A busy day of news across the League of Ireland
Waterford have celebrated promotion to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with the significant new announcment that it has signed a 50-year contract with Waterford City and County Council for the use of the Regional Sports Centre (RSC).
Waterford have played their home games at the RSC since 1993 and Group CEO Steve Curwood said: “It’s vital for Waterford FC to have a very productive relationship with the council; we’re in the early stages of a longer journey so it’s important that we continue to work together in making things happen. We have to use promotion as a fabulous platform to plan and develop everything around the football club, and this commitment from both ourselves and the Waterford City and County Council with this long-term agreement is the perfect start.”
In further Munster news, Cobh Ramblers have been busy in both announcing Gary Hunt as their new Manager for their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division side as well as the beginning of works on a new state-of-the-art astroturf pitch, new LED floodlighting and new pitch surround at St. Colman’s Park.
The infrastructure news means that the Ramblers will be playing at Turner’s Cross at the beginning of the 2024 season with fixture details released on Friday, December 15.
It’s been a busy day in transfer news too.
Drogheda United have moved to lock down defender Conor Kane after he had a loan spell from Shelbourne at the end of last season.
Wexford have tied down striker Aaron Dobbs while Athlone Town have announced their first signings of the season with Dan McKenna for their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division side and penalty hero Katie Keane for their SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division side.
Treaty United have re-signed promising attacker Willie Armshaw while they have made more impressive moves with their SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division team in bringing in the hugely promising Fiana Bradley from Cork City.
Meanwhile, Women’s All-Island Cup Champions Galway United have announced the re-signing of American midfielder Isabella Beletic.
Tim Clancy has added more players to his 2024 Cork City side in the new signing of Charlie Lyons from Cobh Ramblers and Josh O’Donovan has also signed a new deal at Turner’s Cross.
Going the other way in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division is Aaron Bolger who has signed for St. Patrick’s Athletic ahead of the 2024 season.
And fresh from his retirement, Luke Byrne has now been appointed as Technical Director at Shelbourne.
In a ringing endorsement of his former Captain, Damien Duff has said “I have no doubt he will become the best Technical Director in the country overnight. In what is a busy time for clubs in this transfer window, Luke is a world class signing for Shelbourne FC.”
