In recent times, the League of Ireland has acted as a brilliant platform as players look to progress their careers further afield. But for some, moving abroad doesn't always go to plan and many have made the move back to the League of Ireland following spells abroad.
We take a look at some examples of high-profile signings in the league in recent years.
Damien Duff
That can't be said for Damien Duff, his transfer to Shamrock Rovers in 2015 came as a surprise to many as his glistening career including two premier league titles in England came to an end.
Making a total of over 500 appearances for Blackburn, Fulham, Chelsea and Newcastle is an example of how successful Duff was during his time in England.
The Dubliner won 101 Irish caps before retiring from international duty after the Euro 2012 finals. He is now the head coach of league of Ireland leaders Shelbourne.
Sean Maguire
Maguire was the league's hottest prospect when he moved to Preston from Cork City in the summer of 2017. The 30-year-old scored over 50 goals for the club in a 18-month spell in 2016 and 2017.
Maguire has played over 200 games in England with Preston, Coventry and Carlisle as well as gaining 11 senior caps with Ireland.
Cork are currently closing in on a return to the top flight with a 15-point advantage at the top of the First Division and manager Tim Clancy hopes Maguires goals will get them over the line.
Cork City FC are delighted to announce the return of Seani Maguire to the club on a multi-year contract.
Welcome home, Seani 💚https://t.co/rNsINYIvyI#CCFC84 || #LOI pic.twitter.com/8I3Peytckh— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) August 6, 2024
Daryl Horgan
19 July 2024; Daryl Horgan of Dundalk during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup second round match between Drogheda United and Dundalk at Weavers Park in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The all action wideman was key to Dundalk's three in a row as the Lillywhites dominated the League of Ireland throughout 2014, 2015 and 2016 before Horgan's departure to Preston in January 2017.
Three months later the winger even made his Republic of Ireland debut as he received a well deserved call-up from Martin O'Neill.
Now at the age of 31, Horgan has returned to Oriel Park after stints in England with Preston, Wycombe and Stevenage with a combined amount of over 200 appearances.
Jack Byrne
2 August 2024; Jack Byrne of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Shamrock Rovers at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
📺 Jack Byrne wrote his name into Irish football history last night on his debut, when he became the 500th Men's Senior International
Here's a behind the scenes look at the historic moment#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/4QpCTTrPW8— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 11, 2019
After enjoying two seasons at the heart of Shamrock Rovers midfield from 2019 to 2021, Jack Byrne's departure to Mick McCarthy led Apoel Nicosia at the beginning of 2021 would've disappointed many Rovers fans after Byrne had scooped the league player of the season for the second season in a row.
But due to injuries, the Irishman only made a total of five appearances for the Cypriot giants before returning back to Tallaght where he has led Rovers to two league of Ireland titles and counting.
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Damien Delaney
Delaney began playing in the League as he had a short stint with Cork City before moving to England where he enjoyed a successful career with Hull City, Ipswich, QPR and most notably Crystal Palace before his return.
His return to Cork was pretty subdued as he racked up a total of 30 league appearances over two season's with Cork and Waterford. Delaney made nine appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team and made his debut under Giovanni Trapatttoni.
He can now be seen on Virgin Media's coverage of the European action as one of the top pundits.
Joseph N'Do
11 April 2014; Joseph Ndo, Sligo Rovers. Airtricity League Premier Division, Cork City v Sligo Rovers, Turner's Cross, Cork. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
Much-loved Joseph N'Do signed for St Patrick's Athletic in 2003, but left the club in the summer of 2004, having scored three goals in 17 league appearances, to sign for Pat Fenlon at Shelbourne.
In 2006 the Cameroon international won his first League title medal with the Reds, but it was at the end of that season that the club imploded financially and Joseph re-signed for St Pats, under Johnny McDonnell.
N'Do soon reunited with former boss Fenlon and signed for Bohemians just before the beginning of the 2009 season. He went on to make 29 league appearances that year, scoring seven goals, as Bohs claimed the League title.
He left Bohemians at the end of the 2009 season, signing for Paul Cook at Sligo Rovers on 23 March 2010. In the next two seasons the Mali international made 58 league appearances for the Bit O'Red, scoring five league goals, and winning an FAI Cup winners medal in 2010.
N'Do earned 21 caps while representing his country Cameroon at senior level.
Richie Towell
31 May 2024; Richie Towell of Shamrock Rovers during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers at Weavers Park in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Another of Stephen Kenny's key performers during his time in charge at Oriel Park, Towell had won two premier division titles and a player of the season award before his departure in January 2016 to Brighton.
The majority of League of Ireland fans, were hopeful that the Inchicore native would make his mark in the Premier League but that didn't materialise as he was unable to break into the team and made a total of six appearances for the seagulls with none coming in the Premier League before his departure to league one side Rotherham.
He has now returned to Ireland and has won three Premier division league titles with Shamrock Rovers to the displeasure of Dundalk fans, bringing his total collection to five.
