Killarney Celtic go out of League Champions
CASTLEISLAND youngster Shane McLoughlin, who has been with Ipswich for a couple of seasons, is on the move and has joined AFC Wimbledon in the transfer window. He joined the League One club in what is understood to be an 18-month deal, with the 21year old understood to have been allowed to leave on a free transfer.
McLoughlin’s only Ipswich start came in the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Crystal Palace in August 2017, while his only Championship appearance came on the final day of last season when he came off the bench against Middlesbrough and soon won a penalty which was converted by Martyn Waghorn.
Wimbledon manager Wally Downes is happy to have got his man, having tracked him for some time.
“Shane is versatile and very sharp and accurate on the ball,” the Dons manager said. “He has great energy, a superb attitude and he fits the age bracket we want. He is the type of player we need here. Shane has been on my radar for ages a couple of friends of mine that used to play with Ipswich told me about him a good while ago so I kept my eye on him.
“We looked to bring him to India with us when I was out there but that didn’t happen and he was doing well with Ipswich. He is young and hungrey to do well which is what we want and he has a great attitude to the game,” he added.
McLoughlin has joined the club at a good time as they are into the fifth round of the FA Cup after a shock win over Premiership side West ham United. They now have a home game against Milwall in the next round in a huge South London derby. However The Dons are in big trouble in League One as they are at the foot of the table 7 points behind the other relegation strugglers.
McLoughlin joined Ipswich Town from St Brendan’s Park in July 2013, signing a two-year scholarship with them. In April 2015 he was offered to remain at Ipswich and given a third scholarship for the 2015-16 season, before he signed a one-year professional deal in July 2016 with a further 12-month stay at Portman Road before making his debut in that League Cup away at Palace.