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DP91
Dan
Shedender
The First Division was a stroll in the park and I've still got four league games to play so hopefully I don't lose anymore games DP91. Premier Division is going to be tough but that's to be expected, I feel the squads good enough for a mid-table finish at least, just avoiding relegation would be disappointing.
We should do alright Dan, especially considering how we fared against Bohs earlier in the season but the only problem is, if I am to complete Republic of Ireland then I'll need to unfortunately leave Shelbourne as they don't participate in the Munster Cup.
A 2-0 success at home to Waterford United last month secured a deserved First Division title so now their is no pressure in the league and we can concentrate on trying to win the Senior Challenge Cup and my second trophy in Republic of Ireland but it isn't going to be easy as their is only Premier Division sides left in the competition.
September began with a tough Senior Challenge Cup quarter final tie as Shamrock Rovers visited Tolka Park and became the second(?) Premier Division cup scalp of the season as my Shelbourne side won 4-1. Sean Russell scored a first half penalty, Alan O'Sullivan scored twice and former Rovers midfielder Jack Watson was also on target against his former club.
Just three days later and the side had to travel to the B team of Shamrock Rovers and destroyed the basement club 6-0 as Conor Murphy bagged a hat trick as he scored on thirty two, forty six and eighty six minutes while Sean Russell scored twice and Alan O'Sullivan was once again on target on a fantastic away day.
The short month came to an end with a home game against Athlone Town as the champions needed a late winner to seal a two one win. We had fallen behind at Tolka Park but Dylan Connolly, back from a five week lay-off, equalised on sixty eight minutes before Alan O'Sullivan found the net with just four minutes left to seal the points - Athlone deserved at least a draw, we were poor.
Just two league games are remaining and there's nothing to play for as the league and play-off spots have been secured but the only thing is, who will finish the season as runners-up. Since their is no relegation from the First Division, that's 'music to the ears' of Shamrock Rovers B who will finish rock bottom.
Shedender
The final league month of the league was upon us and as previously stated, with the league won their would be no pressure on us now. Two final two league games awaited us as the season would conclude while we've got a Senior Challenge Cup semi final tie at home to Premier Division side Sligo Rovers, could we reach the final?
The penultimate game of the twenty nineteen league season took us to U.C.D as we squeezed out a hard fought 2-1 victory on the road as both Alan O'Sullivan and Conor Murphy were on target.
Just three days later we welcomed Sligo Rovers to Tolka Park for the Senior Challenge Cup semi final as once again we took another top flight 'scalp', winning three one and deservedly so. Goals from Jordan Keegan and Lee Desmond saw us head into the interval in the lead before the on loan David Kenny added a third on fifty three minutes.
The season concluded as Finn Harps headed to Tolka Park and suffered a three two defeat - Alan O'Sullivan, Jack Watson and Matthew Taylor had all scored to give us a 3-0 lead as we looked to end the league campaign on a 'high' but we took our foot of the pedal and let Harps net twice but we held on for the points.
Our next game will be the Senior Challenge Cup final against Cork City at the Aviva Stadium and I'm going to be posted in a separate update. Could we take another Premier Division 'scalp' and secure my second trophy in the Republic of Ireland this season?
With the league season now completed I'm delighted that we wrapped up the league season with ease as we won the league, twenty five points clear of second placed U.C.D who take the runners-up spot and Cobh Ramblers secured third and they'll face each other in the play-off's.
The winner of that play-off will then face the team who finished second bottom of the Premier Division.
Shedender
With the league season completed and promotion back to the Premier Division secured, the final game of twenty nineteen was the Senior Challenge Cup final as we faced Cork City at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. A crowd of just under eleven thousand were expected at the national stadium but could we take a third Premier Division scalp in this competition and our fourth overall this season?
This is how the two sides lined up for the final, my Shelbourne side lined up in my 'traditional' 4231 formation with the prolific Alan O'Sullivan leading the attack but two players missing from the starting eleven was Philip Hand (suspension) and Dylan Connolly (injured) but we still had our strongest available eleven out for the final.
Our opponents Cork City meanwhile lined out in a 3-5-2 formation with both Lehane and Rafter leading the attack, the latter just playing off top. They have decided to play five in midfield with Morrissey looking the 'defensive' type player in the five. Dennehy and Turner I expect will cost us problems so we'll need to keep them silent.
That's how the two sides will start the Senior Challenge Cup final at the Aviva Stadium and I'm sure everyone is expecting a close contest but will be take the third Premier Division scalp (as previously stated in this update) or will Cork make us the end the season in heartbreak?
