Paddy Barrett: ‘There was plenty of interest and a lot of things I had to weigh up on holidays. I really enjoyed last year, and it's not something I wanted to move away from.’

It’s a case of one defender in and one out for the 2022 season in the St. Patrick’s Athletic defence as long-serving Lee Desmond departed for Sacramento Republic while Paddy Barrett signed a new contract with the club. 

For 28-year-old Waterford native Barrett, who himself had a spell playing in America when he lined out for Indy Eleven and FC Cincinnati earlier in his career, it is a long term contract with the Saints following his 30 appearances in 2021. 

After starting his career as a teenager in Waterford, Barrett spent time in Scotland with Dundee United where he previously encountered new Assistant Manager at St. Pats Jon Daly.

After returning home, Barrett went on to earn promotion with Galway United in 2014 before lifting silverware at Dundalk and playing in their European run of 2016. He spent the second half of the 2017 season on loan at Waterford, earning promotion to the Premier Division with his hometown club, before departing for the USA.

In an interview with stpatsfc.com, Barrett revealed his delight at the 2021 season and how he was looking forward to the future. “I'm thrilled to be back and am looking forward to the season ahead, starting back next week for pre-season.

“There was plenty of interest and a lot of things I had to weigh up on holidays. I loved my first year at Pat's. It's the club where I've been at my happiest from a personal point of view, both on the field and off the field.

“I really enjoyed last year, and it's not something I wanted to move away from. It's really exciting times ahead with the new manager Tim Clancy who I've had good conversations with.

“I know Jon Daly from my time in Scotland along with Alan Mathews and the staff already at the club, we can't wait to hit the ground running next week.”

Desmond departs the Richmond Park club after spending seven years lining 225 times for the Saints and lifting silverware on three occasions. Last month’s FAI Cup triumph added to the League Cup wins of 2015 and 2016. 

The 26-year-old had spells at Cherry Orchard, Newcastle United and Shelbourne as a teenager, before first joining the Inchicore outfit ahead of the 2015 season. 

Paying tribute to the departing defender, the Athletic chairman Garrett Kelleher offered the following words to stpatsfc.com, “On behalf of everyone at St. Patrick's Athletic, I'd like to thank Lee for his loyalty and service to the club over the last seven years.

“He joined us following the FAI Cup win in 2014 and it is fitting that his time at the club ended with our recent cup win.

“Lee's performances for St. Pats were a joy to watch; his commitment, dedication, enthusiasm and most importantly his footballing ability have been exemplary.

“He is still just 26, so to have played for the club for seven seasons, and to have made 225 appearances is a tribute to his professionalism both on and off the pitch.

“We are disappointed to be losing Lee but understand his ambitions to move to America and start a new life, something he and I frequently discussed.

“Lee is a massive fan favourite and is a popular figure both at St. Patrick's Athletic and across our league, demonstrated by the reaction to that frightening incident at our home game against Waterford in August.

“His presence at Richmond Park will be sadly missed by everyone here, we will all be looking forward to watching his progress in America. Sacramento have recruited a rare gem!"

Paddy Kirk: 'The opportunity to come to a club like Sligo Rovers was one I had to take really.' https://t.co/tBy0ZfDCqepic.twitter.com/kO44iRGKUJ

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) December 24, 2021