Mandroiu delighted with his move southside

Shamrock Rovers' new signing Danny Mandroiu - Credit Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers' new signing Danny Mandroiu Credit: George Kelly (ETPhotos)

Shamrock Rovers introduced their new signing of Danny Mandroiu from Bohemians on their social media channels this week to the backdrop of Damien Dempsey singing about “Rollin’ down to Dublin Town, comin’ from the northside, headin’ southbound.”

Mandroiu knows that when the next Dublin Derby between Rovers and Bohs comes around with supporters in the stadium, it will be to the backdrop of catcalls from the supporters of the Gypsies.

Making the move from north of the Liffey and Dalymount Park to Tallaght Stadium in south Dublin won’t make him the most popular to the fans in red and black but that doesn’t worry the player at all who is is relishing his first derby for the Hoops.

“It is a part of football. You are going to get a lot of hate and criticism when you make a move to a rival team. It comes with the game we are in but I’ve a thick skin,” said the 22-year-old player speaking to SRFC TV on Saturday - see interview here.

“I’m going to be looking forward to play in the derby. I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to get going.” 

The Ireland under-21 international, who joins Pico Lopes and Dylan Watts as former Bohs players in the Rovers squad, scored a screamer for Bohemians to win a 2019 Dublin derby at Dalymount that even Rovers supporters could acknowledge was quite the goal.

“I got a few messages from Rovers fans saying they were behind the goal and it was a nice goal so hopefully I can do that here.”

That season he scored 11 goals in 25 league starts and three sub appearances earning him the PFAI Young Player of the Year award and a position in the overall PFAI team of the year for 2019. However this past season he had limited game time starting just five league games with the Gypsies.

“Everyone wants to play football every week and I didn’t enjoy sitting on the bench for the whole year when I was injured. Hopefully I can come here and play games and show everyone what I can do.” 



He has joined the league champions with the aim of developing his own game in a full time set-up and helping this Rovers squad continue to win trophies.

“I was in a full time set up when I was in England (with Brighton) and I loved it. Bohs it was part time and I enjoyed my time there too but when I came to Roadstone it is a perfect full time set up. That is what I need in my career now. 

“It raises your own game with competition (for places). You want to do well and improve yourself. I love the way the team play here. They get the ball down. It is creative and nice to watch and there are a lot of goals scored. The way the team plays suits me.

“Players want to win trophies. Rovers ran away with the league and were unlucky not to win the cup. Let’s hope we can do that next season.”

On signing Mandroiu, Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley spoke about the qualities of his new attacking option. “Danny is very creative. He can play with both feet very comfortably. He’s big, athletic and an all-round really clever player. 

“I think he wants to go and do his talking on the pitch now. 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.”



    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