Brian Strahan
Shamrock Rovers prepare to wind down their close-season with the clubs 2016 Player of the Year awards on Saturday December 3rd in the Glenmalure Suite in Tallaght Stadium.
The South Dublin side finished the season a considerable distance from the dominant duo of Dundalk and Cork City on 55 points. However Rover’s have secured European football in Tallaght next season with Europa League football secured in late October following a 0-0 draw at home to Bray Wanderers.
The clubs new Sporting Director, recently retired midfielder Stephen McPhail, will host a question and answers session as part of the evening which will be attended by fans of the club, as will the evening.
McPhail will be fielding questions on his new role, the season ahead and development of the clubs Roadstone training ground. McPhail had an illustrious career lining out for the Republic Of Ireland as well as being a part of David O’Leary’s high-flying Leeds team around the turn of the century. The 36-year-old who overcame cancer of the lymphoma in 2009. also starred for Barnsley, Cardiff City and Sheffield wWednesday.
The award ceremony will incorporate both the senior and young player awards and the player of the season will see competition from the likes of top goalscorer Gary McCabe and full-back Simon Madden. While in the young player section a fine season from Trevor Clarke sees him as a strong favourite.
Rovers completed the season with a 4-2 away win over Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium and will hope to see a more robust challenge in 2017 on the dominant teams at the leagues summit.
Rovers also announced the appointment of Siobhan Kane as the clubs new Chief Operating Officer, today. Kane has spent a decade working with the FAI as Sponsorship, Marketing and Events manager and also worked with the national outfit as Commercial Manager, as well as having an involvement in the organisation of the Special Olympics in 2003 in Dublin.
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