Shelbourne's grand designs

By Aidan Fitzmaurice

Shelbourne FC have their sights fixed on making an impact in European club football after they conquered Irish soccer for the second successive season.

New plans
Pat Fenlon's Shels side managed to win back-to-back championships for the first time in their history, securing the title on the last day of the season as they finished ahead of second-placed Cork City FC, but the Reds' manager wasted no time in signalling his intentions to better the side next season.

Big signings
Shels have announced the triple signing from city rivals Bohemian FC of Glen Crowe, Bobby Ryan and Colin Hawkins. "I want to improve the squad all the time, I firmly believe that a League of Ireland team can make the breakthrough in the [UEFA] Champions League," he said.

'Quality players'
"I'm not saying for sure that it will be us, but we have a good chance, we played eight matches in Europe this season, we did well and got a taste for it," added the 34-year-old Fenlon, whose side made history in Ireland by winning through two qualifying rounds of the Champions League, before losing to RC Deportivo La Coruña. "I want to bring in quality players, who can change games around for you in Europe."

Deadly duo
The arrival of Crowe at Tolka Park means that he will join forces with Jason Byrne, this season's top scorer in the league, and also means that Shels will have two Irish internationals in the squad next season as they aim for a three in a row.

Top scorers
Byrne, the Golden Boot winner with 26 goals is relishing the chance to work with Crowe, who was second in the list with 18. "I'm looking forward to playing with Glen, he's a great player and a brilliant goalscorer," said Byrne.

Dublin journeyman
Hawkins is also a significant signing as he is aiming to win a league medal with a third Dublin club, having gained honours with St Patrick's Athletic FC and Bohemians. Another new face for next season will be Richie Baker, the former Reds player who is returning after a spell in the United States with New England Revolution.

Moving home
And Shelbourne could even have a new home within the next few years as the board of directors plan to sell Tolka Park, the club's home since 1989, and build a new stadium in Dublin, though no location has yet been revealed.

Renewed competition
But Fenlon says he expects tough opposition next term as Shelbourne aim to follow the example of Shamrock Rovers FC and win three in a row. "Cork pushed us close, Drogheda are spending money and getting players in, Bohs are rebuilding and Rovers will be strong if they get to [build a new stadium in] Tallaght," Fenlon said.