Athlone's Dara signs for Stoke City

Athlone teenager Dara McGuinness has joined English Championship side Stoke City from Shamrock Rovers.

McGuinness has signed a professional contract with Stoke, as Kahrel Reddin and Sonny Singh also join the club's under-21 squad following spells with Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively.

The trio will form part of Kevin Russell’s U-21 side who will compete in Premier League 2 Division Two in the coming season.

McGuinness played for Stoke's U-21 team in a 2-0 win over Leek Town in a friendly last weekend.

Confirmation of his signing had been held up by some technicalities, but it has now gone through.

The move to Stoke is a very exciting opportunity for talented striker Dara, who has represented the Republic of Ireland at U-16 and U-18 level.

Shamrock Rovers FC Academy Director Shane Robinson has praised Dara for his contribution to the club and wished him well in his new challenge.

“Dara has been unbelievable since coming to the football club in 2020. His appetite for hard work and his dedication to train and constantly improve has been brilliant to watch.

"We wish him every success on his move to Stoke and hope to see him continue his development," said Robinson.

The 18-year-old from Monksland began his football career with St Joseph's FC in Athlone. Dara moved to Dublin outfit Belvedere, before joining St Patrick's Athletic and then Shamrock Rovers.

Dara is a former student of Cloonakilla NS and Coláiste Chiaráin, Athlone, where he recently completed his Leaving Certificate.

He has played for the Shamrock Rovers second team in the League of Ireland First Division. He has also played for the Rovers' U-17s and U-19s and he scored twice in a recent 5-1 win for the U-19s against Galway United.

A son of Helen and Marc McGuinness from the Old Tuam Road in Monksland, Dara has two brothers, Cian and Shay. Incidentally, Shay was the captain of the Midland Schoolboy League team which competed in the Kennedy Cup recently.

Stoke are currently managed by former Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, who has also managed Shamrock Rovers. Stoke finished in 14th place in the Championship last season.

Former Ireland international Rory Delap is the current first team coach at Stoke, who are currently taking part in a pre-season training camp in Cork. The Potters will play Cork City in a friendly on Saturday at Turners Cross.

Gavin Kilkenny from Dublin is another player who has recently joined the Staffordshire club.

A number of Irish players have played for Stoke in recent years, with Jonathan Walters among the most prominent.

Stoke spent ten years in the Premier League from 2008 to 2018, with Tony Pulis the manager for much of that time.

The current Stoke first team squad includes such players as former Everton defender Phil Jagielka, midfielder Nick Powell (who had a spell with Manchester United early in his career) and striker Tyrese Campbell.