General
- Tuesday December 12th, 2017 @ 12:00
Barry Murphy & Ian Turner Re-sign For 2018
St Patrick's Athletic are pleased to announce the re-signings of goalkeeper Barry Murphy and midfielder Ian Turner ahead of the 2018 SSE Airtricity League season.
Turner (28) signs on for a second season with the Saints having joined last July from Limerick and will be hoping to add to his appearances made late in the season. Murphy (32) re-signs with the Saints having spent last season with the club, and will line out for what will be his third season at Pat's having had a previous spell in 2012.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com. about re-signing both players, manager Liam Buckley expressed his pleasure at having the duo in his ranks once more and expressed his happiness at having some continuity in the Pat's squad heading into 2018. "I'm really happy to add Ian and Barry to our ranks again for the coming season," Buckley said.
"With Ian, he came in last July and was a really positive influence on the group. 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."
Murphy will head into a third season in St Pat's colours having previously been at the club for the 2012 season which saw the Saints reach the FAI Cup final and secure a third place finish in the league. Buckley admitted having the Dubliner for the coming season is a boost as he will work alongside Republic of Ireland U18 international goalkeeper Brian Maher.
"Re-signing Barry was something we were keen to do as he is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the league so that'll be vital for us throughout the coming season. 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."
The club hope to announce further signings both today and later in the week.
