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The 42
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Shelbourne and Drogheda share spoils in stalemate
Shelbourne 0 Drogheda United 0 Darryl Geraghty reports from Tolka Park SHELBOURNE AND DROGHEDA United were forced to settle for a point each in the race to the summit with both defences coming out on top in a full-blooded clash at Tolka Park. The champions, who welcomed back Damien Duff to the dugout, were desperate to bounce back from Friday's costly defeat to rivals Bohemians, in which they lost their skipper Mark Coyle and Ali Coote to dismissals at Dalymount, but showed no signs of rust early on. A flowing move down the right side eventually saw Harry Wood cross to the back post to James Norris. The on-loan Liverpool fullback cushioned a header to Ellis Chapman, who's first time strike was bravely blocked by Elicha Ahui. The Drogs had been unbeaten against the hosts this season with a win and a draw and defended resolutely. They began to grow in confidence and almost took the lead themselves when Conor Kearns misjudged an Elicha Ahui cross, and luckily for the Shels stopper it trickled just wide. Shelbourne's Ellis Chapman battles with Andrew Quinn. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO Both sides went into the clash desperately seeking a win – with matching records of one win in their last seven games – and there was nothing to separate the sides as the half developed. Advertisement The home side were dealt a blow when Conor Kearns seemed to pick up a knock after his error, receiving treatment on his calf as the impressive Lorcan Healy entered the fray to make his league debut. But despite the loss it was the home side who finished the half the stronger with Harry Wood having three chances in quick succession – the first of which saw the Englishman show great movement to get on the end of Tyreke Wilson's deep cross, and his flick towards goal went agonisingly close. The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first ended as Shels looked to pin back the FAI Cup winners, just lacking a cutting edge in the final third. Kevin Doherty's side sent a quick reminder of the threat they possessed when Douglas James-Taylor got a free run to get on the end of Owen Lambe's outswinging corner but failed to hit the target. Another long ball from Dennison caused all sorts of confusion for Shels' defence with the towering Andrew Quinn winning a header before the ball was eventually scrambled away. The tension was palpable as the game entered the final stages, with one goal looking like it would be enough for either side. With time running out, James-Taylor was brilliantly denied by Healy having shown excellent feet to twist and turn inside the area. There was still time for substitute Thomas Oluwa to show his power and pace getting in behind to round the onrushing Healy, who forced him wide before saving low and on the rebound, the busy Markey failed to get his shot through a sea of bodies in the box as it remained 0-0. Shelbourne: Conor Kearns (Lorcan Healy, 29'); Sean Gannnon, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Evan Caffrey, Ellis Chapman, JJ Lunney (John Martin 7, 65'), Kerr McInroy, James Norris (Ryan O'Kane, 72'); Harry Wood (John O'Sullivan, 72'), Mipo Odubeko. Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Owen Lambe, Elicha Ahui, Conor Keely, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane; Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey, 74′); Warren Davis (Thomas Oluwa, 72'), Douglas James-Taylor. Referee: Rob Hennessy
Irish Examiner
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Shels and Drogs battle to hard-fought draw
SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Shelbourne 0 Drogheda United 0 Shels and Drogheda couldn't be separated in a bruising battle with a genuine derby feel at a balmy Tolka Park. Despite their best efforts it was a point apiece for two sides who will feel as if they left chances to win on the field. The champions, who welcomed back Damien Duff to the dugout, were desperate to bounce back from Friday's costly defeat to rivals Bohemians, in which they lost their skipper Mark Coyle and Ali Coote to dismissals. They showed no signs of a hangover early on. A flowing move down the right side eventually saw Harry Wood cross to the back post to James Norris. The on-loan Liverpool full-back cushioned a header to Ellis Chapman, whose first time strike was bravely blocked by Elicha Ahui who threw his body in the way. The Drogs, who have been enjoying the tussle at the opposite end of the