Ward joins the Eircom exodus
 The Exodus of top
Eircom League talent continued this week with Bohemians Irish U-21 striker
Stephen Ward joining English Championship side Wolves.
Ward has long been regarded as one of the hottest properties in the Eircom
League and mindful of the success enjoyed by Kevin Doyle who was sold
by Cork for a cut-price fee to Reading Bohemians negotiated what they
describe as a record transfer fee for an Eircom League player before permitting
Ward to join Mick McCarthy’s promotion-chasing outfit.
Having come through the youth ranks at the Dalymount Park club Ward regularly
featured among the top scorers in the Eircom League.
But it is thought that his performances with the Ireland under-21 team
were what caught the eye of former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy
who admits he has been tracking the player for some time.
McCarthy said: “A club like Wolves are always on the lookout for
top talent and Stephen has a lot of potential.
“He could score goals at this level and hopefully progress into
being the sort of top player we need to help this club get into the Premiership.”
Ward had been linked with several British clubs since the opening of the
transfer window at the start of January including Aberdeen and the Steven
Kenny-managed Dunfermline.
But the lure of Championship football won the day for Ward who said that
he hopes he can score the goals which fire Wolves into the top flight
and then push for a place in Steve Staunton’s senior international
squad.
He said: “A chance to join a club like Wolves does not come along
everyday. I was delighted and flattered by their interest and hope I can
repay the faith they have shown in me.”
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