Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney retires from football

Rory Gaffney of Shamrock Rovers celebrates. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney has announced his retirement from football. 

Gaffney has called time on his playing career, bringing an end to an incredibly successful spell at Shamrock Rovers. 

The 36-year-old was a key player in Rovers trophy wins during his time at the club – scoring 50 goals across the League of Ireland Premier Division, FAI Cup and European competition.

His brace of goals in last season’s FAI Cup final, in what turned out to be his final game for Rovers, secured Rovers’ first double since 1987.

The Tuam native began his League of Ireland career with Mervue United before a spell with Limerick earned him a move to the UK. 

He played with Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers (on loan), Salford City and Walsall (on loan) before returning to Ireland to join the Hoops.

After an injury-hit and Covid-truncated season with the Hoops in 2020, his eight league goals the following year helped them to the title in a season when Gaffney was named in the PFAI Premier Division team of the year.

Gaffney was named SSE Airtricity League Player of the Year, voted into the team of the year by his peers across the league and named the overall PFAI Players’ Player of the Year in 2022.

Overall, he scored 37 league goals for the club in 143 games. Across his time at Rovers, Gaffney scored eight European goals, leaving him fifth in the all-time list of League of Ireland goalscorers in Europe.

"I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone at Shamrock Rovers as I announce my retirement," Gaffney said. "Being part of this dressing room since 2020 has been a true highlight of my career. 

"From the domestic successes to the European nights under the lights at Tallaght, I'm incredibly grateful for having the privilege to wear the jersey. 

"Thank you to the club, the staff, and my teammates for being able to play a part in such a successful era which I hope will continue. A special mention to the fans as well - your support has been brilliant from day one. 

"I’ll always look back on my time here with great pride, and I look forward to supporting the lads from the stands.