IT WAS A busy Friday evening in Inchicore yesterday as St Patrick’s Athletic announced their fifth signing for the 2018 season with ex-Shamrock Rovers and Limerick forward Dean Clarke.
Liam Buckley has already secured captain Ian Bermingham, Graham Kelly, Conan Byrne and Bray Wanderers’ Ryan Brennan for the new campaign and on Friday the Saints confirmed the arrival of Clarke at Richmond Park.
The 24-year-old began his League of Ireland career under Martin Russell at UCD in 2011, before following the Students’ manager to Limerick in 2015.
Clarke spent one season at the Markets Field scoring eight goals in 32 appearances.
He then enjoyed a spell in Tallaght at Shamrock Rovers under Pat Fenlon which was limited due to recurrent injury setbacks, before returning to newly-promoted Limerick again for a second spell.
Clarke made 28 appearances as the Blues reached the semi-finals of the FAI Cup and maintained their place in the Premier Division under ex-Blackpool boss Neil McDonald last season.
Friday also saw St Pat’s reveal their new attire for 2018 with a retro-looking home jersey.
Supporters welcomed the return of the club’s historic white sleeves having dawned an all-red top since 2015 where the club claimed an EA Sports Cup title two seasons ago.
Clarke marks the Saints’ fifth signing ahead of the new campaign and joins just days after the Saints’ top scorer in 2017 Kurtis Byrne departed the League of Ireland in order to join Linfield in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The 2013 champions will be aiming to improve on a poor season in 2017 which saw the club avoid relegation on the final day of the season.
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Limerick in serious trouble. Big players leaving every day. Need the money for Ogbenne quick to try and bring in a squad.
Has to be good for Pats
Limerick gone backwards this last couple of months ? Is money the problem ? I don’t know , too many players either left or let go . Always the same old story with limerick soccer through the years , money or lack of it , wages late , organisation poor standard . Positives : great supporters , good stadium , sport mad city , we deserve better ???
Hopefully he does a job. Not sure if he will be played more so as a winger with Fagan still in the squad but sure time will tell.