I'm speechless, I truly am. We have destroyed Cork City 6-1 to secure the Senior Challenge Cup and my second trophy here in the Republic of Ireland and we fully deserved to win. Goals from Matthew Taylor, Alan O'Sullivan, Jordan Keegan and Conor Murphy saw us lead 4-0 after only thirty eight minutes but we let Cork pull a goal back five minutes before the break.
The prolific (and I have been saying that quite a bit this season, but it's deserved) Alan O'Sullivan added two further goals in the second after seventy two and seventy seven minutes to complete his hat trick as we fully deserved this success and I can see Cork, Sligo and Shamrock Rovers looking for revenge next season due to these cup upsets.
DP91
Dan
simoncoyne
Shedender
Cheers Dan, was pleased to have chalked it off, now all I can concentrate on is winning the Premier Division and League Cup before heading to either Waterford/Limerick/Cork or Cobh to secure the Munster Cup.
That's true simoncoyne, I feel we handled the Premier clubs very well and deservedly beat all of them that we faced. Don't think we'll secure back-to-back titles as Dundalk/St. Pats are better than us currently but we'll sure give it a go and then you'll never know at the end of the day what'll happen.
With a tremendous 2019 campaign behind us that not only saw us secure the First Division title but the Senior Challenge Cup, I was unaware of what the board will expect in the twenty twenty season on our return to the Premier Division, since we've a quality enough squad I suspect the pressure will be on but I thrive on pressure.
Yep, the pressure is on. The boards minimum expectation for the season is we achieve a mid-table finish and I believe that's possible while the top half finish is also achievable, I have stuck with the first selection. Europa League qualification, I haven't even considered as it could be 'unrealistic' and we don't get much difference in the wages.
So I have selected mid-table finish and that hasn't given us a transfer budget which I find a bit disappointing but that's fine, I'll survive and it's given us a wage budget of just over thirteen and a half thousand p/w which for a semi-professional team from the Republic of Ireland isn't too shabby, considering I'll probably not use much/any of it.
Six games have been arranged for the pre season program, five will be away from home while we'll welcome Welsh side TNS to Tolka Park but I've got a feeling that'll be cancelled due to a domestic game in Wales, if it is then I'll arrange another friendly or two in it's place.
Our program will start with a trip to recently relegated Bray Wanderers before then facing St. Pats C.Y.F.C, Rathcoole Boys, Athlone Town and our friendly program will conclude against Firhouse.
Shedender
Last season was one to remember for the Shelbourne supporters as the side returned to the Premier Division at the first time of asking, now it was time for the hard work to restart as I needed to head into the transfer market looking to add a few players to an already quality side while my assistant manager will take charge of the pre season games, as usual.
Only four players joined the club in the close season and all on free transfers. The first arrival saw Anthony Kelly arrive from Cobh Ramblers after agreeing a pre-contract while last season loan duo from St. Pats David Kenny and Darragh Markey arrived after their contracts had expired and Dave Dunne was our fourth and final signing of the window as I didn't want to disrupt the squad too much.
I was disappointed with the departure of Jon Sheehan to 'rivals' Dundalk because I forgot he was on non-contract terms and nipped in and 'pinched' him while Neil Harney left when his contract had expired and I terminated the contract of John Sullivan. At a later date I also terminated the contracts of Lee Duffy and Sean Brennan, big earners iirc who wouldn't be guaranteed first team football so I released them both.
What a fantastic and perfect pre season as we won seven out of seven games and scored goals and kept some clean sheets in the process.
Things started with a 4-1 win at Bray before winning 3-0 at St. Pats C.Y.F.C, 4-1 at Rathcoole Boys, 3-2 at Athlone Town, 1-0 at Derriaghy, 2-0 at Ardglass (both the Derriaghy and Ardglass games were arranged because the TNS game was cancelled) and then the friendly program concluded with a 4-0 win at Firhouse.
Dan
Gendo
Except that it's Ireland, and pre-season is in February.
Anyway, great form, hope you keep it up to start the season off right!
Shedender
Cheers Gendo, we're predicted to finish the campaign in eighth place iirc but I'm confident we can finish higher.
Following a wonderful pre season that saw us remain unbeaten although results don't matter, it was now time for the competitive season to begin and I'm hoping to guide my Shelbourne side to a good start to the twenty twenty campaign.
The Premier Division campaign kicked off with a home game against Drogheda United and we defeated the 'Drogs' 2-0 at Tolka Park as new signing Dave Dunne broke the deadlock after twenty eight minutes, Sean Russell added a second goal on 67 minutes from the penalty spot.
