Keely puts captain on list

Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely made known the extent of his disappointment with the club's start to the league campaign last night when he transfer listed three players including club captain Jim Gannon and released a couple of others.

By far the most prominent of those that can leave Tolka Park as soon as a suitable offer is received is Gannon, the experienced centre back, who was made skipper by Keely only during the summer after having been brought back home from England.

The defender has admitted that both he and his girlfriend have had trouble settling back in Ireland and further talks are planned between the manager and player to see whether the situation can be sorted out without Gannon having to move on but for the moment he is on the list and it appears that any offers will be considered.

Also transfer listed are two more summer signings, Mark Dempsey and Glen Downey, neither of whom has seen much action since arriving in Drumcondra. Dempsey would have been expected to make an impact after joining Shelbourne from Bohemians but he has been injured for most of the time of the intervening months and has scarcely figured in the first team. Downey has had even less opportunity to show what he can do and the defender now looks set to end his brief stay in Dublin with a move to Sligo Rovers .

The broken ankle sustained by Steve Williams during the game against Shamrock Rovers last week, meanwhile, may offer Downey's brother Gareth the prospect of regular first-team football for at least the next couple of months but competition for the shirt has been quickly recruited with Shelbourne signing Australian under-20 international Brad Jones from Middlesbrough on loan. It remains unclear which of the pair will be in the side for Friday's derby game against Bohemians.

In addition to the players transfer-listed Keely has released striker Trevor Fitzpatrick and recently arrived Nigerian midfielder James Aguila. The Shelbourne boss had initially been enthusiastic about both players but the pair now seem to be making way as a move is made to freshen up Shelbourne's squad and renew the team's challenge for league honours this season after a start that has yielded just four wins and 15 points from the club's opening 10 games..

Shamrock Rovers chairman, Joe Colwell, meanwhile, has said that he will not be in a position to make a statement on the club's ability to complete the work required before games can be played in Tallaght until at least Friday.

Colwell, who has hinted that he might step down if he cannot raise the investment required to complete the move, was reported to be spending yesterday meeting financial backers of the club but last night he said that, "it's far too early yet to say which way it's going to go, I can't see there being anything definite before the end of the week."

Previously Colwell indicated that another £800,000 is required if Tallaght is to be brought up to the required standard for Eircom League games. It is not clear, however, how much of that has since been raised or guaranteed by the FAI which has remained supportive of the proposed move.

In the meantime Rovers continue to be at the mercy of rival clubs as they seek to fulfil their home fixtures and with talks continuing with St Patrick's, it appears that the club are likely to play some of their games after Monday's Tolka Park match against Monaghan, at St Francis's former home in Baldonnel.

Longford Town have signed former Galway United and Drogheda United player Fergal Coleman.