Shelbourne 2021 football season
The 2021 Shelbourne F.C. season was the club's 126th season in existence and their first back in the League of Ireland First Division following relegation from the League of Ireland Premier Division at the end of 2020. Shelbourne won the First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division following a 1–0 win over Treaty United on 1 October 2021.[ 1] Shelbourne competed in the FAI Cup , but the League of Ireland Cup was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic .[ 2]
Overview
Fans at Tolka Park Shelbourne began the 2021 season with a 0–0 draw away to Galway United ; Georgie Poynton , Sean Quinn and Ryan Brennan were the only surviving members of the 2020 squad in the starting eleven, with ex-Cork City defender Kevin O'Connor standing in as captain . New signing Glen McAuley received a red card in the 41st minute for a dangerous challenge on Maurice Nugent in a game which saw 9 players make their Shels debuts.[ 3] Following a 3–3 draw with Bray Wanderers , Shels picked up their first win of the season at home to Wexford , an own goal by Conor Crowley settling the tie.[ 4] Shelbourne won 11 out of the next 14 games and club captain Luke Byrne returned to the starting line up for the 1–0 win at home to Athlone Town on 7 May 2021.[ 5] The Reds topped the league table the following week after their 2–1 win away to Cobh Ramblers , and stayed there unopposed for the rest of the season.[ 6]
Shelbourne players celebrate with fans after securing promotion Fans returned to Tolka Park for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on 25 June 2021, with 100 supporters allowed in for the visit of Cork City. The 2–1 win gave Shelbourne an 11-point lead at the top of the league table.[ 7] Sean Quinn and Glen McAuley departed the club in July, while Eric Molloy , Kameron Ledwidge and Yassine En-Neyah arrived as Shelbourne looked to strengthen their squad ahead of the final ten games.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] Molloy made his debut as a substitute as Shels exited the FAI Cup in the first round via a 0–2 defeat away to UCD [ 12] Due to squad absences a much changed team lined up against UCD in the league on 7 August 2021, with Under-19's goalkeeper Jack McCarthy making his debut and keeping a clean sheet after Brendan Clark and Jack Brady were unavailable for selection.[ 13] Shelbourne suffered their first defeat of the season away to Galway United the following week, but would only lose one other game during the reminder of the season.[ 14]
First Division Trophy presentation at Tolka Park The next four games saw Shelbourne draw at home to Bray Wanderers, win at home against Wexford, and win away to Cobh and Cabinteely . A win at home to Treaty United on 1 October 2021 would see Shelbourne secure promotion, and Georgie Poynton's 74th minute spot kick secured the 1–0 victory. At the final whistle fans burst onto the Tolka Park pitch to celebrate the return to the Premier Division with players and staff.[ 15] The next two games saw a 1–1 draw at home to Athlone Town and a 0–2 defeat away to Cobh.
Manager Ian Morris announced his departure from the managers position on 25 October 2021, effective the end of the season.[ 16] The final game of the season saw UCD visit Tolka Park on 29 October 2021. Despite early pressure from Shelbourne, UCD went ahead through Evan Caffrey early in the second half. Ex-UCD striker Yoyo Mahdy replaced Brian McManus late on and scored an equaliser in the 88th minute to preserve Shels unbeaten home record for the 2021 season.[ 17] Following the final whistle fans were invited onto the pitch to see the team presented with the First Division Trophy.
Damien Duff was announced as manager for the 2022 season on 3 November 2021.[ 18]
First team squad
Players' ages are as of the opening day of the 2021 season.
Coaching staff
Position
Staff
Head Coach
Ian Morris
Assistant Coach
Alan Reynolds
1st Team Coach
David McAllister
Goalkeeping Coach
Paul Skinner
Transfers
Transfers in
Transfers out
Loans out
Competitions
Overview
Competition
First match
Last match
Starting round
Record
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Win %
First Division
26 March 2021
29 October 2021
Matchday 1
27
16
9
2
49
23
+26
0 59.26
FAI Cup
23 July 2021
23 July 2021
First round
1
0
0
1
0
2
−2
00 0.00
Total
28
16
9
3
49
25
+24
0 57.14
Last updated: 29 October 2021
Source: Soccerway
League of Ireland
Updated to match(es) played on 29 October 2021. Source:
sseairtricityleague ,
Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions;
(P) Promoted
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
27
16
9
2
49
23
+26
57
8
6
0
27
12
+15
8
3
2
22
11
+11
Last updated: 29 October 2021.
Source: [ 47]
Results by matchday
Matchday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Ground A H H A A H H A H H A A H H A A H A A H H A A H H A H Result D D W W W D W W W W W W W W D W D D L D W W W W D L D Position 5 6 4 3 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Updated to match(es) played on 29 October 2021. Source:
extratime.ie A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
Matches
FAI Cup
Matches
Statistics
Appearances and goals
As of match played 29 October 2021. Substitute appearances in brackets.
