MARK QUIGLEY HAS placed his Airticity League winners’ medal on a shelf alongside his player of the year award and set his sights on restoring the reputation of his new club.
The striker was signed, along with Sean O’Connor, by Shamrock Rovers at the tail-end of November so there has not been too much time to bask in his achievements.
Rovers are one of four Airtricity clubs that will compete in the Setanta Cup next February.
Pre-season has begun already with jogging and gym sessions but the new year will bring about a renewed focus to return the Tallaght side to the summit of Irish football.
“Rovers have bought in a few decent lads,” said Quigley. “A lot of us have been signed to two-year deals so there won’t be a huge turnover of players next year. It’s a clever move on their part and I’m sure a lot of teams will follow suit.”
Knock knock
The 27-year-old worked with Hoops’ coach Trevor Croly for a season and a half while he was playing with St Patrick’s Athletic.
Quigley has ‘no doubts’ that Croly is ready for the step-up from the assistant coaching role to oversee the 17-time league champions.
Confidence about Rovers’ new direction and their coaching ticket did not make his decision to leave Sligo any easier. Quigley told TheScore.ie:
I don’t think there’s many players that would leave the champions of their league. But when a massive club like Rovers come knocking it is hard to say no.
“I got on so well with the fans, players and staff there. I only have good things to say about the club.”
Goal glut
Reflecting on his league-winning season, the Dubliner feels his match-winning goal against Derry City at the Brandywell was a personal turning point. He would go on to add 11 more goals as Bit O’Red captured the title.
“We got some draws away to Shamrock Rovers and Pat’s,” he said. “They were really good results as they would have gained a lot of momentum if we had lost. We beat Shelbourne 3-1 away too – that was a big result.” Quigley added:
In the last 13 or 14 games we started to excel. Even in training, we never went out to sit back and defend. Our attitude was that we wanted to win every game we played and I think that showed, apart from those last two games when the league was won.”
Quigley has already appeared at Tallaght Stadium with the green and white scarf raised aloft but it is surprising to hear him readily embrace the ‘us’ mentality of a brand new Rovers.
“It will be game on in early February and we have something to prove after a bad year last year,” he said.
“The new players have to try and get into the team. We want to show the fans we’re worth the jersey.”
