BOHEMIANS CONTINUE TO make progress in their preparations for next season by revealing today that Dan Casey has signed a new deal to remain at the club for 2018.
Casey joined Bohs in July after four years at Sunderland. The 20-year-old versatile defender, who represented Ireland at U19 level, made nine league appearances — including seven starts — as the Gypsies exceeded expectations by finishing in fifth place in the Premier Division.
Bohs boss Keith Long said: “I believe Dan has a big season ahead of him. He’s played at right-back for Sunderland and Ireland as well but he’s a natural at centre-back. Young players will make mistakes but he will benefit from his four months in the league this year and I believe he will push on next season.
“With Rob Cornwall, Warren O’Hora and Dan Byrne all there, centre-back is a position where we have four top players vying for their place in the team. Dan has the potential to go on and become one of the best young centre-backs in the league and he will benefit from having a full pre-season with us too.”
Long has also taken the decision to promote winger Jamie Hamilton, right-back John Ross Wilson and left-back Paddy Kirk to his first-team squad for next season. The trio played key roles for the Bohs side that recently pipped St Patrick’s Athletic to the SSE Airtricity League U19 title.
“We’ve good young players coming through at the club, as is evident with the success of our U19s and U17s. It’s a big step up but they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts and to be given a chance at this level,” said Keith Long.
“We’ve also retained a number of the U19 team who are still eligible for that level next season, so we believe they can continue to improve.”
Bohemians now have 13 players under contract for next season: Oscar Brennan, Dan Byrne, Dan Casey, Dinny Corcoran, Jamie Hamilton, John Ross Wilson, Rob Cornwall, Paddy Kavanagh, Paddy Kirk, Derek Pender, Fuad Sule, Shane Supple, Warren O’Hora.
