With a Premier Division licence secured, Cork City manager Paul Doolin went about strengthening his squad this afternoon and brought three new faces to Turner’s Cross.

The former Drogheda manager has brought in two Latvian recruits in central defender Robert Mezeckis and striker Guntars Silagailis from Skonta Riga and FK Riga respectively.

Midfielder Shane Duggan (19), formerly of Plymouth Argyle and UCD, has also been secured on a one-year contract, while young striker Paul Deasy has been promoted from Cork’s under-20 side to the senior team and has signed two-year full-time contract.

The Latvian arrivals have been training with the squad and were as impressed with their new club as it was with them.

“I was actually a bit surprised to see how good the players here are, and I am impressed with how they keep the ball on the ground and try to play football,” said the 28-year-old Mezeckis, who has been capped at international level.

“The players here are good, there is a strong team and I will do my best to help the club try to win the league this season.”

Doolin added: “They are two good players and they have played at a decent level up to now. Guntars is a big, strong forward … and his signing gives us another option up front.

“Robert comes in from Skonto Riga, who finished second in the Latvian league last year.

“He has a good pedigree, he played in the Uefa Cup last year and he’s also an international. He played against Romania last year and he was also in the squad for their game against Armenia last week.”

Duggan will be competing for spot in a midfield that contains two Ireland internationals in Joe Gamble and Colin Healy, but the Doolin has liked what he has seen from the midfielder since he began training with the squad.

“I have been impressed that he has come down from Limerick every day to train with us and that showed real commitment. He’s done well in training, he’s a good little player and I’m pleased that we have signed him,” said the manager today.

Deasy (20) joined City’s under-18s from Ringmahon Rangers and ended last season with a goal in the under-20 league final against Bohemians.

The Leesiders, who open their Premier League campaign away to Sligo Rovers on March 7th, also announced that they will face Kildare County in a pre-season friendly at Turner’s Cross this Friday at 7pm. Admission is €5 and free for under-18s.

Dundalk, meanwhile, have signed Liam Burns from Bohemians. The centre-half joins up with manager Sean Connor for third time after playing under him at Dalymount and Sligo Rovers.

The pair's first match for their new club will be against the defending champions at Oriel Park on March 6th.