Reports suggest that Brentford are set to add to their ever-growing Irish contingent with the signing of up-and-coming Cork City star Donal O’Connor.
The Bees have become a Premier League hub for Ireland fans in recent years, with Keith Andrews in charge of a side featuring Irish ‘keeper Caoimhín Kelleher and skippered by Ireland captain Nathan Collins.
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In his first year in charge last season, Andrews almost masterminded a miraculous European finish for the minnows, who had lost the firepower of both Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo in the transfer window.
Andrews and co have proven themselves more than capable of pushing for a European place, and he has already been impressed by the impact of his newest assistant – none other than his former Ireland teammate Damien Duff.
The Irish invasion at Brentford appears set to continue with the shrewd signing of promising Cork City teenager Donal O’Connor.
Brentford set to sign Cork City star
John Fallon of the Irish Examiner reported this week that Cork City star Donal O’Connor is set to join Brentford in a move worth €170,000.
18-year-old O’Connor began his youth career with Avondale United, a club based in Ballintemple just outside Cork city centre.
O’Connor recently completed his Leaving Cert exams and was named in a League of Ireland squad for the first time last year.
He made his senior debut for Cork City against Treaty United in May, instantly announcing himself at the heart of the Rebels’ defence, starting the next six games – a run which saw Cork concede 0 goals.
O’Connor has been conspicuously absent, though, for Cork’s past two games, and it appears as though he is Brentford-bound.
Keith Andrews has seemingly beaten off a growing list of suitors for O’Connor’s signature, with the 18-year-old set to join the Bees just before the beginning of the Premier League season.
In west London, the young Corkonian will have the ideal mentors in his development as a centre-back.
His club captain will be none other than Ireland captain Nathan Collins, who has proven himself a formidable opponent for some of the league’s best defenders in his half-decade as an established Premier League starter.
And, should the youngster suffer from homesickness, goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher will surely be able to share in some Cork comforts with O’Connor.
The Irish contingent continues to grow at Brentford, and the exploits of Donal O’Connor under the guidance of Keith Andrews and co will be an intriguing Premier League subplot this season.