2007 Shelbourne F.C. season

Last updated

Shelbourne
2007 season
ChairmanJoe Casey
Manager Dermot Keely
First Division 5th
FAI Cup Second Round
League Cup Second Round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Mark Leech (12)

All:
Mark Leech (12)
Highest home attendance1,896 vs Dundalk (23 March 2007)
Lowest home attendance549 vs Finn Harps (12 August 2007)
2008 Season 

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

Contents

Overview

Following the financial crisis of 2006, at the start of the 2007 season, the club was left with just two senior players by January, and the club's financial crisis resulted in the club pulling out of the Setanta Cup. The crisis even began to threaten their participation in the Champions' League for 2007. Shelbourne's woes were deepened on 25 January 2007 when owner and general manager, Ollie Byrne, was taken to hospital with a reported brain tumour, most likely, stress-induced.

Shelbourne, with no manager and just one remaining senior player by February were said to be massively in debt – some reports putting it at €6 million, and others between even €10 million and €12 million. The fiasco only served to increase the pressures on the FAI, who already had to find two new replacement clubs to participate in the league following the extinction of Dublin City F.C. and Limerick F.C. in 2006. The association decided to set up a review of the awarding of a Premier Division licence to the club and eventually decided that the club should be stripped of the chance to compete in the Premier Division. Shelbourne had their Premier licence revoked and were, instead, considered lucky to be placed in the First Division for the 2007 season. There had been worries that the club would face outright extinction and that the FAI would throw the club out of the league altogether, especially after Limerick, who had less severe problems than Shelbourne, were denied a First Division licence. Liam Moggan, the chairman of the FAI's Licensing Committee resigned in protest after the decision was made to grant Shelbourne a First Division licence as he believed that the club - manager-less, player-less and heavily in the red - did not meet the criteria for the awarding of such a licence, even though its criteria were less strict than those required to pass for a Premier licence. It is probable that the Committee as a whole took an extremely sympathetic view while taking into account the long history of the club and, facing a minimal time-frame for exploring alternatives before the kick-off in March, logistical factors, such as ensuring that the league began with the preferred number of teams, when coming to a final decision to keep Shelbourne in the league.

However, the FAI did not specifically announce whether their decision was punishment for continuing off-the-field abuses from 2006, such as failing to pay players their wages, or whether it was a repercussion of Shelbourne failing to meet the requisite criteria for partaking in the 2007 Premier Division (although it is likely that the course of action taken was due to the latter as if it were a punishment for the 2006 season a deduction in points from that season's tally would be the usual penalty, which would have led to the club being stripped of their title in this scenario). If the relegation was indeed due to a failure to meet standards for 2007, the club's off-the-field abuses during 2006 remain to be seen as having been permissible for that season.

Meanwhile, Waterford United were invited to take Shelbourne's place in the Premier Division for 2007 as they were the next best-placed First Division club in the Independent Assessment Group's rankings. Waterford United accepted the invitation, while the task of sourcing funds, a manager and squad before the transfer-deadline of 28 February remained at the forefront of the club's worries by mid-February. On 23 February, Shelbourne announced that Dermot Keely had been appointed as their new manager. [1] The signing of a new squad of players commenced immediately afterward - quite a few of these players being youngsters and loaned players from other clubs, although the club did also manage to entice a number of ripened seniors to Tolka Park for the 2007 season.

Club

Club information

Chairman, DirectorJoseph M Casey
DirectorAndy Byrne
SecretaryColm Murphy
Commercial ManagerNiall Fitzmaurice
Ground Tolka Park

Commercial partners

TitleSponsor
Main SponsorJW Hire
Kit, Associate Sponsor Umbro
Associate Sponsor Nivea for Men
Associate Sponsor Irish Daily Star
Associate Sponsor Bus Éireann
Associate Sponsor Dulux

