'I want to be the best footballer I can be'  - Josh Honohan keen to make step up at Rovers

The Carrigaline native made the move from Cork City after relegation from the top flight. 

WILD ROVER: Josh Honohan. Picture: INPHO/Nick Elliott

Josh Honohan bristles when recalling Cork City’s late collapse against Shamrock Rovers last season but he was ultimately a winner by it leading to his move to the champions.

The defender’s performance on the night City led 4-2 at Tallaght heading into the final six minutes convinced Stephen McPhail and Stephen Bradley to identify a future addition, not that the target was thinking afar amid his dejection.

“Although that felt like a loss, it was one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played in,” he says, reflecting on the 4-4 draw just three weeks into City’s return to the top-flight.

“Coming up to Tallaght, nobody gave us a chance but we probably threw it away from running out of steam.” 

City’s bid to retain their top-flight status eventually did too. Defeat to Waterford in the playoffs, also at Tallaght, hurtled them back into the second tier but talent of Honohan’s calibre was destined to remain in the Premier.

The 22-year-old from Carrigaline was the first addition by Bradley in their bid to clinch a record-breaking fifth title on the spin, with City receiving a small five-figure sum in compensation.

“This was the next step in my development,” reasoned Honohan, equally comfortable across any of the defensive positions.

“I want to be the best footballer I can be. After getting a taste of Premier last year, I definitely wanted to stay in it.

“I’d signed professionally for City from school when they were in the Premier in 2020 but I got injured and covid shortened the season.

“Last season was tough for us but I only missed two games.

“Once I heard Shamrock Rovers were interested, I knew I wanted to be here.

“I realised this was the club for me. They’ve won four leagues in a row – the lads are going for five and we’ve the Champions League in the summer. That’s not bad.

“Their reputation for developing players and making players better really appealed to me.” 

Not many former Cork City players have made the move to Shamrock Rovers but he’s still retained a sense of home.

“I’m in the final year of my college course, studying commerce in UCC,” he said about his dual functions.

“It’s a four-year degree and I’ve five months left.

“At City, I was 10 minutes from the campus after training. I could be there until 6pm. I was always big on my education and wanted to get my qualification.

“This year, I’ve specialised in supply chain and hope to graduate with that degree.

“It’s a big year for many reasons. I spoke to the college about studying remotely and I get the recordings sent to me.

“I’m living in a different area but, to be honest, I feel like I’m really settled in here. The lads have been very welcoming along with the manager and staff and people around the place. I’m living with a few of the lads across from the training ground.

“When I finish training, it’s the same routine of doing college work for a few hours.

“I know it’s difficult but this is what I want to do. All my family and myself were on the same page.”