Shelley relishing new role for Drogs

DROGHEDA UNITED’S Brian Shelley has been named eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for April.

The former Bohemians, Carlisle and Shamrock Rovers man is enjoying a new lease of life at United Park where he was named Player of the Season last year. Injuries forced Shelley into a centre-half berth at the start of the campaign and he has produced a series of winning displays, most notably in the Setanta Cup semi-final victory over St Pat’s which saw Drogheda through to the final against Linfield at Windsor Park tomorrow.

Said the 25-year-old Dubliner: “I’ve never been fitter than I am now. I surprised myself in the game against St Pat’s, I still had buckets of energy even though the match went to extra-time. I was unfit coming back from Carlisle as I sat out the last two months of the season. The training here at Drogheda is very intense, it’s definitely the hardest training I’ve ever had. It’s more professional than anywhere I’ve been.”