LIMERICK FC have signed 24-year-old defender Mick Leahy from UCD for the 2014 season, with the new arrival believing that Limerick can “make a real big impact in the league” next year.
Leahy actually made his senior debut against the Super Blues in March 2009 and he has been captain of the Students for the previous three campaigns.
He admitted that it was “tough” to leave the club with which he won promotion to the Premier Division in his first season with the Belfield side, but he believes the time is right for a move to Shannonside. He cited Limerick manager Stuart Taylor’s preference for enterprising football as a key factor in his decision to move down the M7.
Leahy told Limerick FC’s official website: “I’m delighted to be here. I’ve been in discussions with the club now for a couple of weeks so it’s great to finally have things signed and sealed.
“UCD has become my home. I had been there for five years so it’s tough leaving somewhere you’ve got used to and you have a lot of friends and there are a lot of good people you’ve met, but I think I just needed a fresh challenge and it was time for me to make the next step in my football career and I’m happy I’m here to do that.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCD. I was obviously linked into the University while I was there doing my college course. A lot of the team were around the same age so the team spirit would have been very good. I made a lot of great friends there who will remain friends for probably the rest of my life.
“It was great in that way and I learned a lot football wise too. The manager (Martin Russell) was very good to me and taught me a lot. But, as I say, it was just time to move on and time to maybe move up to the next level and push myself a bit more.
“I was really impressed playing against Limerick last year and watching them. I thought the style they played was very attractive and something similar enough to what we do in UCD. That was one big attraction at the club.
“Then the way things are progressing down here with the stadium and hearing about the plans they have for the next few years is all very exciting. I think there’s going to be a big future for the club over the next few years.
“I’m not a kid anymore. I’m 24 and it is probably time over the next couple of years to push on and make a real big impact in the league. That’s why I chose Limerick and hopefully they’ll help me do that. It’s obviously up to myself as well, working hard. I think this is the right place for me.”
