Shels 0-0 Neuchatel Xamax
Shels drew 0-0 with Swiss side Neuchatel in the Intertoto Cup yersterday. Match report is here, as Results & Reports is under constructiom (as is whole site!)
Red Inc
The latest copy of Red Inc, which was on sale at the Intertoto Cup match, included an apology for their mistake in crediting Fintan O'Toole with this website. Nice one lads. I was also impressed with the very funny digs at Rovers fans, the day in the life of a hoops fan and 'talking though his hoop'. Fair play to Reds Independent also for acknowledging the contrubution the Official Supporters Club to the Shels cause.
100% Columbian for Shels
Daniel Gomez, a 24 year old Columbian winger, will play for Shels in a friendly against the Shels U19s tomorrow. If he impresses, he will be included in the squad for the Intertoto Cup game against Neuchtael XamaX on Sunday, Tolka Park 3.0
New Shelbourne Supporters Club
Another
Supporters Club, the Northside Reds, has been fromed recently. The reason for
the fan club is to build up a fan base on the Northside. It aims to increase
Shels' support in Northside areas such as Bayside, Sutton and Baldoyle, aswell
as Drumcondra and Fairview, thus creating a better atmosphere at Shels games.
Northside Reds is 100% Unofficial, and it membership is £2 per season.
Questions, comments ect can be sent to Dave
Hooper.
New players on Show
Shels put their new signings on show last night in an uninspiring but interesting friendly. Read a report by Red Bull here.
Intertoto Update
Shels
will play Neuchâtel Xamax FC of Switzerland in the first round of the Intertoto
Cup. This seems a decent side, and according to this
site they have three Swiss internationals. Their Official Website is located
here
Xamax are located in Neuchâtel country, more info here
Looks nice!
Neuchâtel is about 2 hours from Zurich and Geneva. The first leg will be played
in Tolka Park on Sunday June 20th at 3.00pm and the away in Switzerland the
following Sunday, June 27th at either 3.00pm or 5.00pm, according to Shelsweb
If Shels win, they go on to play VS Luxembourg or Vasas (Hungary) in the next
round. Notable seeds that enter in the third round are Juventus and West Ham
United.
U19s do treble
The all-conquering U/19 team secured their third trophy of the season on Monday evening in Tolka Park, when they came back from a goal down with strikes from John Luby & Ben Kelly to beat Baldoyle Utd. 2-1 in the final of the Bobby Best Cup. This was their 2nd Cup-Final victory in a week, which added to their emphatic league title win, certainly bodes well for the future. Congrats to all concerned
National League Fixtures
The National League Fixture list can be found here. They aren't fully decided on yet, there may be changes.
League Cup Fixtures
Shels
have been drawn against Home Farm in the first round of the League Cup. There
is a new format, as it will be a knockout competition.The first games will be
played on the week ending 29th of August.
full fixtures:
Group A - Cork City v Rockmount, Limerick v Cobh Ramblers
Group B - Dundalk v Longford Town, Galway v Athlone Town
Group C - Bray Wanderers v Kilkenny City, Waterford United v Newbridge
Group D - Sligo Rovers v Derry City, Finn Harps v Monaghan United
Group E - Home Farm v Shelbourne, Drogheda United v Bohemians
Group F - St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, St Francis v UCD
Intertoto Update
Shels
have been drawn against the second Swiss representative in the Intertoto Cup.
Depending on who wins the Swiss Cup competition, this could be whoever comes
4th or 5th in the Swiss League. Heres the table:
1.Grasshopper-Club
39
2.Servette FC 38
3.Lausanne-Sports 37
4.FC Zurich 30
5.FC Basel 27
6.Neuchatel Xamax 25 (16)
7.FC Sankt Gallen 22
8.FC Luzern 21
It looks
like either Zurich or Basel. If Shels win this, the next draw is:
Shels v Hungary 1/Luxembourg 1
If Shels win that one, they play:
Denmark 1/Poland 1/Bulgaria 2 v Shels
more news soon...watch this space.
