McPhail’s Hoops dream comes true

Signing for Shamrock Rovers is a homecoming in more ways than one for Stephen McPhail, representing not just a return to the country of his birth after 19 years in English football but also to the team he supported in his youth.

“It was the only club I wanted to play for here,” said the 34-year-old former Irish international who came to prominence during five years at Leeds United before moving on to Barnsley, Cardiff City and, until just a few days ago, Sheffield Wednesday.

“I supported Rovers as a kid as my granddad Paddy Doran was involved as a physio with the manager then, Ray Treacy [in the early ’90s]. I saw them a lot at the RDS and I travelled with the team up and down the country so I know what it’s all about and what I am coming home to.”