Shelbourne F.C. Season 2007

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

Pre-season

Exodus

This is the squad that completed the 2006 season, winning the Premier Division in the process.Fs player|no=2 | nat=Ireland | pos=DF | name=Owen Heary (c)

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

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 FAI First Division by the FAI.

The FAI issued a First Division licence in place of the FAI Premier Division licence which had been revoked by order of the FAI's First Instance Committee due to the financial situation.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 FAI 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:cquote|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 FAI 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.

fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=DF | name=Alan Murphy "(Vice-captain)"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=DF | name=Conor Rafferty → "was on loan from Bohemians"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=MF | name=Jim Crawford "(Captain)"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=MF | name=Mark O'Brien → "was on loan from Bohemians"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=MF | name=Noel Haverty → "was on loan from St. Patrick's Athletic"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=FW | name=Mark Leech → "was on loan from Drogheda United"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=FW | name=Davitt Walsh → "was on loan from Bohemians"fs player| no= | nat=Ireland | pos=FW | name=Kyle Moran → "was on loan from Derry City"

Results

eircom League of Ireland First Division

"Season complete"footballbox
date = 9 March, 2007
20:00 GMT
team2 = Kildare County
score = 2 - 2
report = [http://www.shelbournefc.ie/matchzone/review.php?matchid=9229 Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Brian Gartland goal|14
Darren McKenna goal|88
goals2 = Philip Gorman goal|4(p)
Gary Walsh goal|28
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 1,697
referee = T. Connolly

footballbox
date = 16 March, 2007
19:45 GMT
team1 = Finn Harps
score = 2 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0316/shelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Gordon Simms goal|9
Conor Gethins goal|90
goals2 = Davitt Walsh goal|66
stadium = Finn Park, Ballybofey
attendance =
referee = D.Tomney

footballbox
date = 23 March, 2007
20:00 GMT
team2 = Dundalk
score = 0 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0323/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 = Philip Hughes goal|52(p)
Shaun Williams goal|80
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 1,896
referee = R.Winter

footballbox
date = 30 March, 2007
19:45 GMT
team1 = Kilkenny City
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0330/kilkenny.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Michael Comerford goal|41
goals2 = Mark Leech goal|12
stadium = Buckley Park, Kilkenny
attendance =
referee = T.Superczynski

footballbox
date = 6 April, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Athlone Town
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0406/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Mark Leech goal|75
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = M.Gough

footballbox
date = 13 April, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Monaghan United
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0413/shelbourne1.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = James Chambers goal|67
goals2 = Peter D'arcy goal|22
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 1,011
referee = P.Sutton

footballbox
date = 21 April, 2007
19:30 IST
team1 = Cobh Ramblers
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0421/cobh.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Graham Cummins goal|90
goals2 =
stadium = St. Colman's Park, Cobh
attendance =
referee = T.Tomney

footballbox
date = 27 April, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Limerick 37
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0427/shelbourne2.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Kyle Moran goal|61
goals2 = David Wall goal|46
stadium = Whitehall, Dublin
attendance = 894
referee = S. McDonald

footballbox
date = 4 May, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Wexford Youths
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0504/wexford.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Aidan Collins (og) goal|74
goals2 = Alan Murphy goal|45
stadium = Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
attendance = 1,221
referee = N.Doyle

footballbox
date = 12 May, 2007
19:30 IST
team1 = Kildare County
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0512/kildarecounty.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Alan McDermott goal|50
goals2 = Darren McKenna goal|45
stadium = Station Road, Kildare
attendance = 510
referee = E.McNally

footballbox
date = 24 May, 2007
19:45 IST
team1 = Dundalk
score = 3 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0524/dundalk.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = David Crawley goal|2
Cathal O'Connor goal|65
Philip Hughes goal|77
goals2 =
stadium = Oriel Park, Dundalk
attendance =
referee = T.Connolly

footballbox
date = 28 May, 2007
19:45 IST
team2 = Kilkenny City
score = 2 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0528/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = James Chambers goal|32
Glen Lacey goal|76
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 563
referee = T.Superczynski

