Barrett confident ahead of Airtricity League season and confirms double signing

New Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett held his first press conference at the University of Limerick on Wednesday afternoon. The Limerick native was appointed on Sunday evening to replace Neil McDonald and feels that age will not be a factor when gaining the respect of the squad. The 38 year old stated

“I don’t think its a problem (age). I’m probably a bit young but I wouldn’t be the youngest in the league. Stephen Bradley did a good job at Shamrock Rovers last year and he’s younger than me. The lads who were here previously had a lot more experience than me but I will bring a positive energy.”

Despite the surprising and quick nature of McDonald’s departure, Barrett feels it is the right time for him to help the club. “It’s probably the right time for me to come and give some stability to the club going forward and we will see can we do that.”

The former Limerick player was preparing for a new season with the under 19s team and admits the step up to the senior set-up is a big one. He also praised the influence of Eric Kinder who has taken training since the departure of McDonald two weeks ago.

Barrett will be undertaking a section of the Pro-Licence next week and will be unavailable to oversee training regularly and Kinder has agreed to take training for the week before he departs the club at the end of January.

New signing Conor Ellis joined Barrett at the press conference while he confirmed that Eon Wearen had also signed for the club. Limerick are also in discussions with a few more players with a view to signing. Speaking about his new signings, Barrett said;

“Conor is a great signing for us. We’ve signed Eoin Wearen as well. He is a fantastic signing for us also. Conor fits the profile. He is a good young player who I admired with the 19s for many years and I would have been onto the club to sign even then.”

Furthermore, the new boss feels that his knowledge of the league will prove to be a great help to him as he makes the step up to senior management.

“I think so yeah. I know the league and the players in it. I know the other managers and I think that’s an important factor as I know what type of style they like to play.”

Ellis revealed that the appointment of Barrett, who the former Cork under 19’s player would have come up against regularly in the past, was crucial in his decision to join the Shannonsiders.

“Tommy was a big part of it if I’m honest. His 19s teams were always good to play against and I always respected his teams. He was the real reason I came.”

20 year old striker Ellis joins the club with a big reputation having spent the majority of the last two years with champions Cork City. He made an impression last season as John Caulfield used the youngster from the bench. However, with the arrival of both Graham Cummins and Josh O’Hanlon to Leeside, Ellis had slipped down the pecking order and wanted regular first team opportunities which he hopes can come at Limerick. It is an area of the pitch where Limerick needed to improve with Danny Morrissey as the only other noticeable option in the striking department.

Eoin Wearen has signed from Bohemians off the back of a year on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury. The midfielder returned to Ireland to sign for Bohemians in 2014 having played for West Ham’s youth team for a number of years. He also spent a single season at Sligo Rovers in 2015 before returning to Bohemians under manager Keith Long.