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Bradley speaking to the media yesterday. Gary Carr/INPHO
Transfer window shopping

Shamrock Rovers have been busy recruiting but they're not finished yet

After signing Ronan Finn, Hoops head coach Stephen Bradley is trying to get another deal “over the line” before the year is out.

SHAMROCK ROVERS HEAD coach Stephen Bradley believes his squad for next season is beginning to take shape after securing a major coup yesterday.

The Hoops have been the Premier Division’s busiest club in the transfer market with Darren Meenan, Ryan Connolly, Paul Corry, Daniel Devine, Roberto Lopes, David McAllister, Tomer Chencinski and Kevin Horgan all arriving in recent months.

Ronan Finn has also returned to the club after a two-year stint with Dundalk and the midfielder, who turns 29 today, will captain the team for the 2017 campaign.

“We’re delighted to get him,” Bradley said during Tuesday’s media event to unveil Finn. “He’s at a perfect age for us as he is in the best years of his career. His game has really matured in the last few years and we’re going to see the benefits of that.

“It’s a massive signing as he can show the young players and others we have brought in what it takes to win.

“He was the target we wanted from the start but Dundalk offered him a big deal financially. I wasn’t sure if it would happen because of that so we weren’t banking on it.

“We had to go and push on with our other targets but then Ronan came back and said he wanted to play for us, which was brilliant.

For me, he’s probably the best midfielder in the league at what he does. They’re going to have a job replacing him.”

Bradley, who has been searching Ireland, England, Scotland and Scandanavia for talent, is also in the market for a striker and added that there could be more business done over the coming days.

“We’ve been speaking to players the last few weeks and it’s just trying to get them over the line, which is always the hardest part,” he said.

“Similar to the deal for Ronan, you just don’t know up until the point where they ring you and say ‘we want to do it’, because you can plan in your head but then they might tell you they’re not moving.

“That’s the way it goes. I’d love to say we will have another one done by the end of the week but I can’t guarantee that. We would love to get a striker in.”

Kevin_Horgan_Stephen_Bradley_09-12-16 New goalkeeper Kevin Horgan with Bradley. ShamrockRovers.ie ShamrockRovers.ie

With Craig Hyland and Barry Murphy leaving the club, two new goalkeepers have been acquired in the shape of Canadian international Tomer Chencinski (Helsingborgs) and Kevin Horgan (Galway United) — brother of ex-Dundalk winger Daryl.

“A lot of people were surprised when we let Craig and Barry go but I know Tomer from seeing him from afar and have reports from people I know in Scandanavia who have always rated him,” explained Bradley.

“They said if we can get him then we should. I knew if Helsingborgs got relegated we could get him so once they went down we made contact straight away.”

“Tomer has a lot more experience at 32, but Kevin has massive potential. I’ve told the both of them that they are coming in to fight it out for the number one spot, so whichever one is performing best will keep the jersey. Both know that and respect it.”

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