No
Pos
Nat
Name
League
FAI Cup
Total
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
1
GK
Brendan Clarke
25
0
1
0
26
0
2
DF
Michael Barker
9 (4)
0
1
0
10 (4)
0
3
DF
Kevin O'Connor
24 (1)
1
1
0
25 (1)
1
4
DF
Ally Gilchrist
26
3
1
0
27
3
5
MF
Yassine En-Neyah
6 (4)
1
0
0
6 (4)
1
6
MF
JJ Lunney
20
0
1
0
21
0
7
FW
Glen McAuley
4 (2)
1
0
0
4 (2)
1
7
MF
Eric Molloy
0 (6)
0
0 (1)
0
0 (7)
0
8
MF
Gerardo Bruna
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
FW
Michael O'Connor
21 (4)
7
1
0
22 (4)
7
10
MF
Ryan Brennan
23 (4)
15
0 (1)
0
23 (5)
15
11
FW
Yousef Mahdy
9 (7)
4
0
0
9 (7)
4
12
MF
Denzil Fernandes
0 (2)
0
0 (1)
0
0 (3)
0
14
MF
Brian McManus
12 (11)
2
1
0
13 (11)
2
15
DF
Maxim Kouogun
9
0
1
0
10
0
16
DF
John Ross Wilson
20 (4)
2
0 (1)
0
20 (5)
2
17
MF
Shane Farrell
23 (1)
3
1
0
24 (1)
3
18
MF
Dayle Rooney
16 (10)
3
1
0
17 (10)
3
19
MF
Sean Quinn
2 (2)
0
0
0
2 (2)
0
19
MF
Gavin Molloy
1 (2)
0
0
0
1 (2)
0
20
MF
Kyle O'Connor
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
FW
Alex Cetiner
0 (3)
0
0
0
0 (3)
0
23
DF
Luke Byrne
17
0
0
0
17
0
24
DF/MF
David Toure
0 (1)
0
0
0
0 (1)
0
25
GK
Jack Brady
1
0
0
0
1
0
26
FW
Georgie Poynton
19 (5)
5
1
0
20 (5)
5
28
DF
Stephen Negru
0
0
0
0
0
0
30
MF
Alex Nolan
0 (3)
0
0
0
0 (3)
0
32
DF
Kameron Ledgewidge
7 (1)
0
0
0
7 (1)
0
55
GK
Jack McCarthy
1
0
0
0
1
0
60
GK
Colm Cox
0 (1)
0
0
0
0 (1)
0
65
FW
Stanley Anaebonam
2 (1)
0
0
0
2 (1)
0
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season
Source: Extratime.com
Goalscorers
As of match played 29 October 2021.
No
Pos
Nat
Player
LOI
FAIC
Total
10
MF
Ryan Brennan
15
0
15
9
FW
Michael O'Connor
7
0
7
26
MF
Georgie Poynton
5
0
5
11
FW
Yousef Mahdy
4
0
4
17
MF
Shane Farrell
3
0
3
18
MF
Dayle Rooney
3
0
3
4
DF
Ally Gilchrist
3
0
3
16
DF
John Ross Wilson
2
0
2
14
MF
Brian McManus
2
0
2
3
DF
Kevin O'Connor
1
0
1
7
FW
Glen McAuley
1
0
1
5
MF
Yassine En Neyah
1
0
1
Opponents
2
0
2
Total
49
0
49
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season
Source: Extratime.com
Discipline
As of match played 29 October 2021.
No
Pos
Nat
Player
LOI
FAIC
Total
Pts
9
FW
Michael O'Connor
10
0
1
0
11
0
11
10
MF
Ryan Brennan
3
0
1
0
4
0
4
7
FW
Glen McAuley
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
17
MF
Shane Farrell
3
0
0
0
3
0
3
18
MF
Dayle Rooney
1
0
1
0
2
0
2
14
MF
Brian McManus
1
0
1
0
2
0
2
2
DF
Michael Barker
2
0
1
0
3
0
3
4
DF
Ally Gilchrist
3
0
0
0
3
0
3
26
MF
Georgie Poynton
2
0
0
0
2
0
2
15
DF
Maxim Kouogun
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
12
MF
Denil Fernandez
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
12
DF
Kevin O'Connor
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
6
MF
JJ Lunney
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
16
MF
John Ross Wilson
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
23
DF
Luke Byrne
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
Total
31
1
5
0
36
1
39
Players listed in italics left the club mid-season.
Source: Extratime.com
Kit
Supplier: Umbro Sponsor(s): Hamptons Floor Store (Front of Jersey) Blåkläder Workwear (Back of Jersey – Top) Daniel Whelan Tiling & Bathrooms (Back of Jersey – Bottom) St Patricks' Mental Health Services (Sleeves of Jersey)
New Home & Away kits were released for the 2021 season.
