Scottish striker Gary Twigg’s return to fitness is sure to enhance Shamrock Rovers title credentials this season. However, last year’s League of Ireland top scorer is not the only Scotsman who plies his trade in Ireland.
The former Brechin star quickly followed manager Michael O’Neill to The Tallaght stadium, the new home of Ireland’s most renowned team. His short spell in Dublin has been extremely productive and he earned all the awards in his debut season, including scoring the first ever goal at the Hoops’ new stadium.
The Glasgow born hot-shot has flourished under former Hibernian midfielder O’Neill and amassed 24 goals to finish top of the scoring charts, while leading the Hoops title challenge which faltered at the end. He was also voted PFAI Player of The Year by his fellow professionals, many of whom will fear his inevitable return to form.
Craig Sives is another Scot who pitched up at The Tallaght shortly after the arrival of O’Neill. The former Hearts man thought his career was cut short by three long years of injury but he was offered a lifeline by the club, which he duly accepted. He moved to Dublin and signed on firstly as a non paid member of Rovers squad, as they offered him a rehabilitation program with their medical staff. The former Scottish schoolboy star signed a short term contract in May 2009 and has really got to grips with life in Ireland. His impressive performances in 2009 saw the 24 year old voted Rovers young player of the year.
Alex Williams is embarking on his second year in Ireland with a new club, St Patrick’s Athletic. The fiery Scot arrived in Ireland last year at Premier Division club Dundalk, where he managed 7 goals in 15 appearances which saw a number of clubs chasing his signature. He opted to move south to Dublin and join St Pats, where he bagged a goal on his debut against Wexford Youths. The former Ayr striker has notched two further strikes since then and is on the brink of success, as St Pats are more or less ensured a spot in the Setanta Cup Final, after walloping Sligo Rovers 4-1 in the first leg of their semi final.
Edinburgh born Chris Bennion is no stranger to League of Ireland. Bennion left Scunthorpe United in 2003 and moved to Dublin Club Shelbourne, where he won the League of Ireland .After just one year at Tolka Park he moved north to Dundalk where he firmly established his credentials. Bennion enjoyed promotion in 2008, as Dundalk finally reached the pinnacle of Irish football, after years of near misses and frustrating regulations, only possible in Ireland. The shot stopper made 174 appearances for the Lilywhites before losing his place in the team to compatriot Peter Cherrie. In 2009 he left and joined First Division side Athlone Town.
Cherrie is one of the top goalkeepers in Ireland at the minute and his stunning performances have caught the eye of many admirers, both sides of the Irish Sea. The former Clyde man is one of many Scots who have joined the Oriel Park outfit in recent seasons. At 26, Cherrie is certainly in his prime and is more than a match for any striker on his day, something he has proved time and time again.
James Creaney was released by Dundalk in 2009 and has joined Galway United for this season. The Glaswegian left back made his debut for the Tribesmen on the opening day of the season, as they went down 3-0 to Williams’ Pats side. If early indications are anything to go by, Creaney and his team-mates will have to brace themselves for a relegation battle, something that is not unfamiliar in the West of Ireland.
He has been joined at Terryland Park by compatriot Jamie McKenzie. The Fife born defender is no stranger to League of Ireland, having enjoyed a two year spell at Sligo Rovers, where he was made captain under current Galway manager Sean Connor. The former Hibs youth then moved to Cyprus, where he played 15 games for Aris Limassol, before returning to Ireland to work under his old manager. Connor, who has managed Sligo, Bohemians and Dundalk in previous seasons, has unearthed many talented Scottish footballers in the past and continues to allow them an opportunity to shine in the League of Ireland.
Scottish players coming to Ireland is not a one way system. As many as 27 Irish players currently ply their trade in the SPL, with a handful of others in the SFL, including Adam Rooney, whose 24 goals this season played a large part in getting Inverness Caledonian Thistle back to the SPL.
The current batch of Scottish stars in Ireland is by no means the last, and some seem set to leave a long lasting impression on the Irish football public.
- by Glenn Dowd
What a fantastic read. Dundalk had a penance for Scottish players due to the Joe Miller connection. That all ended when the expenses got looked at. Heard a story of an ex-Dundalk player who had to get a tattoo covered up before he signed from a Scottish club also that match fixing was ripe.
ReplyDeleteforgot an and there.
ReplyDeletethanks for the feedback. Miller was definitely instrumental in getting players from scotland to ireland. Miller might pitch up at Galway some time soon with Sean Connor. although not there in an official capacity he still has some links to the club
ReplyDeleteTwigg has bagged 2 goals in his last 2 games since returning, including the only goal in a 1-0 away win over Bray Wanderers last night.