Laurelvale add Peden to revamped roster

St Mary's will kick off the Intermediate season this weekend aiming to follow the trophy success enjoyed by the club's reserves last season. The Saints finished the season as Mid-Ulster Reserve League Division One champions. Enjoying the presentation ceremony are Tom Mallon (left, St Mary's) and Sean O'Neill (league chairman). Pic by RicPics.

Peden will arrive at Laurelvale with a host of trophy-winning experience plus a coaching background at Annagh United and Moneyslane.

Manager Mark Robinson has also added Chris Traynor, Steven Elliott, Chris Chambers, David Cassells, Robert Murray, Scott Farquhar and Craig Hewitt.

Robinson can also welcome William Dodds, Mark Dane and Simon Foster back to Laurel Park.

Markethill Swifts have snapped up Jamie Crooks, Zach Crooks and Robert Hutchinson.

Tandragee Rovers’ push for a top-flight title has been bolstered by Mark Baird, Ally Quinn, Flavien Chambaud, Marc Davison and Robert Henry.

Hanover’s dressing room will include Steven McClelland, John Whitten, Neil Taylor, Ryan Coulter, Brett McKinney and Adam Metcalfe as fresh signings.

St Mary’s manager Conor Hagan has returned to his Irish League roots for experience to enhance the Intermediate A roster.

“Liam Cullen has come in from Armagh City having played many games in the Irish League,” said Hagan. “We have also signed Gary Lawless, who was previously with the Saints.

“Gerard Bailey and Niall O’Hara have returned to St Mary’s, plus we have snapped up Sam Marshall, Jonathan Douglas and Matthew Andrews.

“I am pleased with my signings and think they can add to our squad and build on the progress of last season.

“We finished fourth in Intermediate A last season and the target is to use the lessons picked up from my first year in Mid-Ulster management to move forward.

“The signings can add experience as, at times, we suffered a lack of strength-in-depth.

“Thanks to last season, I was able to identify certain areas we wanted to improve and have made signings to help.”