Damien Duff hails 'brilliant professional' Mark Coyle

Damien Duff says that 'brilliant professional' Mark Coyle can help Shelbourne climb the rungs of the League of Ireland ladder.

Coyle helped Premier Division newcomers Shels to comfortably retain their top flight status and the Reds reached the FAI Cup final, where they lost 4-0 to Derry City.

Burt native Coyle took a career break from Letterkenny University Hospital to take up full-time football at Shelbourne and the 25-year-old has signed a new one-year deal at the Tolka Park club.

“On the pitch Mark is a big part of what we want to do and where we want to go,” Shelbourne manager and former Republic of Ireland international Duff said.

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“He has and will continue to play an equally big part off the pitch. He is a brilliant professional and a big personality in the dressing room. He is a big part of the Shelbourne family.”

Coyle was Finn Harps' player of the year before being snapped up by Shelbourne.

Despite his season being interrupted by injury, Coyle played 23 times – including 17 starts – in 2023.

Coyle said: “I’m delighted to have signed back for Shels. Last season was full of ups and downs but I really enjoyed it.

“Injury interrupted my season just when I felt I was starting to hit form. I was delighted to come back in and make a positive impact later in the season.

“I’m grateful to the manager and staff for their trust in me, I’m excited to push on now with the team for next year”