LAST UPDATE | 22 Dec 2023
SHELBOURNE HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of Liam Burt on loan from Shamrock Rovers until the end of the 2024 season.
The 24-year-old attacker made 16 appearances for the Hoops last year during an injury interrupted first season at the Tallaght Stadium. His only goal of the campaign arrived last August against Cork City.
The former Scottish underage international began his League of Ireland career at Bohemians, signing from Celtic in 2021. The Glasgow native has been capped at all underage levels for Scotland from U16 up to U21s.
Liam Burt signs for Shels 🔴#DublinsFinest | #Reds2024
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) December 22, 2023
“Liam is a special player who has absolute X factor and we are delighted that he has signed,” said Shelbourne coach Damien Duff.
“He is very eager to get back to his best and we plan to get him there. He brings another dynamic to our attacking strengths and I’m sure he will excite all the fans when they see him in action.”
“Delighted to be signing for Shels, really glad to get it done after a few weeks of talking and hearing the manager’s plans for the club,” said Burt.
“I’m really looking forward to getting in and meeting the lads now and working hard in pre-season training. I’m getting back fully fit now and injury free and can’t wait to get the season started and help Shelbourne hopefully progress again after the back of a successful season last year.”
Meanwhile, Greg Bolger has rejoined relegated Cork City from Sligo Rovers, where he was player-coach last season.
The midfielder, who made over 50 appearances for City in 2016 and 2017, is keen to help them win promotion back to the Premier League.
Cork City FC are delighted to announce the signing of Greg Bolger ✍🏼
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) December 22, 2023
The midfielder, who made over 50 appearances for the club, winning the FAI Cup in 2016 and a League & Cup double in 2017, returns for the 2024 Season! 🤩
Full story 👇🏼#CCFC84 || @zeus_packaging
“I’m delighted to be back at City. I am here to win football matches and do my best to get this great club back to where it belongs,” he said.
“I have had a number of conversations with Tim (Clancy) and have been impressed by the plans the club have. There is a good squad being assembled here and I am looking forward to playing my part. There have been some good signings made over the last few weeks, along with some very talented players already at the club, so I think it is all coming together nicely.”
Bolger, who won a league and two FAI Cups in his previous spell at the club, also spoke about looking forward to playing in front of the Cork City fans once again: “I know what Turner’s Cross can be like; when things are going well, there is no better place in the country to be playing. There is a certain level of expectation when you play for this club which I know well, and I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
Cork City manager Tim Clancy said: “Greg obviously has a wealth of experience in the league. He is the ultimate professional in how he goes about things and he is a huge character, as well as being a very good player.
“I know he will be very good in terms of setting standards around the dressing room and the training ground, particularly for the younger players in the squad, as well as being a big player on the pitch. I have spoken previously about wanting the right kind of characters in the squad and Greg is not only the right kind of character, but he will influence others around him in a very positive way.”
Dundalk have announced that midfielder Robbie Benson has signed a new contract with the club.
The 31-year-old made 16 appearances in all competitions for the club during the 2023 season and he said he was looking forward to another year at Oriel Park.
“I’m really happy to be back,” said Benson. “Next season will be my seventh at Dundalk and given the history of the club, that’s something I’m really proud of.”
