Yahoo News Ronan Hale says emotional goodbye to Cliftonville as he takes up opportunity he couldn't turn down
Ronan Hale says moving to Ross County was an opportunity he couldn't turn down as he completed his switch from Cliftonville.
The boyhood Reds fan admitted it was a tough decision to make but he is looking forward to the new challenge with the Scottish Premiership side. Hale leaves Solitude a hero having scored a brace as Cliftonville ended their long Irish Cup drought last season.
Those memories will live long in the mind of the 25-year-old. For now though Hale is looking to the future and his new life in Dingwall.
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“I’ve loved my time here and I’ve loved being a Cliftonville player but I feel like this is an opportunity I can’t turn down,” he explained on the Cliftonville website. “I’ve got a young family, we’ve just welcomed our second child and recently got engaged, so I have to think of them and do what I feel is best for our future together.
“I’m 25 now and your football career is a short one, so you’ve got to make the most of it when chances like this come along. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but it’s one I’m looking forward to and one I really want to have a shot at and make the best of.
“It’s not easy to be leaving Cliftonville, this is my boyhood Club and everybody knows what it means to me, but I’m leaving with great memories and that second goal in the Irish Cup Final will stay with me forever. To be able to score a goal like that with so many of my friends and family in the stand was special and it’s something we’ll always have.”
Cliftonville fought hard to keep hold of their star striker as clubs battled it out for his signature. Chairman Kieran Harding admitted they could not stand in his way once Hale declared his ambition of playing at a higher level.
“As much as we tried to persuade him to stay, once it became clear that Ronan had aspirations of playing at a higher level, we worked hard to negotiate the best possible deal with Ross County," Harding said. "One that met our valuation for a player of such quality, balanced against the current stage of his contract with us.
“We look forward to seeing Ronan play in the Scottish Premiership and I know our supporters would like to not only wish him well but also thank him for the many wonderful memories he provided.”
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