Our first away game came at the start of March as the side travelled to Bohemians and we stole a single goal victory as Roberto Lopes put through his own net with fourteen minutes left.
We then welcomed Longford Town to Tolka Park and the side produced a 5-0 victory as Alan O'Sullivan scored his first competitive goal(s) of the season while an own goal, Jay McNulty and Adam O'Connor added further goals in the final twenty minutes.
Three days later we welcomed Derry City in the All-Ireland Cup quarter final and we slipped to a 4-1 defeat as Philip Hand scored our consolation goal, disappointing.
We returned to league action with a trip to St. Pats Athletic and we 'stunned' them by winning 2-0 at Richmond Park and the side got off to a dream start when Alan O'Sullivan netted within the first minute and then the points were sealed with nine minutes remaining when Dylan Connolly scored.
Our second leg with Derry ended in a 3-3 draw at the Brandywell as we exited the competition - Adam O'Connor, Alan O'Sullivan and Martin Sexton on target.
The opening full month came to an end as we defeated Sligo Rovers 4-1 at Tolka Park as all our goals arrived in the second half - Robbie Gaul, two from Alan O'Sullivan and Conor Murphy were on target.
It's been a remarkable start to the campaign as we've won our opening five league scoring in a row, scoring fourteen goals and conceding just the once so I can't even think of complaining, it's been a great start but a very long way to go so we need to keep this going.
During the opening full month of the season I had received five job interviews, all declined. English sides Doncaster Rovers, Lincoln City, Accrington Stanley and Crawley Town while Scottish Championship side Morton also wanted me.
They were all declined though as I've no interest in leaving Shelbourne at this moment in time.
DP91
Dan
Johno
Shedender
Wouldn't say it's 'not surprising' though as we have beaten some tough teams in the opening month. Cheers though Dan.
Decent Johno? It's been a solid start.
It's been a tremendous start to the Premier Division season as we're sitting top after the opening five games, with a one hundred percent record and conceding just the one goal in the process but of course the season is going to get tougher as the season progresses, six league games were played in April.
The month began as Limerick visited Tolka Park as we recorded an excellent 5-1 victory as Dylan Connolly fired home our first goal on six minutes before Conor Murphy (2), Lee Desmond and Alan O'Sullivan added further goals in the second half.
We then recorded a hard fought single goal win at Turners Cross against Cork, Dylan Connolly scoring the winner on 24 minutes.
Four days later we made the trip to Galway as we suffered our first league defeat of the season, crashing to a two nil defeat which I'm disappointed with.
A third consecutive away game took us to Dundalk and I was expecting a tough game but we sealed a deserved (in my unbiased opinion) 2-1 victory as both Conor Murphy and Matthew Taylor were on target.
The excellent start to the league campaigned continued (bar the Galway defeat) with a convincing 3-0 victory over Derry City at Tolka Park - Conor Murphy, Alan O'Sullivan and Sean Russell the scorers.
Shamrock Rovers away would conclude the month of April as we'd seal a hard fought 3-3 draw which I'm delighted with as our three goals arrived in the second period. Darragh Markey and two from Alan O'Sullivan were the scorers while O'Sullivan's second was a dramatic equaliser with five minutes remaining.
Seven points clear after our first eleven games, it's been a brilliant start to the sides return to the Premier Division and who would have thunk it? Shelbourne top but I don't think we'll be there come the end of the season unfortunately if tiredness kicks in later in the campaign. Shamrock Rovers have a chance to close the gap if they can beat Limerick.
itchycoo
Shedender
It's been an absolute tremendous start to the league campaign for Shelbourne Football Club, sitting top of the table and seven points clear of our nearest challengers, it's been a start to remember and one I honestly didn't expect to happen but I'm chuffed, six games await us in May with four of them being in the league.
May began with a tough trip to struggling Drogheda United as we deservedly defeated them 3-1 in a game that saw Jordan Keegan net twice while Darragh Markey scored in between the Keegan double.
One week later and we welcomed bottom of the table Bohemians to Tolka Park as we stuttered to a one all draw as Matthew Taylor scored our goal on 26 minutes.
We were then involved in an eight goal thriller away to Longford Town, winning 5-3 as winger Dylan Connolly netted twice while fellow winger Sean Russell, prolific striker Alan O'Sullivan and central midfielder Matthew Taylor also scored.
The second round of the League Cup pitted us against Dundalk in what I expected to be a tough game at Tolka Park, I was proved to be wrong as we demolished Dundalk 6-1 to advance to round three in a game that saw Conor Murphy score a treble while Sean Russell, Matthew Taylor and Jordan Keegan also scored.
