Bray Wanderers have had a busy Friday, announcing five new signings and confirming five more have signed new deals for the 2018 season.
The Seagulls had been worryingly quiet on the transfer front since the end of last season, and given the turbulence that affected the club last season, some fans had started to worry.
However, the appointment of Dave Mackey as the new first team manager last week was always likely to speed things along as the new man zoned in on his transfer targets, and nine players signed new deals on an incredibly eventful day at the Carlisle Grounds.
To the new signings first, and the club have announced that midfielder Paul O’Conor and defenders Dylan Hayes, Darragh Gibbons and Sean Heaney have joined from St. Patrick’s Athletic, Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers respectively.
Joining the club for the 2018 season is Paul O’Conor who joins from St Patrick’s Athletic & @SeanHeaney96 signs from Shamrock Rovers pic.twitter.com/IThQWv6Wq5
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
Another new face for the Wanderers. @Dylhayes21 signs for the club from @bfcdublin pic.twitter.com/KhSTiKxn5i
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
Defender Darragh Gibbons joins the club from Shamrock Rovers pic.twitter.com/SUXRKTNsX1
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
Midfielder Jake Kelly has also return to the Carlise Grounds for his third spell at the club. The 27-year-old began his senior career at Bray before leaving at the end of the 2011 season. He return for a year in 2014 before departing again, and spent the 2017 campaign with First Division side Longford Town.
Jake Kelly returns to the Carlisle Grounds signing from Longford Town. pic.twitter.com/asOmTkvTLS
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
In terms of returning faces, although there have been some high-profile departures (Keith Buckley being the most recent when he returned to Bohemians on Thursday), Mackey has retained the services of some key players. Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, John Sullivan, Ger Pender and Gary McCabe have all signed on for the 2018 season.
We’re pleased to announce that @hughie_douglas & @sullo11 have resigned for the club ahead of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/z9nsUqt3xT
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
@conor4kenna becomes the latest member of last seasons squad to sign ahead of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/BAvCnpKa2S
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
@GerPender10 is the latest player to sign ahead of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/F0AAKWOWAZ
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
Returning to the Carlisle Grounds for 2018 is Gary McCabe pic.twitter.com/ia2q5uNNMV
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) January 5, 2018
Mackey has something of a baptism of fire in his first Premier Division match in charge of his new club, as Bray Wanderers travel to Oriel Park to take on last season’s runners-up Dundalk on February 16th.
Read More About: Bray Wanderers, conor kenna, darragh gibbons, dave mackey, daylan hayes, gary mccabe, Ger Pender, hugh douglas, jake kelly, john sullivan, LOI Premier Division, loi premier division, Sean Heaney
