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O'Flynn off to Aberdeen on trial - 14 January 2004


There continues to be a steady flow of transfers with several more players making moves in the last week while Limerick hotshot Stephen O'Flynn will travel to Aberdeen next week for a trial.

The striker was one of the stars of Limerick's magnificent run to the play-offs last season scoring 14 goals – despite missing two months of the season through injury – earning him rave reviews and attracting the interest of Premier Division clubs Bohemians, Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic.

However, Aberdeen have stolen a march on his other potential suitors by inviting him for a trial next week.

Out of contract at present, Limerick would be entitled to compensation if the player moves to Scotland and his manager at Limerick last season, Mike Kerley, believes that he could be a success in Scotland.

"He's only 21 and he is improving every year and I think in two years time, he could be a regular player for them if things go well," he said.

"He scores goals, is strong and holds the ball up very well. He's a very physical player and will not be overawed by anything and I'm sure he would fill out a bit with full-time training."

Players moving from the eircom League to the Scottish Premier League have proved successful over the last number of years. Dunfermline Athletic have signed trio, Gary Dempsey (from Waterford United), Noel Hunt and Richie Byrne (both Shamrock Rovers) over the last 18 months with Dempsey and Hunt going on to earn regular appearances for the first team.

In travelling to Scotland, O'Flynn will become the third player from the eircom League to travel to Britain on trial during the close season with Keith Fahey of St Patrick's Athletic training with West Ham United while Galway United striker Alan Murphy was on trial with Burnley.

Murphy's proposed move to Derry City from Galway United has also fallen though after Derry boss Gavin Dykes decided to end discussions.

Meanwhile, Limerick manager Kerley has revealed he will decide his future very soon. Kerley (31) is considering his future with the club because of the difficulties last season when, against the odds, he guided the club to the play-offs where they were beaten by Derry City.

With the manager regularly able to name only a 12-man squad and the club struggling to make ends meet, Kerley pulled off a managerial miracle in what was his first year in the hot seat.

But he admitted at the end of the season that he didn't want to work under the same circumstances again next season. "It's up the air at the moment but I will make a decision very soon," he said.