The latest news from around the League of Ireland
Some early Christmas presents have been delievered early to League of Ireland fans as a host new signings have been rolling in ahead of the big day on Monday.
Liam Burt, who was one of the biggest signings last winter when he swapped Bohemians for Shamrock Rovers, is on the move across the city again as Damien Duff has secured his signing on loan from the Champions to bolster his attack.
Burt joins John Martin, Keith Ward, John O’Sullivan, Lorcan Healy, Sean Gannon and Dean Williams in the door at Tolka and it’ll be interesting to see how the Reds get on next year with such experience added in.
Experience is back at Oriel Park again as Robbie Benson has committed to the Lilywhites again for next year - a boost to Dundalk fans looking to see how the squad pans out for 2024.
The other new signing in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division comes in the shape of American defender Patrick Hickey who has swapped Athlone Town for Galway United in the top flight.
Mikie Rowe, Rob Manley, Darren Clarke, Oisin O’ Reilly, Evan O’ Connor and Alex Rutter have all exited Eamonn Deacy Park, however, as announced by the Club.
Evan O’Connor, for his part, has joined Treaty United in Limerick.
The major news in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division is the arrival of Greg Bolger back to Cork City as the Rebel Army look to regain their top flight status at the first attempt.
Tim Clancy has also secured the future of Barry Coffey in Turner’s Cross for next year.
Bray Wanderers made their first big signing of the off-season as Kilian Cantwell has joined the Club after his promotion winning season with Waterford.
There was an intriguing signing in the Midlands as former Porto player Ruben Candal has come to the less sunnier climes of the Midlands joining Athlone Town for 2024.
Staying in the Midlands, Sami Clarke has joined Longford Town from UCD for the new campaign.
There has also been a host of re-signings in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division as stalwarts Kylie Murphy and Pearl Slattery re-signed fow Wexford and Shelbourne respectively.
Emma Doherty pleased Bit O’Red fans by committing to Sligo Rovers again for next year and Heidi Mackin has signed a new deal at Cork City.
The new faces in the League are Canadian Stefanie Young who joins Treaty United and American Kerryanne Brown who is in at Athlone Town.
At 20 years of age, Kerryanne has already made over 70 appearances in the NI Premiership and has represented the Republic of Ireland at U16 and U17 levels.