footballbox
date = 2 June, 2007
19:00 IST
team1 = Athlone Town
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0602/athlonetown1.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Ian Rossiter goal|50 (p)
goals2 =
stadium = Lissywoollen, Athlone
attendance = 807
referee = P.Sutton

footballbox
date = 22 June, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Shelbourne
score = 4 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0622/monaghan.html Report]
team1 = Monaghan United
goals1 = Willie Doyle goal|20
Darren Meenan goal|26 goal|82
Robbie Farrell goal|44
goals2 =
stadium = Century Homes Park, Monaghan
attendance =
referee = C.Fitzgerald

footballbox
date = 26 June, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 2 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0626/shelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Cobh Ramblers
goals1 = Mark Leech goal|11
James Chambers goal|75 (p)
goals2 = Brian Gartland goal|1 (og)
Graham Cummins goal|63
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 648
referee = N.Doyle

footballbox
date = 29 June, 2007
19:45 IST
team2 = Shelbourne
score = 3 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0629/limerickvshels.html Report]
team1 = Limerick 37
goals1 = Ross Cosgrave goal|51
Kevin Waters goal|77
Paul Danagher goal|90
goals2 = Graham Curran goal|22
Kieran Harte goal|68
stadium = Jackman Park, Limerick
attendance = 801
referee = G.Kelly

footballbox
date = 6 July, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0706/shelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Wexford Youths
goals1 = Mark Leech goal|75
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 754
referee = D.Tomney

footballbox
date = 20 July, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Finn Harps
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0720/finnharps.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Stephen Parkhouse goal|17
goals2 =
stadium = Finn Park, Ballybofey
attendance =
referee = P.Whelan

footballbox
date = 27 July, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Dundalk
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.shelbournefc.ie/news.php?id=713 Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Anthony Flood goal|17
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 1,186
referee = P. Sutton

footballbox
date = 31 July, 2007
19:45 IST
team1 = Kilkenny City
score = 2 - 5
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0731/shelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Ted O'Connor goal|32
John McNicholas goal|79
goals2 = Anthony Flood goal|35 goal|58 goal|74
Stuart Malcolm goal|48
James Chambers goal|80 (p)
stadium = Buckley Park, Kilkenny
attendance =
referee = G.Kelly

footballbox
date = 3 August, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Athlone Town
score = 2 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0803/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = James Chambers goal|34
Anthony Flood goal|68
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 889
referee = D.Hancock

footballbox
date = 10 August, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Monaghan United
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0810/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Mark Leech goal|79
goals2 = Jason McCartney goal|85
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 746
referee = M.Gough

footballbox
date = 12 August, 2007
17:00 IST
team2 = Finn Harps
score = 0 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0812/finnharps.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 = Shaun Holmes goal|90
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 549
referee = G.Kelly ::"Note: This fixture was originally scheduled for 18 May 2007, and was postponed due to a loose floodlight pylon, caused by unusually high winds in Dublin on 17 May."

footballbox
date = 25 August, 2007
19:45 IST
team1 = Cobh Ramblers
score = 1 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0825/cobh.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Davin O'Neill goal|31 (p)
goals2 = Anthony Flood goal|22
stadium = St. Colman's Park, Cobh
attendance =
referee = D.Tomney

footballbox
date = 1 September, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Limerick 37
score = 4 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0901/shelbourne.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Aidan Collins goal|10
Mark Leech goal|24 goal|73
Ciaran Quinn goal|75
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 767
referee = T. Superczynski

footballbox
date = 7 September, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Wexford Youths
score = 1 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0907/wexfordshelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Johnny Flynn-O'Connor goal|12
goals2 = Mark Leech goal|38
James Chambers goal|80
stadium = Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
attendance =
referee = C. Fitzgerald

footballbox
date = 15 September, 2007
19:30 IST
team1 = Kildare County
score = 1 - 4
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0915/kildareshelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Stephen Cooling goal|66
goals2 = James Chambers goal|12
Mark Leech goal|45 goal|71
Anthony Flood goal|88
stadium = Station Road, Kildare
attendance =
referee = H. Whoriskey

