Sean Kavanagh

Shamrock Rovers After appearing once for Fulham in the 2017–18 season, Kavanagh returned to Republic of Ireland, where he joined Shamrock Rovers for an undisclosed fee. Kavanagh had been set to join Derry City but joined Shamrock Rovers at the last moment. He also said that he took 'unbelievable' pay cut to join the club, saying: "the football here will suit me rather than trying to hang around the lower leagues in England."

Kavanagh made his Shamrock Rovers' debut, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Dundalk in the opening game of the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division season. In the next two matches, he scored two goals in two matches, which both matches were a win against Bray Wanderers and Derry City. Since making his debut, Kavanagh quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side. However, he was sent-off in the 84th minutes for a foul on Billy Dennehy, in a 1–0 win over Limerick. After serving a one match ban, he returned to the first team from suspension, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 win over Sligo Rovers on 30 March 2018.

On 7 January 2026, it was announced that Kavaagh had joined the coaching staff at Shamrock Rovers, after retiring from playing at the end of the 2025 season.

International career Kavanagh has represented Republic of Ireland's U16, U17 and U19 before representing U21.

At the U21 side, Kavanagh was called up for the first time in September 2014. He made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut, where he came on as a substitute in the second-half, in a 4–1 loss against Norway U21 on 9 October 2014. It wasn't until on 4 September 2015 when he scored his first goals, in a 4–1 win over Qatar U23. However, in a 3–1 loss against Lithuania U21 on 13 November 2015, Kavanagh was sent-off in the closing stage of the game for a foul on Deimantas Petravičius. Despite serving a three match suspension, he went on to make 11 appearances and scoring 2 times for the U21 side.

Personal life Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, Kavanagh grew up supporting Liverpool and idolized full-back John Arne Riise, who was at Fulham when Kavanagh was at the club's academy. Riise left the club, months before Kavanagh made his Fulham debut.

Career statistics

Honours Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland Premier Division: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 FAI Cup: 2019 President of Ireland's Cup: 2022, 2024