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Shamrock Rovers Transfer Business Is Subtle Statement Of Intent

Shamrock Rovers Transfer Business Is Subtle Statement Of Intent
Eoin Harrington
By Eoin Harrington Updated
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For the first time in five years, Shamrock Rovers will not enter the League of Ireland season as defending Premier Division champions.

Rovers were pipped at the last on the final day as Shelbourne took their first title in 18 years in dramatic fashion away to Derry. However, Rovers have sent out a statement of intent with their latest transfer business.

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The Hoops will balance their 2025 League of Ireland campaign with the knockout phase of the UEFA Conference League, and have made some reinforcements to their squad this week.

With several reports suggesting more is to come, Rovers look in strong shape as they look ahead to the coming months.

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Shamrock Rovers make impressive moves in transfer market

Shamrock Rovers announced the signing of Ireland U21 international Matt Healy on Tuesday afternoon.

The Corkonian midfielder arrives from Royal Francs Borains of the Belgian second tier. Formerly of both Ipswich Town and Cork City, Healy was a core member of Jim Crawford's Ireland U21 setup during the past year, starting 10 games for the Boys in Green at underage level.

Healy has signed on a one-year deal and will be available for Rovers' Conference League knockout playoffs against Modle next month.

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Speaking to Shamrock Rovers' website, manager Stephen Bradley said that the club had been keeping tabs on Healy since his time at Cork City, and shared his hope that the midfielder's League of Ireland experience will help him to adapt quickly.

You just have to see him play and know he’s played a lot of senior games for a young player. He’ll have no problem coming in and being ready to play. So, I’m delighted to get Matt in, as I said we worked really hard on that as a club and we’re really looking forward to working with him

It may not be the only exciting business done by Rovers this week.

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Reports last weekend suggested that the 21-times champions of Ireland are to swoop for striker Michael Noonan from Premier Division rivals St. Patrick's Athletic.

The news was broken in the Irish Sun, with Rovers said to have snapped up the services of 16-year-old Noonan, who played an important role in claiming the Leinster Senior Cup for Pats last season.

Noonan has scored three goals in eight caps for Ireland at U17 level, having previously lined out for his country at both U16 and U15 level.

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A major bright spark of the U17 team, Noonan is a smart coup for Rovers. Though he is no doubt a player for the future, he did make his League of Ireland debut last season against Bohemians, and will bolster Bradley's attacking options for the years to come.

More impressive is that Rovers have fought off reported interest from English giants Manchester City to acquire Noonan's services.

The future of Darragh Burns remains up in the air, while Johnny Kenny could be set to battle for a more regular role at Celtic after an impressive debut for the Glaswegian side on Saturday on return from a brilliant loan spell in Tallaght.

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Shamrock Rovers are evidently not hanging around, though, and their smart moves in the transfer market will be foreboding for their League of Ireland rivals.

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