table than most would have predicted, had been unbeaten against the hosts this season with a win and a draw and defended resolutely. They began to grow in confidence and almost took the lead themselves when Conor Kearns misjudged Elicha Ahui's cross, that luckily for the Shels stopper trickled just wide. Both sides went into the clash desperately seeking a win - with matching records of one win in their last seven games - and there was nothing to separate the sides as the half developed. The home side were dealt a blow when Conor Kearns seemed to pick up a knock after his error, appearing to receive treatment on his calf. But despite the loss it was the home side who finished the half the stronger with Harry Wood having three chances in quick succession. The first of which the Englishman showed great movement to get on the end of Tyreke Wilson's deep cross, but saw the flick towards goal go agonisingly close. The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first ended as Shels looked to pin back the FAI Cup winners but just lacked a cutting edge in the final third with the final killer ball lacking. Kevin Doherty's side sent a quick reminder of the threat they possessed when Douglas James-Taylor got a free run to get on the end of Owen Lambe's outswinging corner but failed to hit the target. Another long ball from Dennison caused all sorts of confusion for Shels defence with the towering Andrew Quinn winning a header before the ball was eventually scrambled away. The tension was palpable as the game entered the dying embers, with one goal looking like it would be enough for either side. With time running out, James-Taylor was brilliantly denied by Healy having shown excellent feet to twist and turn inside the area. There was still time for substitute Thomas Oluwa to show his power and pace getting in behind to round the onrushing Healy who forced him wide before saving low and on the rebound, the busy Markey failed to get his shot through a sea of bodies in the box as it remained 0-0. SHELBOURNE: Conor Kearns (Lorcan Healy, 29'); Sean Gannnon, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Evan Caffrey, Ellis Chapman, JJ Lunney (John Martin 7, 65'), Kerr McInroy, James Norris (Ryan O'Kane, 72'); Harry Wood (John O'Sullivan, 72'), Mipo Odubeko DROGHEDA UNITED: Luke Dennison; Owen Lambe, Elicha Ahui, Conor Keely, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane; Ryan Brennan, Luke Heeney, Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey, 74'); Warren Davis (Thomas Oluwa, 72'), Douglas James-Taylor Referee: Rob Hennessy
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
No breakthrough at Tolka Park as Shelbourne and Drogheda United play out tense stalemate
IT ended in a stalemate at Tolka Park as both sides hoping to use the game advantage on the rest to gain ground on the top sides were forced to settle for a point. Advertisement 2 Champions Shelbourne and Drogheda played out a scoreless draw on Monday at Tolka Park 2 Neither side could find a winner in a tight and physical encounter at Tolka Park A neat move down the right side eventually saw Harry Wood cross to the back post to the onloan Liverpool full back James Norris. The on-loan But with one win in seven for both sides, a tight affair was on the cards and despite the recent unpredictable form both sat fifth and sixth prior to kick off such is the unpredictable nature of the season. Kevin Doherty's side had been enjoying the lofty heights of being top of the pile for weeks of the season and looked comfortable out of possession and looked dangerous from set pieces. Advertisement read more on football The visitors responded well, bombarding the Shels rearguard and following a couple of set-pieces almost got in front. Elicha Ahui clipped a ball straight back into the danger area. Shels stopper Conor Kearns looked to collect but got his bearing all wrong as the ball clipped his fingertips and trickled just wide. Following the error there was a boy who cried wolf situation as the now infamous 'keeper receiving treatment' stoppage came - that allows both sides a rest - but this time Kearn's needed replacing. Advertisement Most read in Football Just after the half hour mark, the hosts upped the tempo and went agonisingly close when Tyreke Wilson delivered a whipped ball into the area from deep. Harry Wood made a clever run across his defender but his flick towards goal narrowly missed the target. Maidstone fan wipes out goading Boreham Wood rival with 'tackle of the season' after play-off final defeat The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first