St Mirren have completed a double Irish swoop with the signings of Conor McCarthy and Jamie McGrath from Cork City and Dundalk, respectively. 

Both new arrivals signed two and a half year deals in Paisley on Tuesday.

St Mirren sign centre-half Conor McCarthy on a two-and-a-half year deal.

McCarthy replaces his former Cork teammate Sean McLoughlin, who was recalled by parent club Hull City last week after spending the first half of the season in Paisley, starting all 21 Scottish Premiership games.

Saints boss Jim Goodwin told the club’s website: "Conor ticks all the boxes.

"With Sean McLoughlin going back to Hull, it was a position that we had to bring in at least one.

READ MORE: St Mirren close in on Conor McCarthy deal

"Conor is one that we looked at in the summer but couldn’t do anything about it then.

"With the Irish League finishing in November we were able to put things in motion and thankfully we have been able to agree a deal with Cork City and with Conor.

"I have seen him in the flesh, Gus has seen him in the flesh and we have watched a lot of footage on him. The references that we got from people that I know over there were fantastic as well."

McGrath, meanwhile, joined Saints after his contract with Irish Premier Division champions Dundalk expired, after three years there. 

READ MORE: Exclusive: Sean McGloughlin opens up on St Mirren spell after making Hull return

The 23-year-old midfielder is a number 10 who can also play as a right winger and Goodwin was delighted to get his man. 

He said: "Jamie’s a really exciting one.

"He can play a number of positions across the front area. He can play that number 10, he can play right or left, he’s technically very good and very comfortable on the ball.

"He’s been a big player for Dundalk over the last few seasons and he’s been a key member to their success of recent seasons."

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