Coaching and Medical staff

PositionName
Manager Dermot Keely
Assistant managerColin O'Neill
Goalkeeping coachFred Davis
Head physioTony McCarthy
Assistant physioStephen Weafer
Equipment ManagerPat Roche
Kit AdministratorJohnny 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 defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Steve Williams
2 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Owen Heary (c)
3 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL David Crawley
4 DF Flag of England.svg  ENG Dave Rogers
5 DF Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Jamie Harris
6 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Jim Crawford
7 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Ollie Cahill
8 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Stuart Byrne
9 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Glen Crowe
10 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Jason Byrne
No.Pos.NationPlayer
12 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Greg O'Halloran
14 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Richie Baker
15 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alan Moore
16 FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Gary O'Neill
17 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Bobby Ryan
18 MF Flag of Cameroon.svg  CMR Joseph Ndo
19 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Colin Hawkins
20 GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Dean Delany
22 DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Sean Dillon
24 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL 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 defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL James Chambers (on loan at Waterford United)
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL David Tyrell(on loan at Bray Wanderers)
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL 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. [2] [3] [4]


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 defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

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

Results

League of Ireland First Division

9 March 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 2 Kildare County Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 GMT Brian Gartland Soccerball shade.svg14'
Darren McKenna Soccerball shade.svg88'
Report Philip Gorman Soccerball shade.svg4' (pen.)
Gary Walsh Soccerball shade.svg28'
Attendance: 1,697
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
16 March 2007 Finn Harps 2 – 1 Shelbourne Finn Park, Ballybofey
19:45 GMT Gordon Simms Soccerball shade.svg9'
Conor Gethins Soccerball shade.svg90'
Report Davitt Walsh Soccerball shade.svg66'Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
23 March 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 2 Dundalk Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 GMT Report Philip Hughes Soccerball shade.svg52' (pen.)
Shaun Williams Soccerball shade.svg80'
Ben Whelehan Red card.svg 70'
Attendance: 1,896
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
30 March 2007 Kilkenny City 1 – 1 Shelbourne Buckley Park, Kilkenny
19:45 GMT Michael Comerford Soccerball shade.svg41'
Andrzej Polewczak Red card.svg 12'
Report [ permanent dead link ] Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg12'Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
6 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Athlone Town Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg75' Report Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
13 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Monaghan United Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg67' Report Peter D'arcy Soccerball shade.svg22'
Darren Meenan Red card.svg 86'
Attendance: 1,011
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
21 April 2007 Cobh Ramblers 1 – 0 Shelbourne St. Colman's Park, Cobh
19:30 IST Graham Cummins Soccerball shade.svg90+1' Report Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
27 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Limerick 37 Whitehall, Dublin
20:00 IST Kyle Moran Soccerball shade.svg61' Report David Wall Soccerball shade.svg46'Attendance: 894
Referee: Scott MacDonald (Scotland)
4 May 2007 Wexford Youths 1 – 1 Shelbourne Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
20:00 IST Aidan Collins (o.g.) Soccerball shade.svg74' Report Alan Murphy Soccerball shade.svg45'Attendance: 1,221
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
12 May 2007 Kildare County 1 – 1 Shelbourne Station Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Alan McDermott Soccerball shade.svg50'
Alan Byrne Red card.svg 48'
Report Darren McKenna Soccerball shade.svg45'Attendance: 510
Referee: Edwin McNally (Cork)
24 May 2007 Dundalk 3 – 0 Shelbourne Oriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST David Crawley Soccerball shade.svg2'
Cathal O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg65'
Philip Hughes Soccerball shade.svg77'
Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
28 May 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 0 Kilkenny City Tolka Park, Dublin
19:45 IST James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg32'
Glen Lacey Soccerball shade.svg76'
Davitt Walsh Red card.svg 83'
Report Attendance: 563
Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
2 June 2007 Athlone Town 1 – 0 Shelbourne Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone
19:00 IST Ian Rossiter Soccerball shade.svg50' (pen.)
Eric Lavine Red card.svg 60'
Report Glen Lacey Red card.svg 68'
Alan Murphy Red card.svg 69'
Attendance: 807
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
22 June 2007 Monaghan United 4 – 0 Shelbourne Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Willie Doyle Soccerball shade.svg20'
Darren Meenan Soccerball shade.svg26'Soccerball shade.svg82'
Robbie Farrell Soccerball shade.svg44'
Report Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
26 June 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 2 Cobh Ramblers Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg11'
James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg75' (pen.)
Report Brian Gartland Soccerball shade.svg1' (o.g.)
