Shelbourne’s academy overhaul hinges on Long and Cahill appointments

Shelbourne FC announced on 16 September 2026 that former player Ollie Cahill, who spent seventeen years on the pitch, will become Head of Player Development, while ex‑Bohemians manager Keith Long takes charge as Academy Director, marking a major boost to the club’s youth set‑up.

Keith Long’s managerial pedigree

Long’s résumé includes spells at Dundalk, St Pat’s and Bray Wanderers, followed by eight years steering Bohemians and a recent stint at Waterford. His experience across the League of Ireland equips him to shape coaching structures for both boys and girls within the Academy.

Ollie Cahill’s playing legacy

Cahill, a Shelbourne alumnus, logged seventeen years as a professional, famously netting against Olimpija Ljubljana in 2003. He also served thirteen years with the PFAI, representing players’ interests, before moving into development work.

As Academy Director, Long will oversee talent identification, player pathways and the creation of a unified coaching curriculum. Cahill, as Head of Player Development, will focus on translating those pathways into senior‑team readiness for both men’s and women’s squads.

“We will do everything possible to ensure that the coaches and players in the Academy are getting what they require so that we can ultimately produce footballers and people that are of the highest calibre,” Cahill said, adding his eagerness to work with Long to raise standards.

Long highlighted the recent Government investment, noting, “Support is a significant opportunity for the club, but success won’t simply be measured by additional staff or resources. It will be measured by the standards we establish.” He called the funding an “exciting journey for Irish football.”

Chief executive Tomás Quinn stressed that the Academy is central to the club’s long‑term strategy, aiming to feed both men’s and women’s first teams. “Keith’s appointment is an important step,” he said, “and Ollie’s experience will help create a sustainable pathway from the Academy to our senior sides.”

The appointments were published on a portal that aggregates coverage of Soccer, the LOI, Rugby, Golf, Racing, Upgrade and other sports, listing sections such as Live, Video, Review, Podcasts, Boxing, Horse, Motorsport, Athletics, NFL and NBA. The site’s “Close” header, “The Football Family Weekly” feature and “More Stories” links were also present, with a photo credit to Laszlo Geczo. The Extra sections also include a Video Review and a Podcast feed; readers can see all podcasts on the platform, which is known as The 42FM Sport delivering news, current affairs and pop‑culture alongside its sports coverage.