Can Shels regain their title in 2024?
The King is gone (Noel that is) and a new Prince has taken over the throne at Tolka Park.
Eoin Wearen has been promoted from the club's underage set-up and his attacking style of play will be implemented as The Reds aim to bounce back this season.
The return of defender Jess Gargan and midfielder Mia Dodd provide upgrades, while Roma McLaughlin could prove to be a game-changer having left full-time football in Denmark to sign for Shels for the second time.
An interesting addition is Éabha O'Mahony as she finishes up with college in the United States and looks primed to remind the League - and possibly the Ireland WNT set-up - what she can do in either defence or midfield.
Last year was a frustrating one as they finished as runners-up in both the League and the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup. They will be keen to bounce back and get their hands on silverware again.
Any squad that is built around serial winners like Pearl Slattery, Rachel Graham and Noelle Murray is bound to be a formidable force. Then add into that players like Maggie Pierce, Leah Doyle, Keeva Keenan, Alex Kavanagh and Megan Smyth-Lynch.
Beyond those players, Wearen has a number of exciting players in Lucy O'Rourke, Rebecca Devereux and, possibly, Hannah O'Brien who could follow in the footsteps of Hannah Healy in emerging as star players.
One of the main areas that Shels need to address is adding speed to their play. They tick most of the boxes required for a title-chasing team, so if they can move the ball quicker and get in behind their opponents then it spells real fear for the rest of the contenders.
It is a big job for Wearen to take on but an exciting one too.
Finish Last Season – 2nd
Manager - Eoin Wearen
Key Player – Roma McLaughlin
