Town boss Mick McCarthy says he likes “pretty much everything” about striker Aaron Drinan, whose move to the Blues from Waterford is set to be confirmed when the transfer window opens in January. On Sunday, TWTD revealed that a deal had been agreed with the League of Ireland First Division champions to sign the 19-year-old.
Asked what he likes about centre forward Drinan, who was on trial at Playford Road in August along with Waterford team-mate John Martin, McCarthy said: "Pretty much everything. He’s been in and trained with us and he’s here with us now. I’m very pleased with him.”
He added: "He’s here with us now, he’s here training with us and we expect to sign him in January.”
Will the former Cork City, Cobh Ramblers and Carrigaline United youngster, who is understood to have cost the Blues €100,000 (£90,000), have a chance of breaking into the first team once his move is rubber-stamped once the window opens?
"That’s the magic question, isn’t it?" McCarthy added. "I hope so, I always do, but he’s come in and trained with us, he didn’t look out of place.
"That’s the reason we’ve taken him in and I’m looking forward to working with him and getting TC working with him in front of goal. I think he will, eventually, be a first-team player. Whenever that is, I don’t know.”
Speaking yesterday, Waterford director of football Pat Fenlon said 18-year-old Martin would be joining the Blues for a second trial spell.
Quizzed on Martin, McCarthy added: "The other chap came in, they both came in together. At this moment in time there’s nothing happening.”