Four in and three out

INSTITUTE manager Paul Kee looks set to be adding at least four new faces to his squad.
Institute manager Paul Kee.Institute manager Paul Kee.
Institute manager Paul Kee.

The Waterside man, who returned from holidays in Portgual, is hopeful trio Stephen O’Donnell, Gary Henderson and Andy Devlin will sign.

While former ’Stute, Derry City and Glentoran defender Shaun Holmes may also be joining.

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Holmes has been out of football for a year, but is looking to return to the game and Kee feels his experience is what is needed at Drumahoe.

Holmes, who won the title with the Glens, could be a replacement for left-back Dean Jarvis.

The one-time Aberdeen starlet signed a short term contract with Derry City on Monday and he admitted missing out on promotion with the Drumahoe men and the lure of signing for the Candystripes, meant there was only ever going to be one outcome.

“If promotion had happened then I would have had to sit down and think hard about my decision, but as ’Stute didn’t get promotion then it was the perfect opportunity to sign for Derry.

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“Coming from the Brandywell area I have always dreamed about playing for Derry City ever since I was a wee boy, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to sign now.”

For Kee, he’s hoping the new faces will spark new life into his squad.

“All the players from last season have all re-signed, apart from Jarvis, Joe Gray and Graeme Taylor,” he stated.

“Dean has obviously signed for Derry City, Joe has too much work commitments this season, so he has had to take a step back from football, while Graeme is going to University in England.

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“Stephen O’Donnell, Gary Henderson, Andy Devlin and Shaun Holmes will all be taking part in pre-season training and we’ll see how that goes.

“Stephen, who is a centre-back, is a former QPR youth player, while Gary has had a spell at Linfield and he can play in a number of positions but his perfered spot is centre-midfield, while Andy can play both left and right back, which is a nice option to have.

“Although Homer has been out of the game for a while he’s still young and I feel his experinence will benefit us.”

Another man who Kee feels could have a big season is youngster Niall Logue.

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“Niall did well last season and we’ll be having a good look at him during pre-season.”

The Waterside men who started pre-season training last night (Tuesday) play their first friendly next week when they travel to Ballinamallard United, on Saturday, July 13.

Meanwhile, neighbours Coleraine visit the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, July 20, before the Irish League Premiership champions Cliftonville, travel to Drumahoe, on Saturday, August 3.

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