Shamrock Rovers complete double raid on title rivals as Mandroiu arrives from Bohs and Gannon from Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers have completed a double raid on their title rivals with the signing of playmaker Danny Mandroiu from Bohemians and full-back Sean Gannon from Dundalk.

It’s the second double-signing the champions have unveiled in as many days following the arrival of Sean Hoare, also from Dundalk, and Chris McCann on Tuesday.

With Jack Byrne expected to leave the club over Christmas, the acquisition of the similarly-minded Mandroiu could help to ease the disappointment of his loss.

The Ireland under-21 international started just once for the Gypsies in the final two-and-a-half months of the season as he looked set for the exit door at Dalymount Park.

The arrival of Gannon was less expected, with the three-year deal for the 29-year-old rather than the 12-month contract on offer from Dundalk decisive in tempting him back to his former club.

Ringsend native Gannon won five league titles and three FAI Cups in his seven years at Oriel Park, helping the Louth club to the group stages of the Europa League twice.

The 29-year-old was also part of the Rovers squad that broke the Europa League glass ceiling in 2011 but didn’t feature in any of the European games.

Bradley described Gannon as ‘the best right-back in the league’ and noted that the defender is hungry to win more trophies at the club where he made his breakthrough.

“I think Sean has shown now over a number of years in the league that he’s probably been the best right-back in the country for a long time,” said Hoops manager Stephen Bradley.  

“He’s very good defensively but he’s also very good in the attacking part of the pitch. He’s an all-round top right-back and he adds to us so we’re delighted to get him.

“He’s probably one of the most successful players to ever play in the league and he’s only 29. He’s still a good age so we feel that there’s a lot of football left in Sean.

“We’re delighted that he sees that here with Shamrock Rovers. He felt that he had a bit of unfinished business with Shamrock Rovers.

“He was here as a young lad and went on to be very successful and he wants to bring that successful period with him to ourselves. I think part of it was that he started here and he’s delighted to be back.

“You need players that are hungry to win things and Sean, even though he’s won a lot, is still really hungry to go and achieve and add more trophies and medals. That’s very important for us.”

Mandroiu has impressed during his two years at Bohemians since coming back as a 19-year-old from Brighton & Hove Albion.

He was Bohs’ top scorer with 11 in his first campaign and had three in five games before the 2020 season went on hiatus in March due to coronavirus.

His performances earned him attention from European clubs, and Eredivisie side Twente watched him closely during the summer.

The Ballymun native established himself in Stephen Kenny’s under-21 squad and featured throughout the ultimately unsuccessful European Championships qualifying campaign.

“Danny is very creative. He can play with both feet very comfortably. He’s big, athletic and an all-round really clever player,” said Bradley.

“He’s a really good age and fits what we do. There’s so much more to his game than his goals, there’s so much potential in Danny.

“It’s up to us and him that we try and get that out of him, to take him to the next level. I think he wants to go and do his talking on the pitch now.

“He’s really keen to get started with us and get working and we’re really looking forward to working with him.

“His profile fits what we do and he’s at a stage now of his career where he needs to step up to the next level, compete and win things.

“He knows at this club that he can do that and I think he’s ready to work, get his head down and show people what a good player he is.”