Royals snap up Bray starlet Sweeney

Irish teenager Pierce Sweeney is hoping to emulate the likes of Kevin Doyle and Shane Long after swapping League of Ireland football for newly promoted Premier League side Reading.

The 17-year-old defender joined Reading from Bray Wanderers for an undisclosed fee and said the Royals’ tradition of developing young Irish players helped attract him to the club.

“I’m absolutely delighted, it’s a big dream of mine and the best moment of my career so far,’’ he said.