St Patrick's Athletic have snapped up Kian Leavy from Shelbourne after the Reds signed two players from Hull City yesterday, the first of a number of moves expected between the two clubs after Hull owner Acun Ilicali became Shels' majority shareholder.
Shels confirmed yesterday that Leavy had left the club after making 11 appearances since joining Reading on loan and a move to the Saints - who signed winger Alex Nolan from UCD yesterday - was later announced.
Leavy was previously with St Pat's - at the Saints' academy before joining Reading in 2018.
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The midfielder’s last appearance for Shels was the 2-2 draw with Shamrock Rovers back in April. Leavy has been sidelined with an injury since then and, despite the offer of a contract, informed the club he was leaving.
Reds boss Damien Duff said: “Kian Leavy has surprisingly turned down a contract with us. I wish him all the best with his recovery from injury."
Shels face bottom club UCD at Belfield tonight and the hosts have themselves made a new signing, with Sean Brennan returning to the Students.
Brennan, 22, helped UCD win promotion in 2021, joined Drogheda United ahead of this season and he returns with College in a precarious position - 12 points behind Cork City, who occupy the relegation play-off berth.
However Shels will feel their bid for European qualification is boosted with Hull central midfielder Harry Wood joining on loan for the rest of the season and goalkeeper Harry Fisk signing a permanent deal.
Wood, 20, was previously with Manchester United's academy before joining Hull's equivalent at under-16 level. He made his senior debut for the club in the final game of the 2020/21 season as Hull celebrated winning League One.
He later joined League Two outfit Scunthorpe on loan. Returning to Hull last season, Wood was a regular in the under-21s before making his Championship debut in the final game of the campaign against Luton Town.
“We're very happy to have Harry Wood in the building," said Duff. "He has a high level of technical ability. He's very honest and hard working and will fit nicely into our culture.”
Wood is hoping to help the Reds achieve European qualification.
"It’s an unbelievable opportunity, especially under the management," he commented. "I want to try to help the club get European football, which would be a massive achievement.”
Netminder Fisk, 20, is added following the departure of Scott van-der-Sluis.
Fisk joined Hull's academy at under-14 level and signed his first pro contract with the club two years ago. He had loan spells at Spalding United and Tadcaster Albion during the 2021/22 season, then returned to Tadcaster on loan last term.
“Having another goalkeeper was a big focus," said Duff. "Harry Fisk comes with great pedigree and he's a brilliant addition."
Fisk reacted: "It’s been a hectic few days, a new challenge and one I’m looking forward to.
"I want to develop as a person and a player and feel that Tolka Park is the perfect place for me to do that.“
Bohemians hope to have their newest signing Bartlomiej Kukulowicz in their ranks to face Dundalk tonight.
However the Lilywhites' latest acquisition Darren Brownlie will have to wait until next week's UEFA Europa Conference League first-qualifying round first-leg-tie with FCB Magpies in Gibraltar for his first involvement.
The Gypsies have signed Polish right-back Kukulowicz, 22, from Nieciecza. He came through the youth ranks at Legia Warsaw and has signed until the end of next season.
“We have been crying out for an out-and-out right-back and he ticks a lot of boxes for us in the way we want to play," said Bohs boss Declan Devine.
Meanwhile, Dundalk's new man Brownlie is an experienced 29-year-old Scottish defender who has played for Ayr, Queen of the South and Partick Thistle.
“I’ve been thinking about trying something new for a couple of years so when the opportunity came up to come to Dundalk, I was really excited by it,” said Brownlie.
“Usually when you sign for a team in Scotland, you’re straight into pre-season so it’s different to come here and have a League run-in, Cup competitions and Europe to look forward to."
In the First Division, Aodh Dervan has joined promotion chasing Galway United from Shels, having completed a six month loan at Longford Town.
"Galway is a huge club, as soon as I heard there was interest I wanted to come," said the versatile Dervin.
"The fans when they're playing have the place rocking and they're flying at the minute so it was a no brainer really."
Cobh Ramblers have added Alec Byrne and Matt McKevitt to their squad.
