Shamrock Rovers arrange pre-season friendlies

Cash-strapped Shamrock Rovers have arranged two pre-season friendlies against eircom First Division opposition as they attempt to turn around the form that saw them lose three and draw six of their final nine league games in 2003.

Rovers will travel to face Bray Wanderers on Monday March 1 at the Carlisle Grounds (7.45pm) and ten days later Dundalk will entertain the Dublin club at Oriel Park (7.45pm).

Liam Buckley’s side finished seventh last season and have released six of their squad in the close season, including centre-half Stephen McGuinness and left-sided defender/midfielder James Keddy, due to financial constraints.

Good news came yesterday for Rovers with the appointment of club doctor Alan Byrne to assist with the Republic of Ireland senior squad’s medical staff.