Dermot Keely is on the verge of signing former Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic striker Ricky O'Flaherty with the Shelbourne manager keen to strengthen his options up front at a time that his side's progress has repeatedly been hampered by the unavailability of his first choice strike force.

O'Flaherty, whose goals helped St Patrick's to the title in 1996, has been a free agent during the summer when he parted company with Glenavon.

In recent weeks Monaghan United and Athlone Town had been amongst the clubs interested in signing him while his home town club, Galway, had more than once felt they were on verge on completing a deal. Now, however, Shelbourne look certain to bring the 32-year-old striker back into the National League.

Meanwhile, Jason Byrne, the 20-year-old striker signed by Bray from Crumlin United over the summer has been named as the Opel Player Of The Month for September by the Irish Soccer Writers' Association.

Byrne, who is a cousin of senior international Robbie Keane, had an outstanding month, scoring his team's winners against Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Bohemians.

Ian Gilzean of St Patrick's finished second in the monthly poll of journalists.