Sky Blues sign striker Shane Dolan

The Dublin-based player, who was most recently at Donegal Celtic, has joined the Showgrounds on an initial 18-month deal, with an option to extend his contract.

The 24-year-old is manager Glenn Ferguson’s first signing of the January transfer window and he will be eligible to play in the New Year’s Day game at Dungannon Swifts, subject to his release being processed by the west Belfast club.

“Shane has agreed to come and by all accounts we fought off a bit of competition,” Ferguson told Times Sport.

We’re hoping he’s what we’re looking for - he’s a big, strong centre forward, a good finisher who can hold the ball up and bring other people into play.

“I had spoken to Shane in the summer before he joined DC.

“I had a few chats with him recently and also spoke to Pat McAllister who told me that Shane was a good lad and a good player but that DC couldn’t afford him any more.

“Last season he scored in seven games in a row for Carrick and every one of his goals looked like a good natural finish so if you can create chances with a finisher in the team, you’ll score more goals,” added Ferguson, who has said he is keen to sign another defender in January.

The manager is also hopeful his players can end their run of six straight Danske Bank Premiership defeats in tomorrow’s home game against Lisburn Distillery (3pm).

“People might think that because Distillery are down around the bottom, Saturday will be the chance to turn it around but they are fighting for their lives and it won’t be easy,” added Ferguson.

* See this week’s Ballymena Times for an interview with Shane Dolan.