Dundalk FC manager Seán McCaffrey believes that goalkeeper Ger Hanley is already “good enough” to play in England, after the youngster completed his move from First Division club Mervue United on Friday afternoon.
The 20-year-old, who has been capped at all levels between U15 and U21 by the Republic of Ireland, put pen to paper after agreeing a one-year professional deal at Oriel Park.
He is the first ‘keeper signed ahead of the 2012 season.
And, having had him among the top targets on his wish-list since being appointed as Lilywhites boss in late December, McCaffrey believes he has landed someone who can go all the way.
“I’m delighted to get Ger; he’s a top goalkeeper and a top young fella,” McCaffrey, who capped Hanley at U17, U18 and U19 level, told dundalkfc.com.
“He’s good enough (to go to England) as it is. It’s just that a lot of English clubs have a reservation about his height.
“Ger was phenomenal for me at underage level. He was the best ‘keeper I had.”
Hanley himself is keen to nail down an Irish U21 cap, having been involved in home-based U21 squads.
And McCaffrey is sure that his chance will come.
“The two lads in there at the moment are good ‘keepers,” he said.
“But the only thing they have over Ger is height. Technically, Ger is as good as any ‘keeper that’s about.
“I think he’s exactly six foot, and it’s just getting over that – the fear that people have now. They want ‘keepers that are giants.
“But Ger’s reflexes are superb, his judgement is very good, and he’s very, very good on the back-pass. He’s a quality ‘keeper.
“I’d have no fears about him whatsoever.”
Hanley impressed McCaffrey hugely at underage international level
The Monaghan native believes the experience gained by Hanley at Mervue, where he regularly played over the last two seasons, will also benefit him.
“It will help him a lot,” the 52-year-old said, “because Mervue would have spent a lot of time defending, because they’re a small club with a small budget.
“They would have been under a lot of pressure. I’ve seen him play for Mervue where he would have made five or six fantastic saves.
“I would say they are very disappointed to lose him. He played at Salthill Devon before that, he moved to Mervue who took him a stage further, and now hopefully coming to Dundalk he’ll move on even further.”
McCaffrey also admitted that it is important to secure a second top ‘keeper, to ensure good competition for places.
“It’s important that you have two good ‘keepers,” Seán said.
“You need cover, but also the competition is good for both of them.”
Hanley previously played for Knocknacarra, Salthill Devon, Galway United and Mervue, all in his native Galway.
He arrived at Mervue ahead of the 2010 season and quickly made the No1 position his own, making 54 appearances over two years in the First Division.
Hanley becomes McCaffrey’s 11th signing, after he already snapped up Liam Burns, Mark Griffin, Stephen McDonnell, Nathan Murphy, Eoghan Osborne, Derek Foran, Chris Shields, John Mountney, Shane O’Neill and Gary Shanahan.
Ger’s full player profile can be read here.
Photographs thanks to David Caldwell and www.sportsfile.com.
