Sunderland have completed the signing of Roy O'Donovan from Cork city for a record League of Ireland transfer fee.
The Premier League side have paid €500,000 for the striker, however the fee would rise to €1 million depending on the 23 year old's performances.
O'Donovan signed a 3 year contract with the Black Cats.
Cork, meanwhile, play Bohemians at Dalymount Park tonight as part of a full programme of domestic action.
07 August 2007
Tottenham youngster David Hutton and Nottingham Forest's Brendan Moloney have become the latest players to withdrew from the Republic of Ireland under-19 team for this week's friendly double-header against Chile in Athlone.
Hutton and Moloney pulled out over the Bank Holiday weekend and were replaced in Sean McCaffrey's team by Wigan's Craig Mahon and Daniel Corcoran of St Patrick's Athletic.
The latest withdrawals take the number of absentees to five, following Christy Fagan of Man Utd and Villa pair Daniel Earls and Shane Lowry in taking leave from this week's friendlies.
Ireland meet Chile this evening (Tuesday) and Thursday, with both games taking place at the recently-opened Athlone Town Stadium in Lissywoollen.
Republic of Ireland under-19 team (revised, v Chile, August 7-9, 2007),
Goalkeepers, Shane Redmond (Nottingham Forest), Jimmy McKeown (Peterborough United).
Defenders, Lorcan Fitzgerald (The Hammers), Cian Hughton (Spurs), Mark O'Toole (Norwich City), Michael Liddle (Sunderland), Michael Spillane (Norwich City).
Midfielders, Harry Arter (Charlton Athletic), Gavin Donoghue (Sunderland), James Berrett (Huddersfield Town), David Hutton (Spurs), Ryan Carolan (Crystal Palace), Ruairi Harkin (Charlton Athletic), Noel Haverty (St. Patricks Athletic – on loan at Shelbourne).
Forwards, David Joyce (Birmingham City), Emeka Onwubiko (Bray Wanderers), Alan Lynch (Bohemians), Daniel Corcoran (St Patrick's Athletic), Craig Mahon (Wigan).
23 July 2007
Sunderland manager Roy Keane is to put his powers of persuasion to the test once again as he attempts to lure Leighton Baines to Wearside.
The Black Cats have in the end been given permission to talk to the 22 year old Wigan full back with the 2 clubs trying to thrash out a deal.
Keane was on the England U21 international's trail for much of the summer and has had 3 previous bids discarded by the Latics.
However, the Sunderland Echo reports that Wigan have now given the Wearsiders the green light to speak to one of their prize assets as they face up to the possibility of losing him.
Sunderland have already invested £16 million in new transfers so far in the summer, and must part with around £6 million more to get their hands on the Liverpool born defender.
Wigan manager Chris Hutchings has preserved for much of the close season that the player is not for sale and that he does not want to leave the JJB Stadium in any case.
However, Hutchings' subsequent admission that every player has his price came as Keane refused to give up his pursuit, and now it is down to him to sell his vision at the Stadium of Light to a man who was linked with a series of Barclays Premier League clubs since establishing himself at Wigan.
The Irishman has so far done that successfully with Greg Halford, Russell Anderson, Michael Chopra, Kieran Richardson and Dickson Etuhu, even though did not fare so well with Baines' international team mate David Nugent.
Last season's Coca-Cola Championship winners withdrew their bid for the then Preston forward as he stalled on giving them an answer with Keane adamant he only would like players who are fully committed to the cause.
Today's development will alert possible competitors to the player's availability, however the Sunderland manager will hope the chance to outline his plans 1st will prove decisive.
Baines was training with Wigan this morning, however faces a big decision over his future.
Inspite of investing a total of £10.5 million in Chopra and Richardson, Keane continues to work hard on strengthening his defence with Halford and Anderson unlikely to be the only new arrivals.
He got little encouragement in his pursuit of former Celtic team mate Bobo Balde, whilst his interest in £10 million rated Hearts goalie Craig Gordon is ongoing.
Keane and his players headed for a training camp in Portugal yesterday after their 1-0 friendly defeat at Scunthorpe on Saturday.
They will continue their preparations with a tour to Ireland, where they will play against Bohemians, Cork City and Galway after flying out next weekend.
