2007 Shelbourne F.C. season

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

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 (March 23, 2007)
Lowest home attendance549 vs Finn Harps (August 12, 2007)

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  WAL Steve Williams
2 DF  EIR Owen Heary (c)
3 DF  EIR David Crawley
4 DF  ENG Dave Rogers
5 DF  WAL Jamie Harris
6 MF  EIR Jim Crawford
7 MF  EIR Ollie Cahill
8 MF  EIR Stuart Byrne
9 FW  EIR Glen Crowe
10 FW  EIR Jason Byrne
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 MF  EIR Greg O'Halloran
14 MF  EIR Richie Baker
15 MF  EIR Alan Moore
16 FW  EIR Gary O'Neill
17 MF  EIR Bobby Ryan
18 MF  CMR Joseph Ndo
19 DF  EIR Colin Hawkins
20 GK  EIR Dean Delany
22 DF  EIR Sean Dillon
24 MF  EIR 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  EIR James Chambers (on loan at Waterford United)
— MF  EIR David Tyrell (on loan at Bray Wanderers)
— MF  EIR 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  EIR Tony O'Dowd
— GK  EIR James Hussey
— DF  EIR Niall O'Reilly
— DF  EIR Aidan Collins
— DF  EIR Alan Murphy (Vice-captain)
— DF  EIR Aaran McEneff
— DF  EIR Daniel Ennis
— DF  EIR Brian Gartland
— DF  SCO Stuart Malcolm
— DF  EIR Sean L'Estrange
— DF  SCO Marc McCulloch
— DF  EIR Alan Keely
— DF  EIR Conor Rafferty (was on loan from Bohemians)
— MF  EIR Jim Crawford (Captain)
— MF  EIR Kieran Harte
— MF  EIR Glen Lacey
— MF  EIR Robbie O'Neill
— MF  EIR Mark O'Brien (was on loan from Bohemians)
— MF  EIR Graham Curran
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  EIR Peter McGlynn
— MF  EIR Alan Reilly
— MF  EIR Joey O'Neill
— MF  EIR Noel Haverty (was on loan from St. Patrick's Athletic)
— MF  EIR James Chambers
— MF  EIR Ciarán Ryan
— MF  EIR Chris Mulhall
— MF  EIR Stephen Doran
— FW  EIR Darren McKenna
— FW  EIR John Brophy
— FW  EIR Mark Leech (was on loan from Drogheda United)
— FW  EIR Anto Flood
— FW  EIR Lee Roche
— FW  EIR Mark Rooney
— FW  EIR Davitt Walsh (was on loan from Bohemians)
— FW  EIR Wayne Byrne
— FW  EIR Ciaran Quinn
— FW  EIR Kyle Moran (was on loan from Derry City)