Season Ends
So ends a pretty shitty season for Shels. Shels went down 2-0 to Waterford today, but still recieve the dubious prize of a place in the first round of the Intertoto Cup this summer, as Derry lost 2-0 to Sligo. Pats are Champions, as they beat Bray 1-0 in Richmond Park, despite Cork's emphatic 3-0 win. All is not doom and gloom for Shels however, there's a trip to Switzerland to look forward to, and the chance that Bohs may be relegated, as they went down 2-0 to UCD. Bohs now play Cobh Ramblers in a play off, lets hope John O'Rourke's men can provide some true joy for Shels this season, by banishing Bohizz to the depths of the 1st Division"
Richie set for more International duty
Shelbourne's Richie Baker has been called up to Ireland's Under 21 squad to play Sweden - Tuesday 4:00. Richie was suprised and delighted with his unexpected call up : "I can't beleieve it. I was just out training when Ian (Evans) rang the club and somebody from there got on and told me to come up here." Richie has already been capped at under 18 and under 20 levels, quite an achievement considering he was playing schoolboy with Stella Maris 12 months ago. "I'm getting a bit of a slagging around the club for it all at this stage, they keep telling me I won't want to talk to them, and all I'll want to do is play for Ireland, but I just can't get over it. It's been the best year of my life". Congratulations to Richie, lets hope he performs well against Sweden.
Game relocation
Shels' final league game against Waterford United may have to be played in Whitehall or another nearby ground, as the FAI wish to keep the pitch at Tolka in good condition for the Cup Final.
Race Night
Last Thursdays Race Night held at Tolka Park was a great success. 1st teamers Owen Heery and Tony Sheridan stayed all night, and in total £2,200 was raised. Congratulations to all involved.
RED INC review
RED INC,
the Reds Independent fanzine, gave this site a review in their latest issue.
Thanks to Reds Independent for this, but Fintino's Shels Site has a bone to
pick with yiz..
Below is the exact review, only the fonts are changed. Italics are the true
facts, not opinion.
New Shels Website
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Dugout/1097/main.html
(feel free to decide my index page is irrelevent RED INC)
Finally, there is a website that represents an alternative to the official
Club page. The website at the above address, was created and is maintained
by Fintan O'Toole (the name is O'Dowd lads, O'Toole writes opinion for
the Irish Times, not html for a Shelbourne website), and has been
available for about 2 months. (the site has a report that was written
and posted on 6/10/98 of the friendly against Middlesbrough. The site was
available before that.) The new site offers an unofficial forum which
advocates the true views of the fans rather than those of Shelboume Football
Club. This is reflected in the match reports given, which are often critical
of Keely's merry-go-round team selections. The aim of the webpage is to provide
up-to-date information on results, fixtures, and transfers at the Club (the
latter being extremely difficult due to the lack of information passed from
the Club).
The result of a game is usually available on the same night that the game
takes place, with a match report following shortly after. The match reports
are supplied by Red Bull, who wants to remain anonymous. The website also
provides a Guestbook for visitors to leave messages on, and this provides
an outlet for fans to have their say. In the near future, Fintan hopes to
establish a humour section, where fans can leave jokes on other clubs (or
their own for that matter), and generally slag off other fans. "The Soapbox"
will allow a different National League fan to have his say on the League and
his team. It is also hoped to provide up-to-date squad profiles in the future.
(been up for three weeks) So, if you have access, why not check out the website
at the above address. Whether you're just looking for a Shels background (haven't
been available for months, try in the summer!)or screen-saver (haven't
been offered on this, nor any other Shels website ever) for your computer,
or you want to leave your message on the guestbook or maybe just read others'
views or the match reports, it's certainly worth a look.
Having read this, one wonders what right Reds Independent have to criticise
others for such tragic shortcomings as having an all seater stadium, generating
revenue from pre-season friendlies, aswell as merchandising. On the cover
of RED INC, the price is noted as 50p (cheaper than a can of coke). On your
next visit to Tolka, perhaps you might consider the can of coke, its got more
colour, and a small contribution goes to the club. Well, at least RED INC
doesnt rot your teeth....nice one lads. Perhaps something more positive and
useful to Shelbourne F.C in the next issue. Constructive comments on this
Reds Independent? I doubt there will be any, as you have already proved you
are far from regualrs here at Fintino's Shels Site. Make mine a coke, unless
perhaps if Reds Independent get their act together.
Ireland U20s
Best of luck to Richie Baker and the rest of Ireland's Under 20 squad who
play their opening game of the World Cup finals in Nigeria on Sunday.
