Shamrock Rovers Academy has restructured its club partner programme refining what has gone before.
From October, the club will operate an Elite Club Partner Programme with three selected clubs and a Community Club Network (CCN) programme which is a free programme connecting Shamrock Rovers with grassroots clubs across Dublin into Leinster and beyond.
The CCN will facilitate numerous clubs across many areas creating opportunities for players, coaches, volunteers & families while building stronger relationships between Shamrock Rovers and the Communities we represent. The CCN will be managed within the SRFC Community Foundation.
Speaking on the introduction of the Elite Club Partner Programme, Rovers’ Director of Football, Ronan Finn said that “this will give players opportunities to train within our Academy environment, take part in mixed games, be involved in tournaments and other events throughout the season. We want to create more opportunities for players and coaches to work together, while providing a clear pathway for talented players and recognising the important role each club plays in their development.”
"Shamrock Rovers Academy is delighted to continue its long-standing partnerships with Corduff FC and Crumlin United and to welcome Belvedere FC into the programme. All three clubs have a strong history of developing young players, and our ambition is to make these partnerships stronger than ever."
Ronan Finn, Director of Football, Shamrock Rovers
Speaking on this development, SRFC Academy Head of Coaching, Tony Cousins said: “I am delighted to welcome Crumlin Utd, Corduff FC and Belvedere FC as our three partner clubs. We want to continue our relationship that has been built up with Crumlin Utd and Corduff over the years. We also welcome Belvedere into the fold and look forward to building up a strong relationship with them. This partnership gives players and coaches of our partner clubs an opportunity to be involved in mixed games and training sessions within the Shamrock Rovers Academy environment.
The three clubs have developed some outstanding players over the years, and we want to help continue that and to give talented players the best opportunity to play at the highest level. We look forward to having players and coaches of all three clubs at our academy in Roadstone.”
Speaking on behalf of Belvedere FC, Director of Coaching, Darren Berrigan said: “Everyone at Belvedere are really excited about the partnership with Shamrock Rovers, Belvedere have a great history in developing players that have gone on to play and coach at Shamrock Rovers and that’s something that we hope can continue going forward.
For the players and parents to know that there is a pathway into one of the best Club and Academy in the country with the same values and vision around player development is really exciting for everyone involved.
We hope this is the start of a relationship between both clubs that we can build on every year long into the future.”
"What makes the partnership even more significant is the strengthening of a pathway that has existed naturally between the two clubs over the years, with close to 100 players making the transition from Belvo to Rovers. From Ricky McEvoy and Gino Brazil to Graham Burke and Sean Kavanagh, our aim is to continue what’s already been a successful working relationship."
Tony Kavanagh, Head of Club Operations at Belvedere FC,
"Crumlin United are very proud to extend our partnership with Shamrock Rovers. Since the partnership began, we have seen a high number of players moving into national league football with SRFC Academy to further their development. Shamrock Rovers have also competed in our own Robbie Keane Academy Cup the last number of years as relationships between both clubs remain strong. We look forward to what the next chapter brings for Crumlin United and Shamrock Rovers."
Ed Saul, Director of Football at Crumlin United
"Nearly 10 years ago, Corduff FC entered into a player pathway partnership with Shamrock Rovers Academy. We were the first club on our side of the city to enter into a partnership of this nature and we sent many players on to a higher standard of football through this partnership and have numerous Corduff players in the various Rovers squads today. There can be no doubt that Shamrock Rovers is the largest, most successful club in Ireland. Extending and improving our partnership with the best, Shamrock Rovers, will benefit both clubs for years to come, especially players, present and future, in Dublin 15 and the surrounding areas. This partnership will allow emerging talent to know there is a tried and tested pathway available if they take the chance. With Corduff FC they will be given that chance. Our head of football, Keith Mooney will oversee this partnership between the clubs and we look forward to kicking on."
John McGuinness, Club Chairman of Corduff FC
