Hayden Cann and Oisin Gallagher have joined League of Ireland side Drogheda United on loan.
Cann and Gallagher, who both spent the first half of the season with National League North side Peterborough Sports, will once again link up in Ireland. The pair become the latest to join Drogheda following success for the likes of Sean Roughan and Freddie Draper, who are both key members of Michael Skubala’s first team.
Cann penned a one-year extension to his contract in the summer before heading to Peterborough Sports. The 20-year-old strung together a number of impressive performances in the 6th tier, and he became a key cog during his time at Lincoln Road. During his time with the Turbines, Cann made 20 appearances, scoring three times. His last goal before his loan spell ended came in a 4-2 victory against Bishop’s Stortford. Gallagher made his first start for City this season in the Bristol Street Motors’ Trophy against Derby County at Pride Park, before joining Cann at Peterborough Sports. The midfield enjoying a successful spell and will now head to Ireland with the central defender as he attempts to force himself into the first team plans at Sincil Bank ahead of the 24/25 season.
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 earnt a loan in Sky Bet League Two which then resulted 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.”
Gallagher and Cann could be a big part of City’s future if they perform to the standard we’ve seen at Drogheda previously. Sam Long, Roughan, Elicha Ahui and Draper have all become better players thanks to their time in Ireland, so a continuation in the relationship between the clubs isn’t a surprise to many.
If they both perform well, they could both have a chance of getting themselves involved in the first-team next season. Just look at Roughan and Draper, all it takes is a good loan spell and you might just end up finding yourself becoming a key part of the first-team.