Tony Whitehead has put pen to paper for Limerick FC for the 2012 season. The player has been with Charleville since U7 and won many honours with them, most notably a FAI National Cup U13 in 2008. Tony represented his league at the 2009 Kennedy Cup and was part of this year’s Limerick District League youth team in the Oscar Traynor competition. Tony owes much of his development as a quality soccer player to his coaches at Charleville AFC. He also spent two years at the FAI Emerging Talent Regional Centre in Limerick, and is another player from that scheme who has successfully moved into the U19 Airtricity League of Ireland. The player had many options on the table, but after having trials at West Ham United and Wycombe Wanderers, the player opted for Limerick FC where he can develop his game and also complete his Leaving Cert.

Tony said, “I and my family were delighted by the approach from Limerick FC and we are impressed with the professionalism of the club. I had offers to go cross-channel, and there is huge pressure to go if there was nothing comparable on offer here. When the chance came to join the Limerick FC U19 squad I knew it was the right move for me. I can now develop my football career and complete my education in a home environment. I am sure if I work hard and make the Limerick FC first team even better oppor-tunities to go cross channel will come my way”.

Tim Fitzgerald, Chairman, Charleville AFC said; “I wish Tony all the best with Limerick FC. The present structures at Limerick FC are excellent and it is our Club’s ambition to see our players playing at their highest possible level.”