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St Pat's make double swoop with signing of Brennan and Garvan

Both players will be looking to make an immediate impact as the club lie third from bottom.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC have completed the signings of Killian Brennan and Owen Garvan.

Brennan spent three seasons at Richmond Park where he won the Premier Division, FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup in successive years between 2013 and 2015.

The 33-year-old left the club in 2015 where he spent time at Shamrock Rovers before signing for Drogheda United at the beginning of this season.

Garvan, meanwhile, has returned to Dublin following five years at Ipswich Town between 2005 and 2010 as well as spells at Millwall, Bolton and most recently Colchester United.

The 29-year-old joined Ipswich from Home Farm in 2004 and has represented Ireland from U15 to U21 level.

Both players will be aiming to turn the Saints’ fortunes around as they attempt to climb out of the bottom three and avoid a first ever relegation from the top flight this season.

Soccer - Pre-Season Friendly - Crystal Palace v Lazio - Selhurst Park Garvan earned promotion to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2013. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Speaking about the club’s signings, manager Liam Buckley remarked that Brennan was one of the country’s top midfielders while Garvan’s experience playing in the Championship would add to the side’s quality in midfield.

“I know Killian well having managed him during his previous spell at the club, when we had a lot of success on the pitch”, Buckley told the club’s website.

“He is one of the best midfielders in the country and I feel he still has a lot to offer. He has an excellent left foot and is also a leader on the pitch.”

“Killian understands the way we want to play and what it means to play for St Pat’s, hopefully he’ll put in some good performances for us to help us move up the table.”

Brennan made 19 appearances for Shamrock Rovers before departing by mutual consent in October of 2015.

He joined local club Drogheda United in January of this year where the midfielder broke his collarbone on the opening night of the campaign against Galway United.

Jimmy Keohane and Killian Brennan Brennan departed Drogheda at the end of June. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

The player left United last month, departing alongside Marc Griffin in the aftermath of Drogheda’s 4-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers.

Garvan has spent the last two seasons at Colchester having previously made 87 appearances as Crystal Palace earned promotion to the Premier League in 2013.

“I became aware that Owen was coming home to Dublin a little while ago and I’m delighted to get his signing over the line too”, said manager Buckley.

“He has played at the top level in England in a very competitive Championship and will add a lot to us on and off the pitch.”

“He’s been in training with us for the last couple of weeks and has been building his fitness and training well. He knows the lads know and they know him, as well as Killian, so they’ll settle into the group very quickly.”

“Both are good passers of the ball but will also battle and fight for the cause, which is important to how we want to play.”

St Pat’s drew 1-1 with Galway United on Friday night and are currently third from bottom with just three wins so far this season.

They host Hearts in a friendly mid-week before facing league leaders Cork City this Sunday at Turners Cross where both players could make their league debuts for the club.

Buckley said: “We’ll look at getting them some minutes in the Hearts friendly on Wednesday if we can and they’ll be available for the Cork game next Sunday too.”

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