Former Treaty United boss Sean Russell has been announced as Shelbourne Women’s Head Coach for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
A begins at Tolka Park
Shelbourne FC is pleased to announce Seán Russell as Women’s Senior Team Manager
https://t.co/IfV4NBLDfk#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/5VFS0ajJCC
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) November 7, 2025
Russell joins an ambitious project at the helm of this year’s Premier Division runners-up, finishing their season seven points behind champions Athlone Town.
“I am honoured to be joining Shelbourne Football Club as the Women’s Head Coach,” Russell said in an official statement. “Shels are a massive club and I will be doing everything I can to take the team right to the top of Irish football where it belongs.”
“I want to engage everybody from players to fans to create something special here. Our ambition is to be right at the top, playing an exciting style of football that everyone connected to the club can be proud of.”
Russell returns to Tolka Park following a brief stint with the Reds as a player in 2014, which accompanied spells at Limerick FC and USA second-tier side Louisville City before retiring at 26 due to injury.
The Reds acquire Russell following what was an historic campaign with the Limerick city side, leading the Shannonsiders to their best ever league finish alongside a memorable FAI Cup run to the semi-final.
However, the club and Russell abruptly cut ties in September, with two games still remaining in the league.
The 42’s Emma Duffy reported that Russell stepped down due to a lack of clarity around his future at the club after just one season in charge.
Russell was replaced last month by former Athlone Town captain Laurie Ryan. As skipper, Ryan led her side to unprecedented success — lifting the FAI Women’s Cup in 2023 and securing the club’s first-ever league title in 2024.
Alongside her playing achievements, Ryan coached the TUS Women’s Soccer Team to victory in the Intervarsities Shield in 2023 and the Intervarsities Cup in 2024, the first in the university’s history.