Brush back with the BitO'Red for his fourth spell

Richard Brush back again with the BitO'Red

Richard Brush back again with the BitO'Red Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

Richard Brush has returned to Sligo Rovers 15 years on from his first spell with the club.

It is the fourth time the 36-year-old goalkeeper has been with the club.

“I really could not have predicted this from when I first signed all those years ago, never,” said Brush speaking to Rovers’ media team.“To be honest even five years ago I didn’t see this happening. I’m chuffed, that’s how it feels.

“It’s really nice. To be back now and be here to guide some of the young players as well, it’s just a good feeling.  

“In the last spell the club was going through a tough period and that golden era we had was in the past.  

“Today it feels like the club is really on the up and the good times could be coming back. So apart from being chuffed, I’m also excited to be part of that now.

Brush initially spent four years with the club during the early years of the Paul Cook era, including the 2010 FAI Cup winning seasonbefore he moved to Shamrock Rovers.

He played seven league fixtures for the Hoops in 2011 sharing the number one spot with Ryan Thompson, following the departure of Alan Mannus from the Hoops in June that year. 

He returned to Sligo Rovers the following season but played just one league game as Sligo won the title.

He then went back to Shamrock Rovers in 2013 making 14 league appearances. Following a furtherspell with Sligo Rovers (2014 and 2015), he went to Finn Harps (2106) and then moved to the Irish League first with Ballinammallard United and most recently with Cliftonville.



“It is huge for me to win another trophy and experience more European football. I’m coming towards the end of my career and I want as many good experiences as possible. 

“To this day I get people still coming up to me in the street in Sligo talking about this game and that or whatever it is.

“You know names, some of them are just faces you see, but you know what the club means here. I feel honoured to be wanted as well and that the gaffer and the club wanted to bring me in. 

“While I know Ed (McGinty) has done really well, I’m signing with a view to getting into the team. I’m under no illusions. Every goalkeeper knows there’s someone else wanting to get in. I worked with Ed briefly two years ago so I know what he’s about and his charisma and ability.

“Goalkeepers tend to be close to each other because they work together every day, and 95% of the experiences I’ve had that has been the case. I know there’s also one or twovery good talented young goalkeepers too who will train with us which is great.” 

“At Cliftonville we had some big games, won the Shield and European games. It’s a fantastic club and I’ve grateful to everyone for the last couple of years.”



Liam Buckley said: “He’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the two leagues for many years.

“We don’t sign anyone with a view to a guaranteed starting place. It’s the drive of competing against each other which will help us succeed and that is what we want. Ed and Richard will compete for the jersey. 

“We feel they will bring the best out of each other and push each other as well. There’ll be a respect there too of course. Overall we’re very pleased to bring in Richard. He has a great affinity with the people here too and I think he’s going to be a very good addition to the group. 

    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