James Roche

James Roche of Shelbourne was born on 7 October 2007 (age 18).

James Roche (born 7 October 2007, age 18) is a Republic of Ireland central defender whose senior career has, so far, been tied closely to Shelbourne.

He came into Shelbourne’s league side in 2025, making one Premier Division appearance, and has had a little more first-team exposure in 2026 with three league appearances. His 2026 involvement has also included two Conference League qualifying appearances, useful experience for a young defender still at the early stage of senior football.

Roche’s career remains a Shelbourne story at this point: four league appearances across two seasons, with his first steps in European qualifying added in 2026.

📈 Key stats and insights

James Roche is 18 and plays as a central defender for Shelbourne

James Roche has made 3 Premier Division appearances in 2026 (1 start, 2 sub)

James Roche has 2 Conference League Qual appearances in 2026

James Roche joined Shelbourne from Shamrock Rovers on 2025-01-14 on a free transfer

Last updated 14 August 2026. Send feedback

James Roche stats

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Central Defender
Primary Position: Defender
Position

James Roche

CD

1.84m (6ft)
Height: 73kg (11st 6lb)
Weight: 7 October 2007 (age 18)
Date of Birth: Rep. Ireland 🇮🇪
Country of Birth: Shelbourne
Team

📊 Season stats

Team: Shelbourne
Premier Division 2026
Games: 3
Starting: 1
Substitute: 2
Unused: 24
Utilisation: 11%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

Team: Shelbourne
Conference League Qualifiers 2026 - 2027
Games: 2
Starting: -
Substitute: 2
Unused: 2
Utilisation: 50%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

Roche has made 3 Premier Division appearances in the 2026 season, including 1 start and 2 as a substitute, and has received 1 yellow card; he has also featured twice in Conference League qualifying – these minutes position him as a rotation option and defensive depth for Shelbourne early in the campaign.

📋 Career stats

Team: Shelbourne
Season 2026
Country: Rep. Ireland 🇮🇪
Games: 3
Goals: -

Team: Shelbourne
Season 2025
Country: Rep. Ireland 🇮🇪
Games: 1
Goals: -

James Roche is 18 and plays as a central defender for Shelbourne. His senior trajectory saw him join Shamrock Rovers at the start of 2023, sign for Shelbourne on a free on 2025-01-14, and then move through loan spells involving Athlone in early 2026. His senior appearances so far are with Shelbourne in domestic league and Conference League qualifying fixtures, consistent with a young player breaking into senior football.

💰 Transfers

Team: Shelbourne
21 February 2026
From: Athlone
Type: Returned from loan

Team: Athlone
30 January 2026
From: Shelbourne
Type: Loan

Team: Shelbourne
14 January 2025
From: Shamrock Rovers
Type: Free Transfer

Team: Shamrock Rovers
1 January 2023
Type: Signed

Roche moved from Shamrock Rovers to Shelbourne on 2025-01-14 on a free transfer; he was loaned to Athlone on 2026-01-30 and returned to Shelbourne on 2026-02-21 (R F Loan), a sequence that comprises a permanent switch followed by short-term loan movement.

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🔗 External links

James Roche on Transfermarkt