The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Ennis footballer Barry Cotter has signed with English League One outfit Barnsley FC for a fee in the region of £20,000.
The full-back has put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal having spent the second half of last season on loan at St Patrick’s Athletic from Shamrock Rovers.
He played underage with Avenue United and Ennis Town before joining Limerick FC in 2015.
Cotter joined Limerick FC’s U17 squad for the 2015 season and the following year he stepped up to the U19 set up.
In February 2017 he was included in Martin Russell’s match day squad for the opening league game against Sligo Rovers as he made the breakthrough to the first team.
The Ennis man was snapped up by Ipswich in January 2018. He was given his debut by Mick McCarthy in a Championship win over the club he has just signed for, Barnsley FC.
He represented Ireland at U19 level while he was also part of the Irish U21 squad for a European Championship qualifier against Luxembourg. Current senior boss Stephen Kenny was manager of the U21s at the time.
The right-back enjoyed two spells in the National League South with Chelmsford City whom he joined on loan from Ipswich Town.
Cotter signed for Shamrock Rovers on 31 August 2021. He racked up 24 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops before joining rivals St Patrick’s Athletic.
The right back made his debut for St. Pat’s in a UEFA Europa Conference League match against Slovenian side NŠ Mura, drawing 1-1.
Barnsley are currently chasing promotion to the Sky Bet Championship as they currently reside in a play off position in League One.
In an interview with the club, Cotter stated: It’s so exciting. It’s a great opportunity, I’m absolutely buzzing. I can’t wait to hit the ground running. It’s a huge Club, there’s great history. I’m over the moon.”
