Ex-Cork City star Roy O'Donovan joins Newcastle Jets

Former Cork City striker Roy O'Donovan has made the move across New South Wales to join A-League side Newcastle Jets from Central Coast Mariners.

31-year-old O'Donovan will stay for a third year in Australian football after initially joining the Mariners, one of A-League's weakest sides, ahead of the 2015-16 season.

The Corkman, who represented Sunderland, Coventry City and Northampton Town during his club career in England, scored 19 times in 45 appearances for the Gosford-based Mariners.

“I want to score a lot more goals in the Hyundai A-League,” O’Donovan told the Jets' website.

“Obviously the Jets are transitioning between managers and there are a lot of players out of contract, but if we can get the right type of creative players in the team then I sense that we will be able to push on.”

“The Jets are a good football Club, a big Club that I can only see growing under the ownership of the LEDMAN Group.”

“Obviously joining from Central Coast will be seen as a little bit controversial, but as a professional footballer this is the next step in my career.”

“I will be moving up to Newcastle with my family - it’s a beautiful part of Australia I think it will be a great place for us to live.”

Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna added: “We’re ecstatic that Roy and his family have chosen Newcastle over the other offers that were on the table for him both domestically and internationally.

“Martin Lee and LEDMAN Group recognise Roy’s quality, and have backed us by helping to bring him to the Club.”

“We’re sure that Roy will prove to be a great addition to the Newcastle Jets over the next two seasons.”

The struggling Mariners finished bottom of the A-League table in O'Donovan's first season at the club but lifted to eighth this season, while the Jets slipped to last place.