Talbot seeks mental health help

BOHEMIANS goalkeeper James Talbot is taking a break from the game, as he seeks help for mental health issues, the club confirmed yesterday. Talbot (right) was an everpresent for the Gypsies last season as they reached the FAI Cup final, losing to St Patrick’s Athletic. The 26year-old goalkeeper has received the full backing of his club in deciding to take some time away from football with Bohs putting no timeframe on his return. ‘Bohemian FC player James Talbot will be absent from team duties in the coming weeks, and perhaps beyond,’ the club said in a statement. ‘James is facing mental health challenges, known by the club for some time, and is taking time to properly address these. James is receiving full support from Bohemian FC and remains a key figure at our club, both as a player and as a person. He is now receiving the professional assistance required and we will be working with him towards a full recovery. We request that James be given space and privacy and the club will be making no further comment.’ The Dubliner was at Sunderland as a teenager and joined Bohemians in 2019. He earned call-ups to the Ireland senior squad under both Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny. Meanwhile, highly-rated UCD full-back Jesse Dempsey is the latest League of Ireland player to be signed by an Italian club. Leece have recruited the Wexford teenager, maintaining the recent trend that saw Liam Kerrigan leave UCD for Como, Justin Ferizaj join Frosinone Calcio from Shamrock Rovers and James Abankwah go to Udinese from St Patrick’s Athletic.