Top scorer English among four to sign back with Shelbourne

Shelbourne have begun building for 2018 with four experienced players putting their signature to new contracts for the coming season.

Players' player of the year Derek Prendergast, Supporters' player of the year Dean Delany, top scorer James English and defender Alan Byrne will all be wearing red against next season.

Owen Heary's side finished a disappointing fourth in the First Division but ended the season on a high as they lifted the Leinster Senior Cup with a 4-2 win over Dundalk at Oriel Park.

It was the club's first piece of silverware in a decade and the first time the club had reached a final of any competition since they lost out to Sligo Rovers in a shootout in the 2012 FAI Cup.

Goalkeeper Delany signed for Shels from cross-city rivals Bohemians at the beginning of the 2017 season and has been virtually ever-present, appearing in 27 of 28 league games.

The former Ireland underage international, who was part of the under-18 squad to win the UEFA Championship in 1998, is currently in his third stint with Shels.

He began his senior career in England with Everton and had spells with Port Vale and Macclesfield Town before returning home to join Shelbourne.

He spent time with Waterford United and, most recently, four years with Bohemians before returning to Tolka Park at the age of 36.

Four Re-sign for 2018https://t.co/GtPpvoPeKkpic.twitter.com/RDJPebAqal

— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) October 30, 2017

Like Delany, experienced defender Prendergast made the switch from Bohs and made 26 appearances in his debut season.

The defender scored six goals in the league and led the club's goalscoring charts for much of the season before being overtaken by English.

33-year-old Prendergast played junior football with Bangor Celtic before making the step up to League of Ireland with Bray Wanderers in 2010.

He spent two years with Drogheda United and one with Athlone Town before signing for Bohs ahead of the 2015 season, and helped the club lift the Leinster Senior Cup the following season.

25-year-old English is the club's third longest-serving player, having signed midway through the 2015 season after scoring 45 goals in a season with Darndale in AUL Premier C.

Experienced defender Alan Byrne joined the club ahead of the 2017 season from Portadown and had represented a host of League of Ireland clubs over a distinguished.

The 34-year-old started out with Bohemians and has enjoyed spells with Waterford United, Drogheda United, Monaghan United and Bray Wanderers among others.