving the Tolka Park side much optimism for the season ahead.

Shels next two games against the much fancied promotion favourites Finn Harps and Dundalk brought the young Shels side back to earth with two defeats, including conceding a last minute equaliser to Harps.

After a frustrating 1-1 draw against 10 man Kilkenny City at Buckley Park, Shels first victory of the season arrived 5 games in against Athlone Town at Tolka Park courtesy of a Mark Leech header. Shels' generally young and inexperienced side failed to build on their first victory and would draw 4 of their next 5 games, their loss during this five game period came courtesy of conceding another last minute goal this time away to Cobh Ramblers. With injuries to notable players such as Jim Crawford and Aidan Collins, Shels' strength in depth would face a stern test during this period.

A heavy 3-0 away defeat to Dundalk in May was countered by an encouraging 2-0 victory at home to Kilkenny City but that game was marred after John Brophy suffered a broken leg after a heavy challenge ruling him out of action for 4 months.

Shels inconsistent start to the season was capped with a 1-0 defeat away to Athlone Town leaving Shels far too close to the foot of the First Division table for their liking. Injuries and player departures would take their toll on Shels during June and Shels suffered their heaviest defeat of the season during this period with a 4-0 defeat away to Monaghan United. Despite encouraging displays against Cobh Ramblers (2-2 draw) and another late defeat this time to Limerick 37 (3-2) would not be not enough to prevent numerous changes during the upcoming July transfer window.

Shelbourne made significant changes at the start of the July transfer window. A total of 11 players joined Shels during the month of July including Stuart Malcolm, Marc McCulloch, Alan Keely, Anto Flood and Mark Rooney while Mark O'Brien and Noel Haverty joined Shels on loan from rivals Bohemians and St. Patrick's Athletic respectively.

The impact of Shels newly assembled squad was felt immediately with a 1-0 victory over Wexford Youths at Tolka Park, only Shels 3rd win of the season. After a 1-0 away defeat to Finn Harps, Shels revitalised themselves with 3 consecutive victories against Dundalk, Kilkenny City and Athlone Town. July's turnaround in Shelbourne's form gave Shels optimism for securing the 3rd place play-off spot.

Shels hopes of securing 3rd place were dashed over one weekend at Tolka Park with a 1-1 draw against Monaghan United and a defeat by Finn Harps with yet another last minute goal conceded.

Shelbourne Football Club was in mourning during August after the death of Chief Executive Ollie Byrne. The first match after Byrne's death came against Limerick 37 at Tolka Park. In what was an emotional night at Tolka Park, Shelbourne provided one of their most impressive displays of the season with a comprehensive 4-0 victory.

Two more victories over Wexford Youths and Kildare County gave Shels much optimism over finishing in 4th place but these ambitions were hit after another defeat to Finn Harps with yet another last minute conceded goal, the third time Shelbourne conceded a last minute winner to Harps this season.

With no promotion prospects during the remainder of the season, Shelbourne's form slipped dramatically during the season run in. Despite a comfortable 4-1 win away to Athlone Town, Shels struggled during this period with a defeat to Dundalk and a disappointing home draw to lowly Kilkenny City.

Shelbourne's finish to the season was one they would rather forget. 4 defeats in their final 4 matches marked a considerable decline in the Shels form after a new lease of life during the months of July and August.

After what was a truly difficult season both on and off the pitch, Shelbourne finished 5th in the First Division table and Mark Leech finished the clubs top goalscorer with 12 league goals.

2007 Season Statistics

Player Appearances/Goals

As of November 10, 2007.

No. Nat Pos Player Total First Division FAI Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FW John Brophy 13 0 12 0 0 0 1 0
FW Wayne Byrne 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
MF James Chambers 34 7 32 7 1 0 1 0
DF Aidan Collins 18 1 17 1 0 0 1 0
MF Jim Crawford 17 0 17 0 0 0 0 0
MF Graham Curran 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 0
MF Stephen Doran 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
DF Daniel Ennis 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
FW Anto Flood 16 11 16 11 0 0 0 0
DF Brian Gartland 16 1 15 1 1 0 0 0
MF Kieran Harte 26 1 24 1 1 0 1 0
MF Noel Haverty 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
GK James Hussey 15 0 14 0 1 0 0 0
DF Alan Keely 18 1 18 1 0 0 0 0
DF Sean L'Estrange 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 0
MF Glen Lacey 27 1 26 1 1 0 0 0
FW Mark Leech 32 12 30 12 1 0 1 0
DF Stuart Malcolm 17 1 17 1 0 0 0 0
DF Marc McCulloch 19 0 19 0 0 0 0 0
DF Aaran McEneff 13 0 11 0 1 0 1 0
MF Peter McGlynn 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
FW Darren McKenna 11 2 10 2 0 0 1 0
FW Kyle Moran 10 1 9 1 0 0 1 0
MF Chris Mulhall 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
DF Alan Murphy 30 1 28 1 1 0 1 0
MF Mark O'Brien 18 1 18 1 0 0 0 0
GK Tony O'Dowd 26 0 25 0 0 0 1 0
MF Joey O'Neill 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
MF Robbie O'Neill 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
DF Niall O'Reilly 15 0 13 0 1 0 1 0
FW Ciaran Quinn 8 1 8 1 0 0 0 0
DF Conor Rafferty 12 0 11 0 1 0 0 0
MF Alan Reilly 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 0
FW Lee Roche 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
FW Mark Rooney 17 2 17 2 0 0 0 0
DF Ciarán Ryan 9 0 8 0 0 0 1 0
FW Davitt Walsh 13 1 12 1 1 0 0 0

Top Goalscorers

Position Goalscorer Total Goals First Division FAI Cup League Cup
1
 Mark Leech
12
12
0
0
2
 Anto Flood
11
11
0
0
3
 James Chambers
7
7
0
0
4
 Darren McKenna
2
2
0
0
Mark Rooney
2
2
0
0
6
 Aidan Collins
1
1
0
0
Graham Curran
1
1
0
0
Brian Gartland
1
1
0
0
Kieran Harte
1
1
0
0
Alan Keely
1
1
0
0
Glen Lacey
1
1
0
0
Stuart Malcolm
1
1
0
0
Kyle Moran
1
1
0
0
Alan Murphy
1
1
0
0
Mark O'Brien
1
1
0
0
Ciaran Quinn
1
1
0
0
Davitt Walsh
1
1
0
0
Shelbourne Football Club
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