Saints add two more to squad

St. Patrick’s Athletic have added two more young talents to their squad for the forthcoming 2013 season. David Ryan and Conor Murphy join the Inchicore outfit and will hope to play a part in the Saints’ title challenge.

Ryan, who is 24, has joined Athletic from newly-promoted Limerick FC. Having already registered older brother Barry on their books, Dave has followed in his footstep, having battled him for the number one spot at Limerick for the last two seasons. Having spent his entire semi-professional career at Limerick thus far, the Ennis native is excited about this new opportunity.

Speaking exclusively to Extratime.ie, Ryan spoke of his hopes for the year and his reasons behind the move.

“The opportunity to play European football and to play for a club like Pat’s was an opportunity I couldn’t really turn down. “

Having been a target for Liam Buckley before at Sporting Fingal, Ryan is confident in his own ability and believes he is not just there to simply make up the numbers.

“I am absolutely looking to challenge Brendan Clarke for the number one spot. I can’t wait to get back training and meet all my new team mates. Our first game was announced just there in the Setanta Cup so I can’t wait to play in that competition.”

While the timing of his move was rather unusual, Ryan accepts that he wanted to start a new chapter in his life.

“I just needed a new challenge. Winning the league with Limerick was brilliant, but the opportunity to move up to Dublin and to live up there is a big thing for me. I think with the players we’re after signing, we’re more than capable of challenging for the league. We were so close last year, and after losing the cup final, there’s definitely a trophy within this squad of players this season.”

In terms of personal ambition, it’s all about playing games for the former Limerick stopper.

“I just want to play. I got an injury for Limerick last year, so just to challenge Clarkey, because he’s got a lot of experience behind him and obviously to win things. Winning the league last year with Limerick only makes you more hungry for success so hopefully that’ll come again.”

Murphy, meanwhile, joins the Saints following a disjointed 2012 season.  Beginning the year at Monaghan, Murphy was left without a club after the sudden demise of the Mons.  However he was quickly snapped up by Declan Devine and the Candystripes where he went on to make 12 appearances in the league, scoring a single goal.

The 20 year old striker was previously a star for St. Kevin’s Boys and eventually moved to Bray Wanderers, however the opportunity to move across the water to Middlesbrough arose in 2009.  Murphy's time at the Riverside lasted only a short while, and he returned home where he had a brief spell with Shamrock Rovers.  

The forward linked once more with Bray Wanderers ahead of the 2011 season and his form was so impressive with the Wicklow club that it earned him a place as the main striker in Ireland’s and Paul Doolin’s U19 squad which qualified for the UEFA U19 Championship finals in Bucharest that same year.

Murphy now will compete alongside Christy Fagan and Anto Flood in the striker’s department in Liam Buckley’s squad.