Ennis’ Barry Cotter has signed with reigning League of Ireland champions, Shamrock Rovers.
In what was a UK transfer deadline day signing, Shamrock Rovers announced that the Clare native had put pen to paper on a deal with the club and needs to have his international clearance in order to line out in Friday’s encounter against Finn Harps.
Following full-back Liam Scanlon’s move to Celtic, the addition of Barry brings much-needed cover to their defence.
Barry made his Ireland U19 debut in 2017 coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to Norway at La Manga, his new teammate Danny Mandroiu started the same game.
He began his senior career at Limerick FC making 11 appearances during the first half of the 2017 Premier Division season. Prior to this, he represented both Ennis Town FC and Avenue Utd.
Ipswich Town signed Cotter from Limerick in January 2018, he stood out for the Mick McCarthy managed side on his Championship debut at home to Barnsley, three months on and immediately won over the fans of the Tractor Boys. However, after four first team appearances in a little over three years, he left Portman Road in March of this year.
During two loans spells with Chelmsford City, the twenty two year old played ten games with the National League South club.
Cotter was linked with a number of cross-channel clubs but Shamrock Rovers managed to entice him back to Ireland. Manager, Stephen Bradley was very pleased to have added the Clare man to his squad, “we are delighted to sign Barry, he has many of the attributes we look for in a player and we look forward to working with him”.