It would be back-to-back cup games as we travelled to Bray in the Senior Challenge Cup second round as I looked to retain the trophy we won last season, we won the game 3-2. Darragh Markey, Conor Murphy and Alan O'Sullivan all scored in a game that iirc saw us second best.
The month concluded with our second defeat of the league campaign, crashing three two away to Sligo Rovers despite Conor Murphy getting us off to a dream start while Alan O'Sullivan scored our other goal but we suffered defeat.
The gap at the lead has been cut by a point following our one defeat this month as we're now only six points clear of second place and our nearest 'rivals' Sligo Rovers but I'm confident we will bounce back from this defeat. Surprisingly, St. Pats continue to struggle down near the foot of the table and yeah, I turned down interviews from both them and the Bohs, still no interest in leaving Shelbourne.
While the mood around Tolka Park is 'positive', I have penned a new two year contract extension that'll now see the deal expire at the end of December 2022 and to agree to the extra year, I had to take a slight pay cut but that's fine, I only had seven months left of the current deal so thought it was important to get the deal done and dusted so we can concentrate on football again.
Dan
Shedender
Still top of the table and six points clear, June proved to a short month with only two Premier Division games as well as a tough League Cup quarter final away to Shamrock Rovers.
June kicked off with struggling St. Pats Athletic visiting Tolka Park as we eased to a three nil victory as the trio of goals came in the second half. Conor Murphy broke the deadlock on forty nine minutes before two goals in the final seven minutes from Matthew Taylor and Dylan Connolly made the scoreline look more emphatic.
For the second consecutive League Cup tie we scored six goals, this time it was away to Shamrock Rovers in the quarter finals as Alan O'Sullivan continued his impressive form under my stewardship with five goals within the opening 30 minutes while Conor Murphy added a sixth on sixty seven minutes.
The short month concluded with back-to-back 6-1 victories, this time against Cork City at Tolka Park as we had six different scorers - Matthew Taylor, Luke Gallagher, Conor Murphy, Alan O'Sullivan, Dylan Connolly and Sean Russell were all on target.
It's now a nine point lead at the summit as our remarkable season continues and we are looking good to secure a Premier Division trophy but their is still around sixteen or so games remaining (if they play 33 games in the Premier Division, I can't remember), for the first time in this career I'm actually not conceding much as we've conceded just seventeen goals in as many games while we've netted forty eight times.
Dan
DP91
Johno
Shedender
And I'm surprised at how well they are playing this season DP91, really thought the club would somewhat struggle this season following our promotion but we're just going from strength to strength.
To be fair Johno, I wouldn't say a nine point gap is that 'big' mate.
It was 'summer' time here in Ireland (yes, I use the term summer loosely as well) and it has been a remarkable return to the Premier Division bar our poor showing in the All-Ireland Cup but that's fine. July turned out to be the busiest month I'd ever play at the Tolka Park outfit as nine games awaited us over just two competitions.
We started the busy month with a sensational 2-1 Europa League first qualifying round first leg win away to AEL as both Sean Russell and Dylan Connolly were on target in either half - it was a fully deserved win but we needed to make sire the job would be done at Tolka.
Just three days later and the side returned to Premier Division action and secured a three one win away to Limerick thanks to goals from Sean Russell, Dylan Connolly and Alan O'Sullivan.
Our second leg against AEL was straight forward as we beat them four one to progress to the next round as Alan O'Sullivan netted twice while Conor Murphy and Anthony Kelly added goals three and four within the final twenty minutes to make the score more emphatic.
It was the late show at home to Galway as the side, perhaps tired, needed to score twice in the final three minutes for the points - Conor Murphy broke the deadlock on eighty seven minutes, Alan O'Sullivan made it two just a minute later.
We then played our second qualifying round first leg of the Europa League tie away to Rijeka and were involved in an eight goal thriller, losing 5-3. Sean Russell, Darragh Markey and Conor Murphy our scorers, it means we'll need to win the home leg by a minimum of 2-0 to progress, possible?
On our return to the Premier Division, we lost 3-2 at home to Dundalk as we surrendered a 2-0 lead iirc as Alan O'Sullivan and Darragh Markey had scored our goals but it ended up being a disappointing afternoon for the club but at least we're still top.
Shelbourne exited the Europa League after losing the second leg 2-1 at home to Rijeka and thus losing 7-4 on aggregate, Darragh Markey scored our 'consolation' goal on the night in the seventy second minute.
The side though returned to league action just three days later as Shamrock Rovers came to Tolka Park and we recorded a hard fought single goal win as Dave Dunne fired home with nineteen minutes left.
