Former Saint Patrick’s Athletic right-back/winger Stephen Maher is the latest player to be added to the Dundalk squad having signed a one-year full-time deal with the club shortly after Tuesday’s friendly win over Shelbourne at Oriel Park. The 21-year-old had been at the club since pre-season training began last month and he played in both friendlies in the past few days, Maher impressing in the two games in his role on the right side of midfield. And Foster revealed, moments after the signing was completed, that Maher first caught his attention when playing for Yeovil Town between 2006 and 2008.

Maher versatile
“I’m delighted to get Stephen,” Foster told dundalkfc.com. “He has got very good ability. He can play anywhere across the midfield and even in the full-back position. Something we’re going to need this season is versatility, and Stephen certainly comes with that, so I’m delighted to get him on board. I actually saw him when he was at Yeovil too, so I’ve seen quite a bit of Stephen. I know quite a lot about Stephen, I’ve followed his career and he has always impressed me, every time I’ve seen him play. I know what I’m going to get from him, whether it’s right side of midfield, central midfield, right-back of left-back. He is 100 percent committed, he’ll compete, he’ll have a tackle, and then when he gets it he’ll have composure. And what he has got, particularly in wide areas, is a great delivery.”

Passing mentality
Maher is squad member No11, with an exciting team now being assembled at Oriel Park. And Foster admits that the name of the game will be passing, but that the side certainly won’t over do it. “We won’t over pass it, but we’ll pass it, certainly in the right areas of the pitch,” he said. “We’ll try to get the ball down and play. Stephen can do that, he’s comfortable doing that, as are all the other boys that I’ve signed. We’ll be looking to get the ball down and play, and Stephen fits into that category.” Maher was the third signing completed by Foster on Tuesday having earlier added Ross Gaynor and Liam Burns, and he is happy with the progress of the squad-building process. “Obviously, we’ve made three signings today,” he said, “with Liam Burns coming back to the football club, which I’m delighted about. And Ross Gaynor, who showed everyone what he is all about with some fantastic deliveries tonight. I’m delighted to get all three boys on board.”

European/international experience
A native of Dublin, Maher, who spent part of his youth career at Home Farm, had a brief loan spell with Shamrock Rovers at the start of the 2007 season. He made his League of Ireland bow that year with an outing against UCD on the opening day of the campaign, but it was one of only two appearances for the Hoops. Maher had signed a two-year deal with Yeovil in May 2006 and he made his debut for The Glovers during the 2007/08 season. He also had spells with Dorchester and Salisbury City, but he returned to Ireland at the start of last season when he signed for St. Pat’s. There, he made 25 first-team appearances as the Saints finished seventh, just a point behind Dundalk, while he also played a part in the Inchicore club’s UEFA Europa League run which saw them defeat Valletta and Krylia Sovetov before bowing out to Steaua Bucharest. On the international front, Stephen has been capped at both U18 and U21 level for the Republic of Ireland.