• New first team coach Geraghty ready for new role
• Grogan wishes successor well for top Rocks job
• Club President Brink welcomes positive move

Kevin Grogan (left) and Club President Teresa Brink (center) both congratulated new first team coach Paddy Geraghty after Tuesday night’s committee vote.

Shamrocks legend Paddy Geraghty has taken over the reins of the men’s first team after Kevin Grogan completed a fantastic four-year stint at the helm.

After four successful years in charge of the women’s team, Geraghty steps into his new role with immediate effect after the club committee voted unanimously on Tuesday in favor of a new chapter for the Rocks.

Grogan wished Geraghty well in his new role, saying that he had no doubt the 20-year club veteran will be a big success as first team coach.

“I can’t wait to get started with the first team,” the newly installed gaffer said.

”I watched the majority of their games last season so I know how good they are. The first division is a massive challenge and there are no easy games.

“Kevin did a superb job competing at the top end of the table. Our goal is to remain there and hopefully get some luck when it gets to the end of the season. I want to thank Kevin and his assistant Stevie Doyle for all their hard work over the past few years and to the committee for the chance to coach a great group of players.”

Welcoming the development, club president Teresa Brink backed her long time friend as the ideal replacement and wished the former coach well as he looks to focus on his personal business.

“This is a hugely positive move by the club,” said Brink.

“I couldn’t think of a better choice than Paddy, who is steeped in the history of our club. We are very fortunate that he agreed to take on this prestigious position, a monumental step as we build up to our 60th anniversary celebrations in 2020.

“I especially want to thank Kevin Grogan for his ongoing dedication and passion over the last four memorable seasons. We would not be here without him and he will always be a Shamrock.”

Since taking over after the club’s promotion to CSL Division 1 in 2015, the former Manchester United man oversaw an unprecedented development of the club as a whole while also guiding the team to two play-off semi-finals and two league cup finals, winning that latter trophy in 2018.

”I decided to step down at the end of last season as head coach of the first team,” said Grogan.

“I did the job for four years and I was honored to be asked in the first place. The Shamrocks are an amazing club with an amazing history. It’s time now for me to focus more on my personal business and I also think it’s a good time for a new voice.

“Over the four seasons, we got to the play-offs twice, State Cup final once and we also won a cup. We did this in an honest way without paying any players. I’d like to thank the committee for all there support over the four years and also thank the players for their efforts.

“Big thank you to Eltin Colman, Joe Behan and Sean Keogh for there moral support particularly when I first came to the club. We had some amazing nights in particular beating the national Champions twice last season and also being the only team to beat the league champions last season.

“There were many great nights in the Courtyard Ale House after games and at holiday parties and I got the pleasure of meeting some great people.

“I wish the new coach Paddy Geraghty all the best, I’ve no doubt he will be a big success.”