In-form Dylan Watts happy to see patience rewarded after claiming starting spot

Sligo's Niall Morahan with Dylan Watts of Shamrock Rovers. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

His superlative free-kick delivery for Danny Mandroiu’s stoppage time winner in Drogheda on Tuesday night enhanced the contribution Dylan Watts is making at champions Shamrock Rovers this season.

Though he featured in all 18 league games last year, Watts started just half of them, such was the mainstay in Rovers’ midfield of Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff, since departed to Cyprus and Scotland respectively, captain Ronan Finn and Gary O’Neill.