League of Ireland stalwart Ollie Cahill has joined Sporting Fingal, having parted company with Shamrock Rovers by mutual consent earlier this week.

Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley has recruited the versatile Cahill in time for Thursday’s Europa League second round qualifying tie against CS Marítimo in Madeira.

In other transfer news, Shane Barrett has been allowed leave the club and is likely to sign for another club over the next few days.

Cahill was amongst the 20-player party aboard the plane which left Dublin for Funchal on Sunday morning.

Striker Gary O’Neill, who has been nursing a groin injury lately, did not travel. He will continue his rehabilitation programme in Dublin.

Buckley said: “When I heard Ollie became available on Thursday, I was keen to explore the possibility of signing him until the end of the season.

“He’s a player with a superb attitude and, similar to Colin Hawkins who we signed last week, has enjoyed a decorated career in the domestic game over the past 15 years. The fact he’s able to play in defence, midfield or as a winger was a key factor for me.”

The Clonmel native won four Premier Division winners’ medals over a five year period, with Shelbourne in 2003, 2004 and 2006 before collecting the title once again the following season at Drogheda United.

Meanwhile, Buckley has a number of injury concerns to contend with as his squad settled into their Madeira base.

Shaun Maher is the biggest doubt with a hip flexor injury, while Conan Byrne’s thigh problem which forced him off at the interval in Friday’s 3-0 win at Bray Wanderers will be closely monitored.

Shane McFaul is making good progress on the hamstring strain which put him out of the Bray game and Ger O’Brien is expected to recover from the groin ailment he suffered early on at the Carlisle Grounds.

Fingal will train on Monday and Tuesday morning in Funchal before staging their final workout on the eve of Thursday’s game at the match venue, Estádio da Madeira.