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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers' return to the top driven by era-defining trinity of Burke, Lopes and Watts
Shamrock Rovers is a club of contradictions. Four league titles in succession were followed, last season, by the club's best ever European campaign. The Hoops achieved this despite a boardroom in open conflict since co-owner Dermot Desmond questioned the actions of 'some' directors. The situation made Rovers manager Stephen Bradley consider his own future . 'It's draining,' said Bradley in April, 'but over time you learn to manage it and realise what is important – family, health and the football.' Last year's second-place finish on 61 points was Rovers' lowest total since 2017 (excluding the shortened season of 2020). And yet, they banked €6.4 million in Uefa prize money for making it beyond the league phase of the Europa Conference League. READ MORE At the halfway stage in 2024, just before the international break, a six-point gap from eventual champions Shelbourne was extended to nine when Will Jarvis slotted two penalties at Tallaght Stadium as Pico Lopes was dismissed with two yellow cards. Dan Cleary, Trevor Clarke and Josh Honohan all limped off that night and Rovers seemed to be coming apart at the seams. The squad looked old as it faced into the 2025 season. Johnny Kenny's return to Celtic, after a 20-goal loan season, had people questioning Bradley's decision to fast-track a 16-year-old named Michael Noonan. In February, Noonan scored on his debut in a 1-0 win over Molde of Norway, but 10 more appearances failed to yield another goal as the manager's decision-making was put under the microscope. Only Bradley and Rovers' sporting director Stephen McPhail could see the wood for the trees. The Hoops were tracking John McGovern , a prodigious Gaelic footballer from Down, but Dungannon Swifts were not willing to sell the 22-year-old mid-campaign. McGovern finished the season with 20 goals, including a thumping header in the Irish Cup final victory over Cliftonville. 'We could have moved in on other players in the previous window, but we wanted to wait for John,' Bradley revealed this week. 'We really like what he's about.' Roberto 'Pico' Lopes has been a rock at the heart of Shamrock Rovers' defence for several seasons. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho By waiting for McGovern, Rovers took a risk as Noonan shared minutes with veteran forwards Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney. Despite a combined age of 70, Greene and Gaffney contributed nine goals between them and Noonan has three in the last three victories over Waterford, St Pat's and Derry City. Rovers have gone undefeated since the 3-2 loss to Bohemians on Easter Monday. It got lost in the shock of Rhys Brennan's 96th-minute winner for Bohs, but Noonan scored his first league goal that day – a gliding 40-yard dribble and cool finish. The Rovers academy is producing a stream of talent since Gavin Bazunu was sold to Manchester City in 2019. The imminent sale of 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna, potentially to Arsenal, could involve a seven-figure fee. Both Ozhianvuna and Noonan were among the five Hoops named in Colin O'Brien's Republic of Ireland under-17 squad ahead of November's World Cup in Qatar. The kids are flying. However, throughout this decade of groundbreaking success, there have been three constants on the pitch: Lopes, Dylan Watts and Graham Burke. Others made significant contributions, like Dan Cleary and Danny Mandroiu, while Jack Byrne constantly struggled with calf and knee issues. This season, however, Byrne has six assists in eight games, proving that his technical excellence is permanent. But it is Lopes, Watts and Burke who define this Shamrock Rovers era. Galway United's Vincent Borden (right) jumps for a header with Dylan Watts of Shamrock Rovers during a league match this season. Photograph: Evan Logan/Inpho Lopes has been so defensively solid over the past five years that his father's country, Cape Verde, took him to the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Cup. Watts is the midfield glue, playing all 18 matches during the Covid-restricted 2020 title-winning season. He maintained a remarkable level of consistency to be voted the PFAI Players' Player of the Year in 2024. Burke is another ever present. The 31-year-old's silky style covered the wait for McGovern and injury to Mandroiu, with six goals and five assists putting him on course to better 2018, his best statistical season, when he had 16 goals and six assists (numbers that earned him three senior caps). Rovers' return to the top of the Premier Division has them six points clear of Drogheda United while Shelbourne are nine points adrift in sixth. That's an 18-point swing away from Damien Duff's team in 12 months. Bradley has turned the tide at a critical juncture. A domestic cushion is needed ahead of, possibly, eight Conference League qualifiers from early July to late August. Mid-season, Rovers are in fine fettle. The rest have lacked consistency although Drogheda, under Kevin Doherty, backed up their FAI Cup success by showing the value of becoming a fully professional squad. After this stage last season, the Drogs languished in the relegation play-off spot with 15 points. Currently, they are second on 29 points. Moses Dyer, Galway United's New Zealand international, leads the scoring charts on eight goals, one clear of Sligo Rovers teenager Owen Elding. Burke is joined on six by Derry City winger Michael Duffy, Drogheda revelation Warren Davis and the Tottenham Hotspur-bound Mason Melia. Like Noonan, Melia recently found his groove with four goals in four games for St Patrick's Athletic, including a bullet header against Cork City that might become his calling card.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers and Benfica forwards named in squad as World Cup prep continue
Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien has called up Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan and Benfica forward Jaden Umeh for a trio of June friendlies in Croatia. The Boys in Green are preparing for November's World Cup in Qatar, where they will face Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama in Group J. There are also first calls for League of Ireland duo Josh Cullen (Finn Harps) and Ryan Butler (Wexford). Ireland will face under-18s opposition in Norway, Türkiye and Croatia, starting next Wednesday. Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers). Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Finn Sherlock (TSG Hoffenheim). Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers). Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Billy Hayes (St. Patrick's Athletic), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica). Wednesday June 4: Ireland v Norway (Stadium Kotorbika, 2.30pm) Saturday June 7: Türkiye v Ireland (Stadium Kotorbika, 2.30pm) Monday June 9: Croatia v Ireland (Stadium Ludbreg, 10.30am)
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers sign former Down footballer John McGovern
Shamrock Rovers have allayed concerns at centre forward by signing former Down footballer John McGovern from Dungannon Swifts for an undisclosed fee. McGovern, who scored 20 goals in all competitions for Swifts last season, will be available for Rovers from July 1st. The 22-year-old, who represented Northern Ireland at under-21 level, played for the Down senior football in 2024. 'We tried quite a bit over the last year to get him, but it wasn't possible,' said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. 'John was at university and Dungannon weren't ready to sell at that moment in time. READ MORE 'We could have moved in on other players in the previous window, but we wanted to wait for John as he was someone we'd monitored for quite some time. He fits the group and we really like what he's about.' Rovers have been searching for a striker to replace Johnny Kenny, who scored 20 goals last year on loan from Celtic. Sixteen-year-old Michael Noonan has impressed with five goals this season while competing with Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney for game time. 'John will give us real depth in that area of the pitch and he gives us another dimension,' Bradley added.
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Late Aaron McEneff goal nabs Shamrock Rovers win away to Derry
League of Ireland: Derry City 1 (Mullen 65) Shamrock Rovers 2 (Noonan 70, McEneff 89) Derry man Aaron McEneff came back to haunt his hometown club with a last gasp winning goal which sent Shamrock Rovers six points clear at the top. Substitutions on both sides influenced this cat and mouse encounter on Foyleside but it was Michael Noonan and McEneff who earned three vital points for the Hoops in the end. Derry haven't won against Rovers in the league in nine attempts but sub Danny Mullen's fifth goal of the season on 66 minutes put them firmly in the driving seat. That lead lasted less than six minutes as Noonan headed in from close range after Roberto Lopes' long range strike was turned on to the crossbar by Brian Maher. READ MORE Derry reacted well to that setback but it was a former hero turned villain at Brandywell, McEneff who had the last laugh with a 89th minute winner. Fellow sub, Danny Mandroiu threaded a pass through to Noonan who picked out McEneff's run towards the near post and he made no mistake. The midfielder was cautioned for his overzealous celebrations in front of the home support in the Southend Park stand to silence a record 5,000-plus attendance. That goal ensured a fifth consecutive win for Rovers and a seventh game unbeaten as the Dubliners ominously started shifting through the gears. Shamrock Rovers' Aaron Greene and Derry's Gavin Whyte. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho Derry started with promise and Michael Duffy was gifted possession inside the Rovers penalty area when Dan Cleary's attempted clearance fell kindly to the winger but his curling effort sailed harmlessly wide of the far post. Referee Marc Lynch was generous with his bookings and issued three contentious yellow cards inside eight first-half minutes to Boyce and Winchester and Rovers' defender O'Sullivan, who was replaced by Josh Honohan after just 18 minutes as Stephen Bradley wasted no time in turning to his bench. Derry carved open the Rovers defence with a neat pass into the feet of Whyte just inside the penalty area on 25 minutes and the ex-Portsmouth man glided past his man before picking out Boyce eight yards from goal. The striker's first time strike was deflected behind by Adam Matthews who recovered well. From the corner the ball eventually came to Ferguson in space at the back post but the full-back fired his effort wide of the target. Rovers' first shot on target arrived on 33 minutes after Ferguson's pass was intercepted inside his own half. Aaron Greene crossed low towards Graham Burke but his powerful strike was saved comfortably by Brian Maher. Rovers were bossing the ball at the start of the second half but it was Derry who broke the deadlock in devastating fashion on 66 minutes. Winchester won the ball from Byrne before finding McMullan on the right flank. The winger played a delicious pass to send his fellow Scot Mullen into space and the former Patrick Thistle striker finished expertly past Ed McGinty. Rovers' Josh Honohan