Limerick FC confirm Shaun Kelly and Paul O’Conor have left the club

Defender Shaun Kelly and midfielder Paul O’Conor are the latest players to leave Limerick, they follow the departures of Chris Mulhall, Ian Turner and Robbie Williams.

Limerick had stated that Kelly, O’Conor and Williams had been placed on the transfer list last week.

O’Conor is expected to link up with former teammate Ian Turner at St Patrick’s Athletic while Kelly has decided to hang up his boots and pursue a new career.

Kelly put pen to paper for the Shannonsiders firstly back in 2011 before a stint at Derry City in 2014, he then returned to the club in 2015 and has been a part of two promotion campaigns.

Last night the Killybegs man had this to say about his time at the club.

“To all at Limerick FC, thank you for the last number of years since I signed in 2011. It’s been a pleasure. The two promotions obviously my highlights.

“But it’s time for a new challenge and a new job in Limerick outside of football for a change.

“No fall-outs, no off-field stories, just people wanting to take different paths in the future, these things happen. I would obviously rather have stayed, but it’s not to be. I’m getting old anyway!

“Excited to start a new career working and playing a bit of ball on the side too sometimes!.

“Limerick is now my home and where my family are living, but now I’ll be supporting the lads in the Markets Field, rather than playing with them.

“I loved every minute of playing for this club. Thank you for some great memories and all the best to everyone at the club.”

O’Conor signed for Limerick ahead of the 2015 season, Martin Russel’s men were resigned to relegation that season but the midfielder stayed with the club and played a crucial role in last season’s title winning side.

https://twitter.com/pauloconor10/status/892149430874517504

Both players will no doubt be missed by Limerick FC fans and by their teammates, and with the club failing to bring in any replacements on transfer deadline day it looks as though a relegation scrap could on the horizon.

Here’s another look at Shaun Kelly’s wonder goal from the promotion/relegation playoff final first leg in 2015.