First things first for Shelbourne

Shelbourne effectively accepted their demotion to the first division of the new League of Ireland yesterday when they confirmed to the FAI's Licensing Committee that while they would be appealing some of the conditions attached to their first division license, they would not be disputing the relegation itself.

The appeal is against requirements imposed relating to the payment of debts and the provision of new accounts. The club have expressed alarm that their participation in even the first division is to be reviewed after they meet the conditions, which they claim makes their preparations for the new campaign even more difficult.

The matter will now be considered by the Appeals Committee in the coming week but there will be considerable relief within Merrion Square that the line-ups for the two divisions of the reorganised league will not now be the subject of renewed uncertainty.

Kildare County will now definitely be Shelbourne's first opponents of the new season, while Waterford United are certain to participate in the Premier Division. The Tolka Park outfit's participation in the Champions League qualifiers technically remains a separate issue and the club will have to submit an application for a UEFA licence. The matter is unlikely to be decided until towards the end of next month.

New Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely, meanwhile, continued to assemble his squad for the new season yesterday. The arrival of Aidan Collins from Bohemians was confirmed as was the signing of former full back Niall O'Reilly. Tony O'Dowd has agreed terms and will return to the National League ame after a spell at Malahide United, while striker Darren McKenna, who endured an injury-blighted season at Kildare County last year, also arrives.

Although Keely is still hoping to add two to three more players before tonight's deadline, he expressed confidence yesterday that the club are now in a reasonable position to start the new season even if his squad is at something of a disadvantage on the preparations front.

"This was primarily a matter of survival so the first thing was to get in the bodies and we've done that now," said Keely. "We're not going to win the first division with a team put together in 48 hours but I honestly think we'll be all right.

"It'll take six weeks or so for us to really get going. Our pre-season is going to be done during the first few league games and we'll learn a bit more about how we're going to be fixed over those few weeks but after that I'd be confident that we'll be competitive.

"If they'd given me this sort of money back in October then I'd have expected to have finished first or second in the division. As it is, I haven't been able to spend all of it but come July I'll have a better idea of where we're strong and where we need to improve and I'll be ready".

House-building company, Kingspan Century have extended their sponsorship of Monaghan United for a further three years. The club's ground will now officially be known as Kingspan Century Park.