ended as Shels looked to pin back the FAI Cup winners but just lacked a cutting edge in the final third with the final killer ball lacking. Kevin Doherty's side sent a quick reminder of the threat they possessed when Douglas James-Taylor got a free run to get on the end of Owen Lambe's outswinging corner but failed to hit the target. Advertisement Another long ball from Dennison caused all sorts of confusion for Shels defence with the towering Andrew Quinn winning a header before Lorcan Healy before the ball was eventually scrambled away. The tension was palpable as the game entered the dying embers, with one goal looking like it would be enough for either side. James-Taylor thought he had snatched a winner as he collected substitute Darragh Markey's ball to feet, twisting to fashion a yard of space but Healy stood big to parry the ball to safety. Despite their best efforts and half chances, neither side could find that all elusive winner with a draw, probably a fair result on the night. Advertisement Shelbourne: 0 Drogheda United: 0 SUN STAR MAN: Ryan Brennan (Drogheda United) Shelbourne: Kearns 6 (Healy 8, 29'); Gannon 7, Ledwidge 7,Wilson 8; Caffrey 7, Chapman 7, Lunney 7 (Martin 7, 65'), McInroy 7, Norris 9 (O'Kane 7, 72'); Wood 8 (O'Sullivan 7, 72'), Odubeko 7 Subs not used: Kelly, Offor, Adewale, Roche, Tulloch Drogheda United: Dennison 7; Lambe 7, Ahui 7, Keeley 7, Quinn 7, Kane 7; Brennan 9, Heeney 7, Farrell 7 (Markey 7, 74'); Davis 8 (Oluwa 7, 72'), James-Taylor 7 Advertisement Subs not used: Brady, Harper Bailey, Cooper, Bawa, Bosakani, Brady, Cruise Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick) 6
RTÉ News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kerr McInroy strikes at the death as Shelbourne defeat St Patrick's Athletic
Shelbourne came from behind to win their first SSE Airtricity Premier Division game in six as St Patrick's Athletic lost their fifth away game of the season, with a Kerr McInroy goal in the 90th minute securing a 2-1 victory for the hosts. St Pat's dominated the opening 45 and deservedly led 1-0 at the break through Mason Melia's third goal of the season. But Shels manager Damien Duff worked the oracle at the break, making a triple substitution which transformed his side. Goals from Harry Wood and a late late second goal from McInroy gave the home side a much-needed three points after a recent run that saw the champions pick up only three points from a possible 15. On a perfect night for football, Sean Gannon dropped out of the Shels side that lost to Waterford, with Sam Bone coming in, as did Tyreke Wilson on the wing. St Pat's defender Sean Hoare replaced Tom Grivosti, while Chris Forrester, John Martin and their leading goalscorer Aidan Keena also came in from the side that lost in Derry. There was plenty of early action. However, Keena's left-foot shot from the edge of the area in the fifth minute didn't really put Conor Kearns to the test. At the other end, Shels skipper Mark Coyle tested the fingers of visiting keeper Joe Anang as he pushed Coyle long-distance effort over the bar. But it was the home keeper who was the busier in a hectic opening spell as Kearns then saved a goal-bound Zax Elbouzedi shot with his feet, with the keeper denying Kenna's 22-yard free-kick and Forrester's similar effort with diving saves to his right as St Pat's hunted for the opener. But Kearns had no chance as the visitors took the lead just before the half-hour mark as Spurs-bound Melia (above) picked up a loose ball in the area and his curling shot hit the net via the post. It was the 17-year-old's third league goal of season and was just reward for all their early pressure. Kian Leavy fizzed a shot over the Shels bar before the half against a side lacking intensity, an aspect that their manager Damien Duff had alluded to with their recent poor run over the last five games. Duff rung the changes after the half-time break, bringing on Sean Gannon, Ellis Chapman and James Norris for Wilson, Martin and Bone, and it paid off instantaneously as Shels equalised just two minutes after the restart. With Forrester lying on the ground with what looked like a hamstring injury, Shels played on as Gannon fed Evan Caffery on the right and his ball across the area was turned into the net by Harry Wood. The goal transformed Shels and McInroy was just off target with a thumping drive from the edge of the area in the 54th minute. Damien Duff was booked just after the hour mark for pitch encroachment by referee Kevin O'Sullivan as the intensity increased, with tackles flying in from all angles and with the officials at