Kelly, Russell, Barry and Foley all commit to the Limerick cause for 2019

Limerick FC manager Tommy Barrett has made his first raft of signings for the club on their return to the First Division with Shaun Kelly, Sean Russell, Ger Barry and Adam Foley all committing to the Shannonsiders cause for 2019.

The quartet of new deals see Tommy Barrett increase his squad size to six players with Will Fitzgerald and Connor Ellis both signed up for the 2019 campaign in waiting.

Shaun Kelly re-signs for the Blues having established himself as a defensive mainstay at the club since his return in 2015 after a brief stint with Derry City.

A right-back by trade, the 29-year-old will be a welcome addition to the Shannonsiders squad for 2019 as Barrett looks to assemble a fiercely competitive squad with the right blend of experience and youth at the Markets Field.

Also joining forces with the club 2019 is Sean Russell. Once of Drogheda United, UCD and of Limerick, the son of seasoned League of Ireland manager Martin Russell returns to the fold on Shannonside after a two-year spell away from the club.

Since departing at the end of the 2016 season, Russell has gone on to play for American side Atlantic City before the 24-year-old returned home to finish out the 2018 season at Éamonn Deacy Park with Galway United.

In addition, former under-19 duo Ger Barry and Adam Foley have been promoted to the senior set-up at the club after impressing for the Blues underage sides.

Speaking on the promotion of his two young stars to the senior team, Barrett has declared that he is delighted to secure the futures of his newest stars on Shannonside.

“I am delighted to have the two young lads on board and both have done well at U19 level with an eye for goal and will have benefited from the taste of Premier Division football last year.

“I’m hoping to sign some more experienced players as well as more of the talented young local players in the coming weeks. “