Shamrock Rovers in talks with James O'Callaghan to manage women's team

Rovers decided not to offer the position to Stephanie Zambra who had been interim manager.

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025 - 20:46

John Fallon

Shamrock Rovers are in advanced talks with James O’Callaghan to take charge of their women’s team after deciding not to offer Stephanie Zambra the permanent position.

Zambra, previously Stephanie Roche, moved from player to interim manager in July after the Hoops parted ways with Collie O’Neill.

She led the Hoops to the same fifth place finish they’d achieved in 2024 and said she'd spent the last six weeks planning for next season’s campaign.

“I was genuinely looking forward to what was ahead so I’m disappointed it had ended this way,” said the former Ireland international, who finished runners-up in Fifa’s Puskás goal of the year award a decade ago.

O’Callaghan managed Zambra at Peamount and after a year out of the game seems to be on the verge of returning to the circuit. He led Peas to the 2023 title, the first year Rovers returned to the women’s senior league after an eight-year absence.

“The board has conducted a review of the women’s section and will make an announcement on its strategic direction in due course,” read a statement by Rovers.

Meanwhile, Cian Murphy has become the latest former Cork City player to reunite with manager Colin Healy at Kerry FC during this off-season.

Following in the footsteps of Jonas Häkkinen, Murphy has also decided to swap Cobh Ramblers for the Kingdom ahead of the 2026 campaign on a multi-year deal.

Murphy, who won two First Division titles with City and made 40 appearances for Ramblers during his only season at the club, scoring 10 goals in the process.

“Cian has proven how strong a player he is at this level over the last number of seasons and his numbers speak for themselves,” said Healy, who took up the Kerry reins in May.

“He is a great guy on and off the pitch and will add a huge amount of experience to our group going forward.