Barry Murphy and Ian Turner sign new deals with St Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's Athletic have filled their Christmas shopping basket up to 14 with the news that goalkeeper Barry Murphy and winger Ian Turner have signed new one-year deals.

Murphy signs on for a second season at Richmond Park after playing the first half of 2016 as second fiddle to Conor O'Malley, before his departure for Peterborough United, while Turner was a summer signing who helped the club stave off relegation.

32-year-old Murphy endured a frustration first season back in red and white – he previously spent a season at Pats in 2012 – as he won his place in the team only to suffer a season-ending shoulder injury.

The experienced stopper came through the underage set-up at Shamrock Rovers, winning the First Division with the Hoops in 2006, before signing for Bohemians in 2010.

He spent two years with Bohs and signed for Pats before returning to Tallaght Stadium in 2013. He made 83 appearances in four years, winning the club's player of the year gong twice.

Murphy appeared 13 times for the Saints in all competitions in his first season back, keeping five clean sheets.

"Barry is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the league so that'll be vital for us throughout the coming season,” manager Liam Buckley told the club's website.

“Barry is again another great professional so his experience will be great for our defensive unit, while we feel he can also guide young Brian Maher a lot as well in training.

"Unfortunately for Barry, he picked up a bad shoulder injury last season and that knocked him back at a time when he had just gained the number one jersey.

“He missed out on a good bit of football through that injury and couldn't take part in our run in to the end of the season.

“However his dedication to recover and regain full fitness was great and I know he will be raring to go for us when we get to the start of the season in February."

27-year-old joined from Limerick midway through the 2017 season with the Saints perilously close to dipping out of the Premier Division for the first time in the division's history.

The former Cork City man – who won the FAI Cup with the Leesiders in 2016 – made nine appearances in all competitions for the Saints, mainly off the bench.

“Ian came in last July and was a really positive influence on the group,” said Buckley.

“We need good characters around the place like him, and he can also play in a number of positions too which will be huge for us.

“Going through pre-season and starting the season will be great for Ian so I am sure he will hit the ground running and really push for a place in the team."

St Patrick's Athletic squad for 2018: Michael Barker, Ian Bermingham, Killian Brennan, Ryan Brennan, Conan Byrne, Thomas Byrne, Lee Desmond, Christy Fagan, Owen Garvan, Graham Kelly, Simon Madden, Brian Maher, Barry Murphy, Ian Turner.