Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Lyons blow as Supple calls time
REELING from Shane Supple’s shock retirement, Bohemians could lose top young prospect Andy Lyons to Wolves.
The Premier League club have been running the rule over the defender, 18, in Spain where their U23s lost 1-0 to FC Jumilla yesterday.
Lyons – who is under contract at Bohs and would therefore command a fee from Wolves – played the full 90-minutes.
If Lyons were to land a Molineaux move, he would follow in the footsteps of Irish international Matt Doherty who signed for Wolves from Bohs in 2010.
Gypsies boss Keith Long has already seen key men from this season like Dan Casey, Ian Morris and JJ Lunney leave for other clubs and roles.
Supple’s retirement came as a hammer blow yesterday with the former Ipswich Town man citing a persistent hip injury as his reason for walking away.
The goalkeeper, 31, was Bohs ‘Player of the Year’ this season and was also named on the PFA Ireland Team of the Year.
But Supple said: “I’ll be hanging up my gloves and stepping away from the game. This is a decision I haven’t taken lightly.
“After consultations with medical professionals, and those closest to me, I feel I can no longer play to the level needed and that I expect of myself.
“I need to listen to my body and can no longer put it through the high level of physical demand required at this level of competition.
“I had envisaged playing long into my 30s and had intended doing that with Bohs – a club that has given me the most enjoyable years of my playing career.”