SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE added defender Shane O’Connor to their ranks.

The 22-year-old is a Liverpool youth player who spent two seasons at Ipswich Town, one of which was on loan at Port Vale, during Roy Keane’s reign.

At the start of this season he made the move back home to local club Cork City but has now joined the current Airtricity League Premier Division champions, it was announced last night.

An Ireland international at U17, U19 and U21 level, O’Connor will provide valuable cover for the Hoops defence, who have seen Colin Hawkins and Ken Oman suffer injuries in recent weeks.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.net, Cork City manager Tommy Dunne said: “I would like to thank Shane for his services during his time with the club and wish him the best of luck for the future.

We are looking at a number of options in terms of strengthening the squad prior to the deadline at the end of August, and I hope that we will have news on this in the near future.”

Rovers travel to the Belfield Bowl for the meeting with UCD on Friday night before an EA Sports Cup semi-final clash with Limerick on Monday and O’Connor should come straight into the squad.

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