Brush returns to Rovers

Richard Brush has signed on for a second time with Shamrock Rovers the club confirmed today. The goalkeeper has made the switch from League of Ireland champions Sligo Rovers to Shamrock Rovers where he was part of the 2011 champion winning squad with the Hoops.

“I’m delighted to be back at Shamrock Rovers,” said Brush on signing with Rovers again.  “I really enjoyed my last spell at the club and so when Trevor spoke to me about coming back, there was no decision to be made as far as I was concerned.  Trevor has put together a good squad here and I’m looking forward to working with them, and Trevor, for the new season.”

Brush initially signed for Shamrock Rovers when Alan Mannus departed the Hoops for SPL side St. Johnstone in July 2011. Jamaican international goalkeeper Ryan Thompson mostly kept Brush out of the Rovers team but Brush did play both games against Spurs in the Europa League. The 28 year old also played seven league games making his debut in September against Dundalk and was also in goal on the night Shamrock Rovers won the 2011 league title with a 2-1 win in Belfield over UCD. 

Brush decided to return to Sligo Rovers last season where he had limited game time with the Bit O’ Red, playing just five league games. He left a gap in experience at Shamrock Rovers when he departed, a gap they struggled to fill until 21-year old goalkeeper Oscar Jannson found some form after a poor initial start as Rovers number one. Jannson went on to win Rovers young player of the year award in 2012 but is out of contract and is not expected to return to Rovers.

South African Reyaad Pieterse, who played just one league game for Rovers in 2012, is another goalkeeper not expected to be with Rovers in 2013. Hoops boss Trevor Croly signed ‘keeper Barry Murphy from St. Pat’s last month. Conor Winn, who spent all of 2012 injured, makes up the goalkeeping team who will be coached by Tim Dalton in 2013.