Injury Crisis
Shelbourne
have a worrying injury list in the build up to Fridays Cup semi-final against
Bray wanderers (Tolka Park, 5.0). As well as long term sufferers Greg Costello,
James Keddy and Pat Fenlon, Shels may be without Tony Sheridan, Tony McCarthy,
Declan Geoghegan, Owen Heery, Dave Campbell and Richie Baker.
Sheridan is rated at 50-50, while Campbell has no chance with a pulled thigh
muscle. Declan Geoghegan has a dead leg, and Owen Heery broke his thumb in
the league game against Derry City. Tony McCarthy could well play, but Richie
Baker is on international duty in Nigeria. Shelbourne manager Dermott Keely
said:
"It's a ridiculous situation. I've never known anything like it. The game
against Derry was a catalogue of disasters, but it's too early to be pressing
alarm buttons"
Facelift for Tolka
Tolka
Park has been re-sodded this week, at a cost of £10,000. The pitch has been
in terrible condition due to over use.
Ollie Byrne had this to say:
" With 16 days between fixtures, we decided to move quickly in order to provide
a top class pitch for the remainder of the season"
Red Inc
Shels
fans at recent games may have noticed Red Inc, a fanzine issued by the Reds
Independent, an unofficial Shels supporters club, on sale. Priced at 50p,
Issue one was quite an interesting read. It contained various humorous articles,
I especially liked the "Hoops Uncovered" and "You are the..." pieces. Also
in Issue 1 were proposals for the board of Shelbourne FC, which include a
change of jersey, regular press releases, and an interesting proposal on friendly
matches. Many of the proposals of Reds Independent, found in Red Inc, would
be highly beneficial to both the club and supporters. It is good to see people
voicing their concerns for Shelbourne FC, and on the National League in general,
and I would encourage all fans to have a look at Red Inc, and see what Reds
Independent are all about.
Reds Independent's Ollie Byrne is Declan Maher, who can me contacted below.
e-mail Declan
Cup Quarter Final
The FAI Cup Quarter Final against Derry City is to be held on Sunday the 4th of March at 4pm at the Branywell, Derry.
Havin' a Laugh
Planned
for this site is a humour section, with jokes, funny stories and pictures
from around the National League. If you would like to contribute to this section,
please mail me your jokes, stories or anything funny.
(anonyminity is guaranteed if requested)
e-mail Fintan
Damo for Rovers?
Some eagle-eyed Shels fans & viewers at home may have noticed that TV pundit - and still favourite of many Red's fans in E section - Damo Richardson was wearing a green gansy. Hoops manager Mick Byrne was said to be laid-low with the flu, but strong rumours suggest that he may be sulking, due to the imminent appointment at the club, of a well known one-time Hoops player and mega-media-friendly ex Shels manager. A new Messiah to lead Rovers into the new millennium and new beginnings in Tallaght.
Fenlon injured
Shels' league victory over Shamrock Rovers was marred last night by a horrible injury to Pat Fenlon, after only 26 minutes. A clumsy tackle earned Rovers Captain Whelan a red card, and Fenlon a compund fracture of the shin bone of his left leg. Shels will be without Fenlon for the rest of the season.
Nutsy Hits 20
Pat Fenlon has been suspended for 2 games for allocating 20 penalty points this season. Shels sill be without Nutsy for the home game against Finn Harps and against Derry in the Cup (see below). I wonder how many of those points are for moanin to the ref?
Derry in the cup!
Shels have drawn Derry City in the next round of the Cup. Is there a rule against us getting an easy draw in this competition?? The game will be played on the weekend of March 7th.
Cup Draw
FAI Cup
Quater Finals
Kilkenny City -v- Cork City / Finn Harps
Galway United -v- St.Patrick's Athletic
Derry City -v- Shelbourne
Sligo Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers
Shels chase Sakiri
Shels are reportedly looking to sign Macedonian international Atkin Sakiri, a left sided winger with Swedish Champions Halmstad. Maybe you remember him as the guy at the end of Jason McAteer's foot when Ireland played Macedonia in '97
Shelsweb Returns
Shelsweb
has been moved for the time being.
Visit!
What no Shero??
Dave
Barry has named his squad to face Republic of Ireland 'B' next month:
Williams Dundalk, Mooney Cork City, Scully Shelbourne, Hill, Cronin both Cork
City, Hawkins St Pat's, Daly, Coughlan Cork City, Mohan Finn Harps, Osam St
Pat's, Gormley St Pat's, Cahill Freyne both Cork City, Coyle Derry City Molloy
St Pat's, Cousins Shamrock Rs.
