It’s a bloody exciting time to be a Shamrock Rovers fan.
On Saturday, the Hoops took a new-look side for a test drive in a friendly with Corduff and dismantled the opposition 12-0.
Greg Bolger made his debut.
.@Greggyb6 made his debut for the Hoops at the Academy on Saturday pic.twitter.com/brHiMRVycG
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 14, 2018
Ally Gilchrist made his debut.
Great to see @allygilchrist38 make his Hoops debut on Saturday #PreSeason #Rovers2018 pic.twitter.com/1XidypB7Tf
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 14, 2018
And Ethan Boyle put on the green and white for the first time too.
Hoops debut for @ethanboyle22 at right back yesterday #preseason #Rovers2018 pic.twitter.com/4jFOjwYC52
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 14, 2018
Among all those debutants though, there were even more hopefuls looking to impress and maybe pick up contracts with the Dubliners.
They must’ve done alright.
Goal for Rovers – Trialist. 2-0.
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 13, 2018
Goal for Rovers – Trialist. 3-0.
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 13, 2018
Goal for Rovers – Trialist. 5-0.
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 13, 2018
Goal for Rovers – Trialist. 6-0.
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 13, 2018
One of them is getting signed anyway.
Goal for Rovers – Trialist hat trick. 8-0.
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) January 13, 2018
Perhaps the most exciting news of all was that one of those trialists appeared to be Ireland’s hot underage prospect, Daniel Cleary.
Dave Donnelly reported that the former Liverpool centre half was playing in the win for Shamrock Rovers.
Alex Morgan might not be the only ex-Liverpool player joining the league next season – here's defender Daniel Cleary playing for Rovers against Corduff on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/oAcm586A8d
— Daithí Ó Donnghaile (@YeSecondPost) January 15, 2018
Cleary had shown great promise for a spell in the Liverpool underage ranks but then moved to Birmingham on a one-year contract last season where he was loaned out Solihull Moors to battle it out with compatriot Sean St. Ledger for a place in the team.
A product of Crumlin United, the 21-year-old was with Liverpool since he was 14 and made the bench for a Europa League clash at one stage under Brendan Rodgers but his opportunities were limited with Jurgen Klopp and he was eventually let go.
Now, it appears he is hoping to kickstart his climb in the League of Ireland and what an acquisition he’d be for Rovers who haven’t confirmed any signature yet.
Adam Morgan is another former Liverpool player who has joined the league recently. The 23-year-old striker has linked up with Sligo Rovers and, after Sean Maguire came back to this island to move forward again, perhaps more and more are seeing Ireland as the opportunity it undoubtedly is.
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