Man City-linked Michael Noonan leaves St Pat's for Shamrock Rovers

St Patrick's Athletic have added to their impressive squad by bringing Conor Carty back to the club on a two-year contract from Bolton Wanderers, but have lost rising star Michael Noonan to Shamrock Rovers.

Carty returns to Richmond Park on a permanent deal, he was most recently on loan at Doncaster Rovers in League 2.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined St Pat's in February 2023 on loan from Bolton and had a very successful season, helping the club to the Sports Direct FAI Cup and European qualification.

He made 41 appearances, scoring six crucial goals, including in the FAI Cup semi-final win against Cork City at Turner's Cross, another in an important 2-1 league victory at home to Dundalk and a huge goal to help clinch European football in a win at Bohemians.

Carty said: "I'm really excited and happy to be back.

"I'm really excited and happy to be back at St Pat's and I'm looking forward to it. I had a great year here in 2023, I know a lot of the staff and players from then so it will be good to see everybody again.

"My goal here at Richmond against Dundalk and obviously in the Cup semi-final in Cork and winning the final at Aviva Stadium are some of my best memories.

"We won a cup the last time I was here, and the team obviously had a really strong finish to 2024, so I'm just hoping for a successful season."

Manager Stephen Kenny has welcomed his latest recruit: "We're very happy to welcome Conor back to St Patrick's Athletic, he has been a part of the group before and has already established good relationships with the staff and players so he'll be able to settle in straight away.

"With Cian Kavanagh and Michael Noonan departing, it was an area of the team that needed attention.

"Conor is a player I've