Dundalk Game
The league game versus Dundalk will not be played this weekend, according to those great people in Tolka Park.
Cup draw
Shels have drawn Bohemians in the next round of the FAI Harp Lager Cup. Another tough draw for the reds, who today beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1. Still, another Dublin Darby to look forward to! Mind you, its in the barn Dalymount...No hot food :-(
Trial for Ritchie
Ritchie Baker is to go to Middlesbrough for a trial on Jan 12th.
Ollie Santa Clause
Club secretary Ollie Byrne, worked the Christmas oracle for Shels fans, not once but twice, this festive week.
Oracle No. 1, was the decision on Saturday morning that the pitch would be unplayable the next day for the postponed Rovers home game against Waterford. The fact that the supporter's club annual children's Christmas party was scheduled to be held in Tolka Park on the Sunday afternoon, surely played no part in the referee's decision ( nor Ollie who accompanied him on his pitch inspection)
Oracle No. 2, was the sudden arrangement of the Leinster Cup tie against Athlone to be Monday night and which allowed Goughie to work out his one match suspension, thereby ensuring his availability for the Red's crucial home match against Derry on St. Stephen's day, when the Shels will be going for an unprecedented (in Keely's case) 3 in a row victories.Nice one Ollie.
2 new signings
Shels have signed Alan Kirby and Sandy Robertson on loan. Kirby, recently released by Aston Villa, played for the Ireland youths in Malaysia. Robertson has played for Rangers and Coventry City. Both played for Shels in the 3-1 defeat to Athlone Town in the Lenster Cup.
Sparky leaves
Mark Rutherford had left Shels for Newry Town. End of an era :(
More suspensions!
Liam Kelly has been suspended for 2 games for being sent off in a reserve game. Kelly will miss the Cup game with Rovers.
Lenster Cup loss
Shels bowed out of the Lenster Cup on Tuesday last, loosing 3-1 to Athlone Town. Shels fielded an understrength team consisting mainly of youth and B-team players.
FAI Turn down appeal
The FAI have turned down Shelbourne's appeal on the decision to let the result against Cork, where the game was ended prematurely and the 4 minutes extra time due never played, , stand. Ollie Byrne, Club secretary, described the decision as "ludicrous". UEFA is next on his list, as he is determined to see the game replayed.
Costello transfer listed
Greg Costello, Damien Maher and Graham Doyle have been put on the transfer list. Costello has made over 200 league appearences with the reds. Maher and Doyle were summer signing from Home Farm.
Shels and Rovers to renew hostilities
Shels have drawn Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Harp Lager Cup. Rovers beat Shels 2-1 in a recent league tie, so lets hope we can have our revenge in the cup, Shelbourne's main hope for European football next season.
Were Saved!!!!
Paul Doolin is expected to sign for Shels from cash-strapped Dundalk today. Rumour has it that the deal involves a swap with Damien Maher, the Shelbourne youngster. Doolin has played for Shels before, lets hope he doesn't prove to be another of Keely's "inspired" signings!
Chairman meets Supporters Club
New Chairman Gary Browne's main message, in an open meeting with Shels fans, was that his and the board's No.1 priority was to meet the high, day-to-day cost of running the club. He told us that Shelbourne no longer had the money rolling in, that camefrom the beneficence of the Donnelly family. He also blamed the FAI, who through deliberately introducing the pre-season Carlsberg Tournament, had deprived Shelbourne of valuable money-spinning friendlies against the likes of Liverpool & Man Utd..
The players annual wage bill is a staggering £400,000 - at least 2 players are on contracts at £40,000 each a year ! - gate receipts yield about £120,000 - leaving a huge deficit in the overall amount of approx.. £600,000, that it costs to run the club. The new stand and other improvements are all on the back-burner, until the financial situation has been stabilised.
Gary Browne, perhaps wisely and understandably, refused to be drawn into any criticism of manager Dermot Keely or the players. Though as a supporter himself, he did admit to be disappointed with the clubs poor run of results. Overall the new chairman came across as very open, courageous and honest in answering some tough questions. With the cupboard apparently bare for the immediate future, Shels certainly won't be buying their way out of trouble.