Graham Cummins Soccerball shade.svg63'
Attendance: 648
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
29 June 2007 Limerick 37 3 – 2 Shelbourne Jackman Park, Limerick
19:45 IST Ross Cosgrove Soccerball shade.svg51'
Kevin Waters Soccerball shade.svg77'
Paul Danaher Soccerball shade.svg90'
Report Graham Curran Soccerball shade.svg22'
Kieran Harte Soccerball shade.svg68'
Attendance: 801
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
6 July 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Wexford Youths Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg75' Report Attendance: 754
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
20 July 2007 Finn Harps 1 – 0 Shelbourne Finn Park, Ballybofey
20:00 IST Stephen Parkhouse Soccerball shade.svg17' Report Mark Leech Red card.svg 31'Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin)
27 July 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Dundalk Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg17' Report Attendance: 1,186
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
31 July 2007 Kilkenny City 2 – 5 Shelbourne Buckley Park, Kilkenny
19:45 IST Ted O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg32'
John McNicholas Soccerball shade.svg79'
Report Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg35'Soccerball shade.svg58'Soccerball shade.svg74'
Stuart Malcolm Soccerball shade.svg48'
James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg80' (pen.)
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
3 August 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 0 Athlone Town Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg34'
Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg68'
Report Attendance: 889
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
10 August 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Monaghan United Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg79' Report Jason McCartney Soccerball shade.svg85'Attendance: 746
Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
12 August 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 1 Finn Harps Tolka Park, Dublin
17:00 IST Report Shaun Holmes Soccerball shade.svg90+5'Attendance: 549
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
25 August 2007 Cobh Ramblers 1 – 1 Shelbourne St. Colman's Park, Cobh
19:45 IST Davin O'Neill Soccerball shade.svg31' (pen.) Report Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg22'
Alan Reilly Red card.svg 81'
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
1 September 2007 Shelbourne 4 – 0 Limerick 37 Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Aidan Collins Soccerball shade.svg10'
Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg24'Soccerball shade.svg73'
Ciaran Quinn Soccerball shade.svg75'
Report Attendance: 767
Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
7 September 2007 Wexford Youths 1 – 2 Shelbourne Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
20:00 IST Johnny Flynn-O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg12' Report Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg38'
James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg80'
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
15 September 2007 Kildare County 1 – 4 Shelbourne Station Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Stephen Cooling Soccerball shade.svg66' Report James Chambers Soccerball shade.svg12'
Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg45'Soccerball shade.svg71'
Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg88'
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
21 September 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 2 Finn Harps Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Alan Keely Soccerball shade.svg9' Report Shaun McGowan Soccerball shade.svg53'Soccerball shade.svg90+1'Attendance: 767
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
23 September 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 1 Kildare County Tolka Park, Dublin
16:00 IST Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg51'
Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg84'
Report Dean Barrett Soccerball shade.svg90+1'Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
27 September 2007 Dundalk 1 – 0 Shelbourne Oriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST Robbie Doyle Soccerball shade.svg16' Report Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
5 October 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 0 Kilkenny City Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Report Attendance: 702
Referee: Darren Eady (Wales)
12 October 2007 Athlone Town 1 – 4 Shelbourne Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone
19:45 IST Noel McGee Soccerball shade.svg73' Report Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg35'Soccerball shade.svg62'
Mark Rooney Soccerball shade.svg36'
Mark O'Brien Soccerball shade.svg39'
Attendance: 470
Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin)
19 October 2007 Monaghan United 1 – 0 Shelbourne Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Darren Meenan Soccerball shade.svg76' Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
26 October 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 2 Cobh Ramblers Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood Soccerball shade.svg44' Report Kieran O'Reilly Soccerball shade.svg49'
Graham Cummins Soccerball shade.svg69'
Attendance: 714
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
2 November 2007 Limerick 37 2 – 1 Shelbourne Jackman Park, Limerick
19:45 GMT Pat Purcell Soccerball shade.svg44'
John Tierney Soccerball shade.svg60' (pen.) Soccerball shade cross.svg 88' (pen.)
Report Mark Rooney Soccerball shade.svg52'
Stuart Malcolm Red card.svg 87'
James Chambers Red card.svg 87'
Attendance: 603
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
10 November 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 3 Wexford Youths Tolka Park, Dublin
19:45 GMT Mark Leech Soccerball shade.svg90+2' Report Johnny Flynn-O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg30'
Garrett Larkin Soccerball shade.svg66'
Conor Sinnott Soccerball shade.svg73' (pen.)
Attendance: 720
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)

