Telling week for the Hoops

IT HAS proven a telling few days for Shamrock Rovers with news that they will make a submission to the FAI to enter a team into the Só Hotels Women’s National League.

And in the wake of that announcement the Hoops also confirmed the addition of midfielder Gary O’Neill and winger Neil Farrugia to their men’s first team.

Neil Farrugia and Gary O’Neill with Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley.

Rovers are poised to enter a team into the Women’s Under 17 National League for the 2020 season having been working closely with partner club Lucan United in putting together a side for next year’s contest.

 It is a significant addition to the Rovers’ football structure which currently comprises of Academy sides from Under 8s through to Under 16s in the DDSL as well the SSE Airtricity League sides at Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 degree along with their  Senior outfit and National  Amputee League team.

In a club statement, Rovers said “The intro-duction of Shamrock Rovers Women’s National League teams will create a pathway for Lucan United’s very strong girls section.

“Currently when Lucan United girls reach the age to play at the National League level they reluc-tantly have to leave the club to play at the top level.

“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes at Lucan United to grow the girls’ youth structure and create strong foundations.

“There are currently girls’ teams from Under 9 to Under 17 playing at the highest level in the Metropolitan Girls League.

“This is the next natural step; it will create opportunities for players to maximise their potential in a professional environ-ment.

“This development will immediately create a pathway for current Lucan United Under 16 players to play National League Under 17 in 2020.

“There will be intensive efforts made in the coming months to identify the players that will form the Under 17 side, scouting will cover all eligible players, the club intends to build a team that will compete at the highest level against the top teams in the Só Hotels Women’s Under 17 National League

“Home venues will be shared between Shamrock Rovers and Lucan United with fantastic facilities on offer.”

Meanwhile Rovers first team Head Coach Stephen Bradley is delighted with the new additions to his side O’Neill and Farrugia.

“We’ve been speaking to Gary for quite some time and we’re delighted to get him in.” he said “He fits how we play, he’s a good age and he has some really good attributes” he added.

Regarding Farrugia, Bradley said “Neil is very athletic, quick and direct. He’s different to what we have currently in the squad and a player we’ve liked for quite some time”