Pic: Mark McDermott
As 2026 begins, the January transfer window opens too. Plenty of League of Ireland clubs will be eager to get their business done as the new season quickly approaches. Speculation continues to swirl around each club, particularly the double champions in Shamrock Rovers.
Stephen Bradley’s side begins preparations as last season concluded just less than three weeks ago. They return to action on Saturday, 31 January in the inaugural President’s Cup fixture against Derry City. Josh Honohan and Conan Noonan are the only two confirmed departures to date, although more can be expected.
Several names have been linked with joining the Dublin 24 club despite no signings being confirmed yet. Elsewhere, rival clubs have sprung to action in adding to their ranks as they attempt to derail the successful Shamrock Rovers.
January transfer reform
Shamrock Rovers approach the latest transfer window without needing monumental alterations to the squad. They are on the back of winning both the league and cup. However, changes are still required within certain positions, and more so, additional depth is needed.
On the front foot, Rory Gaffney, Michael Noonan, and Aaron Greene are employed in that position. It remains to be seen if Greene will be in the green and white of Rovers come 31 January. Should he depart, it leaves the club with just two senior strikers. Gaffney (36) has been linked with a new deal with no official confirmation stemming from the club. Noonan (17) has been linked with household names, although he cannot leave for a club in the UK until he turns 18, which is six months away.
Sean Maguire links
In the striking department, with Greene and Gaffney’s future uncertain, the Hoops have been linked to Sean Maguire. The 31-year-old spent a large portion of 2025 on the sidelines through injury and may be open to a move to the top flight. His side, Cork City, were relegated and also FAI Cup runners-up to Shamrock Rovers.
Maguire has been linked with both Rovers and Bohemians, although Tallaght is reportedly the preferred destination. The move largely hinges on his current club’s desire to cash in on him or retain his services as they spend 2026 in the First Division.
The former Preston North End striker netted on seven occasions throughout the 2025 season, making 28 appearances. Cork City faced a turbulent year both on and off the pitch as protests took place against the ownership. This was not helped by poor results on the pitch, the side concluding the season on 24 points.
Managing an ageing core
Stephen Bradley is a forward-thinking manager and thus will be preparing for further than 2026. He is expected to be lining up targets for the defence as players continue to age. In the 3-1 defeat to Breidablik, Rovers began with Lee Grace (33), Roberto Lopes (33), and Daniel Cleary (29) in the back three. That brings an average age of 31.66 across the centre-backs. While that is not cause for immediate arrivals, it will be in the near future.
Cory O’Sullivan is a player who has filled one of the back three on a consistent basis throughout the year. Aged 19, he has slotted in seamlessly and may leave Bradley with just one signing to make for the starting 11.
Josh Honohan’s departure was confirmed ahead of the UEFA Conference League win over Hamrun Spartans. The arrival of Enda Stevens is anticipated to be a replacement, albeit 11 years older. The Hoops could be forced to review that position for a slightly younger option when it comes to dealing with a congested calendar from the summer onwards.
Succession, not surgery
What remains key as the 22-time champions prepare for another campaign is that wholesale changes are not required. This squad is successful, and new signings from last season have acquired a taste for silverware. Alongside this, they endured a challenging UEFA Conference League campaign, which will bolster their European know-how.
Bradley has produced title-winning sides regularly and will be hopeful this does not change. Key elements, such as adding talent while maintaining youthful prospects such as Cory O’Sullivan, are pivotal. Tweaks are what are required; the squad do not need to undergo surgery to remain competitive.
The club embark on 2026 without Stephen McPhail, the club’s sporting director. He would have impacted the recruitment process throughout his tenure, and his presence will be missed by the Hoops.
Outgoings importance
Departures at the club will impact 2026 just as much as arrivals. With Honohan and Noonan’s fate already sealed, there is expected to be more. Reportedly, the club are in negotiations with both Rory Gaffney and Sean Kavanagh around extending their stay. The former having bagged a brace in the FAI Cup final victory over Cork City.
Aaron Greene is a player whose future also remains uncertain for the club. The Hoops have recently stated that they will be making a series of announcements in the coming days.
Shamrock Rovers will be hopeful of retaining a large portion of the squad. Depth will be required come the summer as European football returns. The manager previously stated that they were targeting UEFA Europa League football. If that is to be the case, the Hoops will need to have quality in depth when playing two to three fixtures in the space of a week.
What a successful window looks like
Despite being on the back of a successful season, Bradley was disappointed at his side’s exit from the UEFA Conference League. He will be determined to either qualify for the UEFA Europa League or make it past the initial phase of the UEFA Conference League proper.
A successful window for the Hoops consists of adding two or three quality players that can aid the next step on the European stage. Sections of the fanbase that the squad had prioritised claiming a historic double. This season may revert to prioritising the European stage, as a draw in the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League earns more money than winning the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Continued progress
Shamrock Rovers do not need wholesale changes, but a window that represents determination to continue claiming silverware will be warranted. It has been suggested by Bradley that money earned from qualification for Europe will be used to bring in new faces to the club.
The Hoops do not currently have any friendlies scheduled for supporters to attend. They do have the upcoming Leinster Senior Cup that begins with a trip to Blackrock College on Friday, 16 January at 19.45.