Final table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Cobh Ramblers (C)36221135717+4077 Premier Division / Setanta Cup play-off
2 Finn Harps 3623766120+4176 Premier Division after play-off
3 Dundalk 3619985630+2666Lost promotion/relegation play-off
4 Limerick 37 [lower-alpha 1] 361411114641+553
5 Shelbourne 361110154646043
6 Athlone Town 361181740551541
7 Kildare County 369121548621439
8 Monaghan United 369111638521438
9 Wexford Youths [lower-alpha 2] 367101932552331
10 Kilkenny City 365112033794626
Source: [5] [6]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:

League results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
361110154646 0437652318 +544102328 −5

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

League Form/Results by Round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536
GroundHAHAHHAHAAAHAAHAHAHAHHHAHAAHHAHAAHAH
ResultDLLDWDLDDDLWLLDLWLWWWDLDWWWLWLDWLLLL
Updated to match(es) played on 10 November 2007. Source: League of Ireland First Division Fixtures
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

FAI Ford Cup

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

15 June 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 1 Cork City Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Report Roy O'Donovan Soccerball shade.svg7' (pen.)Attendance: 1,002
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)

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.

8 May 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 2 Bohemians Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Report Glen Crowe Soccerball shade.svg68'Soccerball shade.svg80'Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)

Friendlies

7 July 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 2 Leeds United Tolka Park, Dublin
19.30 IST Report Robbie Blake Soccerball shade.svg30'
David Prutton Soccerball shade.svg76'
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)

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 club's top goalscorer with 12 league goals.

2007 season statistics

Player appearances/goals

As of 10 November 2007.

No.PosNatPlayerTotal First Division FAI Cup League Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL John Brophy1301200010
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Wayne Byrne70700000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL James Chambers 3473271010
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Aidan Collins1811710010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Jim Crawford 1701700000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Graham Curran21210000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Stephen Doran20101000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Daniel Ennis10100000
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Anto Flood 161116110000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Brian Gartland1611511000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Kieran Harte2612411010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Noel Haverty80800000
GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL James Hussey1501401000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alan Keely 1811810000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Sean L'Estrange80800000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Glen Lacey2712611000
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Mark Leech 321230121010
DF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Stuart Malcolm 1711710000
DF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Marc McCulloch 1901900000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Aaran McEneff1301101010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Peter McGlynn 60600000
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Darren McKenna1121020010
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Kyle Moran 101910010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Chris Mulhall 10100000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alan Murphy3012811010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Mark O'Brien 1811810000
GK Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Tony O'Dowd 2602500010
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Joey O'Neill10100000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Robbie O'Neill50500000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Niall O'Reilly1501301010
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Ciaran Quinn81810000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Conor Rafferty1201101000
MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Alan Reilly 70700000
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Lee Roche50500000
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Mark Rooney1721720000
DF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Ciarán Ryan 90800010
FW Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Davitt Walsh1311211000

Top goalscorers

PositionGoalscorerTotal Goals First Division FAI Cup League Cup
1
Flag of Ireland.svg Mark Leech
12
12
0
0
2
Flag of Ireland.svg Anto Flood
11
11
0
0
3
Flag of Ireland.svg James Chambers
7
7
0
0
4
Flag of Ireland.svg Darren McKenna
2
2
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Mark Rooney
2
2
0
0
6
Flag of Ireland.svg Aidan Collins
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Curran
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Brian Gartland
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Kieran Harte
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Alan Keely
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Glen Lacey
1
1
0
0
Flag of Scotland.svg Stuart Malcolm
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Kyle Moran
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Alan Murphy
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Mark O'Brien
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Ciaran Quinn
1
1
0
0
Flag of Ireland.svg Davitt Walsh
1
1
0
0

Notes

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