St Patrick’s Athletic have introduced the signing of Tommy Lonergan from UCD on a multi-year deal.
he 18-year-old turned down a number of presents from elsewhere to return to Richmond Park. He netted 12 targets in all competitions for the College students in 2022, together with a vital header which noticed UCD defeat Waterford on this month’s promotion/relegation play-off.
The Eire U-19 striker spent three years on the St Pat’s academy, performed for the Saints’ U-17 and U19 sides and made his senior debut in July 2021 earlier than signing for UCD final January.
“I am actually wanting ahead to being a full time footballer, it will likely be unbelievable to get up day by day and go into coaching, I am going to relish the chance and will not take it granted and I will be giving it my all for this membership,” mentioned Lonergan.
“I am delighted that Tommy is returning to the membership. There was lots of competitors for Tommy each from inside the League of Eire and additional afield, so it is an actual coup for us to get him again,” St Pat’s boss Tim Clancy added.
Dundalk’s Keith Ward has signed a brand new contract, protecting him with the membership for the 2023 season. The attacker returned to the Lilywhites final December and made 34 appearances as Stephen O’Donnell’s facet secured a 3rd positioned end and European soccer.
“I believe this season went effectively, each individually and from a staff perspective, and I actually loved it. Coming from Bohemians, I knew it could be an enormous change however the likelihood to work with the gaffer was a problem I actually wished and I’m wanting ahead to a different season now,” mentioned the 34-year-old.
O’Donnell added: “Keith had a big impact this season, whether or not he began video games or got here off the bench. He completed the yr with six targets, which was his highest ever and we hope for a similar once more subsequent yr.
“As everybody is aware of, he’s nice across the place and his angle in coaching is exemplary so if you marry every thing collectively, you’ve got a extremely good, skilled participant with plenty of creativity and they don’t seem to be straightforward to search out.”
Earlier, Darragh Leahy has signed a brand new two-year take care of Dundalk. The 24-year-old full-back made 28 league appearances this yr because the membership returned to Europe with a third-placed end.
“As soon as the season ended and the gaffer sat down with me and mentioned he wished to maintain me, I used to be completely delighted,” mentioned Leahy.
“My first yr on the membership in 2020 was interrupted by COVID and 2021 was powerful, to say the least, so this season, particularly on the again finish once we have been pushing for Europe and the followers actually obtained behind us, was unreal and I liked it.”
“Darragh offers us actual selection and has the type of profile we wish in our squad, somebody who’s on the stage of his profession the place he is able to kick on and go up one other degree,” added O’Donnell.
In the meantime, Waterford supervisor Danny Searle has signed a brand new long-term contract on the membership.
Searle took over the First Division facet final June and led the Blues to the play-off closing earlier this month, however have been defeated by UCD.
The 44-year-old’s contract expired following the play-off defeat, however will now stay on the membership following constructive discussions with proprietor Andy Pilley.
Cork Metropolis’s Barry Coffey has additionally signed a brand new deal, protecting him at Turners Cross for 2023. The midfielder joined the membership in July 2021 on mortgage from Celtic, and hit 14 targets this time period after signing completely final July.
“Since I first got here into the membership on mortgage, I’ve actually loved taking part in for Cork Metropolis and the assist we’ve obtained from the followers has been unbelievable. They’ve been good to me since I signed and I’m actually wanting ahead to taking part in for this membership within the Premier Division,” mentioned Coffey.
