SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE confirmed that Collie O’Neill has resigned as women’s first-team head coach.
O’Neill departs after two and a half seasons at the helm, having taken charge as Rovers returned to the Women’s Premier Division in 2023.
UCD’s 2018 Men’s First Division winning manager oversaw third and fifth-placed league finishes, while the Hoops reached the All-Island Cup final last year but were beaten by Galway United on penalties at Tallaght Stadium.
TOTAP Las Damas first reported O’Neill’s resignation on Tuesday night, following a 1-0 defeat to DLR Waves at the weekend, and Rovers confirmed the news in a statement this morning.
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It reads: “Shamrock Rovers FC can confirm that Collie O’Neill has decided to resign from his position as Head Coach of our Women’s First Team.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Collie for his contributions during his time at the club, and we wish him the very best for the future.
“Assistant coach Ciaran Ryan has notified the club that he will also depart at this time. We also thank Ciaran for his work with Shamrock Rovers and send best wishes for what comes next.”
Rovers currently sit sixth in the league table, 12 points off the top with six games remaining, and their next fixture is against Waterford FC next Tuesday. They also face holders Shelbourne in a repeat of last year’s FAI Cup quarter-final on Saturday, 16 August.
Meanwhile, Ireland international Jamie Finn has signed for Sunderland following her departure from fellow WSL 2 outfit Birmingham City. The 27-year-old midfielder joins on a one-year deal and links up with Grace Moloney and Marissa Sheva at the Black Cats.
Jamie Finn is on the move. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Finn spent four years at Birmingham, having arrived from Shelbourne in August 2021. 50 appearances in the 2022/23 season underlined her importance, but the Dubliner has recently been working her way back from an ACL injury, sustained in February 2024.
“I had great conversations with Mel [Reay, head coach] and Steph [Libbey, assistant coach] about where the team want to go. It’s such a historic club so I’m really happy to have signed and I’m excited to get going.”
“We are delighted to welcome Jamie to Sunderland,” Reay added. “She is a player who matches our ambitions for what we want to achieve, and we believe that her versatility and quality will be a real asset to the squad for the upcoming season.”
Ireland underage international Kiera Sena has joined Southampton from Cork City, while three-cap senior defender Claire Walsh has signed for Celtic. The 30-year-old makes the move from Glasgow City on a one-year deal, joining Saoirse Noonan at the club.
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Collie O'Neill resigns as Shamrock Rovers boss
LAST UPDATE | 24 Jul
SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE confirmed that Collie O’Neill has resigned as women’s first-team head coach.
O’Neill departs after two and a half seasons at the helm, having taken charge as Rovers returned to the Women’s Premier Division in 2023.
UCD’s 2018 Men’s First Division winning manager oversaw third and fifth-placed league finishes, while the Hoops reached the All-Island Cup final last year but were beaten by Galway United on penalties at Tallaght Stadium.
TOTAP Las Damas first reported O’Neill’s resignation on Tuesday night, following a 1-0 defeat to DLR Waves at the weekend, and Rovers confirmed the news in a statement this morning.
It reads: “Shamrock Rovers FC can confirm that Collie O’Neill has decided to resign from his position as Head Coach of our Women’s First Team.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Collie for his contributions during his time at the club, and we wish him the very best for the future.
“Assistant coach Ciaran Ryan has notified the club that he will also depart at this time. We also thank Ciaran for his work with Shamrock Rovers and send best wishes for what comes next.”
Rovers currently sit sixth in the league table, 12 points off the top with six games remaining, and their next fixture is against Waterford FC next Tuesday. They also face holders Shelbourne in a repeat of last year’s FAI Cup quarter-final on Saturday, 16 August.
Meanwhile, Ireland international Jamie Finn has signed for Sunderland following her departure from fellow WSL 2 outfit Birmingham City. The 27-year-old midfielder joins on a one-year deal and links up with Grace Moloney and Marissa Sheva at the Black Cats.
Finn spent four years at Birmingham, having arrived from Shelbourne in August 2021. 50 appearances in the 2022/23 season underlined her importance, but the Dubliner has recently been working her way back from an ACL injury, sustained in February 2024.
“I had great conversations with Mel [Reay, head coach] and Steph [Libbey, assistant coach] about where the team want to go. It’s such a historic club so I’m really happy to have signed and I’m excited to get going.”
“We are delighted to welcome Jamie to Sunderland,” Reay added. “She is a player who matches our ambitions for what we want to achieve, and we believe that her versatility and quality will be a real asset to the squad for the upcoming season.”
Ireland underage international Kiera Sena has joined Southampton from Cork City, while three-cap senior defender Claire Walsh has signed for Celtic. The 30-year-old makes the move from Glasgow City on a one-year deal, joining Saoirse Noonan at the club.
- Updated 4.24pm with transfer news
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Collie O'Neill Exit Football Soccer Women's Premier Division