RONAN FINN HAS made the decision to leave Shamrock Rovers and return to UCD to finish his League of Ireland career.
The Hoops captain, who will lift the Premier Division trophy for the seventh time tomorrow night, has opted against remaining at Tallaght Stadium in order to further prepare himself for life after football.
Finn, who turns 36 next month and had the option of a new contract with the four-in-a-row champions, will instead drop down to the First Division and combine football with a two-year Masters’ course in Sports Management.
The Dubliner began his League of Ireland career with the Students before embarking on spells with Sporting Fingal, Dundalk and Rovers.
The 42 also understands that Shelbourne captain Luke Byrne has been offered the position of assistant manager, working alongside Willie O’Connor who will take over as head coach from Andy Meyler in 2024.
“I spoke to the manager here about it,” Finn said of his decision. “It’s something that’s exciting at my age, the opportunity to go back and do a Masters and finish where it all began.
“It started with a degree and now hopefully finishes with a Masters and everything in between. I’ve always been interested in going back to college anyway, but never knew when I could fit it in and when could you do it.
“This has kind of fallen into place. It was an incredibly difficult decision in a sense, but you also weigh everything up, your age, the opportunity.
“You are walking away from such a prestigious place here and what the club will be looking to achieve next year. But you also have to look down the line which is something I’ve always done in my career, working, playing here.
“Everything is angling towards life after football. This decision is no different.”
Rovers already confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Alan Mannus will leave the club after tomorrow’s final home game with Sligo Rovers, but Finn admitted that boss Stephen Bradley didn’t try and persuade him to stay once he knew what was on the table.
“The offer [to stay] was there. I spoke to the manager knowing the offer was already in place,” he explained.
“To be honest, when we spoke he was definitely surprised, but absolutely respectful. When we had a detailed discussion on it, it felt it was the right call as well in a sense of where I’m at in terms of age and what I want to do after football.
“Even going back to play for UCD, now is the time because I can still actually contribute and that’s what I want to do as well. Once you step across the white line you have that competitive edge and it never changes.
“All things considered, the manager was very respectful and appreciative of the decision I made.”
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.