How will the Hoops do this year? Here’s our preview.
Shamrock Rovers
Colours: Home – Green and white hoops Away – Gold and black
Home: Tallaght Stadium
Manager: Trevor Croly
Nickname: The Hoops
2014 odds: 7/2
Shamrock Rovers are the most successful club in the country. They expect to win the league every season. They won it two seasons in a row in 2010 and again in 2011. They haven’t won it since despite arguably having the strongest squad and best budget in the league.
They finished fifth last season and another season like that will not be tolerated. The Rovers fans will demand a serious assault on the league crown this season. Trevor Croly (pic below) took over from the successful Michael O’Neill and hasn’t entirely convinced the Rovers faithful that he is the man for the job. The pressure will be on Croly to get off to a good start this season. Any signs of weakness will be pounced upon by the demanding fans.
The capture of ex-Irish international Stephen McPhail (left in the pic below) looks like a real coup for the Hoops and he will be expected to show his class this season. Players have left the club, but they have brought in strong looking replacements. Luke Byrne has joined from fierce rivals Bohemian FC and will add a bit of class to the Rovers backline.
They’ve also signed hot prospect Marty Waters from Bray Wanderers and if he continues on the trajectory that his career seems to be taking, Rovers will find it hard to keep him at the club. Another notable signing has been the one of Ryan Brennan from Drogheda United, the younger brother of St Pat’s midfielder, Killian. He was the stand-out player for Drogheda last season and will add to the quality of the Hoops midfield.
Players in: Stephen McPhail, Ryan Brennan, Marty Waters, Dean Kelly, Robert Bayly, David O’Connor, Simon Madden, Connor Kenna, Rob Cornwall, Craig Hyland.
Did You Know?: They only switched to green and white hoops in 1926. Prior to that, they had worn green and white stripes.
Hopes: Rovers will be looking to win the league. Nothing else will do. They won two cups last season, the Setanta (pic above) and the EA Sports Cup, but it’s the league title which they covet and with the signings they have made, they will have a very good chance of doing that.
Player To Watch: Marty Waters
If they were a big European club: Bayern Munich – Hugely successful club with a rich history and always looking to compete at the top end of the league each season.
