Limerick announced two further additions to their squad today with the re-signing of Shane Tracy along with striker Danny Morrissey. Both players signed for the Blues as manager Neil McDonald continues his squad-building for 2018.
Morrissey (pictured above), who spent last season in Donegal playing for Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps, scored 5 times in 21 league appearances but failed to keep them up.
He becomes McDonald’s second new signing this week following the signing of midfielder Cian Coleman from Cobh Ramblers.
The 23-year-old striker also played for his hometown club Cork City where he made over 60 Premier Division appearances, and played a leading role in sealing their 2015 FAI Cup final place.
McDonald said about his latest recruit, “Danny played against us and scored against us in two games. He hadn’t got the best of fortune at Finn Harps, but he is a goalscorer and that is what we are looking to sign.”
“We are happy to have Danny on board. We will be looking to get him fitter than he was, we know he can score goals, and hopefully he will be able to put away the chances that we create.”
As for Shane Tracy, he will begin his 11th consecutive season at Limerick having put pen to paper on a deal for 2018 on Saturday evening.
The 29-year-old enjoyed his Testimonial at the end of season, having first signed for the club in 2008, as became a key figure in Limerick’s Premier Division survival. Tracy is delighted to sign on once again to play his part in another season at the Markets Field.
“It feels good to be back for another year,” Tracy told LimerickFC.ie. “We were obviously happy to secure safety last season, and now I’m looking forward to starting up again in January – it’s a familiar feeling.”
Tracy (pictured) says hanging up his boots from the professional game did cross his mind for a moment, but that the hunger and his competitive edge still burns inside.
“I’m working full-time too, so I had to take everything into consideration. I was always more in favour of re-signing,” Shane said.
“It will be my objective to play week in, week out. I wouldn’t have signed if I felt I couldn’t keep going and keep competing. I’ve been like that throughout my career. I want to compete, and next year will be no different.”
Tracy’s only goal last season was a spectacular one, a wonderful free-kick in a 2-1 win over the Champions Cork City at the Markets Field. It was perhaps Limerick’s most crucial strike of 2017.
Tracy 29, says retirement (which he considered) will come when the time is right, but his focus remains firmly on Limerick and helping them in what will be an extremely competitive ten-team Premier Division next year.
“I’m just going to focus on the season ahead and not look past that,” Tracy said. “It’s an old cliché but that’s all the focus is on. We will see how the season goes and not worry about anything beyond that.”
“Last year, you could see the quality of the teams in the league and it will be even more competitive next season with Waterford coming up. They have investment behind them, which always helps in this league.”
“But that’s what you want. You want to be playing against the better teams and in better stadiums, and you want to push yourself as much as possible.”
Manager Neil McDonald also expressed his delight at Tracy’s decision to commit to the club for yet another year, stating: “Shane has been a credit to himself and his family, representing Limerick for over ten years. He had a well-deserved Testimonial.”
“Shane got himself back in the team by training really well, waiting for his chance and showing what he can do. We hope he can contribute more on the pitch next season than this year, but that is up to him.”
“His attitude has been top-class and it’s great to have a Limerick player through and through in the squad.”
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