Drogheda United sign young Saints midfielder Jack Bayly

Drogheda United have announced the signing of midfielder Jack Bayly following his release by St Patrick’s Athletic.

Bayly was part of the Pats under-19 squad that won the inaugural under-19 league in 2015, the first side other than Cork City to achieve the feat.

The 21-year-old had already made his first team debut, in a Leinster Senior Cup tie against Shelbourne in 2013.

The midfielder also scored the winning goal in the 2014 edition of that tournament against Longford Town.

His league debut came in the 2014 season in a 1-0 defeat to Limerick. Bayly made five league appearances in 2015 but did not make an appearance in 2016.

Bayly was released by St Pats earlier this month and is Drogheda’s second signing in the space of a week after Chris Mulhall signed from Limerick last Thursday.

He may be in line to make his debut against his former club this Friday as Drogheda host Pats in what is another relegation six pointer for the Boynesiders (kick-off 7.45pm).