counter Shelbourne’s title repeat hopes see big boost as Damien Duff’s side lock down two stars to contract extensions – Cure fym

Shelbourne’s title repeat hopes see big boost as Damien Duff’s side lock down two stars to contract extensions


KEEPER Conor Kearns and striker Sean Boyd have both signed new contracts at Shelbourne.

Ever-present Kearns, 26, conceded just 27 goals and kept 16 clean sheets as Shels were crowned champions on the final day of the season.

1 November 2024; Shelbourne goalkeeper Conor Kearns with the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division trophy after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Shelbourne at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Conor Kearns kept 16 clean sheets
1 November 2024; Sean Boyd of Shelbourne with the SSE Airtricity Premier Division trophy after his side's victory in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Shelbourne at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Sean Boyd was Shels’ top scorer with 10 goals

The ex-UCD and St Pat’s net-minder was brought in by Damien Duff ahead of the 2023 season.

Boyd, also 26, finished as their top scorer with 10 goals, despite starting just 12 games, coming off the bench a further 15 times.

He joined from Finn Harps, where he had made his comeback after a long lay-off with an ACL injury, in 2022 having started out at Shamrock Rovers.

Meanwhile, the President’s Cup will take place in Tolka Park on Friday February 7 with a 7:45pm kick-off.

Damien Duff’s side will face off against FAI Cup winners – managed by Kevin Doherty – in the season curtain-raiser.

It will be the first time either club has taken part in the game which was started in 2014, with Shels winning their first title since 2006 and Drogheda lifting the Cup for the first time in 19 years.

The opening round of the men’s Premier and First Divisions will be played the following weeks.

The fixtures for those two leagues and the women’s Premier Division will be released on December 17.


About admin