St Patrick's Athletic have added to their impressive squad by bringing Conor Carty back to the club on a two-year contract from Bolton Wanderers, but have lost rising star Michael Noonan to Shamrock Rovers.
Carty returns to Richmond Park on a permanent deal, he was most recently on loan at Doncaster Rovers in League 2.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined St Pat's in February 2023 on loan from Bolton and had a very successful season, helping the club to the Sports Direct FAI Cup and European qualification.
He made 41 appearances, scoring six crucial goals, including in the FAI Cup semi-final win against Cork City at Turner's Cross, another in an important 2-1 league victory at home to Dundalk and a huge goal to help clinch European football in a win at Bohemians.
Carty said: "I'm really excited and happy to be back.
"I'm really excited and happy to be back at St Pat's and I'm looking forward to it. I had a great year here in 2023, I know a lot of the staff and players from then so it will be good to see everybody again.
"My goal here at Richmond against Dundalk and obviously in the Cup semi-final in Cork and winning the final at Aviva Stadium are some of my best memories.
"We won a cup the last time I was here, and the team obviously had a really strong finish to 2024, so I'm just hoping for a successful season."
Manager Stephen Kenny has welcomed his latest recruit: "We're very happy to welcome Conor back to St Patrick's Athletic, he has been a part of the group before and has already established good relationships with the staff and players so he'll be able to settle in straight away.
"With Cian Kavanagh and Michael Noonan departing, it was an area of the team that needed attention.
"Conor is a player I've watched from his time with the Republic of Ireland U17s, he plays on the last line and leads from the front, he has a high work ethic and is an all round number 9 and an exceptional team-mate.
"It's important that we don't expect too much too soon from Conor, he's just back from a long lay-off after his cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Doncaster Rovers.
"The injury halted his progress but that is only temporary. He's signed a two-year contract with us and will be a brilliant addition to the squad."
Noonan, a highly-rated 16-year-old, has switched Dublin clubs ahead of the new season.
He leaves Inchicore for Tallaght without having signed a professional contract with the Saints.
It's a big blow for Pat’s as Noonan is expected to transfer to England in the future, with Manchester City reportedly interested last year.
He could enter first-team plans with Stephen Bradley’s side, having already made his debut with Pat's.
Bradley said: "I’ve watched Michael’s game and progress since he was virtually a baby, really. I saw him play numerous times in Roadstone and followed his career since then. I tried to get Michael in last year, but it didn’t happen.
"When I knew he wanted to come to Rovers this time around, it was a no-brainer for us as a club. Michael is one of the best young players in the country and, as well as producing our own, we got to recruit the best as well so Michael falls into that category.
"He’s a player I’ve watched for some time and he has real ability and a great attitude, so I’m delighted to get him in."
Bradley has attempted to play down the talk of Noonan joining City when he is 18. "I think that’s irrelevant. You look at most players when there’s talk of teams being after them, it’s all irrelevant in the bigger picture.
"When you get to know Michael, he’s just focused on being better and improving. I don’t think he’ll listen to any of the noise and anything from the outside is irrelevant. None of that noise is of interest to us, we’ve signed Michael to play for Rovers."
Sean Boyd has signed a new long-term deal at Shelbourne ahead of their 2025 title defence.
The striker scored ten league goals last season but it was the three in as many games during the run in which proved crucial as Damien Duff's side sealed a first major trophy in 18 years.
"Over the moon to be extending my stay at this amazing club," Boyd said on Wednesday.
"I've loved every second since I’ve signed and with the staff and people behind the scenes working relentlessly to improve everyday I felt like it was a no brainer to commit my future to Tolka Park. Can’t wait to see the best fans in the country back at Tolka this season."
Manager Duff added: "It is very simple. I go to war, the big man is coming with me. Sean knows what we want to build here and he is going to be relentless in helping us do it."
Meanwhile, Elicha Ahui has joined Drogheda United on loan for the forthcoming season, having helped them to FAI Cup glory and Premier Division survival in 2024 during his second spell at the Louth club.
Earlier on Wednesday, the English defender had signed an 18-month deal with League Two side Walsall, who are also under the ownership of the Trivela Group like Drogheda, but will re-join Kevin Doherty's squad for a third spell in a season-long loan.
"It feels great to be back, and I think this year is going to be different too, as there has been a lot of good changes made by the club, like going full time," he told the club website.
"The fans here are amazing. They show so much love all the time. When you have people like that backing you, you just have to play well.
"Obviously, I want to do as well as we did last year while I was with the club, and try to help the team build on that. Being in a European competition too, all of the players and fans definitely have something to be looking forward to."
