Hughes heads back to Tolka Park

Kevin Doherty has added Philly Hughes to his Shelbourne squad for the 2015 season, which already consists of Greg Murray, Mark Sandford, Ryan Robinson and Adam O’Connor.

Hughes, who is now 33, will return to Drumcondra for his third spell with the Reds; the first ended as he returned to Kildare County following a goalless four-month spell in the capital but the second was far more memorable for Reds fans. Hughes scored 46 goals in 111 games for Shelbourne over two and a half years, 20 of which came in the 2011 season which saw Shels win promotion to the Premier Division.

The Dubliner also had an impressive 2012 season, scoring 11 goals in 28 league appearances but failed to score a goal in 2013 and Johnny McDonnell sent him on loan to St. Patrick’s Athletic almost immediately after taking the Tolka Park job. Hughes spent half of the 2014 season with Drogheda United before reuniting with Alan Mathews at the Carlisle Grounds in July.

As Johnny McDonnell left Shelbourne to take over at Drogheda, rumours circulated that fan-favourite Hughes might return and the club announced his signing this afternoon. As Shels didn’t have a centre-forward with more than 3 goals last season, Hughes’ presence will be welcomed by all at Tolka Park as Kevin Doherty builds the squad that he hopes will win the First Division title in 2015.