Shelbourne
2007 season
ChairmanJoe Casey
ManagerDermot Keely
First Division5th
FAI CupSecond Round
League CupSecond 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)

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

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, Director Joseph M 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 Éireann
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 defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Wales WAL Steve Williams
2 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Owen Heary (c)
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL David Crawley
4 DF England ENG Dave Rogers
5 DF Wales WAL Jamie Harris
6 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jim Crawford
7 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Ollie Cahill
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stuart Byrne
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Glen Crowe
10 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Jason Byrne
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Greg O'Halloran
14 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Richie Baker
15 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Moore
16 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Gary O'Neill
17 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Bobby Ryan
18 MF Cameroon CMR Joseph Ndo
19 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Colin Hawkins
20 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Dean Delany
22 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sean Dillon
24 MF Republic of Ireland 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. Nation Player
MF Republic of Ireland IRL James Chambers (on loan at Waterford United)
MF Republic of Ireland IRL David Tyrell (on loan at Bray Wanderers)
MF Republic of Ireland 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. Nation Player
GK Republic of Ireland IRL Tony O'Dowd
GK Republic of Ireland IRL James Hussey
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Niall O'Reilly
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Aidan Collins
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Murphy (Vice-captain)
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Aaran McEneff
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Daniel Ennis
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Brian Gartland
DF Scotland SCO Stuart Malcolm
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sean L'Estrange
DF Scotland SCO Marc McCulloch
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Keely
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Conor Rafferty (was on loan from Bohemians)
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jim Crawford (Captain)
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Kieran Harte
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Glen Lacey
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Robbie O'Neill
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Mark O'Brien (was on loan from Bohemians)
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Graham Curran
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Peter McGlynn
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Reilly
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Joey O'Neill
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Noel Haverty (was on loan from St. Patrick's Athletic)
MF Republic of Ireland IRL James Chambers
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Ciarán Ryan
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Chris Mulhall
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Doran
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Darren McKenna
FW Republic of Ireland IRL John Brophy
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Leech (was on loan from Drogheda United)
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Anto Flood
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Lee Roche
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Rooney
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Davitt Walsh (was on loan from Bohemians)
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Wayne Byrne
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Ciaran Quinn
FW Republic of Ireland 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 14'
Darren McKenna 88'
Report Philip Gorman 4' (pen.)
Gary Walsh 28'
Attendance: 1,697
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
16 March 2007 Finn Harps 2 – 1 Shelbourne Finn Park, Ballybofey
19:45 GMT Gordon Simms 9'
Conor Gethins 90'
Report Davitt Walsh 66' Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
23 March 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 2 Dundalk Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 GMT Report Philip Hughes 52' (pen.)
Shaun Williams 80'
Ben Whelehan Red card 70'
Attendance: 1,896
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
30 March 2007 Kilkenny City 1 – 1 Shelbourne Buckley Park, Kilkenny
19:45 GMT Michael Comerford 41'
Andrzej Polewczak Red card 12'
Report Mark Leech 12' Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
6 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Athlone Town Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech 75' Report Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
13 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Monaghan United Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers 67' Report Peter D'arcy 22'
Darren Meenan Red card 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 90+1' Report Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
27 April 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Limerick 37 Whitehall, Dublin
20:00 IST Kyle Moran 61' Report David Wall 46' Attendance: 894
Referee: Scott MacDonald (Scotland)
4 May 2007 Wexford Youths 1 – 1 Shelbourne Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford
20:00 IST Aidan Collins (o.g.) 74' Report Alan Murphy 45' Attendance: 1,221
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
12 May 2007 Kildare County 1 – 1 Shelbourne Station Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Alan McDermott 50'
Alan Byrne Red card 48'
Report Darren McKenna 45' Attendance: 510
Referee: Edwin McNally (Cork)
24 May 2007 Dundalk 3 – 0 Shelbourne Oriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST David Crawley 2'
Cathal O'Connor 65'
Philip Hughes 77'
Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
28 May 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 0 Kilkenny City Tolka Park, Dublin
19:45 IST James Chambers 32'
Glen Lacey 76'
Davitt Walsh Red card 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 50' (pen.)
Eric Lavine Red card 60'
Report Glen Lacey Red card 68'
Alan Murphy Red card 69'
Attendance: 807
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
22 June 2007 Monaghan United 4 – 0 Shelbourne Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Willie Doyle 20'
Darren Meenan 26' 82'
Robbie Farrell 44'
Report Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
26 June 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 2 Cobh Ramblers Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech 11'
James Chambers 75' (pen.)
Report Brian Gartland 1' (o.g.)
Graham Cummins 63'
Attendance: 648
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
29 June 2007 Limerick 37 3 – 2 Shelbourne Jackman Park, Limerick
19:45 IST Ross Cosgrove 51'
Kevin Waters 77'
Paul Danaher 90'
Report Graham Curran 22'
Kieran Harte 68'
Attendance: 801
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
6 July 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Wexford Youths Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech 75' Report Attendance: 754
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
20 July 2007 Finn Harps 1 – 0 Shelbourne Finn Park, Ballybofey
20:00 IST Stephen Parkhouse 17' Report Mark Leech Red card 31' Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin)
27 July 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 0 Dundalk Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood 17' 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 32'
John McNicholas 79'
Report Anto Flood 35' 58' 74'
Stuart Malcolm 48'
James Chambers 80' (pen.)
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
3 August 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 0 Athlone Town Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers 34'
Anto Flood 68'
Report Attendance: 889
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
10 August 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 1 Monaghan United Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech 79' Report Jason McCartney 85' Attendance: 746
Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
12 August 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 1 Finn Harps Tolka Park, Dublin
17:00 IST Report Shaun Holmes 90+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 31' (pen.) Report Anto Flood 22'
Alan Reilly Red card 81'
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
1 September 2007 Shelbourne 4 – 0 Limerick 37 Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Aidan Collins 10'
Mark Leech 24' 73'
Ciaran Quinn 75'
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 12' Report Mark Leech 38'
James Chambers 80'
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
15 September 2007 Kildare County 1 – 4 Shelbourne Station Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Stephen Cooling 66' Report James Chambers 12'
Mark Leech 45' 71'
Anto Flood 88'
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
21 September 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 2 Finn Harps Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Alan Keely 9' Report Shaun McGowan 53' 90+1' Attendance: 767
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
23 September 2007 Shelbourne 2 – 1 Kildare County Tolka Park, Dublin
16:00 IST Anto Flood 51'
Mark Leech 84'
Report Dean Barrett 90+1' Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
27 September 2007 Dundalk 1 – 0 Shelbourne Oriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST Robbie Doyle 16' 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 73' Report Anto Flood 35' 62'
Mark Rooney 36'
Mark O'Brien 39'
Attendance: 470
Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin)
19 October 2007 Monaghan United 1 – 0 Shelbourne Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Darren Meenan 76' Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
26 October 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 2 Cobh Ramblers Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood 44' Report Kieran O'Reilly 49'
Graham Cummins 69'
Attendance: 714
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
2 November 2007 Limerick 37 2 – 1 Shelbourne Jackman Park, Limerick
19:45 GMT Pat Purcell 44'
John Tierney 60' (pen.) soccer ball with red X 88' (pen.)
Report Mark Rooney 52'
Stuart Malcolm Red card 87'
James Chambers Red card 87'
Attendance: 603
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
10 November 2007 Shelbourne 1 – 3 Wexford Youths Tolka Park, Dublin
19:45 GMT Mark Leech 90+2' Report Johnny Flynn-O'Connor 30'
Garrett Larkin 66'
Conor Sinnott 73' (pen.)
Attendance: 720
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)