And the extremely busy month, especially for a semi-pro club, concluded with a 1-1 draw at the Brandywelll as Alan O'Sullivan had put us into an eighteenth minute lead but we didn't even deserve to draw the game as City just kept pounding us and pounding us trying to find a winner but we held firm.
Still top of the table but now we're eleven points clear with around eleven league games remaining so it's our title to mess up. We haven't even been conceding that much this season to date and that's a welcome change as we've only conceded 22 times in as many games while we scored fifty seven times. It's been a great campaign.
Dan
simoncoyne
Shedender
To an extent yes simoncoyne, European success isn't really important in this career as it's all about winning domestic trophies.
With just three months remaining in the 2020 season and the Shels sitting top of the Irish Premier Division, it's been a great return to the top flight of football in the Republic of Ireland while I'm also pleased to an extent to be out of the Europa League to avoid unnecessary fixture congestion. Seven games were played this month over three competitions.
It was a late show at home to Drogheda United that started August as the league leaders recorded a 2-0 win against the strugglers. Full back Philip Hand opened the scoring with eleven minutes left before Alan O'Sullivan doubled the lead.
We then travelled to Bohemians and recorded a three nil victory as all the goals arrived in the second half as Dylan Connolly opened the scoring on forty six minutes, Alan O'Sullivan doubled the lead on the hour mark before a Stephen Best own goal sealed the points.
Four days later and it was the League Cup semi final against fellow Premier Division side Limerick as we needed extra time to beat them 4-2 at Tolka Park despite Dylan Cashin getting us off to a flyer after three minutes. In form striker Alan O'Sullivan then bagged a hat trick, including a double in extra time to seal our place in the final.
The league action returned with a 3-2 defeat away to St. Pats Athletic - former 'pat' Darragh Markey and Conor Murphy were on target.
We returned immediately back to winning ways as the side recorded a 5-2 win at home to Longford Town - Alan O'Sullivan (2), Conor Murphy, Robbie Gaul and a Tom Morris own goal the scorers.
Four days later the side travelled to the same opposition in the Senior Challenge Cup third round and progressed after a three one victory and the side wasted no time in taking 'control' of the contest as they scored three times in the opening 24 minutes. Dylan Cashin netted twice while Conor Murphy had previously doubled the lead.
The month concluded with Sligo Rovers travelling to Tolka Park as we suffered our second league defeat of the month, Conor Murphy scoring our goal with twenty minutes remaining.
Despite losing not once but twice in August we are still top of the table and nine points clear of second placed Dundalk so with six or so league games remaining it's our league to lose now while we're still also on for a domestic treble this season and that's remarkable, but may not happen depending on who we face in the final.
Shedender
It was the penultimate month of the campaign and with a nine point lead at the summit, it would be our league title to lose. Three league games, a League Cup final against Derry City and a Senior Challenge Cup quarter final awaited us this month, could we secure a deserved league title or would it have to wait until the final month?
The first game of September was at home to non-league side N.U.I Galway as we easily defeated them 5-0 as Alan O'Sullivan scored yet another treble under my reign as manager while Anthony Kelly and Conor Murphy were also on target.
Our first league game of the month saw us travel to Cork on a Monday night and steal a 2-1 victory as goals from Robbie Gaul and Conor Murphy saw us two up at half time, Cork came back, pulled a goal back and perhaps deserved to even win the game but I'll take the points.
Trophy number three in Republic of Ireland was sealed with a four one victory over Derry in the League Cup final - Conor Murphy bagged a treble while Darragh Markey scored our fourth goal with the game entering stoppage time.
We returned to league action with our second game this month as we suffered a disappointing two one defeat away to Galway, Sean Russell scored.
September concluded with Limerick visiting Tolka Park as we lost back-to-back games, crashing 1-0 and that was frustrating.
Didn't make a difference as following that single goal defeat by Limerick at Tolka Park, the side managed to clinch the Premier Division trophy in front of a crowd of just under five hundred people as I secured my third and fourth trophy (out of five) in Ireland and I'm chuffed.
***I'm not including the All-Ireland Cup because you can win them in either Ireland or Northern Ireland***
It's conformation that Shelbourne will be playing in next seasons Champions League and it's a shame I won't be at the club to see that happen as I've nothing else to win at Tolka Park.
Has been a remarkable season with still three league games remaining as the club have scored seventy three times and only conceded thirty three times and lead second placed Dundalk by eleven points which secured the title. Remarkable campaign for the club that even saw us progress to the next round of the Europa League after beating AEL over two legs.