LAST UPDATE | 7 Jan
SHELBOURNE FC HAVE announced the return of defender Jess Gargan after one season with league rivals Shamrock Rovers.
Gargan, 26, was one of several players to move to Rovers ahead of their much-vaunted re-entry to the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.
As new Shelbourne manager Eoin Wearen said, the versatile Dubliner is “one of the top defenders in the country”.
Perhaps best deployed at right-back, Gargan can also operate at centre-half or on the right side of midfield, and her signing is a statement one for the Tolka Park outfit.
“We are over the moon to get Jess over the line,” Wearen said.
“From the moment I spoke with her, I knew how much she missed the club and the dressing room and could tell she was excited by the project and what we are building here.
“She is one of the top defenders in the country and knows what it takes to win and be successful in this league.”
“I am absolutely delighted to be back at Shels and I’m very grateful to be welcomed back by the club,” Gargan, who has two senior Ireland caps from 2019, added.
“It’s a special group of players that I’ve played with for many years and I can’t wait to get going. I’m excited to work with Eoin and the coaching staff and continue to develop as a player and as a team. I owe the club and fans everything.”
Jess Gargan returns to the Reds 🔴#DublinsFinest | #Reds2024
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) January 7, 2024
Shelbourne have also announced the re-signing of Mia Dodd after her departure from Bohemians.
Dodd represented the U17s in 2018 and 2019 before making her senior breakthrough. After three seasons with the Reds, she joined DLR Waves where, like at Bohs, she impressed through a singular campaign.
“It feels great to have signed back at Shels for the coming season,” the goalscoring midfielder said.
“I’m excited to get to work in pre-season with Eoin, Rory, the coaches and the girls in the team. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of this new chapter with the team and I’m personally excited for this new challenge.
“It’s a nice feeling of familiarity to be back at Shels where I developed and I’m excited to show how I have progressed as a player and I hope, as part of the team, I can contribute to bringing silverware back to Tolka.”
“Mia is a fantastic signing for us and its the profile of player we want at the club,” Wearen noted. “She has a brilliant attitude and comes to us on the back of an excellent season with Bohs.
“She has progressed as a player and matured as a person over the past couple of seasons and will be a great addition to the squad. Mia has different attributes to our other midfield players and will provide real competition in that area of the pitch.”
Mia Dodd returns to Tolka Park 🔴#DublinsFinest | #Reds2024
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) January 7, 2024
Peamount United, who also saw several players depart to Rovers, won the league last season, with Athlone Town lifting the Women’s FAI Cup for the very first time.
The Midlanders defeated Shelbourne in the final via a penalty shootout, while the Reds were also league runners-up after their 2021 and 2022 successes.
Shels have had a host of key players, including captain Pearl Slattery, long-serving midfielder Rachel Graham and Club Player of the Season Maggie Pierce, recommit for 2024.
- First published 5.37pm, updated with Mia Dodd announcement.
