New contract for Keaney

JACK Keaney has signed a new contract with Sligo Rovers until the end of the 2019 season.

The midfielder turned professional last summer and has firmly established himself in the Rovers squad,

The 19-year-old said: “Since I’ve signed as a professional, it has been in back of my mind to do well and earn another contract. Other opportunities and college are obviously there, but being a full-time footballer and making a go of this has been my number one goal. Not many people get this chance and I want to keep it going.

“The manager put a lot of faith in me last year and hopefully I’ve rewarded that. It has gone well and I’m getting experience all the time. I have two stars of the team to compete with (Rhys McCabe and David Cawley), but we bounce off each other as well, so it’s competition and it’s learning and they know how much I want to be in the starting position. We’ve all played together too so it’s great to have those type of players as your teammates. The manager has been second to none, he has done an awful lot for me. Kevin Deery has taken me under his wing in a way too, he brings me down to training and that and constantly gives me advice about the game and playing. He was such a brilliant midfielder so that’s great for me. I take an awful lot from it.

Gerard Lyttle said: “Jack is so enthusiastic and determined to do well. He’s one of our own that we’ve developed and he’s a joy to work with.

“He is obviously at the development stage still but he has come in, been infectious, the players and staff love him and working with him. He can only get better. It’s good news to secure his future at the club.

“He’s slotted in for David Cawley and Rhys McCabe on occasions, he has played in a three with them, he was played with each in a two, so he’s picking things up all the time. He is a bit versatile and scored a couple of goals too. He is an exciting lad to work with. He has a great attitude and a determination and desire to do well as a footballer.”