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North moves to Tallaght after two seasons with Sligo. Shamrock Rovers
Hoops

Fenlon fights off competition to sign Danny North and underline Rovers' lofty ambitions

The Hoops boss has wasted little time in strengthening his squad for next season as North’s arrival follows that of Keith Fahey’s.

SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE continued their purposeful off-season recruitment drive with the signing of striker Danny North from Sligo Rovers.

North’s arrival in Tallaght follows the signing of Irish international Keith Fahey as Pat Fenlon looks to strengthen his squad after a disappointing season last term.

The 27-year-old, who scored seven goals in the Airtricity League last season, joins on a one-year deal and will add firepower to a Hoops front line that has lacked a clinical edge since the departure of Gary Twigg.

North had been linked with a move to Cork City and was also training with his former club Grimsby Town but claims the ambition at Rovers convinced him to put pen to paper.

“I’m buzzing that it’s sorted out and I’ve officially joined Shamrock Rovers. I can just get the head down now and enjoy starting afresh at a new club,” he said.

“When the season ended I felt I needed a fresh start and so I was happy to talk to Pat. He spoke to me about his plans and ambitions for the club and he feels I’ll do well here, so it didn’t take me too long to decide to join.

“I am very impressed with the ambition here at the club and I hope to play a part in success next season.”

The departure of Karl Sheppard to Cork and Ciaran Kilduff’s move across the capital to Inchicore had left Fenlon’s attacking options threadbare. However, the signing of North is another indication of the former Hibernian boss constructing a squad he feels is capable of challenging for silverware.

Danny North celebrates scoring his sides third goal North has an impressive goalscoring record in the League of Ireland with 55 goals in six seasons James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

North spent three seasons at the Showgrounds, during which he won a league winner’s medal, a FAI Cup and a Setanta Sports Cup.

Pete Mahon signed him from Alfreton Town in June 2010 and he made an instant impression in the League of Ireland after making his first start against Rovers. He scored 15 league goals in both the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.

The Hoops finished well off the pace in the Airtricity League last season but secured an Europa League qualifying berth by virtue of their fourth placed finish and St Patrick’s Athletic’s FAI Cup triumph.

Fenlon’s determination to return the club to the exalted heights they reached under Michael O’Neill a couple of years ago is clear and he has also re-signed Ryan Brennan, Patrick Cregg, Sean O’Connor, Simon Madden and Gary McCabe for the 2015 season.

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