‘He’s the best footballer in the Irish league’ – Oldham confirm their interest in Dundalk midfielder

Oldham Athletic are looking to add to their Irish contingent at Boundary Park.

The Owls already have Jack Byrne, Eoin Doyle and Paul Green on their books, and with some luck, they'll add Dundalk midfielder Patrick McEleney to the mix. McEleney enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Lilywhites last season and was nominated to the PFAI Team of the Year for the second consecutive year. He was also nominated for the PFAI Player of the Year award where he was ultimately ousted by former Cork City striker Sean Maguire. Oldham manager Richie Wellens labeled the former Derry City midfielder as the 'best player in the League of Ireland'. "We’ve spoken to his agent,” Oldham boss Richie Wellens told Manchester Evening News. “I like him, he’s a really good footballer and is the best footballer in the Republic of Ireland league. "That's a league that is growing in stature and growing in terms of its standing. It's grown in the last four of five years and a lot of good players are coming from the Republic of Ireland. "We've obviously got Jack Byrne and Eoin Doyle, so they produce good players. I like the mentality of the players. "Patrick is someone who can use both feet and take players on and can score goals, so we are trying to talk to him." Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City are all in line for a move for the Ireland underage international with McEleney currently out of contract at Oriel Park.