SOCCER:CONOR POWELL became the latest player to join a significantly revamped Shamrock Rovers yesterday with the 24-year-old signing for the champions just in time to be presented to media in Tallaght yesterday along with other recent arrivals Graham Gartland, Daryl Kavanagh and Killian Brennan.
Regarded as perhaps the best young left back in the country a couple of years ago when he was at Bohemians, Powell has endured a difficult time since leaving Dublin for Colchester and then returning to Ireland in order to join Sligo Rovers last season where he failed to nail down a regular place.
“As a player you aspire to go to England but it didn’t really work out for me,” he said yesterday. “Coming back to Sligo was an opportunity to get back playing but it never really happened there either. I know I’m capable of playing, though.
“Speaking to Stephen (Kenny), it was a great opportunity to come here. Now, it’s just about getting a run of games together as I know what I’m capable of myself. My record speaks for itself – I’ve won every trophy domestically that’s available – and I want to show again what I’m capable of.”
Manager Stephen Kenny said he is still very much in the market for a goalkeeper and right back although he admitted to being unsure of Richard Brush’s intentions despite having spoken to him. The 27-year-old is expected to rejoin Sligo Rovers over the next couple of days and Kenny said he understood the player is inclined towards a return to the Showgrounds as he has strong personal links to the area.
The ex-Bohemians and Derry City boss’s priority will be a successful title defence.
“I think ultimately, you can’t do any better than winning the league and the success in Europe was terrific,” he said. “But, team-wise, I think the players know they can get better. The other teams are going to want to improve so you have to raise your game. I’ve certainly come here to be successful and to make sure we put in a set-up conducive to success.”
Retaining the title, he said, would be an achievement and, he added, “Europe is obviously important too but we can’t really look at that until we see the draw.”
Dan Murray, meanwhile, who Kenny described as “a great captain” for Rovers over the last couple of years, will be unveiled as Cork City’s latest signing this morning.
Kenny’s former club, Derry City, are reported to be close to signing Northern Ireland international Rory Patterson and Dundalk defender Simon Madden.
Members of the Galway United Supporters Trust (GUST) were meeting last night to consider a range of proposals aimed at securing a future for the troubled club or a replacement entity playing out of Terryland Park, including one that may merge with Salthill Devon.
