Season Preview: Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
Shamrock Rovers
Year Founded: 1901
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Manager: Trevor Croly
Key Player: Ronan Finn
It’s been a hectic off-season in Tallaght for Shamrock Rovers and new manager Trevor Croly. Shamrock Rovers have added PFAI player of the year Mark Quigley and fellow nominee Jason McGuinness from league champions Sligo Rovers. The signing of Sean O’Connor from St Patrick’s Athletic means Rovers possess all four 2012 PFAI nominees in their squad.
Other notable additions to the squad include a return to the club for Karl Sheppard on loan from Premier League Reading and Shane Robinson begins his third spell at Rovers following his spell with FC Haka in Iceland.
However, club legend and prolific goal scorer Gary Twigg has departed to Portadown as the Glasgow born striker stated he wanted to be closer to his family in Ballymena.
Croly has assembled a squad with competition in all areas but the new manager’s biggest obstacle could be instilling a spirit and togetherness throughout the whole club, which was sorely missed in 2012.
Ronan Finn will once again be key to Rovers title aspirations, the attacking midfielder was one of the few shining lights in Tallaght during 2012. The former UCD and Sporting Fingal player will be aiming for double figures in the goal scoring charts as The Hoops get their season underway at Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk next Friday.
Rovers will need to hit the ground running under Croly. Last season failed to live up to the lofty heights of 2011, but despite that poor campaign, Rovers remain favourites to lift the league title in October and will once again be the scalp everyone wants.
