Abbie Larkin among five players to leave Tolka Park for Tallaght as the Hoops confirm seven squad signings

Shamrock Rovers have confirmed an additional seven players for their League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division squad.

The Hoops confirmed on Thursday they have secured the services of five players from Shelbourne as Abbie Larkin, Lia O’Leary, Jess Gargan, Shauna Fox and goalkeeper Amanda Budden all make the move from Tolka Park to Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers also have brought Lauren Kelly and Aoibhe Fleming in from Peamount United. It is a big blow to back-to-back champions Shelbourne to lose such high calbire players, particularly 17-year-old Abbie Larkin who the Reds thought they had secured the services of for next season.

Talking about the move Larkin said: “I am delighted to be joining Shamrock Rovers Football Club. It has been a difficult decision for me, however, the opportunity to sign for a club with a professional environment, a top coach and excellent facilities was an opportunity I had to take for my own development.

“I am extremely excited about the new challenge, but I would also like to thank the people at Shelbourne FC who have helped with my development to date."

Previous signings from Peamount United such as Stephanie Zambra and Áine O’Gorman are a real sign of intent for Rovers as they return to having a side in the women’s League of Ireland.

The Hoops will be flying the green flag in the Women’s Premier Division of the League of Ireland next season having had a side in the inaugural Women’s National League in 2011/12 before withdrawing from the league at the end of the 2013/14  campaign.

The club entered a girls side in the u17 National League in 2020 and added an under-19 team last season as part of their plan to return a Rovers side to senior women’s club football in 2023.

Earlier this week the Hoops signed Ireland u19 international Melissa O’Kane from Athlone Town.

Other players already confirmed for the Rovers squad are former Athlone Town defender Jessica Hennessy and , both from Peamount, Ireland under age international Alannah McEvoy and goalkeeper Summer Lawless.

The squad also includes four of their Academy players - Maria Reynolds, Abby Tuthill, Jaime Thompson and Orlaith O’Mahony who have been playing with the Rovers u19 team, are now part of the senior squad.

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) December 22, 2022