SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE announced today that four players have signed contract extensions to remain with the SSE Airtricity League club for the 2018 season.
Tomer Chencinski, Gary Shaw and Graham Burke have all penned deals of an unspecified length, but the Hoops confirmed that Brandon Miele has committed for a further two years.
All four players were regular first-team starters for Rovers in 2017 as they finished third in the Premier Division, reached the EA Sports Cup final and the FAI Cup semi-finals, as well as advancing to the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
With preparations for next season well underway, manager Stephen Bradley has already secured the signing of midfielder Greg Bolger from Cork City. Earlier this week, Rovers confirmed that defender Dave Webster and midfielder Ryan Connolly have been released.
Gary Shaw ended the 2017 season as Shamrock Rovers’ top goalscorer and player of the year. The 25-year-old former Longford Town striker hit 11 league goals this year, as well as netting a Europa League winner against Stjarnan in Iceland.
“Gary is a big player for us and he obviously showed that this year. He scored some really important goals at important times of the season. He’s led the line really well,” said Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley.
“His all-round game has come on this year and I believe he’ll only get better and stronger and score more goals next season. There was interest in Gary in Ireland and outside of Ireland so we’re delighted that Gary sees himself at the club for the foreseeable future.”
Burke, who joined Aston Villa as a teenager, joined Rovers at the beginning of 2017 after spending two years with Notts County. The 24-year-old forward scored 10 goals in 27 appearances this season, including three in the Europa League.
Stephen Bradley said: “I think everybody saw Graham’s quality when he came into the side, what he brings to us. There’s not many players around that can play the way Graham plays. He’s very creative. He’s bought into everything that we’re doing at the club, he works really hard on and off the pitch and he’s a good character.
“He’ll be like a new signing for us next year because you’d forget how many big games he missed at the back end of the season through injury. Graham’s another one we’re delighted to have next year and beyond that because for us he’s a top player.”
Miele enjoyed an impressive conclusion to his third season with Rovers. The former Newcastle United winger and Ireland U21 international scored nine times in the final two months of the season and picked up the SSE Airtricity/SWAI player of the month award for September.
“Brandon has been excellent this year. He’s really found his game and he’s so comfortable in what he does now. He can run you on the outside, he can run inside and score goals and we played him in midfield as well. Brandon is another one that looks after himself off the pitch and he buys into everything we’re doing,” Stephen Bradley said.
“It was very important to keep players of Brandon’s ability and character in and around the team. It’s a two-year deal. He’ll only kick on and get better in the coming years. He’s at a really good age and I believe we’ll have him for his best years.”
Chencinski, who has been capped at senior level by Canada, will stay in Tallaght after keeping 13 clean sheets in 40 appearances in his first year with Rovers.
Bradley added: “We’ve been speaking to Tomer for a few weeks. We believe in Tomer and believe that he’s got a point to prove to show everyone what he can do for us.
“I know from speaking to him that he wants to show people what he’s about. He’s a good professional, a good character and he’s another one that we’re happy to have in the group next year.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
Huge achievement for Touhy. A win tomorrow against Port, will put them 2nd on the ladder. At the way he’s playing, hes in line to make the All-Australian team this season.
@John Paul: I reckon he will go past the 246 total of the Legend Jim Stynes,he’s been an outstanding player for the Cars this year and he’s in their leadership group for a reason.
@John Paul: no Huge achievement for Tuohy. Why does everyone misspell this. He’s earned the correct spelling. Fair play.
@Bunny Johnson: Oh shut up complaining
Stynes is an AFL legend, very highly regarded over here. Was a gentleman too , done great work with the GAA and irish communities over here. Touhy is doing very well for himself, has adapted well and is a genuinely great player.
@rocks0769: agreed. Anyone who hasn’t seen it the RTÉ Documentary on Jim Stynes is an incredibly powerful watch. It’s on YouTube “Every Heart Beats True: The Jim Stynes Story”
@rocks0769: Tuohy. Again, why does everyone misspell this.
@5☆Fily: cheers, I haven’t seen that. Will look it up tonight.
Dont follow AFL a great deal, but i assume it is very achievable for Touhy to break Stynes’ record. Is that the case?
@Gareth Ward: Big ask, but it’s doable.
@Gareth Ward: Tuohy not Touhy.
Jim styles ????! Jim Stynes im guessing is who youre trying to write about ?!