2011 Preview: Shamrock Rovers
Credit:
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Founded: 1901
Major Honours: League Champions (16) - 1922/23, 1924/25, 1926/27, 1931/32, 1937/38, 1938/39, 1953/54, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1963/64, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1993/94, 2010. FAI Cup (24) - 1924/25, 1928/29, 1929/30, 1930/31, 1931/32, 1932/33, 1935/36, 1939/40, 1943/44, 1944/45, 1947/48, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1961/62, 1963/64, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1966/67, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1977/78, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87. League Cup (1) - 1976/77.
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Captain: Dan Murray
Transfers In: Ronan Finn, Gary O'Neill (Sporting Fingal), Ken Oman (Bohemians), Stephen O'Donnell, Karl Sheppard (Galway United), Dean Kelly (Oldham Athletic), Ciaran Kilduff (UCD), Gary McCabe (Sligo Rovers), Conor McCormack (Triestina), Ryan Thompson (USA).
Transfers Out: Danny Murphy (Cork City), Aidan Price, Robert Bayly (Bohemians), Stephen Bradley (St Pats Ath), Dessie Baker (Retired), Don Cowan, Jason Oladele, Craig Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), James Chambers (Hamilton Academical),
There's no such thing as a done deal in football and you can bet that Michael O'Neill will not be counting any chickens, but in reality Shamrock Rovers will be odds on favourites to win a second successive league title in 2011. The squad that won the title last year have been bolstered by some of the best players that were not at the club in 2010. The likes of Ciaran Kilduff, Ronan Finn, Stephen O'Donnell, Gary McCabe and Ken Oman will add considerably to the Hoops options while talented full back Conor McCormack has already impressed the Tallaght faithful. Rovers have also shed several players who were on the fringes on the first team last year such as Robert Bayly, Sean O'Connor and Stephen Bradley. One possible weakness is in the goalkeeping department, where an injury to the excellent Alan Mannus could leave the champions vulnerable.
In 2010 an injury to Gary Twigg was instrumental in Rovers starting poorly in the league. Boss Michael O'Neill has learnt from that experience and the striking talents of Gary O'Neill, Karl Sheppard, Dean Kelly along with UCD's Kilduff have been brought in, firmly sealing that particular chink in the armour. There were also times in 2010 when questions arose regarding Rovers' psychological fortitude, and we have yet to see how this new squad's character will develop, but any suggestion that they are not well set to top the table in 2011 would be little more than willful denial.
Extratime prediction: 1st
Founded: 1901
Major Honours: League Champions (16) - 1922/23, 1924/25, 1926/27, 1931/32, 1937/38, 1938/39, 1953/54, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1963/64, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1993/94, 2010. FAI Cup (24) - 1924/25, 1928/29, 1929/30, 1930/31, 1931/32, 1932/33, 1935/36, 1939/40, 1943/44, 1944/45, 1947/48, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1961/62, 1963/64, 1964/65, 1965/66, 1966/67, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1977/78, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87. League Cup (1) - 1976/77.
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Manager: Michael O'Neill
Captain: Dan Murray
Transfers In: Ronan Finn, Gary O'Neill (Sporting Fingal), Ken Oman (Bohemians), Stephen O'Donnell, Karl Sheppard (Galway United), Dean Kelly (Oldham Athletic), Ciaran Kilduff (UCD), Gary McCabe (Sligo Rovers), Conor McCormack (Triestina), Ryan Thompson (USA).
Transfers Out: Danny Murphy (Cork City), Aidan Price, Robert Bayly (Bohemians), Stephen Bradley (St Pats Ath), Dessie Baker (Retired), Don Cowan, Jason Oladele, Craig Walsh (Shamrock Rovers), James Chambers (Hamilton Academical),
There's no such thing as a done deal in football and you can bet that Michael O'Neill will not be counting any chickens, but in reality Shamrock Rovers will be odds on favourites to win a second successive league title in 2011. The squad that won the title last year have been bolstered by some of the best players that were not at the club in 2010. The likes of Ciaran Kilduff, Ronan Finn, Stephen O'Donnell, Gary McCabe and Ken Oman will add considerably to the Hoops options while talented full back Conor McCormack has already impressed the Tallaght faithful. Rovers have also shed several players who were on the fringes on the first team last year such as Robert Bayly, Sean O'Connor and Stephen Bradley. One possible weakness is in the goalkeeping department, where an injury to the excellent Alan Mannus could leave the champions vulnerable.
In 2010 an injury to Gary Twigg was instrumental in Rovers starting poorly in the league. Boss Michael O'Neill has learnt from that experience and the striking talents of Gary O'Neill, Karl Sheppard, Dean Kelly along with UCD's Kilduff have been brought in, firmly sealing that particular chink in the armour. There were also times in 2010 when questions arose regarding Rovers' psychological fortitude, and we have yet to see how this new squad's character will develop, but any suggestion that they are not well set to top the table in 2011 would be little more than willful denial.
Extratime prediction: 1st
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile