Updated at 15.22
FORMER ST PATRICK’S Athletic loanee Conor Carty has signed for Doncaster Rovers on loan from Bolton for the remainder of the current campaign.
The Ireland U21 international scored six goals in 41 appearances for the Saints in 2023 and is now set for a crack at the fourth tier of English football, having previously made a handful of appearances in the National League amid loan spells at Oldham Athletic and Gateshead.
The 21-year-old Wicklow native was part of a successful season for Pat’s, helping the club finish third in the league while starting in their FAI Cup final triumph against Bohemians last November.
“I’m delighted,” Carty told Doncaster’s website. “As soon as I knew the move was coming up, I jumped on it straight away. I’m really happy to be here.
“To come to such a big club like Doncaster now, I’m really excited for it.”
It has been a difficult season for Doncaster, who sit 19th out of 24 teams in League Two.
Rovers manager Grant McCann said: “Conor’s a good player. He’s athletic, he wants to run in behind, he’s a good finisher.
“He’s come here off the back of a good loan with St Pat’s which went really well for him. They won the cup in Ireland and finished in the top three, which was a really good season for them.
“We’re really pleased to get him because there was quite a bit of interest in him from the EFL.”
Meanwhile, in another loan move, Sean Grehan has joined Carlisle United from Crystal Palace until the end of the season.
Grehan, who turns 20 next week, signed a new three-year contract with Palace last month.
The former Bohemians centre-back has featured for the Palace U21s this season, making 17 appearances, with two goals and an assist to his name. He has also been captain of the team this season.
His performances for the U21s have seen him train with the first-team squad and earn a place in the matchday squad for Palace’s Carabao Cup second-round tie against Plymouth Argyle in August.
Carlisle manager Paul Simpson hopes Grehan can help his side climb the League One table. They sit 22nd now.
“He can play right or left-side centre back and I think he adds a little bit more to what we’ve got,” Simpson said.
“He’s got a real hunger about him and has played senior football with Bohemians over in Ireland and has that real hunger in his belly.
“He’s a no-nonsense defender but he’s also got a good range of passing, he can play out from the back – but he loves defending.
“We’ve had good references on him and we’ve watched him six or seven times live this season and everything has been positive.”
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
