Updated 20.19
SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE signed Keith Fahey in the first major move of the Airtricity League close season.
The former Ireland international has agreed terms for 2015 after Rovers tempted him away from Dublin rivals St Pat’s.
Fahey, 31, said: “I’m delighted to be here at Shamrock Rovers. This is my local club and it’ll be great to be playing so close to home.”
The move is a major statement of intent as Rovers look to improve on three turbulent seasons since their back-to-back league titles in 2010 and 2011.
Fahey had been heavily linked to Rovers before his return to Pat’s for the 2014 season.
The midfielder, who has 16 Irish caps, helped the Saints end their 53-year wait for an FAI Cup win and now faces an equally tough challenge with Pat Fenlon’s side.
“It’s good to have the signing done at this early stage,” Fahey said.
“I’m going to go away now and enjoy the break and have a holiday and then I’ll look forward to linking up with the squad here and getting into pre-season and the new campaign ahead.”
Two other players moved in the opposite direction this evening with former Rovers men Ciaran Kilduff and Jason McGuinness both signing for Pat’s, who also brought in 19-year-old Lee Desmond from Shelbourne.
Manager Liam Buckley said: “I’ve tried to sign both Jason and Ciarán in the past and it just didn’t materialise, so to get them to sign now, they’ll be great additions to the club.
“Equally, I’m delighted to bring in young Lee Desmond as he’s a great player with a bright future ahead of him as he has proven with his recent call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad.”
Champions Dundalk also made their first new signing of the close season, former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Gary Rogers.
He said: “The opportunity to turn Dundalk at this time was too good to turn down and it didn’t take me long to decide.”