Type
Shirt
Shorts
Socks
Info
Home
Red
Red
Red
Worn 23 times; against Athlone Town (LOI ) H(x2) & A, Bray Wanderers (LOI ) H(x2) & A, Cabinteely (LOI ) H & A(x2), Cobh Ramblers (LOI ) H, Cork City (LOI ) H & A(x2), Galway United (LOI ) H, Treaty United (LOI ) H(x2), Wexford (LOI ) H(x2) & A, UCD (FAIC ) H(x2) (LOI ) H & A
Away
Navy
Navy
Navy
Worn 5 times; against Galway United (LOI ) A, Cobh Ramblers (LOI ) A(x2), Treaty United (LOI ) A, Galway United (LOI ) A
Key:
H = Home
A = Away
LOI = League of Ireland Premier Division
FAIC = FAI Cup
Awards
Player of the Year: Ryan Brennan
Young Player of the Year: Shane Farrell
References
^ Donnelly, Dave. "Poynton penalty sees Shelbourne secure First Division title and top-tier promotion" . the42.ie . the42.ie. Retrieved 9 October 2021 .
^ "2021 SSE Airtricity Premier Division Fixture List Confirmed" . SSEAircritiyLeague.ie . SSE Airtricity League. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 .
^ Corcoran, Paul. "League Report: Galway United 0 - 0 Shelbourne" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Dempsey, Andrew. "League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 0 Wexford" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Dempsey, Andrew. "League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 0 Athlone Town" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ O'Connell, Dylan. "League Report: Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Shelbourne" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Donnelly, Dave (25 June 2021). "Shelbourne see off Cork City challenge to go 11 points clear" . irishexaminer.com . Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ a b "Sean Quinn Departs Shels To Pursue Education In US" . shelbournefc.ie . Shelbourne FC. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021 .
^ a b "Ex-Liverpool star Glen McAuley makes Athlone switch" . extratime.com . Andrew Dempsey. Retrieved 25 July 2021 .
^ a b "Shels sign winger Eric Molloy" . shelbournefc.ie . Shelbourne FC. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021 .
^ a b c "Shels sign Ledgewith and En-Neyah" . shelbournefc.ie . Shelbourne FC. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021 .
^ Dempsey, Andrew. "FAI Cup Report: UCD 2 - 0 Shelbourne" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Dempsey, Andrew. "League Report: UCD 0 - 0 Shelbourne" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Corcoran, Paul. "League Report: Galway United 3 - 1 Shelbourne" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ McCarthy, Cathal. "League Report: Shelbourne 1 – 0 Treaty United" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Cooney, Gavin. "Shelbourne announce surprise departure of manager Ian Morris" . the42.ie . the42.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ McAuley, Cahal. "League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 1 UCD" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Fennessy, Paul. "Former Ireland star Damien Duff announced as new Shelbourne manager" . the42.ie . the42.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ "David Toure signs professional contract with Shels" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ Oludare, Shina. "David Toure: Why I chose to sign for Shelbourne FC" . goal.com . goal.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Brian McManus" . Shelbourne FC . Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Kyle O'Connor" . extratime.ie . Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Alex Cetiner signs two-year-deal for Shels" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ a b "New Signing1" . Twitter . Shelbourne FC. Retrieved 2 October 2021 .
^ "Brendan Clarke signs for Shels" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ a b "Shels sign due JR Wilson and Michael Barker" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ a b "Shels sign duo Lunney and McAuley" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shels sign defender Ally Gilchrist" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shels sign striker Michael O'Connor" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shels sign Kevin O'Conor" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shelbourne announces Yoyo Mahdy signing" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shels secure Gerardo Brua signing" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Maxin Kouogun Bio" . ShelbourneFC.ie . Shelbourne FC. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Shelbourne Squad" . Extratime.com . Extrataime.com. Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ "Colin McCabe signs for Drogheda United" . droghedaunited.ie . Drogheda United. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Daniel Byrne joins Warrenpoint Town" . warrenpointtownfc.co.uk . Warrenpoint Town. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Aidan Friel" . Extratime.ie . Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ O'Hehir, Paul (15 February 2021). "Waterford sign Oscar Brennan from Shelbourne" . irishmirror.ie . Irish Mirror. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "New additions to squad" . braywanderers.ie . Bray Wanderers. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Gary Deegan signs for Drogheda United" . droghedaunited.ie . Drogheda United. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ a b "League Of Ireland Transfers – 2021 Ins and Outs" . Balls.ie . Balls.ie. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ O'Callaghan, Gavin (9 January 2021). "Cork footballer signs for Scottish Premiership side Livingstone" . CorkBeo.ie . CorkBeo. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Ciarán Duff Bio" . extratime.ie . Extratime.ie. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Arthritis forces Karl Sheppard (29) into retirement" . rte.ie . RTE. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Alex O'Hanlon Player Profile" . extratime.com . extratime.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021 .
^ Dempsey, Andrew. "Wexford complete loan signings of Alex O'Hanlon and Kyle Robinson ahead of the 2021 season" . Extratime.com . Extratime.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021 .
^ "Shelbourne | Fixtures | Squad | Honours | Record | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com" . www.extratime.com . Retrieved 21 March 2023 .
External links
Teams Stadia History Seasons Matches
FAI Cup finals League of Ireland play-offs
2021 in Republic of Ireland football
Leagues Cup competitions National teams Club seasons
See also UEFA Euro 2020 (co-hosted by Republic of Ireland - rescheduled for 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic)