Christian Cooke

**joeSoap** · 15/07/2005, 2:30 PM

Former Macclesfield Town and Port Vale defender Christian Cooke is going on a week's trial with Limerick FC -and will line out for the Blues in next Monday's friendly with S****horpe United at Hogan Park.
Ex Aston Villa midfielder John McGrath is also being lined up to guest for the Shannonsiders against the Iron at Rathbane.

Cooke (19) arrived in Limerick yesterday and trained with Noel O'Connor's side for the first time last night.

Limerick born McGrath, who was let go by Kidderminster in June, is presently on trial with Darlington and is also attracting strong interest from York City.

"I would love to line out for Limerick on Monday night and I would like to thank Limerick Chairman Danny Drew for inviting me but it all depends on whether I am offered a contract over the next few days" the ex Irish U21 international said.

Blues boss O'Connor believes that Mondays clash with S****horpe is a pointer-to the 2012 London Olympics.
The Iron will use the world class training facilities at the University of Limerick (UL) during their stay on Shannonside.
And O'Connor believes that given Irelands proximity to England that more and more international teams will travel here to avail of the state of the art facilities at UL.

"We are all looking forward to Mondays friendly with S****horpe United and it promises to be a very entertaining match", said O'Connor.
"The London Olympics are way down the road but countless international teams and top sports people have trained at Limerick University in the past".
"And I believe that as the 2012 Olympics approaches more and more teams will use the world class training facilities there to acclimatise and prepare for the games", he added.

Meanwhile S****horpe manager Brian Laws is hoping to forge stronger links with Irish clubs during his trip to Munster which will also see the Iron take on Cobh Ramblers on Wednesday night next.

"We will be training at Limerick University for a week and I would like to thank Limerick FC and Cobh Ramblers for agreeing to the friendlies", said Laws.
"Because the eircom league is in mid season we are expecting two competitive games in Limerick and Cork and that is exactly what we need to prepare for the new season".
"Next season will be a key one for us as traditionally promoted teams do well when they go up and we will be targeting the Division One play offs", he concluded.