He is decent but I don't think he is commanding enough to be a top centre back which is where he mainly played for Waterford for past few seasons.Originally Posted by Steve Bruce
All of our starting back 4 from last season were released after our poor season last year.
I've heard good things about Hugh Martin he's been marked as a real prospect. A season in the rough and tumble of the premier division should tell us more
Martin scored twice in a 4-1 pre-season win against Longford a couple of days ago.
I have high hopes - but he will need to be managed properly.
While the squad is smaller than last season I do think it is stronger - Todd is a positive at CB (still have Byrne, Kavanagh and Okedina) - Burke is solid and will strengthen what has been a weak position for a couple of seasons - I think Hickey is a good addition and from I am hearing he is excited about playing for Bohs - Vaughan (even if only for six months) has the potential and opportunity to show he is capable of playing at a high level - and I'm hopeful Martin will prove to be a good understudy for DJT and Whelan. McManus is back from Sligo and a year older which I think will help him. I'm still in two minds about Strods but I think he will be given a chance to show if he can make the step up.
The one big loss is James Clarke and he will be hard to replace. A LB to allow Flores' versitility to be used to the maximum and some depth at both RB and LB would help. Another striker with ability (even if on loan) would give good depth in that position (although Hickey is capable of playing striker) - but I do like what Fenlon/Reynolds have done with the squad so far.
Last edited by Jolly Red Giant; 17/01/2026 at 10:45 AM.
Shels have confirmed their 25 man 2026 squad which includes the unannounced signing back of Sam Bone though last season Shels similarly announced a final squad with Kerr McInroy subsequently signed later on
I'm not convinced that squad has the right balance to challenge for the title, I don't feel last seasons leaky backline has been corrected enough and without signing any new striker we will be betting on last seasons existing forward line having a much improved goalscoring season
https://shelbournefc.ie/reds-2026-pr...list-revealed/
The 2026 Shelbourne FC squad is:
Wessel Speel (GK)
Conor Walsh (GK)
Sam Bone (DEF)
Paddy Barrett (DEF)
Sean Gannon (DEF)
Milan Mbeng (DEF)
Tyreke Wilson (DEF)
James Norris (DEF)
Kameron Ledwidge (DEF)
Odhrán Casey (DEF)
James Roche (DEF)
Sean Moore (MID)
JJ Lunney (MID)
Evan Caffrey (MID)
Ellis Chapman (MID)
Daniel Kelly (MID)
Jack Henry-Francis (MID)
Kerr McInroy (MID)
Harry Wood (MID)
Ali Coote (MID)
Maill Lundgren (MID)
Mipo Odubeko (FOR)
John Martin (FOR)
Sean Boyd (FOR)
Dan Ring (FOR)
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
James McClean to Derry finally happening it seems
Considering they were trying to get Farrugia, you have to assume they're still looking for guys capable of getting into their starting 11 and willing to pay for it.
At the moment, they look about a high calibre player short in each line of the field to compete at the top.
I suppose if they could get Boyd fit, they'd offer a lot more up front straight away, and he'd probably increase the amount of goal scoring from midfield too.
BBC confirmed in pre-match buildup. CEO has said James is leaving club.
Belfast Telegraph reporting he is being compensated to cover drop in wages for remainder of current contract (18 months)!.
Where will McClean play for Derry? Considering how high profile a move it is and the amount of money it'll presumably cost them it would feel a bit underwhelming if he's mainly used as a wing back. Would imagine that's the most likely scenario though given he's hardly going to displace Duffy and become a winger again.
wow thats interesting with James McLean moving back to his hometown. I cant remember it at all but with his younger brother Patrick moving back have the two lads played together before?
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
No idea. Duffy and Fleming were our two best players last year and have the left-hand side sown up. Possible Lynch could look to play him in midfield - but it's a very expensive peg without an obvious hole.
For all the pluses McClean brings (drive, experience and, let's be honest, on-his-day quality) he's also a pure chaotic element who could totally undermine everything else. Won't be boring.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
Rumour has it Adam Frizzell is arriving at Windsor this coming week from Derry City. Any good?
Did Duffy not play centrally towards the end of last season. A front 3 of Duffy, McLean and Clarke would be fairly gung-ho and dangerous.
Think McLean is a fantastic signing. Most of his drama was due to the poppy etc. Cant see him adding anything but professionalism and quality to you. Must be on even more than Clarke tho so serious money being spent and maybe a bit short at the back still?
Very interesting move, plus you'd imagine this will raise crowds at away games, kids all over the country will all want to see him play, ex Ireland and a lot would have seen the Wrexham show.
He might be 37 in a few months, but still plenty in the tank and he keeps himself in great shape.
Good profile for the league and a good signing for Derry.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Duffy pushed in more to allow Fleming space to push forward and get himself more on the ball - but he's still, on paper, the left side of a three-pronged attack or two behind the striker.
McClean is a consummate professional on the pitch, albeit a bit hot-headed, who isn't afraid to speak his mind at any point on any thing off it. I can see issues if things don't go very well right away. We'll see.
He struggled but also didn't get a lot of game time. Lynch didn't seem to fancy him, which may be telling in itself, but he looked tidy enough most of the time and was keen to make an impression. His last appearance, he was poor, but to be fair he just looked like a guy short on game time and short on confidence. He's also seems fairly slow, but there could be a player there if Healy finds the right role for him.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
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