Defender Tony Whitehead the latest player to leave Limerick

Defender Tony Whitehead has parted company with Limerick by mutual consent after six seasons at the Markets Field.

Whitehead, who hails from Charleville on the Cork-Limerick border, left the club last month amid the club's well-publicised financial issues.

The 22-year-old expressed his appreciation for Blues boss Tommy Barrett and former under-19 manager Declan Farmer for bringing him to the club.

“I’m very appreciative of what Declan Farmer and Tommy Barrett did for me in bringing me to the club and helping me develop as a player,” Whitehead said in a statement released on social media.

“Also would like to say a big thanks to Pat O’Sullivan, and the five managers I played under while at the club.”

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— Tony Whitehead (@TWhitehead71) July 18, 2018

A 16-year-old Whitehead featured in front of 20,000 spectators as Limerick hosted a friendly against Manchester City in 2012.

A competitive League of Ireland debut for the Super Blues came as a substitute away to Bray Wanderers in 2013.

His first start was marked with a man of the match display as Limerick beat Shelbourne 1-0 at Thomond Park three days, aged just 17.

Winning the first division in 2016 saw Whitehead third choice to Robbie Williams and Paudie O’Connor for a starting centre-back berth.

Whitehead missed just two league games in 2017, when he also notched his first, and only, senior goal in a 2-0 triumph over St. Patrick’s Athletic.

In total, he would play 90 league games for the Shannonsiders, including 60 Premier Division starts. His final outing was Limericks last game in June, a 2-1 victory over fellow crisis club, Bray Wanderers.

Barrett has promoted defensive duo Jason Cross and Tomás O’Connor from the under-19s in recent weeks to help bolster a squad that has parted ways with several of its more experienced players.