Final table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Cobh Ramblers (C) 36 22 11 3 57 17 +40 77 Premier Division / Setanta Cup play-off
2 Finn Harps 36 23 7 6 61 20 +41 76 Premier Division after play-off
3 Dundalk 36 19 9 8 56 30 +26 66 Lost promotion/relegation play-off
4 Limerick 37[lower-alpha 1] 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[lower-alpha 2] 36 7 10 19 32 55 23 31
10 Kilkenny City 36 5 11 20 33 79 46 26
Source: [5][6]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:

League results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
36 11 10 15 46 46  0 43 7 6 5 23 18  +5 4 4 10 23 28  −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 7' (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 68' 80' Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)

Friendlies

7 July 2007 Shelbourne 0 – 2 Leeds United Tolka Park, Dublin
19.30 IST Report Robbie Blake 30'
David Prutton 76'
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. Pos Nat Player TotalFirst DivisionFAI CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FW Republic of Ireland IRL John Brophy 1301200010
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Wayne Byrne 70700000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL James Chambers 3473271010
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Aidan Collins 1811710010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Jim Crawford 1701700000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Graham Curran 21210000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Stephen Doran 20101000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Daniel Ennis 10100000
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Anto Flood 161116110000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Brian Gartland 1611511000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Kieran Harte 2612411010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Noel Haverty 80800000
GK Republic of Ireland IRL James Hussey 1501401000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Keely 1811810000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Sean L'Estrange 80800000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Glen Lacey 2712611000
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Leech 321230121010
DF Scotland SCO Stuart Malcolm 1711710000
DF Scotland SCO Marc McCulloch 1901900000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Aaran McEneff 1301101010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Peter McGlynn 60600000
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Darren McKenna 1121020010
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Kyle Moran 101910010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Chris Mulhall 10100000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Murphy 3012811010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Mark O'Brien 1811810000
GK Republic of Ireland IRL Tony O'Dowd 2602500010
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Joey O'Neill 10100000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Robbie O'Neill 50500000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Niall O'Reilly 1501301010
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Ciaran Quinn 81810000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Conor Rafferty 1201101000
MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Reilly 70700000
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Lee Roche 50500000
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Mark Rooney 1721720000
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Ciarán Ryan 90800010
FW Republic of Ireland IRL Davitt Walsh 1311211000

Top goalscorers

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

Notes

    References

    1. "Shelbourne Statement - Dermot Keely announced as new manager Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine", Gareth Penrose, ShelbourneFC.ie, 23 February 2007.
    2. "Shels pull out of Europe", Irish Football Online, 30 March 2007.
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