time struggling to keep control at times in the rarefied atmosphere. It seemed as if the game was heading for all-square but a poor Joe Redmond header went straight to McInroy, who had time to steady himself and thump the ball past Anang to send the home fans into raptures, while there was disappointment for the healthy travelling support in a sell-out crowd Shelbourne: Conor Kearns, Mark Coyle (captain), Sam Bone (James Norris 45), Kameron Ledwidge ; Evan Caffrey, Kerr McInroy, JJ Lunney, Tyreke Wilson (Sean Gannon 45); John Martin (Ellis Chapman 45), Harry Wood (John O'Sullivan 79) ; Mipo Odubeko (Daniel Kelly (90+5) St Patrick's Athletic: Joseph Anang; Carl Axel Sjoberg,(Conor Carty 90+2) Sean Hoare Joseph Redmond (captain), Anthony Breslin; Chris Forrester (Barry Crowe Baggley 51), Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Brandon Kavanagh (90+2; Zachary Elbouzedi (Jake Mulraney 79), Mason Melia Aidan Keena (Simon Power 79)
The 42
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Shelbourne's moment of a lifetime will live on in hearts and minds, and passed on in song
THE SONG HAS been sung with pride – maybe even still a little bit of disbelief – since the start of this League of Ireland season. Shelbourne's visit to Shamrock Rovers last weekend was the perfect time for a powerful rendition from the away supporters. On the final day we went to Derry Needed just a goal and up stepped Harry Rovers celebrated far too early Shels went back to Tolka and had a party It's not even been six months but perhaps a line-by-line explanation of the song to help with context is required as Shels prepare to return to the scene of their moment of a lifetime against Derry City tonight. Line one - On the final day we went to Derry Damien Duff took his side to the Ryan McBride Brandywell for the last game of last's season's Premier Division. It was the live game on RTÉ 2 and, as Shels were top and needed to match Rovers' result, the trophy headed north. Slight problem: there was only one trophy. One initial compromise within the FAI was to use a particular liquid resin that would help produce a 3D printed replica trophy to bring to Tallaght Stadium, where Rovers hosted Waterford. Another problem: it looked brutal. It was also perfectly plausible that Rovers would triumph in the most dramatic of title races. Not just that, Stephen Bradley would be the manager to win a five-in-a-row. He was already the first to win four on the spin but this would be something even more historic. 𝟭𝟮 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 🎅🏻 On the 12th goal of Christmas Harry Wood scored the goal to make the Reds champions of Ireland 🎁#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 — Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) December 25, 2024 FAI staff scrambled for ideas and a search of one of the offices at Abbotstown HQ unearthed the old League of Ireland trophy – the one which the great Rovers side of the 80s lifted four times in a row. It was cleaned and required minor repairs, so one embarrassment was avoided. Once in Derry, FAI staff had to run through their preparations and planning for a possible trophy presentation later that night. It was early in the day and with everything set up in the corner, one of those involved in operations recalled how former Derry boss Ruaidhdri Higgins appeared on the pitch, circling them as they walked through the presentation. He had a face like thunder. It was shaping up to become an epic night. Line two – Needed just a goal and up stepped Harry That's Wood, Harry Wood. He may or may not have taken to introducing himself like this since that moment, but no Shels fan would care if he did. The time on the clock was 83 minutes and 59 seconds when Sean Boyd struck a free kick from the edge of the box. It was 0-0 and a draw was not going to be enough given Rovers led 2-1 at home to Waterford. 'The strangest thing when I think back on that night is the realisation that time is not linear, it sounds stupid I know but if you've been fortunate to experience anything like that night in Derry in your life, you'll understand what I mean when I say time does not move in straight lines,' Darren Cleary, the club's media officer and supporter for more than 30 years, tells The 42 in a written message to try and best articulate his thoughts. 'In the search for the goal which was starting to feel desperate, with Rovers ready to roll out the presentation stand, time went at an ungodly quick speed. Minutes slipping into seconds, the clock going faster every time you asked someone near you 'what's left?'