Eagles swoop for Roughyeds duo Reilly and Kirk

18/10/2021

Sheffield Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston has started his recruitment for the 2022 season with the two-year signings of forwards Martyn Reilly and Liam Kirk from Oldham. 

Reilly, 26, and Kirk, 24, both featured for the Roughyeds on a regular basis in 2021, with the former making 21 appearances and the latter playing 16 games. 

Reilly is a second-rower, who can fill in at prop, while Kirk is a front-rower with a big frame - standing at six-foot-four.

Reilly, who was at Halifax and Dewsbury before making the move to Bower Fold, is thrilled to be at Sheffield ahead of a big year for the club: “I’m massively happy to be here,” he said. 

“I was speaking to a few clubs and I spoke to Tubbs, who told me about the exciting times ahead and where he sees the club heading in the next few years. 

"He said he wants me to be a part of that and I’m excited to be part of the rebuild and the times ahead. 

“It’s the sort of club that carries weight in its name as they’ve always been there or thereabouts when it comes to success.

“They’ve won Grand Finals, Wembley finals and been in the top four so they’ve done a lot at the club and it’s probably been overlooked how much they have achieved in a short space of time. 

“I’m hoping we can kick on and progress now too!” 

Aston commented on the acquisition of Reilly: “He is maturing as I’ve watched him over the past couple of years,” 

"There’s still work to do as he’s not the finished package but his enthusiasm, his will and want to be the best he can be shone when I spoke to him. 

“When he’s played against us, he’s caused all sorts of trouble. 

“His leg drive, he’s got an offload in him and he knows he’s got improvement in him. 

“I’m looking forward to working with him as he is a character. There is no doubt about his ability.” 

Former Bradford Bulls front-rower Kirk is just as happy to be donning the Red and Gold for the next couple of years, saying: “I’m very happy to be signing for two years,” 

“It gives me a bit of stability and it’s good to be signing with Martyn too, who I have been good mates since playing at amateur level. 

“I’ve also played with Evan (Hodgson) so there are a few that I know.

“Tubbs has been around for a while, he’s experienced so I’m glad to be on board.” 

On the signing of Kirk, Aston added: “I have spoken to a lot of people about Liam and some people sometimes don’t see what I see,” 

“He is a big boy and he has potential. 

"He’s still relatively young as a middle and there’s a lot of good things that he does. 

“The push from the inside and the kick pressure, when he gets galloping he’s a handful and he tackles well. 

“The little things us coaches appreciate, he does well and works hard to do. 

"I’m expecting him to shine over the next couple of years.”

By Dan Fowler, graphic by Alex Coleman