Goalkeeping situation at Shamrock Rovers clears with Chencinski departure

With Alan Mannus having made his first Shamrock Rovers start on Sunday after a seven year spell away from the club, the Hoops have confirmed on Monday the departure of Tomer Chencinski from Tallaght. 

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley has called upon four goalkeepers in league action this year, with Kevin Horgan and Chencinski sharing the honours over the first half of the season. 

However with the arrival of Alan Mannus to Rovers in the recent summer transfer window and the remarkable rise of 16-year-old ‘keeper Gavin Bazunu, it is not surprising that Chencinski, effectively fourth choice at the club, has left Rovers with his contract terminated by mutual consent. 

On Twitter, Chencinski noted that “it has not been an easy decision, but a heavy heart I say goodbye to Shamrock Rovers. I want to thank everyone associated with the club for taking me in, and treating me like family.

“Thank you to the amazing fans! You stand with the team through thick and thin. I have the most amazing memories that will be with me forever, and you helped create them.”

Safe to say Chencinski won’t be moving to another Dublin League of Ireland club judging by how he signed off this Twitter statement. 

“It was an honour to wear the green and white. For me, there is only one Dublin club. For me, Dublin will always be green and white. I am a fan forever! Keep on hoopin’!”

The much travelled Tomer Chencinski was signed by the club at the start of 2017 on the recommendation of former Hoops caretaker boss Sami Ristila.

The Israeli born Canadian international played football in Europe in Finland with VPS, RoPs and the wonderfully named FC Santa Claus. He also had spells in Sweden with Orebro and most recently with Helsingborgs. 



Last season he made 29 league appearances, conceding 34 goals, and all told for Rovers the 33-year-old ‘keeper kept 17 clean sheets across 49 appearances including two shutouts in last year’s Europa League qualifer against Icelandic side Stjarnan.

Cheninski lost the number one jersey to Kevin Horgan towards the end of last season, following an error ridden performance in the FAI Cup semi-final replay which Rovers lost in extra-time to Dundalk. 

The jersey swapped back and forth between Horgan and Chencinski since then, with Horgan proving the more resilient only to lose his place again recently due to injury.

The highly rated Gavin Bazunu made his Rovers debut against Bray in June. He has yet to concede a league goal from his four league appearances.

His superb penalty save off a Kieran Sadlier spot kick in Turner’s Cross helped the Hoops become the first team to avoid defeat to Cork City at home in the league this season. 

The 16-year-old is being watched by several British clubs but is likely to stay with Rovers as he is due to take his Leaving Cert next year. 



Mannus was available to play for the Hoops since the start of July but Bazunu kept his place for both legs of Rovers’ 2-1 aggregate Europa League qualifier defeat to AIK Stockholm. 

However, Mannus came in for Sunday’s 1-0 win away in Waterford, keeping his third clean sheet in a row for Rovers – albeit there being seven years and three days between his last Rovers appearance. That was in Estonia in the Champions League qualifier against Flora Tallinn prior to his depature to Scottish side St. Johnstone.

In Mannus’ previous spell at Rovers following his move from Linfield, where he won five league titles in nine years, he was instrumental in securing Rovers’ first league title for 16 years in the 2010, a season when he won the SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year award. 

He also picked up a winners medal the following year having played half a season for the Hoops in 2011 prior to moving to the SPL. 

 

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile