A look at Shels ahead of the new season
For the first time in 17 years, Shelbourne will be back in European competition and, with a bolstered squad under Manager Damien Duff, Shels fans haven’t anticipated a season this much in quite some time.
Their form in the second half of the season was very impressive and was powered up top by the League’s joint top scorer Jack Moylan and the arrival of Harry Wood and Will Jarvis clicking at just the right time.
Shels will be without Moylan and Wood this term but have crucially held onto Jarvis who’s goals against Dundalk and Drogheda United proved crucial in the big moments.
Their presence was important as the Reds had been undergoing an injury crisis missing Matty Smith and Sean Boyd among others for spells but, with the pair back in business ahead of the new season on top of a series of new signings, Duff’s side are quietly confident of making their mark this season and not settling for one good year.
They’ll do so with the new arrivals of Sean Gannon, Keith Ward, Dean Williams, John Martin, Lorcan Healy, Liam Burt and John O’Sullivan.
Suddenly, Shels have options a plenty in attack where the bench was barely filled before at times.
Scottish forwards Liam Burt and Matty Smith should prove to be a perfect combination in behind Boyd and John Martin where Will Jarvis can also flick between left-wing back and any of the forward three.
Shels will be without influential former Captain Luke Byrne in the back three, though with Lewis Temple impressing in the off-season, Duff and Joey O’Brien will hope the defence will be as rock solid as last season after retaining Gavin Molloy, Paddy Barrett and Shane Griffin.
Their opening night will be at the RSC against newcomers Waterford and is back to the scene of a famous semi-final in 2022 where Molloy’s left foot stunner hit the boisterous home crowd for six.
Shels will be hoping for another memorable night on Friday and a strong start to a season full of hope on the horizon.
Finish last season - 4th
Manager - Damien Duff
Key player - Will Jarvis
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