footballbox
date = 21 September, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Finn Harps
score = 1 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0921/shelbournefinnharps.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Alan Keely goal|9
goals2 = Shaun McGowan goal|53 goal|90
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = R. Winter

footballbox
date = 23 September, 2007
16:00 IST
team2 = Kildare County
score = 2 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0923/shelbournekildare.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Anthony Flood goal|51
Mark Leech goal|84
goals2 = Dean Barrett goal|90
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = R. Winter::"Note: This fixture was originally scheduled for 12 July but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch."

footballbox
date = 27 September, 2007
19:45 IST
team1 = Dundalk
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0927/dundalk2.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Robbie Doyle goal|16
goals2 =
stadium = Oriel Park, Dundalk
attendance =
referee = A. Buttimer

footballbox
date = 6 October, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Kilkenny City
score = 0 - 0
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1005/shelbourne1.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = D. Eady

footballbox
date = 12 October, 2007
19:45 IST
team1 = Athlone Town
score = 1 - 4
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1012/athlonetownshelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Noel McGee goal|73
goals2 = Anthony Flood goal|35 goal|62
Mark Rooney goal|36
Mark O'Brien goal|39
stadium = Lissywoollen, Athlone
attendance = 470
referee = R. Rogers

footballbox
date = 19 October, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Shelbourne
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.shelbournefc.ie/news.php?id=769 Report]
team1 = Monaghan United
goals1 = Darren Meenan goal|76
goals2 =
stadium = Century Homes Park, Monaghan
attendance =
referee = T. Connolly

footballbox
date = 26 October, 2007
20:00 IST
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 1 - 2
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1026/cobh.html Report]
team2 = Cobh Ramblers
goals1 = Anthony Flood goal|44
goals2 = Kieran O'Reilly goal|49
Graham Cummins goal|69
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 714
referee = H. Whoriskey

footballbox
date = 2 November, 2007
19:45 GMT
team1 = Limerick 37
score = 2 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1102/limerickshelbourne.html Report]
team2 = Shelbourne
goals1 = Pat Purcell goal|44
John Tierney goal|60 (p)
goals2 = Mark Rooney goal|52
stadium = Jackman Park, Limerick
attendance = 603
referee = H. Whoriskey

footballbox
date = 10 November, 2007
19:45 GMT
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 1 - 3
report =
team2 = Wexford Youths
goals1 = Mark Leech goal|90
goals2 = Johnny Flynn-O'Connor goal|30
Garrett Larkin goal|66
Conor Sinnott goal|73 (p)
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 720
referee = P. Sutton

Final League Table

League Form/Results by Round

Home/Away Form

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.

footballbox
date = 15 June, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Cork City
score = 0 - 1
report = [http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0615/corkcity.html Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 = Roy O'Donovan goal|7 (p)
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance = 1,002
referee = R.Winter

eircom League of Ireland Cup

Shelbourne began the FAI League 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.

footballbox
date = 8 May, 2007
20:00 IST
team2 = Bohemians
score = 0 - 2
report = [http://www.shelbournefc.ie/matchzone/review.php?matchid=9371 Report]
team1 = Shelbourne
goals1 =
goals2 = Glen Crowe goal|68 goal|80
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = I.Stokes

Friendlies

footballbox
date = March 4, 2007
11.00 GMT
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 1 - 0
report = [http://www.shelbournefc.com/news.php?id=587 Report]
team2 = Waterford United Selection
goals1 = Davitt Walsh goal|8
goals2 =
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = ----footballbox
date = July 7, 2007
19.30 IST
team1 = Shelbourne
score = 0 - 2
report = [http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1069148,00.html Report]
team2 = Leeds United
goals1 =
goals2 = Robbie Blake goal|30
David Prutton goal|76
stadium = Tolka Park, Dublin
attendance =
referee = P. Tuite

eason Overview

Shelbourne's 2007 season in the FAI 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 dramtically 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."

Top Goalscorers