Updated 18.30
SHELBOURNE HAVE SIGNED midfielder Sean Brennan and defender Pat Flynn.
Shels also hold on to three key men from last season’s squad with Glen Cronin, Philly Hughes and Stephen Hurley all remaining at Tolka Park, the club confirmed this evening.
Brennan joins following a successful second spell with Drogheda United where, alongside brothers Gavin and Ryan, he won the EA Sports Cup and finished runner-up in the Premier Division last season.
Flynn won league titles with Shamrock Rovers in 2010 and 2011, but struggled to break into the St Patrick’s Athletic back four after moving to Inchicore last season.
In a short statement, Shelbourne reiterated that financial constraints will shape the club’s off-season activity but promised that further signings will be announced “in due course.”
“It is common knowledge that Shelbourne FC will be operating off a reduced wages budget for the 2013 season and the club is grateful to manager Alan Matthews for accepting this situation and going about signing a squad with potential for not just 2013 season but for the 2014 season and beyond.”
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UCD MIDFIELDER PAUL O’Conor has left his Student days behind with a move to Drogheda United.
The league runners-up announced a trio of new signings last night with another former Belfield boy Graham Rusk joining O’Conor on the move north to Hunky Dory Park.
Shelbourne midfielder David Cassidy also joins, while Alan McNally and Alan Byrne have agreed new deals for 2013.
Drogheda finished last season four points adrift of title winners Sligo Rovers, booking their place in the Europa League qualifying rounds next summer.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to secure so many good players ahead of the Christmas break,” manager Mick Cooke said.
“I think some of the players I’ve had my eye on have been overshadowed by others in their previous clubs and I believe that they will really come into their own in Drogheda and play a major part in our plans for next season.”
Striker Gary O’Neill joined from Shamrock Rovers last week.
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ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC have signed young Shamrock Rovers defender Sean Gannon.
A graduate from Rovers’ U20 team, 21-year-old Gannon made his Hoops debut under Michael O’Neill against Pat’s in September 2011.
“Just want to thank @ShamrockRovers for everything they done for me while I was there!” Gannon tweeted last night. “Loved playing there and I wish them all the best.”