Results

League of Ireland First Division
March 9, 2007 Shelbourne2 – 2Kildare CountyTolka 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)
March 16, 2007 Finn Harps2 – 1ShelbourneFinn Park, Ballybofey
19:45 GMT Gordon Simms  9'
Conor Gethins  90'		 Report Davitt Walsh  66' Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
March 23, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 2DundalkTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 GMT Report Philip Hughes  52' (pen.)
Shaun Williams  80'
Ben Whelehan  70'		 Attendance: 1,896
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
March 30, 2007 Kilkenny City1 – 1ShelbourneBuckley Park, Kilkenny
19:45 GMT Michael Comerford  41'
Andrzej Polewczak  12'		 Report Mark Leech  12' Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
April 6, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 0Athlone TownTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech  75' Report Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
April 13, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 1Monaghan UnitedTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers  67' Report Peter D'arcy  22'
Darren Meenan  86'		 Attendance: 1,011
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
April 21, 2007 Cobh Ramblers1 – 0ShelbourneSt. Colman's Park, Cobh
19:30 IST Graham Cummins  90+1' Report Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
April 27, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 1Limerick 37Whitehall, Dublin
20:00 IST Kyle Moran  61' Report David Wall  46' Attendance: 894
Referee: Scott MacDonald (Scotland)
May 4, 2007 Wexford Youths1 – 1ShelbourneFerrycarrig Park, Wexford
20:00 IST Aidan Collins (o.g.)  74' Report Alan Murphy  45' Attendance: 1,221
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
May 12, 2007 Kildare County1 – 1ShelbourneStation Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Alan McDermott  50'
Alan Byrne  48'		 Report Darren McKenna  45' Attendance: 510
Referee: Edwin McNally (Cork)
May 24, 2007 Dundalk3 – 0ShelbourneOriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST David Crawley  2'
Cathal O'Connor  65'
Philip Hughes  77'		 Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
May 28, 2007 Shelbourne2 – 0Kilkenny CityTolka Park, Dublin
19:45 IST James Chambers  32'
Glen Lacey  76'
Davitt Walsh  83'		 Report Attendance: 563
Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
June 2, 2007 Athlone Town1 – 0ShelbourneAthlone Town Stadium, Athlone
19:00 IST Ian Rossiter  50' (pen.)
Eric Lavine  60'		 Report Glen Lacey  68'
Alan Murphy  69'		 Attendance: 807
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
June 22, 2007 Monaghan United4 – 0ShelbourneKingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Willie Doyle  20'
Darren Meenan  26'  82'
Robbie Farrell  44'		 Report Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
June 26, 2007 Shelbourne2 – 2Cobh RamblersTolka 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)
June 29, 2007 Limerick 373 – 2ShelbourneJackman 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)
July 6, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 0Wexford YouthsTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech  75' Report Attendance: 754
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
July 20, 2007 Finn Harps1 – 0ShelbourneFinn Park, Ballybofey
20:00 IST Stephen Parkhouse  17' Report Mark Leech  31' Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin)
July 27, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 0DundalkTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood  17' Report Attendance: 1,186
Referee: Pádraig Sutton (Clare)
July 31, 2007 Kilkenny City2 – 5ShelbourneBuckley 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)
August 3, 2007 Shelbourne2 – 0Athlone TownTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST James Chambers  34'
Anto Flood  68'		 Report Attendance: 889
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
August 10, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 1Monaghan UnitedTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Mark Leech  79' Report Jason McCartney  85' Attendance: 746
Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick)
August 12, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 1Finn HarpsTolka Park, Dublin
17:00 IST Report Shaun Holmes  90+5' Attendance: 549
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
August 25, 2007 Cobh Ramblers1 – 1ShelbourneSt. Colman's Park, Cobh
19:45 IST Davin O'Neill  31' (pen.) Report Anto Flood  22'
Alan Reilly  81'		 Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
September 1, 2007 Shelbourne4 – 0Limerick 37Tolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Aidan Collins  10'
Mark Leech  24'  73'
Ciaran Quinn  75'		 Report Attendance: 767
Referee: Tomasz Superczynski (Dublin)
September 7, 2007 Wexford Youths1 – 2ShelbourneFerrycarrig Park, Wexford
20:00 IST Johnny Flynn-O'Connor  12' Report Mark Leech  38'
James Chambers  80'		 Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
September 15, 2007 Kildare County1 – 4ShelbourneStation Road, Newbridge
19:30 IST Stephen Cooling  66' Report James Chambers  12'
Mark Leech  45'  71'
Anto Flood  88'		 Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
September 21, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 2Finn HarpsTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Alan Keely  9' Report Shaun McGowan  53'  90+1' Attendance: 767
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
September 23, 2007 Shelbourne2 – 1Kildare CountyTolka Park, Dublin
16:00 IST Anto Flood  51'
Mark Leech  84'		 Report Dean Barrett  90+1' Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
September 27, 2007 Dundalk1 – 0ShelbourneOriel Park, Dundalk
19:45 IST Robbie Doyle  16' Report Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)
October 5, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 0Kilkenny CityTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Report Attendance: 702
Referee: Darren Eady (Wales)
October 12, 2007 Athlone Town1 – 4ShelbourneAthlone 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)
October 19, 2007 Monaghan United1 – 0ShelbourneKingspan Century Park, Monaghan
20:00 IST Darren Meenan  76' Report Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin)
October 26, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 2Cobh RamblersTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Anto Flood  44' Report Kieran O'Reilly  49'
Graham Cummins  69'		 Attendance: 714
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
November 2, 2007 Limerick 372 – 1ShelbourneJackman Park, Limerick
19:45 GMT Pat Purcell  44'
John Tierney  60' (pen.) 88' (pen.)		 Report Mark Rooney  52'
Stuart Malcolm  87'
James Chambers  87'		 Attendance: 603
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath)
November 10, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 3Wexford YouthsTolka 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) Champion.
Notes:
  1. Limerick 37 replaced Limerick F.C. as members of League of Ireland.
  2. Wexford Youths replaced Dublin City as members of League of Ireland.

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: November 10, 2007.
Source: League of Ireland First Division Fixtures

League Form/Results by Round
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536
GroundHAHAHHAHAAAHAAHAHAHAHHHAHAAHHAHAAHAH
ResultDLLDWDLDDDLWLLDLWLWWWDLDWWWLWLDWLLLL
Updated to match(es) played on November 10, 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 May 31, 2007. Shels, like all League sides, automatically went into the second round.

June 15, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 1Cork CityTolka 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.

May 8, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 2BohemiansTolka Park, Dublin
20:00 IST Report Glen Crowe  68'  80' Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)

Friendlies
March 4, 2007 Shelbourne1 – 0Waterford United SelectionTolka Park, Dublin
11.00 GMT Davitt Walsh  8' Report
July 7, 2007 Shelbourne0 – 2Leeds UnitedTolka 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 November 10, 2007.

No. Pos Nat Player TotalFirst DivisionFAI CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FW John Brophy 1301200010
FW Wayne Byrne 70700000
MF James Chambers 3473271010
DF Aidan Collins 1811710010
MF Jim Crawford 1701700000
MF Graham Curran 21210000
MF Stephen Doran 20101000
DF Daniel Ennis 10100000
FW Anto Flood 161116110000
DF Brian Gartland 1611511000
MF Kieran Harte 2612411010
MF Noel Haverty 80800000
GK James Hussey 1501401000
DF Alan Keely 1811810000
DF Sean L'Estrange 80800000
MF Glen Lacey 2712611000
FW Mark Leech 321230121010
DF Stuart Malcolm 1711710000
DF Marc McCulloch 1901900000
DF Aaran McEneff 1301101010
MF Peter McGlynn 60600000
FW Darren McKenna 1121020010
FW Kyle Moran 101910010
MF Chris Mulhall 10100000
DF Alan Murphy 3012811010
MF Mark O'Brien 1811810000
GK Tony O'Dowd 2602500010
MF Joey O'Neill 10100000
MF Robbie O'Neill 50500000
DF Niall O'Reilly 1501301010
FW Ciaran Quinn 81810000
DF Conor Rafferty 1201101000
MF Alan Reilly 70700000
FW Lee Roche 50500000
FW Mark Rooney 1721720000
DF Ciarán Ryan 90800010
FW Davitt Walsh 1311211000

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