Nenagh beef up squad for new campaign
The 2024/25 Limerick Junior Soccer season kicks off this week and once again the movement of players, particularly in the Premier League would leave one dizzy.
By Pat Sheehan
The 2024/25 Limerick Junior Soccer season kicks off this week and once again the movement of players, particularly in the Premier League would leave one dizzy.
After their historic success of last season, Aisling Annacotty face the difficult task of trying to repeat the feat. Their intentions to succeed in that regard were made obvious with the club's close season activity.
They pounced when Treaty United's Willie Armshaw announced his intention to return to the junior ranks. They followed that up by signing former Aisling player and current international Conor Coughlan from Pike Rovers. Joey Rushe from Regional United, Conor Carew, Alex Cuddy and former Ballynanty keeper Stephen McNamara will strengthen the squad further.
Last season's runners up, Pike Rovers don't seem to have been as busy, but they have added Kieran Hanlon and Scott Kirwin from Carew Park, Conor Keane from Ballynanty and Mike Morrissey from Rathkeale. Regional striker Eoin Duff will have big boots to fill following the departure of Shane Clarke while Steven Bradley, Danny O'Neill, Conor Coughlan, and Derek Daly move on.
While last season's top two have the same management team, Fairview Rangers have added the experienced Mike Shiel to the ticket for their coming campaign. Dara Rainsford and Aaron Hough return to the fold while Danny O'Neill, Oleg Vysochan and goalkeeper Cian O'Brien further strengthen a squad that have lost Tomas O'Connor to Balla.
Regional United lost manager Sean Russell to Treaty United but his assistant Shane O'Donoghue will continue in much the same vein. They must do it without striker’s Oleg Vysochan and Eoin Duff who have signed for Fairview and Pike respectively. On the upside, the Reds welcome Sean Iyobe, Paudie Hartigan, and Conor Finn to Dooradoyle.
Ballynanty Rovers will be guided by Derek Braddish and David Dunphy and they will welcome the excellent Tomas O'Connor back to the fold. They have signed Tommy Holland to replace the departing Stephen McNamara while the loss of Dara Rainsford will be tempered somewhat by the return after injury of Habideen Gbadebo.
Nenagh AFC report all positives with a large influx of talent. Nathan Kelly is back from Australia while Bryan McGee, Roy Creagh and Dylan Morrison return to the fold. Fionn Higgins and Kian Kelly-Mitchell sign from Treaty’s 20’s and former International Mikey O’Gorman has been persuaded out of retirement.
Fellow Tipperary side Newport Town will have Ger O'Brien at the helm assisted by Dave Ryan. They have promoted a number of talented players from the ‘B’ team in Aaron Coleman, Joe Shanahan, and Killian O'Malley.
Paul Danaher and Gary Kelly will manage Mungret Regional who have added Danny McCarthy, Cormac Noonan, Stephen O’Dwyer and Cael Gaffney to an already talented roster.
Carew Park seem to be struggling with the loss of most of last season's side. It could well prove a long season for a young squad.
Geraldines are in a similar bind with quite a few defections. Anthony McCormack and Eamon Danagher will be doing their all to ensure they field a competitive side.
It comes as no surprise that the two newly promoted sides have stuck with their management teams after impressive campaigns last season.
Janesboro welcome back the prolific Shane Clarke who returns after a successful stint with Pike Rovers. Josh Sheahan, former Coonagh goalkeeper, Cian Arthur and Kai Joyce from Aisling and Kerryman Colin Doody make up impressive additions.
Hyde Rangers have also held their own and welcome back Gavin Hehir. Conor Madden, David Power, Cian Byrnes and Conor Madigan are shrewd signings by supremo Derek Walsh.