. Please don't let us lose to Rovers, Derry or worse a fucking clock.' Darren Cleary (right) in the dressing room for the celebrations. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO The commentary from RTÉ's Des Curran is now part of Shelbourne lore, and the moment of a lifetime played out in seconds. 'Here is Sean Boyd. Into the wall, deflected! Maher saves! AND INNN — Shelbourne find the goal! Harry Wood! The jersey's off.' 83:59 – Boyd hits the free. 84:01 – Wood's rebound hits the net. 'When the breakthrough came, the Brandywell shook beneath our feet, time changed shape. It slowed, thickened, creeped, almost to a standstill. It doesn't make sense, I know. But if you've been there, you'll know. When the whistle goes, the next hour is a beautiful blur,' Cleary says. Advertisement 'The moment you wish could live forever vanished almost before it began. The greatest feeling life can offer… it was gone in the blink of an eye. Time went too quick. Minutes passed in seconds.' If the pleasure was in that moment, the journey up from Dublin allowed for plenty of pain. The four or so hours it took a five-coach convoy from Tolka that day was nothing in comparison to the previous 18 years. 'Not even the most dramatic league title could matter more than saving Tolka Park,' Shane Dawson, one of the co-ordinators of the successful 'Save Tolka Park' campaign says. 'Without Tolka, there is no glory. No Harry Wood goal. No story to tell. But when I think back to that day in Derry, the euphoria remains unmatched. It's a high that I'll chase for the rest of my life. 'Promotion in Drogheda in 2019 was a milestone. It was an awakening of sorts for the club. The first match of 2007 felt significant too, merely because Shelbourne still existed [after the financial collapse following Ollie Byrne years]. But Derry? Derry was something else entirely. Unrivalled ecstasy.' That's if you were one of the lucky 300 who could get an official ticket in the away end. The Brandywell was probably the worse venue for such a fixture from an away fan's perspective because of the reduced allocation. Some of the travelling fans. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO In the week leading up to the game Derry officials also informed season ticket holders that they were not to pass on their seats to Shels fans. Their title challenge had already fallen by the wayside. Gavin Doherty has organised one of the away coaches for not far off a decade since the First Division days. He had a sold-out 51-seater and was one of several on board without a ticket. Even Olson, a fan who travelled from Sweden and went up on the bus, got it on the proviso he was covering the game for the Stockholm Gazette. Doherty's connection with Shels is one many can relate to. Now in his late 30s, he was born in the Liberties and now lives with his wife 10 minutes from St Patrick's Athletic's Richmond Park. His father is from Westmeath and worked with a fella who used to play League of Ireland part-time in the early 1990s. He was at Shels at the time and Doherty got the bug, but while his younger brother eventually drifted away for a time, he slowly became immersed in what it meant to be a Red in Drumcondra. 'My best mate was a groomsman at my wedding but I might not see him from November to February when the season is finished,' he says. 'Shels is the bond, that is how it was all built up, I wouldn't have made any of these friends only for Shels.' The Damien Duff Effect may have enticed his brother back in recent years, but blood is not always thicker than water given he did not even qualify for a place on his brother's bus, let alone a ticket. Gavin Dohery (right) with Mark Coyle on the night and (below) with his wife and son in Tolka Park at the homecoming. 'No hope, there was a long list of people that needed to be sorted before him.' Some of the stories of the lengths some went to are comical, like the one from the supporter in the Reds Independent fanzine that described their search for one of the few paper tickets being sold in numerous outlets around Derry on the day of the game. From newsagents to petrol stations and even a random Chinese restaurant, there was no luck, until eventually he managed to secure one… provided he donned a high viz bib and acted as a steward in the away end. 'The most Shelbourne thing possible would be a crushing disappointment. We'd endured it all before – drubbings in Monaghan, batterings in Cabinteely, even the lingering trauma of Limerick 37's Colin Scanlon,' Dawson says with a laugh. 