Sligo Rovers have confirmed that Jack Keaney and Ed McGinty have signed their first professional contracts at The Showgrounds.
Donegal Town native Keaney and Scottish-born McGinty, who now lives in Ballyshannon, have all been part of senior Sligo squads of late.
Rovers Under-19s sign professional contracts; Ballyshannon resident Ed Mc Ginty, Gerard Lyttle (Manager, Sligo Rovers), Jack Keaney from Donegal Town and John Mahon from Collooney
18-year-old Keaney has Sligo blood flowing strongly through his veins. His dad, Paddy and uncles Joe, Gerry and Martin are lifelong Rovers supporters.
“I’m a Donegal man through and through, but I’ve never supported any team other than Sligo Rovers. The club has been part of my life since I was a child,” he said.
Jack has impressed in both the Under-17 and Under-19 grades for the club and has already had first team squad experience, as well as representing Ireland on four occasions at the Slovakia Cup earlier this year.
Awaiting his Leaving Cert results, Jack describes signing his first professional contract as “a massive step.”
He said: ”It’s something you always dream of and to get the chance at such an early age is really massive.
“I will keep the head down, work hard and see where it takes me. Gerard Lyttle is the type of manager who is not afraid to give young players a chance so it’s a matter of being ready when the chance comes.
“The senior players have taken us under their wings, which has been a huge help, so we really feel part and parcel of the set up. I’m determined to take this as far as possible.”
McGinty is a Motherwell born goalkeeper, who began playing with Rovers Under-19 team in the 2016 season.
His progress to a full time professional contract has been rapid but not surprising given his immense potential and pedigree.
He spent three years with the famous Celtic youth academy in his early teens and another with Hibernian before accepting an invitation to link up with Sligo last year.
Remarkably, his entire family, mum, dad and two brothers relocated to Ballyshannon — his siblings are currently students at NUIG — to support him in his ambition to become a professional player.
McGinty said: ”I found it a bit difficult to settle when I first came over, but once the family came to live here it was much easier.
“I am thrilled to get this chance to become a full-time pro and I am young enough to learn and improve every day. My aim is to be ready to take my chance of a first team place whenever the opportunity arises.”
His impressive performances in a Rovers shirt were rewarded with Ireland caps against Germany and Turkey in recent months.
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