Soccer:Shamrock Rovers yesterday confirmed the worst kept secret in domestic football with the formal announcement of Trevor Croly as their new manager. A former player and assistant manager at the club, the 38-year-old Dubliner has left his post as Liam Buckley's assistant at St. Patrick's Athletic to succeed Stephen Kenny, sacked in September, at Tallaght Stadium on a two-year contract.

Colin Hawkins, player/coach at Rovers last season, will be Croly’s assistant. “I’m ready for this,” said Croly who, after almost a decade in coaching, feels it’s a natural progression for him to become a manager.

“I started coaching nine years ago, with Kildare County, progressed to Bohs, Longford, St Pat’s, to Shamrock Rovers, back to Pat’s and I’ve come here now. If I’m not equipped, I don’t know how you become equipped. The amount of work I’ve put in to being here has been phenomenal and the amount needed to stay here will take the same again.”