'Some had tickets in the away end, others clung to media passes or home tickets, and a few had nothing. QR codes were bartered like currency. We even considered dropping the ticketless in Monaghan or Donegal to watch the game in a pub. But in the end, we stuck together.' Line three - Rovers celebrated far too early This isn't necessarily true, but all art deserves some leniency for greater impact and resonance. There was too much tension to enjoy anything until the final whistles went. 'The game was utter torture. We watched in seats allocated for Shels staff in the stand, quite near Derry's most vocal support,' Cleary says. Shels fans celebrate on the pitch. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO 'They were quick to let everyone know the score [when Rovers went 1-0 up after five minutes]. The only thing that would salvage their season would be ruining ours or winning the FAI Cup. 'There was an odd vitriol to the atmosphere on that side of the ground that you wouldn't usually associate with Derry. It hung heavy in the air. The air of hostility and contempt from the Derry fans on that side of the ground wasn't lost on anyone from the Shels side near them.' And that partly explains why Wood was so keen to celebrate right in front of them with his jersey being waved above his head. Over in the small corner where 300 away fans were supposed to be housed, the diligent and co-operative work of Derry stewards and officials allowed for the expansion of their section as numbers swelled closer to 500. John Brennan, the Shelbourne Supporter Liaison officer, is another of those volunteers whose love of the club saw him take on that role a couple of years ago. He is the brother of Dublin's two-time All Ireland winner Ger Brennan, a family steeped in red and blue from a corner just off Dorset Street. Shane Dawson (left) with goalkeeper Conor Kearns after full-time. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO 'I'm not quite like Ger, he loves to pray,' John says with a laugh. 'But I was wishing and praying we could get the job done. 'From where the club had been to what Damien Duff was about to achieve, it felt so hard to believe. 'That feeling when the final whistle goes, it is on a par with [Stephen] Cluxton putting the ball over the bar [in the All Ireland final] in 2011. That feeling, of course it was great for Ger and our family, but winning up in Derry is there with the greatest feeling ever experienced in sport.' Line four – Shels went back to Tolka and had a party Before the party there was the bus that went on fire. Before there was the bus that went on fire there were the celebrations and a late exit. As The 42 reported on the night, the lights the Ryan McBride Brandywell began to be turned off a little before 11.30pm. Shelbourne had been crowned League of Ireland champions almost two hours earlier. Damien Duff led his players and staff back into the centre circle. They linked arms as one. An unbreakable bond and relentless spirit endured as we edged towards the final midnight of the season. The songs from the dressing room stopped. 'Graffiti on the walls' was no more, likewise a chorus of 'He's in your head, he's in your head, Duffer, Duffer,' from the players. Generational Reds: John Brennan (right) with his father and son. Sean Boyd had bottles of Heineken stuffed inside his socks. Goalscorer Harry Wood had Corona in one hand and his phone in the other as he FaceTimed home to Hull. Goalkeeper Conor Kearns sat on the pitch for about 25 minutes calling loved ones too. Mauro Martins had a Shels bucket hat on and Portugal flag draped around his shoulders. He was puffing on a lovely cigar. A Cuban? 'No, my friend. Venezuelan. It is where my Dad is from.' The fitness coach could finally relax. Then there was Johnny Watson, the Shels kitman for long enough to know all of Tolka Park's deepest, darkest secrets. He walked proudly into the middle of the circle and was last to talk after Duff. Watson's two sons were in there too. This was generational. 'I fucking love the bones off every one of you. Up the fucking Shels,' he roared. It was the catalyst for a rendition of 'Championeeeeees.' 'If you think we are crazy in front of people, behind closed doors we are even crazier,' Duff told reporters just before that gathering in the middle of the pitch. 