Hoops add Quigley and O'Connor

 

Although he spent much of the opening half of the campaign on the bench, Quigley enjoyed a fantastic finish to the season and scored the decisive penalty in the league clincher at home to St Patrick's Athletic last month. That was enough for him to win the title of PFAI player of the year, while O'Connor was a nominee for the accolade.

 

 

The 27-year-old, who heavily criticised the contract set-up for League of Ireland players recently, had been offered a big money deal to play with FC Dallas in the US MLS but chose to return to the capital.

 

 

He previously spent a brief loan spell with the Hoops in 2005, before playing for St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians and Dundalk.

 

 

O'Connor, meanwhile, makes the move from Inchicore to Rovers for a second time in his career, having also switched from the Saints in 2008.

 

 

A statement from Sligo, released before Rovers could announce the double signing, read: "The club would like to thank Mark for his contribution to our 2012 campaign and wish him the best for the future as he returns to Dublin for family reasons. 

 

"The Bit o’ Red are continuing to work hard to build a squad for the upcoming year with 11 players already committed to the club.

 

 

"It is hoped more additions to the squad will be confirmed in the coming days."

 

 

Shamrock Rovers then went on to confirm the move, with new boss Trevor Croly commenting:  “We have added more quality to the squad with these signings. Both players were nominated for the PFAI player of the year by their fellow players, which says a lot about the seasons they had last year. They are both excellent players; I have worked with them before and they have a lot of ability and are the type of players that excite fans.”