Neil Farrugia decision on future is a blow to Shamrock Rovers' European hopes
League One's Barnsley is the new home of the classy winger after he had made a big splash in the Europa Conference League in recent months
Shamrock Rovers will be without star winger Neil Farrugia for their Conference play-off with Molde after he signed for Barnsley.
Out of contract Farrugia, 25, has joined League One side Barnsley on a two and half year deal. The former Ireland under-21 international travelled to Barnsley for talks in midweek and has agreed a contract as the midland club push for promotion.
“This is a big club full of ambitions and I’m really looking forward to it,” Farrugia said. “I’ve come over to England for that new challenge, to take that next step and I’m going to embrace it.”
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He is joining a Terriers outfit with a strong Irish flavour - the newly retired Conor Hourihane is first team coach, Farrugia's ex-Rovers colleague Barry Cotter plays for the sixth-placed side while former Ireland under-21 star Luca Connell is Barnsley's skipper. Conor McCarthy, the former Cork City centre-half, is also at the club.
The Hoops had hoped to retain the French-born ex-UCD player but understood that he was in demand after a string of outstanding performances in Europe during the club's record-breaking campaign.
Farrugia overcame a serious shoulder injury at the start of the season to play a massive role in the Tallaght club making the play-off round by remaining unbeaten in five of their six Conference League group stage games. He played in 13 games in Europe in 2024, scoring twice.
Frawley won't be eligible in time for Barnsley's encounter with Crawley Town on Saturday but could make his debut for the Terriers against Northampton Town on Saturday week.
Barnsley FC Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz commented: “Neil had a good number of options in both the last transfer window and this one but he sees an opportunity to progress here at Oakwell and we are really pleased to secure his services.
"This signing means we have great competition for the left-back position and Neil also has the ability to play further up the pitch and this versatility can only benefit Darrell’s squad.
"He has also played in some big games this season which is also really important, Shamrock have been impressive in their European campaign this season and hopefully, Neil can bring that experience to Oakwell as we head into the business end of the campaign.”
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