and Derry's Shane Ferguson. Photograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho That lead lasted less than six minutes as Roberto Lopes' ferocious strike from distance was turned on to the bar by Maher but substitute Noonan reacted to the rebound quickest and headed into the net from close range. McMullan and Mullen combined brilliantly again on 75 minutes but the latter couldn't get enough lift on the ball to guide it over the head of McGinty who snuffed out the danger. Matthews made an important block to deny Duffy's close range strike with nine minutes remaining as Derry went in search of a winner. Rovers issued a killer blow in the final minute when Mandroiu split the defence with a searching pass into Noonan who picked out the run of McEneff and the Derry man made no mistake with a clinical finish. Four minutes of stoppage time was signalled but Derry couldn't find an equaliser as their four match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end. Elsewhere Drogheda United earned a 1-0 win over Bohemians at Weavers Park to climb above Derry into second spot. St Pat's were held 2-2 in Inchicore by Waterford, Galway left it late to earn a 2-1 win against Cork while Shelbourne came from behind against Sligo Rovers to return to winning ways. DERRY CITY: Maher; Ferguson (Doherty 77 mins), Connolly, Holt, Cann, Todd; Whyte (McMullan 60), O'Reilly (Benson 84), Winchester, Duffy (Hoban 84); Boyce (Mullen 60). SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty; Matthews, Lopes, Cleary, Grant, O'Sullivan (Honohan 18 mins), Byrne (McEneff 77), Nugent (Mandroiu), Burke (Watts 64), Greene (Noonan 64). Referee: Marc Lynch.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Michael Noonan compared to League of Ireland legends as Stephen Bradley hails 16-year-old's maturity and movement
MICHAEL NOONAN reminds Stephen Bradley of some of the greatest League of Ireland strikers in their pomp. The 16-year-old scored for the second time in 72 hours when he got the ball rolling in 2 Michael Noonan of Shamrock Rovers celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the clash against St Patrick's Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradey hailed Michael Noonan for his maturity at such a young age And Bradley said: 'It's hard at times to understand that he's only 16 years old because he's playing against three good experienced centre-backs. 'He caused them all sorts of problems with his movement. He was almost unplayable. His understanding of when to come to feet and when to go down the sides, to just be strong and then his finish. 'Most players going around the keeper would slash at it with their right foot but he had the calmness to come back out and slide it into the net. read more on football 'Sometimes we forget he's 16. The improvement in him since he came in the door until now. "He was a good player but he's gotten better and better. That's down to his mentality, his desire to want to be a player, take information and work at it. 'We have to drag him off the training pitch every day. He's a joy to work with. 'His goal in Waterford was a difficult first-time finish and here that move was on and he kept running. If you keep making that run, you'll get lucky and he did. Most read in Football 'His movement was like an experienced professional, a throwback to Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe. For a 16-year-old it was really high level.' Byrne is second in the league's all-time scoring charts with 217 goals from 19 seasons in the league with Crowe seventh with 159 from 12 campaigns. Both were capped by Ireland. Stephen Bradley hails teen history-maker Michael Noonan as Shamrock Rovers take control in Europa Conference play-off Bradley said: 'He's ready to play which is what I said when we got him. He was ready from the first season of pre-season. 'Sometimes you have to check yourself to remember he's 16, understand the potential and ceiling he has. What he's doing now is top class.' At 28, Dylan Watts - who made his 250th appearance for Rovers on Monday - is further along in his career with Bradley keen to ensure he makes many more. He said: 'We are hoping Dylan sees out his career here, that is the plan and we are working on that as a club at the moment. We hope we can get that done. 'Last year he was player of the year and deservedly so. He is a special player and 250 at the level he has played at shows how he has really there will be many more.' This was Rovers' fourth straight win which moved them five points clear but Bradley said: 'We're around too long to say this is a statement win. "It's about hitting our levels and I've always said that we get better from this point on. 'The squad is in a really good place. We took three from Friday's starting XI out of the squad . 'We got Danny Mandroiu, Dylan and Aaron McEneff back on the pitch. You see us go up a level when that happens. 'I'm happy with the clean sheets. The wins are important but I was never in doubt about scoring goals. We're always up there as the highest scorers. 'We've got to keep clean sheets. We've got back to that which is pleasing. We need to stay focused, work hard and get ready for Derry.' Bradley said the artificial pitch in Derry will be a factor in selection on Friday. He said: 'It will be a little bit but it's more the load on the players in terms of who's done what 'What Derry have is very similar to St Pat's, their attacking players can win games and score goals and that is what they have done. 'They get the crowd involved for their home games, it is always a cracking atmosphere up there. 'And we enjoy that pitch, I know it is an astro but it's a big pitch and we like it. It should be a good game, between two good teams.'
