Collinstown players link up with Shamrock Rovers

SHAMROCK Rovers strengthened their squad this week with the signing of Dean Carpenter and Darren Clarke to the first team.

On Tuesday the club also confirmed Lee Grace as a new signing.

Dean, a full back, and Darren, a winger, have been training with the squad in July, with both players earning themselves a contract with the club.

Both come to the Hoops from Collinstown FC.

Speaking about the signings Stephen Bradley said: “Dean’s one that I wanted to get this season from Collinstown. We had him in training with us for nearly five weeks. I think he’s a player that has shown some good potential and it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on between now and the end of the season.

“He’s fitted into the group really well. He’s a good defender, he knows the game.

“He understands the game and I think he’ll do well for us.

“I think he’s had a few offers over the last few years from the League of Ireland but he was setting up his own gym at the time and obviously turned it down.

“I think he feels the time is right now to give it a go.

“He can play left-sided centre-back, he can play left-back and he can play wing back as well, so he gives us options.” On Darren Clarke: “Darren is another one we see potential in but different to Dean in that he’s not ready to play for us right now.

“He can play off both feet, he’s very quick and direct. Darren can only benefit from being in training with us every day and hopefully as time goes on he’s ready to go and make an impact on the squad.

“But he’s one that we’re very much looking down the line with.

“We’re speaking to one or two clubs and hopefully a loan move can happen, but if not, either way he’ll be here training and working away behind the scenes.

“I see a bit of his brother Trevor in him when he first came in, in terms of how direct and quick he is.

“Watching Darren throughout the year with Collinstown, he was a player that interested me every time I watched him, and I just thought I’d like to see him in our environment with our players, give him time to settle in and let’s see where it goes.

“He and Dean had a really good season at Collinstown, I just knew they’d proved themselves.”