In an expected move, Hayden Cann and Oisin Gallagher have joined League of Ireland side Drogheda United on loan until July.
The pair excelled in the opening half of this season for Peterborough Sports in the National League North and will continue their development with the Drogs for the opening half of their season before returning to City ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. This is the third season that two Imps players have made temporary moves to Weavers Park, with Sean Roughan, Sam Long, Freddie Draper, and Elicha Ahui all having successful spells in Drogheda.
Oisin also made his first start for the Imps in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy this season at Derby County and recently made his EFL debut at Blackpool. He will now ply his trade in the country for whom he has been capped at U19 level. Hayden made his debut in the same competition back in 2020, and signed his first professional deal after. He’s already had loan spells with Gainsborough and Lincoln United.
City’s director of football, Jez George, said: “This is obviously a well-trodden path for our young players with huge benefits in the past for them all from playing 20+ games for Drogheda in a really competitive league. Sean used it as a springboard to establish himself in our first team, and Freddie earned a loan in Sky Bet League Two, which then resulted in him being recalled and starting for us on Saturday, so the challenge, opportunity, and incentive is clear for Oisin and Hayden.”
“We really value our relationship with Drogheda. Kevin and Daire have shown real belief in all of our young players and will help Oisin and Hayden to transition as they step up a level. With the season’s fixture schedule front-loaded, this gives them both the chance to play in 22 league games before they return for pre-season training.”
“Finally, we would like to thank Peterborough Sports for giving Hayden and Oisin the platform to develop as they both have over the last 5 months. We know and trust their joint managers, Luke Steele and Michael Gash, who are doing a brilliant job, so we hope that, as with Drogheda United, we can loan other young players to them in the future.”
This is a great move for both players. Regular senior football is definitely needed for their development, and they’ve both shown they’re capable of doing it in the non-league scene. Jay Benn’s move to Ireland, a return to Solihull, pitches the division at National League level, but I think the top end is much closer to League One.
If the boys do well there, there are options for them on their return.
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