Larne Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of forward Ronan Hale, from St Patrick’s Athletic.
Ronan, 21, began his career in 2017 at Birmingham City, where he spent two years as a professional. This included a loan move to Derry City, with Hale bagging seven goals in 31 games under former Larne boss Kenny Shiels.
After leaving St Andrews on a permanent basis, Ronan joined Crusaders in January 2019, before moving to Richmond Park last summer to begin a calendar year at St Pats.
The Republic of Ireland under-21 international has now moved back north of the border and can’t wait to get started at Inver Park.
“Larne are a passing team and I think that suits me,” Ronan said.
“When you look at the facilities which are here and which are being built it’s a team on the up.
“I spoke to Tomas Cosgrove and Marty Donnelly and they’ve told me this is the place to be, with the full-time environment in place.
“There were a couple of clubs interested, but I need to be training every day and hopefully that will make me a better player.
“During lockdown was hard without training everyday and I’m just glad to get everything sorted and know where my future lies.”
First team boss Tiernan Lynch is also delighted to add to his firepower, with Ronan’s arrival.
He said: “Ronan is a young lad who, in our opinion, will be a very, very bright prospect in the Irish League this year.
“He a lad who is only 21, but has already had a bright career. He’s scored goals in England, he’s scored goals in the League of Ireland and the Irish League to date.
“He’s also played internationally and scored goals, so we’re very excited to get him in and have him as a part of what we’re doing.”
Ronan will wear the number nine shirt at Inver Park this season.
Photograph: Lewis McAdam
