Aoife Kelly is sixth Shels player to make switch to Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers have confirmed their 18^th player for their new League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division team as Aoife Kelly becomes the sixth player to switch from champions Shelbourne to the Hoops.

Manager Collie O’Neill has brought the Ireland under-17 player into his squad saying: ““I am delighted Aoife has signed for us; she is one of the best young players in the country. She is a tremendously technical player, and I can’t wait to see the impact that she can have on the team.”

Kelly joins Abbie Larkin, Lia O’Leary, Jess Gargan, Shauna Fox and Amanda Budden in making the move from Tolka Park to Tallaght Stadium.

Rovers' Head of Women’s Football Jason Carey described Kelly as "a really intelligent player and is an excellent passer of the ball. This technical ability will help us play the style of football that we want to implement.”

The Hoops have previously signed six players from Peamount United Alannah McEvoy, Summer Lawless, Lauren Kelly, Aoibhe Fleming, Stephanie Zambra and Áine O’Gorman and two from Athlone Town Melissa O’Kane and Jessica Hennessy.

Collie O’Neill’s squad also includes four players promoted from the Hoops Academy - Maria Reynolds, Abby Tuthill, Jaime Thompson and Orlaith O’Mahony.

Rovers are returning to the top flight of club football 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.

Press box highlights from the https://t.co/94rjArrGiR team. In 2023 do you want to join our team? https://t.co/nNTgE5Hwbfpic.twitter.com/z7MwnU475k

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) December 29, 2022