In 2020, Shelbourne F.C. competed in the League of Ireland Premier Division for the first time since 2013. They were promoted in the 2019 season, having finished top of the first division.[1] For a second season running, Shelbourne were under the management of Ian Morris. In October 2019, shortly after the end of the previous season, Shelbourne released a new jersey ahead of the 2020 season which emulated the style of the 1960s jersey used by the club. This was part of marking the pending 125th anniversary of the founding of the club.[2]
| 2020 season | |
|---|---|
| Manager | Ian Morris |
| Stadium | Tolka Park |
| Premier Division | 9th |
| FAI Cup | Quarter-final |
Overview
editOn 12 March the Football Association of Ireland announced the sudden postponement of football under their rule including the League of Ireland premier division due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant the postponement of Shelbourne F.C. fixtures too. This was initially set as a postponement until 29 March but was later extended. [3][4] Shels finished in 9th position in the league, forcing them into a promotion/relegation play-off with Longford Town. They lost this fixture which condemned them back to the First Division.[citation needed]
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamrock Rovers (C) | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 7 | +37 | 48 | Qualification to Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Bohemians | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 37 | Qualification to Europa Conference League first qualifying round[a] |
| 3 | Dundalk | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 23 | +2 | 26 | |
| 4 | Sligo Rovers | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 19 | 23 | −4 | 25 | |
| 5 | Waterford | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 22 | −5 | 24 | |
| 6 | St Patrick's Athletic | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 17 | −3 | 21 | |
| 7 | Derry City | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 20 | |
| 8 | Finn Harps | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 24 | −9 | 20 | |
| 9 | Shelbourne (R) | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 22 | −9 | 19 | Qualification to Relegation play-offs |
| 10 | Cork City (R) | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 30 | −20 | 11 | Relegation to League of Ireland First Division |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[5]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Since the winners of the 2020 FAI Cup (Dundalk) qualified for European competition based on their league position, the final spot awarded to the Cup winner passed to the next best-placed team i.e fourth-placed team.
Results summary
edit| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 20 | −9 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 11 | −7 |
FAI Cup
editShelbourne received a first round bye. The draw for the second round took place on 12 August 2020 and was broadcast live on the Football Association Ireland Facebook page with Republic of Ireland senior manager Stephen Kenny conducting proceedings.[6][7]
| 28 August 2020 Second round | Galway United | 2–5 | Shelbourne | Galway |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park | |||
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 31 October 2020 Quarter Final | Athlone Town | 1-4 | Shelbourne | Athlone |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium | |||
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
References
edit- ^ "Drogheda United 1-3 Shelbourne: Shels back in the Premier Division after six years away". Irish Mirror. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Shelbourne release sensational new home jersey ahead of premier division return". Irish Mirror. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "FAI postpone all football activity in Ireland". Irish Mirror. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "FAI extends cessation of football under its jurisdiction to May 5th". Football Association of Ireland. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Premier Division 2020". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "FAI Cup second round draw to take place on Wednesday". Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Rovers Cup clash with Cork to be shown live on WatchLOI". Retrieved 14 August 2020.