The 2024 League of Ireland season is upon us and for Dayle Rooney, it's going to be a full-time job.
The new Bohemians recruit has swapped the life of a part-time footballer with Drogheda United to play football full-time under the bright lights of Dalymount Park, a ground which sits a lot closer to his native Ballymun.
After scoring a couple of screamers for Drogs against St. Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers last season, Rooney will be welcomed with open arms by the Bohs faithful. As for himself, the winter transfer means he can focus on his football and taking care of his young family.
“I was a roofer," says Rooney, at Virgin Media's announcement of their League of Ireland coverage for the upcoming season.
“I’d leave the house at seven and get home about half two or three o’clock, get something to eat and head back out to training. I'd get home from Drogheda about half-eight and get ready for the next day.”
"If you’d had a hard day at work you still had to drag yourself up for training. Now I can solely focus on preparing myself for the next day on football.”
Rooney grew up surrounded by Bohs fans so is under no illusions about the size of the club he is joining.
“Being local I know just how big a club Bohs is," says the 25-year-old. "When you are playing against them you see the support they have.
“It’s a big task but one I’m looking forward to. I want to settle in with the lads and kick on again. I didn’t really have a club (growing up), but I would have gone to a lot of Bohs games. I would have seen a lot of good and a bit of bad.
"As soon as I got wind of Bohs and I met with Pat (Fenlon) and Declan (Devine) I really, really wanted it, you know.”
📽️ | THAT. IS. OUTRAGEOUS.
Dayle Rooney leaves it late to submit his Goal of the Month (Season) contender!#LOI | #PATDRO pic.twitter.com/gBa7KWxL3c— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 25, 2023
Dayle Rooney swaps Drogheda for Phibsboro
Rooney's greatest successes to date came just up the Royal Canal from Dalymount Park, having been part of Shelbourne's First Division-winning teams of 2019 and 2021.
From there, he moved to Drogheda ahead of the 2022 campaign and he has fond memories of his two years playing at Weavers Park under the management of Kevin Doherty.
"I liked it," says Rooney.
"Even when I started out with Shels I liked going to Drogheda. I feel it’s a good stage to play at. They usually fill it and there is a good atmosphere there.
“I hope I get a good reception when I go back as it was a good club for me and did good things for me.”
Rooney's first trip back to Drogheda will come around fast, as Bohemians are due to make the trip up the M1 on March 4th.
There, he will be reunited with Doherty, who in Rooney's words, wasn't all too keen on losing one of his stand-out stars from last season.
"He didn’t take it too well, as you would expect," says Rooney on Doherty's reaction to his move.
“But I think he understood my situation and that I really wanted to go full-time. He was nice enough about it in the end"
17 January 2024; Virgin Media Television announce details of live League of Ireland coverage, including televised SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixtures. Pictured at the announcement are, from left, Dayle Rooney of Bohemians, Richie Towell of Shamrock Rovers, Paddy Barrett of Shelbourne, Tom Grivosti of St Patrick's Athletic, and Maurice Nugent of Galway United, at Virgin Media Television Studios in Ballymount, Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Ambitions for the season ahead
A strong start to last season saw Bohs lead table for 12 weeks, only for their form to peter out towards an eventual sixth-place finish and an FAI Cup Final defeat to St. Pat's in November.
So what are Rooney's ambitions for the club this year, as he pulls on the famous red and black stripes for the first time?
“Ultimately, they didn’t achieve what they set out to do last year," he says. "I’m in with the lads a few weeks now and it’s a really positive group.
“I really think we can go again, start the way they started last year and keep it going this time.”
19 May 2023; Dayle Rooney of Drogheda United celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Adjusting to life as a full-time footballer
Rooney's days in full-time football might be in their infancy but he certainly has a spring in his step as he adjusts to his new life.
“I’m loving it. I’m jumping out of bed at the minute!" he says. "Going straight to training. I’m enjoying it and really building up myself strength wise, things you might not have had the time to do previously.”
"I’ve two daughters, a two-year-old (Kria) and a seven month old (Sofia). So it’s a bit busy at the minute. Sleep isn’t that great!
“But it’s great watching them grow up and hopefully they’ll get to see me play football.”
The youngsters will be able to do plenty of that this season on the back of Virgin Media's announcement of 14 live Premier Division games over the course of the campaign.
Rooney and his new teammates will be playing in front of the cameras when they visit Galway United on Monday April 1st, one of three live broadcasts that have already been confirmed for the season ahead.
