Latvian trio ready for Irish test

There will be a Baltic flavour to the 2009 League of Ireland season when it kicks off on Friday due to an influx of players from Latvia. Bohemian FC led the way last year when they signed Lithuanian international Mindaugas Kalonas from Latvian outfit FK Rīga midway through the season, and he went on to play a key role in the club's league and cup double, scoring the decisive spot-kick in the FAI Cup final penalty shootout victory over Derry City FC.

Riga connection
Kalonas, who is currently on trial in Ukraine having left Dalymount Park, caught the eye playing for Rīga against Bohemians in the UEFA Intertoto Cup last July and two of his team-mates from that side, Gints Freimanis and Robert Mezeckis, have signed up with Irish clubs during the close season. Freimanis has joined Saint Patrick's Athletic FC while Mezeckis has opted for Cork City FC, where he will be joined by compatriot Guntars Silagailis.

European experience
Freimanis joined Longford Town FC last season but was unable to play as he signed outside the transfer window, but convinced new St Pats manager Jeff Kenna that he was worth a contract when he scored a goal in a pre-season friendly against a Chelsea FC XI a fortnight ago. "He will bring something different to the squad and he's also a very experienced player," said Kenna, who won a Premiership medal with Blackburn Rovers FC in 1995. "He's played a lot of games and has played in Europe, so that's good to have. He did very well against Chelsea, showed great enthusiasm and scored a goal, so he'll be a great addition."

'Good pedigree'
Cork City last experimented with continental players when they had a batch of Bulgarian imports in the late 1980s, and manager Paul Doolin is relishing the impact his Latvian duo can make at Turner's Cross. "They are good players and have played at a decent level," Doolin said. "Guntars is a big, strong forward, and gives us another option up front. Robert comes in from Skonto, who finished second in the Latvian league last year. He has a good pedigree, he played in the UEFA Cup last year and is also an international."

Mezeckis impressed
Kalonas retained his place in the Lithuanian senior squad under José Couceiro during his six-month spell in Ireland last year, appearing for Lithuania in their FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and Mezeckis hopes he can stay involved with the Latvian national side while he's at Cork. "I was actually a bit surprised to see how good the players here are, and I'm impressed with how they keep the ball on the ground and try to play football," said the 28-year-old. "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." Cork begin their league campaign at Sligo Rovers FC on Saturday, 24 hours after St Pats get their season started against Kenna's former club, Galway United FC.