Aaron McEneff signs for Shamrock Rovers from Derry City

Shamrock Rovers have added to their riches in midfield with the addition of Aaron McEneff to their squad.

The 23-year-old joins from Derry City where the midfielder scored 25 goals in 95 league appearances for the Candystripes, including ten goals in the 2018 campaign.

“I’m very happy signing for Shamrock Rovers; obviously it’s a massive club,” said McEneff. “Tallaght Stadium is my favourite place to play; whenever I was at Derry I loved coming down to play here because the pitch is always good, the facilities are brilliant. I’m sure I am going to love playing for the home team.”

McEneff is a former PFAI Young and Senior Player of the Year nominee and was named in the PFAI Team of the Year in 2017.

He scored three goals against Rovers that season – he got two strikes in the Candystripes 3-1 win in Buncrana in May 2017 along with another goal in Derry’s 2-0 win over Rovers in Tallaght the following August.

His capture is the first new addition to the Rovers squad for next season and Hoops’ Head Coach Stephen Bradley is delighted with bringing the former Spurs youth team player to Tallaght – particularly with his goalscoring talents.

"Aaron does a bit of everything,” said Bradley. “He scored a lot of goals this year. He brings great energy and legs to our midfield.

“He's a great striker of the ball and he scores goals from all areas of the pitch. I think he's shown that since he's been in the league. 

“He's done that on a consistent basis so hopefully he can continue that with us next season. When he gets forward he scores goals and that's one thing the fans like.”

The Hoops certainly aren’t lacking talent in midfield with players signed up for next season including Aaron Bolger, Aaron Greene, Brandon Kavanagh, Brandon Miele, Dylan Watts, Greg Bolger, Joel Coustrain, Ronan Finn, Sam Bone, Sean Kavanagh and Trevor Clarke.

“When you get a chance to sign someone of Aaron's quality you don't turn it down,” said Bradley. “You can never be happy with what you have as a team and a squad. You want players to fight for their place and Aaron coming in just adds to that because he's a top player.

“Aaron had options elsewhere but he's made this decision and we're delighted that he sees his football here, that he wants to come and play for us. I can't wait to get started and get working with him."

The Hoops squad for next season also includes Alan Mannus, Kevin Horgan, Gavin Bazunu, Joey O’Brien, Sean Callan, Ethan Boyle, Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dean Dillon, Dean Williams, Dan Carr and Sean Boyd.

| Some more pics of our new signing #ROVERS2019pic.twitter.com/qcJ4OlLxjk

— Shamrock Rovers F.C. (@ShamrockRovers) November 21, 2018