Gary Shaw relishing challenge with 'ideal team' St Patrick's Athletic following switch from Shamrock Rovers

Gary Shaw says St Patrick’s Athletic are the 'ideal team' for him to join following his recent departure from Shamrock Rovers.

The Kildare striker put pen to paper on a deal with the Saints for 2019 that makes him Harry Kenny’s first signing since taking the reins last month.

The former Bray Wanderers and Longford Town man endured a frustrating 2018 with Rovers as he recovered from a serious shoulder injury, scoring just three times in the league.

His 12-goal haul, including the winner in the Europa League qualifier away to Stjarnan, earned him the club's Player of the Year gong in 2017.

However the 26-year-old found himself behind new signings Dan Carr and Aaron Greene in the pecking order in Tallaght and was released at the end of the season.

“When Harry contacted me I was more than happy to speak to him,” Shaw told the St Patrick’s Athletic media team.

“[Harry] has new ideas. He’ll bring in new faces and I think he’s going to be a great manager at this club and I think he can do great things.”

“I think it’s absolutely perfect. Pats get a lot of crosses in the box, get the ball into the striker, and it’s the ideal team for me in the league to play for.

“It’s a great mix of lads. I suppose you could say I’m one of the more experienced lads. This is my tenth year in the league, so I’ve plenty of experience behind me.

“I have my reasons for not doing too well at Rovers last year, but the style of play Pats have will really suit me and I think I can really kick on and score a lot of goals.



Shaw came through the ranks with Newbridge Town before making the move to the League of Ireland in 2010 with Bray Wanderers.

In 2012, he made the move to First Division Longford and spent three seasons at City Calling Stadium, capturing the First Division title in 2014, before making the switch to Rovers for 2016.