Kelly & Bayly return to Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers have today bolstered their squad with the double signing of former Shelbourne pair Dean Kelly and Robert Bayly.

While both players are former Hoops, Kelly will be most fondly remembered for scoring the title clinching goal away at UCD in 2011. In Tallaght Time by Macdara Ferris and Karl Reilly, Kelly said of the goal: “I was just begging the manager to bring me on, sitting there making eyes at him that said ‘I’ll win the league for you’, and I did”.

During his spell at the club the 28 year old striker scored five times, one in each domestic cup, along with that famous strike against the Students.

Midfielder Bayly last played for the Tallaght side in 2010 and is perhaps best remembered by the Hoops’ fans for an outstanding performance in the first leg of the Europa League tie against Juventus. The 25 year old made 26 league appearances for the club, scoring three times, before leaving to join cross city rivals Bohemians in 2011. Bayly has also played for Monaghan United, Longford Town and most recently Shelbourne since his spell in the West Dublin suburb.

Today’s signings bring the Shamrock Rovers squad  to a total of 20 first team players including star signing Stephen McPhail, while a host of younger players have signed up with their B side including experienced campaigners such as Corie Treacy and Daniel Purdy.

Shamrock Rovers return to competitive action on Wednesday night when they take on Drogheda United in the Leinster Senior Cup.