In’s and Out’s: Shelbourne FC

It’s been a seismic year for Damien Duff’s team, a return to Europe and the team’s first league win since 2006. Although the team struggled in the latter end of the season, a string of strong results at the end and a nail biting last day lead them to glory.

In today’s article we will be discussing who the Auld Reds have brought in to reinforce the team, and who has been let go by the North Dublin Outfit,renewals for 2025 and onward as well as briefly touching on the recent CEO swap by the reds.

Inward Activity.

Damien Duff has made some significant signings for the year ahead, let’s discuss them.

Ryan O’Kane

Duffer’s first piece of action after his league success was to take Ryan O’Kane from relegated side Dundalk. The 21 year old winger signed a “long term deal” with the reds which was announced on November 25th 2024.

He signed for Dundalk in 2021, making over 100 appearances for the club. In the 2024 season he made 30 appearances, scoring 3 and assisting 3.

He now joins the Reds for the 2025 season.

Daniel Kelly

Shelbourne announced their second signing for the year on December 19th, bringing in Daniel Kelly from Derry City.

The 28 year old Ringsend native joined the reds after a juxtaposing season, being a regular up until an injury sidelined him. He made 26 appearances for the Candystripes in the year, bagging 5 assists.

Before the 2024 season, he spent 5 years at Dundalk where he picked up multiple medals.

Another winger to boost the arsenal of the reds for the upcoming season.

Ellis Chapman

On the same day, the reds sent waves around the League of Ireland community with the powerful signing of Ellis Chapman. The 23 year old midfielder joins the Reds after a terrific year with Sligo Rovers, making 34 appearances, scoring 9 times and getting 4 assists.

He was a crucial member of the Sligo outfit who came profoundly close to qualifying for European competition.

Before his time at Sligo he was in the UK where he played for Cheltenham, Oldham, Chesterfield and Lincoln City.

He will serve as a talented and exciting midfielder for the 2025 season.

Mipo Obudeko

The next day on the 20th of December Shelbourne announced another massive signing, bringing in Mipo Obudeko, on a long term contract.

Shelbourne managed to fend off against clubs abroad to get the signature of the 22 year old forward.

He joins from Fleetwood town where he made 11 appearances and scored a goal. His career started at Manchester City before he made a switch Manchester United, where he was a strong member of their academy.

He then joined West Ham, where he went on multiple loan spells. He went to Huddersfield, and also had loans to Doncaster and Port Vale. Over his years he made 75 appearances, scoring 28 goals.

Before joining Fleetwood he also joined second division Portuguese side Maritimo.

He now joins the Reds for the 2025 season.

Outward Transfers.

There has been some significant outward activity from the Drumcondra side. I won’t be discussing Will Jarvis—although it was a massive loss—as he left in the middle of the season.

Matty Smith

Matty Smith left the club after multiple years with the reds, initially joining the club in 2022 on loan from Derry City, and joining permanently for the 2023 season. He was a key member of the squad that secured Europe at the end of the 2023 season.

While at the club he made 72 appearances, scoring 8 competitive goals.

He has now returned to Waterford on a multi year deal. He formerly played for the club in 2020 before moving to Derry City.

Shane Griffin

In the same announcement, they also announced that vice captain Shane Griffin would also be departing the club.

After joining in 2022, he quickly found himself a crucial member of the defence, making 77 appearances in his time and scoring twice. Unfortunately he did not have a great 2024 due to an injury only twenty minutes into the first match against Waterford.

He now joins Cobh Ramblers, alongside the other Shane Griffin, for the 2025 season.

Dean Williams

Also in the same announcement with Matty Smith and Shane Griffin, it was announced that Dean Williams would also be released by the club.

Dean was merely a depth player, only making a handful of appearances for the reds during the year.

He has now been announced to be returning to Athlone Town after a 6 year hiatus.

Liam Burt

It is quite evident now that Liam Burt will not be returning on loan or on a permanent to the Reds after his loan from Shamrock Rovers for the 2024 season.

The Scottish winger had a significant impact on the Reds league win, scoring crucial goals for the Reds in tight games.

Aiden O’Brien

The 31 year old forward was signed in the latter half of 2024. He made 10 appearances for Shelbourne, making 10 appearances and scoring twice.

Aiden unfortunately had to leave the club due to personal reasons, and signed for National League side Woking for the 2025 season.

Retentions.

Below you can find a helpful table of all squad members, showing whether a players contract is valid or has been renewed, and also how long their contract is for. Please note this is not a squad list, it is a list of all renewals for 2025.

CEO Swap.

On January 8th it was announced that Barry Mocke would no longer be CEO of the club. He joined the club in 2023 after the botched Turkish takeover. The reaction to this is positive as a vocal majority of fans disliked him, due to his treatment of the women team, acting as if they were a separate team, and his treatment of staff members of the club.

Shelbourne then announced 2 days later on January 10th that Tomás Quinn would be appointed as CEO. This was met to a great reception by Shelbourne fans.

Tomás was the commercial and marketing director of Dublin GAA since 2013 and was in charge of commercial growth during the historic period for Dublin GAA.

He brings great experience of operating clubs at a high level, representing Dublin GAA in inter-county football and a decorated club career at St Vincents GAA.

Looking ahead.

Shelbourne have made some strong business going into 2025, making statement signings and securing pivotal players for the year ahead, while letting a few leave the club along the way. Will Shelbourne be able to retain the championship in 2025? We will have to wait and see…

I’d like to thank you for reading this article today. If you enjoyed please make sure to follow LOI Talk on our social’s for more news about all things LOI!

Stay well!

Matt