Ronan Finn

Ronan Finn (born 21 December 1987) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland First Division side UCD, where he is also club captain. Across a playing career spanning two decades, he has turned out for UCD (over 2 spells), Sporting Fingal, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers (over 2 spells). Having made over 60 appearances in European competition, Finn competed in the group stages of the Europa League with both Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk (2016), and also the group stages of the Europa Conference League in 2022 with Shamrock Rovers.

Club career Finn began his youth career at Cambridge United, spending eight months with their youth team in 2004–05. Due to a requirement that he had to finish school in Ireland, he would fly from Dublin to Cambridge after school on Fridays, play a game on Saturday and fly straight back home. Finn scored on his FA Youth Cup debut in a 3–1 victory over Mansfield Town. As the demands to fly over became more frequent from Cambridge United youth manager Ricky Duncan, Finn decided to end his time with the club to instead focus on his education. He was subsequently named the PFAI First Division Player of the Year for 2009.

Sporting Fingal Finn departed UCD after five seasons to join Sporting Fingal on 8 December 2009. He represented the club in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League qualifying second round against Maritimo.

On 10 February 2011 the directors of Sporting Fingal confirmed that the club withdrew its application for a licence from the FAI to participate in the 2011 Airtricity League season. This decision was made after funding targets integral to the club's continued existence were not reached during the off-season. After their demise, Finn became a free agent.

Shamrock Rovers Following the demise of Sporting Fingal, Finn signed for Shamrock Rovers on a two-year deal in February 2011

He made his League debut for the club in the opening night win over Dundalk and helped them win the Setanta Sports Cup by beating Dundalk 2–0 in the final.

In his first season at the club, Finn won the League of Ireland Premier Division and was also a member of the first Irish team to reach the group stage of European competition, as they went on to reach the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stages.

Dundalk

In December 2014, Finn signed a two-year deal with Dundalk, linking up with his former boss at Shamrock Rovers, Stephen Kenny. He won the league and cup double at the club in 2015. Following the departure of Richie Towell in December 2015, Finn was played in a more advanced position. His form in this role and a hat-trick against Longford Town on 9 April led to him being named the SWAI League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month for the first time in his career in April 2016. Finn played in all 6 of Dundalk's UEFA Champions League qualifying matches as they reached the play-off stage.

Shamrock Rovers return In December 2016, Finn returned to Shamrock Rovers. On 31 March 2017, he scored his first league goal since his return to the club, in a 3–2 win against Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium.

Finn holds the record for the most European appearances by a League of Ireland player (63)

He scored his only European goal against Hibernians F.C. in a 2022–23 UEFA Champions League qualifier

Return to UCD On 2 November 2023, Finn announced that he would be returning to his first senior club UCD, despite an offer of a contract extension from Shamrock Rovers, in order to combine football with a two-year masters' course in sports management at the university.

International career Finn was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for the first time in early 2007, for the annual Madeira Cup tournament. He won his first cap when he came on as a half-time substitute against Madeira. In May 2010, Finn made his Republic of Ireland U23 debut against England C in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy game at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.

Personal life Finn has a degree in Sports Management from University College Dublin.

Honours

League of Ireland, Premier Division winner

7 times

2011 (Shamrock Rovers) 2015, 2016 (Dundalk) 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (Shamrock Rovers).

FAI Cup Winner

3 times

2009 (Sporting Fingal) 2015 (Dundalk) 2019 (Shamrock Rovers)

Individual League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month: April 2016