Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney celebrating a goal against Bohemians in 2023. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Rory Gaffney re-signs for Shamrock Rovers, Grehan returns to Bohs from Crystal Palace

The veteran attacker has returned to fitness having undergone ankle surgery towards the end of 2024.

LAST UPDATE | 21 Feb 2025

SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE confirmed that forward Rory Gaffney has re-signed with the club for 2025.

Gaffney, 35, underwent ankle surgery at the end of 2024 and officially departed Rovers at the end of the season.

However, the veteran striker has been training with Stephen Bradley’s squad since pre-season and, having returned to fitness, has signed on with The Hoops for the remainder of the current campaign.

Galway man Gaffney, who originally joined Rovers after finishing up with English lower-league club Salford in 2020, has scored 36 goals in 145 appearances in all competitions for Bradley’s side, winning four league titles. He was also named Premier Division Player of the Year in 2022.

Gaffney, who grew up in Tuam, spent the early years of his career with Mervue United before joining Limerick in 2011.

He spent five years in England from 2014, enjoying spells with Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers (initially on loan, then on a permanent deal), Salford and Walsall (loan) before returning to Ireland with Rovers in 2020.

Elsewhere, Bohemians today announced the loan signing of centre-back Sean Grehan from Crystal Palace until 14 June. Grehan came through the ranks at St Kevin’s Boys and then Bohemians, with whom he won an U17 national title in 2017. He signed pro terms with Bohs in 2021 and signed for Crystal Palace a year later, for whom he has yet to make a competitive first-team appearance. 

He spent a portion of last season on loan at Carlisle in League Two, making just three league appearances. 

“We’re delighted to bring Seán back to the club”, said Bohs boss Alan Reynolds. “He knows the club, he knows a lot of the players and staff here already, and he has an affinity with Bohs from his time coming through the ranks here and with St Kevin’s.

“But most importantly he is a very talented player. He’s big, he’s strong and he is a really commanding centre-back.

“I worked with him with the Ireland U21s so I know his attributes and the qualities, so I am really looking forward to working with him again.”

Grehan is the eighth new addition to Reynolds’ squad this season following the permanent signings of Lys Mousset, Connor Parsons, Alex Lacey, Colm Whelan, Niall Morahan and John Mountney, and signing of fellow loanee Kian Best.

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