Folan signs for Sligo

The Bit O’Red have finalised the deal that will see the defender join from Premier Division rivals Limerick FC.

Stephen Folan initially signed for Limerick back in January 2013, after spending time with Newcastle United in England. He became an integral part of the Blues’ defence and made thirty-one appearances in his first season for the club, whilst also scoring his first goal in a 2-1 defeat to Derry City, as Limerick finished seventh in the league.

He stayed with Limerick for the 2014 season and made a further twenty-nine appearances, scoring twice more in the league, as Limerick finished sixth in the table. However, a big moment for the Galwegian player occurred in the match against Cork City in September, as he was made captain of Limerick for the first time.

Stephen spoke to sligorovers.com about his happiness in finally signing for the club, saying “I am delighted to have signed now. It has been going on for a while and it has been a frustrating time. I wanted to sign quicker but it wasn’t to be. I am very thankful and grateful to Owen, Gavin and Paul for getting it done and getting it across the line.

He went on to say that the manager was a huge attraction to him joining, stating that, “As a defender it will be great to play for Owen Heary. He is the type of manager who will get the most out of me,” whilst also saying that the facilities “the club has are among the best in the country.”

Stephen shares the club’s ambition as he said, “I have come here because I want to win the league. I think that with the players we have retained and the players that have been added we are more than capable of right up there fighting for the league in October and hopefully getting to a Cup final as well.”

Manager Owen Heary feels that his new signing is the right kind of player for the club.

“This is a very good signing. He can play on the ball but is also capable of defending when he has to. He is the type of player we want at the club, he is young and hungry to win things. “

With this signing, Heary now has a squad of twenty and he is happy that the squad building has happened quickly.

“It was always the plan when I got here to have the squad signed up as soon as possible. We have been working hard and it is great to have got things done. I am happy with the squad we have so far and we can sit back and enjoy the Christmas period now.”

The Sligo squad is now: Richard Brush, Ryan Coulter; Alan Keane, Stephen Folan, Jeff Henderson, Gavin Peers, Regan Donelon, Jake Dykes, Danny Ledwith, Gary Boylan;  Kevin Devaney, Keith Ward, Eoin Wearen, David Cawley, John Russell, Gary Armstrong; Raf Cretaro, Ruairi Keating, Steven Beattie, Dinny Corcoran.