Celtic sources claim Nenagh Town are ready to join the race to try and prise Robbie Cremin away from Newtown.

Rearcorss have had a long-standing interest in the big-man, but now Town could try to beat their Premiership rivals to the Celtic star.

Celtic are not looking to sell Cremin, but they are not completely shutting the door on any prospective deals that the interested suitors may put to them.

The Cross are understood to be in the market for two defenders. Cloughjordans's Eoin Killackey is thought to be one name high on Noel Deegans wish list, but owner Jerry O' Toole also wants a big name.

Kevin Mounsey is believed to be out of their reach, which leaves Eoin Killackey  and Cremin. Newtown are insistent they have no plans to let their prized asset leave, although Rearcorss are continuing to make enquiries.

However, Cremin is a feasible option after he recently made noises about wanting a new bumper pay deal from Newtown.

Rearcorss want a straight cash deal and are willing to go up to 15 milk tockens, but Newtown would only accept that if they could use the money elsewhere.

Emmit Stead could be added to the deal to smooth things over, as could John Ryan Luke - according to some reports - but this is where it is claimed Town hold the trump card in Tony Dunne.

Local newspaper reports claim the Dunne is unhappy and that he is considering his Brickfield future.

With this in mind, a number of Newtown-based sources are claiming Town have already offered their young star in part-exchange for the hard-hitting Cremin.

Dunne was very strongly linked to Newtown only last year and the chance to link-up with older sibling Mick is likely to be a major draw.

Robert Ashman knows Town cannot live with Rearcross's financial power, but the chance to land one of North Tipp's most feared center halves - who is aged just 20 - looks too good an opportunity for the Townie not to try.

Cremin has lorded the center half position in his full first season with Newtown and admitted in recent days that you can never rule anything out in football when asked about his future.