'There is no debating the best team won, we had numerous chances. The best team wins the league and that is us.' Related Reads Landscape of Irish football has changed and Marc Canham's replacement must reflect that Dermot Desmond shines a spotlight behind the scenes at Shamrock Rovers 'We're time critical'- FAI detail refined plans for €8m League of Ireland academy funding Shels fans in Derry, with former Dublin GAA star Dermot Connolly circled. Pic: Simon Crowe. Simon Crowe Simon Crowe Duff also revealed on the pitch that Jose Mourinho had sent a pre-match video to his players. He attempted to video call him once the title was won but there was no answer and, as a forfeit, he had to pay €500 into the players' party kitty. It began on the pitch in Derry. Sean Gannon, as he told the Second Captains podcast, had teeth marks on his forehead after colliding with a fan during the celebrations. 'After the goal I was just standing still, motionless for a few seconds,' Doherty says. 'I get stick about it even now but I think it was just disbelief, and maybe believing the goal would be ruled out for something.' What followed was a release. 'I found myself, mid-RTÉ broadcast during an ad break, clutching Stuey Byrne in tears. He knew. He'd lived it too,' Dawson says of the former club captain, who would later meet the Shels players in a hotel bar on the outskirts of the city. While Higgins may have patrolled the pitch in anger when the trophy presentation was being rehearsed, he still visited the Shels dressing room to congratulate Duff and his players after they lifted it for real. 'When the full time whistle went. My brother Ben, who produced the majority of the video output last season had gone on with the camera to capture the full-time scenes. I ran looking to find him. To give him a hug and to see his face. When I did find him it was a lovely moment,' Cleary says. 'Ben's face and the faces of every Shels fan I saw that night is something that I hope I remember forever. The faces you see every Friday night in Tolka, in grounds all over the country. Faces you'd known for years, that you instantly recognise yet in that moment they look completely different. Twisted in a kind of joy I had never seen before.' And then a bus went on fire. While Dawson and Doherty headed back on separate coaches, both filled with the gold ticker tape that had littered the pitches, one of the buses organised by Brennan and the club suffered engine failure on the journey home just outside Swords. On board was former Dublin footballer Dermot Connolly, along with the parents and partner of forward John Martin. Fans look back at one of the buses on fire. Only the quick thinking of the driver, who realised something was amiss in his cabin, prevented a tragedy. Engine failure led to a fire and explosion. Doherty's bus picked up the 30 or so stranded passengers and they headed back for Tolka. It was well after midnight by now, and the main stand in Drumcondra had also been filled with fans watching on big screens on the pitch. By the time players and some staff also arrived closer to 3am, the bars in Tolka Park had been drunk dry. As Gardaí began to disperse the final stragglers, one bus had already been sent to another late bar in the city to stock up on drinks to keep the party going. Thankfully, a Shels fan was running the bar and enough was ferried out of the busy venue and onboard. It then began to circle Drumcondra waiting for Gardaí and fans to leave. Once they had, captain Mark Coyle led some of his teammates into the bar beneath the main stand. It was bright before they left and then an official homecoming was hastily arranged by Cleary and other staff. A request to try and get the trophy branding and presentation that had been on hand in Tallaght was turned down by their rivals. Understandably so. A sound engineer returning from a gig the previous night was asked to help with setting up a system on the pitch. Players joined Duff and his staff to savour the occasion with thousands of supporters. That is when it really dawned on many of Doherty and Dawson's group of friends that they were becoming the older ones. There has been a baby boom over the last few years and their infant kids were there for pictures. Indeed, Doherty will be organising the bus again for tonight's game but won't be travelling as it's his son's first birthday tomorrow. Defender Paddy Barrett in front of the pink party bus - coincidentally a 2006 reg plate, the year of the club's last league title. A week after winning the league, Brennan was at a family wedding in Lanzarote. And at Christmas he informed them that he and his wife were expecting their second child. 'Straight away the joke was 'it's either a Lanzarote baby or a Shels-winning-the-league baby'. If it's a boy maybe the middle name will be Damien.' The memory of that night will never fade for Shels. It will live on in their hearts and minds and, of course, passed on in song.
