Robinson weighs up Oz move
Tuesday December 15 2009
SHANE Robinson has revealed that he rejected a contract offer to stay at Shamrock Rovers and is now close to a move Down Under to the lower tiers of Australian football.
The former Drogheda United winger was in high demand at the end of last season, with Championship club Reading showing an interest before he moved to Tallaght.
But having captained the Hoops to a runners-up spot in the League of Ireland, he is now struggling to find suitors at home and may have to move abroad after 10 years on the domestic scene.
"I haven't signed anything yet but there is an offer on the table from a club in Melbourne," said the 28-year-old.
"It's not the top division but it's a chance to carry on playing football and earn a decent living, so it looks like that's my next move.
"(I was) basically being offered a pittance to carry on playing and it didn't make any sense for me.
"It would have been a step down for me to accept some of the contracts that were being offered.
"If I go to Australia, I'd have the chance to play at a decent level, and do a bit of travelling as well.
"I just didn't see a long-term future for full-time football here in Ireland, not the way we've known it for the past few years anyway."
Meanwhile, Tom Coughlan's hearing with the FAI, when the Cork City owner will face charges of bringing the game into disrepute, has been postponed for a second time -- this time until Thursday of this week.
Irish Independent
