Close Season/Pre-Season Rumours

[Pablo Escobar]

All the city fans that were Behan bashing in here left with egg on there face!!

Most City fans don't have a clue. I'm happy with this. He's not going to be playing week-in week-out, but he offers us something that we currently don't have. Don't forget, that the same group that are Behan bashing were the same group calling for Purcell's head last season, when he was clearly unfit in UCD but was still the best player on the pitch. The final point went over most of their heads.

[Sam_Heggy]

He left us last June or so

Yeah, he spent 2 months in America playing bogball. Signed for Kildrum Tigers when he got back.

Will be good cover at the back.

[nigel-harps1954]

He left us last June or so


Yeah, he spent 2 months in America playing bogball. Signed for Kildrum Tigers when he got back.

Will be good cover at the back.


Had forgotten about that.

[SkStu]

http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/150/36d39f7263b8451794628e2a896358d9/l.jpg

[bullit]

prolific goal machine u-19 striker Bob McKenna has left Dundalk.Cant understand why Dundalk didnt re-sign him on pro forms?Bit light atm but deffo worth a punt for any side.Lot of Dundalk fans psissed off with this and i'm with them.

Stats here - http://orielupdates.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/goal-machine-mckenna-exits-oriel/

Edit= Carrying an injury atm it seems

[Dillonman]

prolific goal machine u-19 striker Bob McKenna has left Dundalk.Cant understand why Dundalk didnt re-sign him on pro forms?Bit light atm but deffo worth a punt for any side.Lot of Dundalk fans psissed off with this and i'm with them.

Stats here - http://orielupdates.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/goal-machine-mckenna-exits-oriel/

Edit= Carrying an injury atm it seems

Kenny said last night at the Q&A Session that he as good as has his heart set on a scholarship in America and also he needs the whole squad to start off the season injury free.

[Roo69]

http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/150/36d39f7263b8451794628e2a896358d9/l.jpg

Didn't know he was a Longford fan?

[Ezeikial]

prolific goal machine u-19 striker Bob McKenna has left Dundalk.Cant understand why Dundalk didnt re-sign him on pro forms?Bit light atm but deffo worth a punt for any side.Lot of Dundalk fans psissed off with this and i'm with them.

Stats here - http://orielupdates.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/goal-machine-mckenna-exits-oriel/

Edit= Carryithe rng an injury atm it seems

Its stating the obvious - but for a player to be signed up, both the club and the player must want this!

Bob Mc Kennas tweet in the article you linked explains what he wants-

" I’m at the age where I need to be playing week in, week out."

Irrespective of amateur or professional contract, if he is not yet ready for regular first team football, it would be very difficult for him to develop without game time. The A Championship filled this gap in the past, but now many young players are stuck in a limbo between u-19s and first team.

it would be great to be able to keep Bob and hope he develops into a first team regular, but it seems that the scholarship option to the USA is route he wants to take

[Longfordian]

Didn't know he was a Longford fan?

Eric Lavine was his hero.

[Jofspring]

Mark Griffin still training with Derry? Gone quiet on the deal at the moment.

[bullit]

Mark Griffin still training with Derry? Gone quiet on the deal at the moment.

Still in Derry i believe,both sides involved seem to be playing hardball over development money etc.

[Ezeikial]

Mark Griffin still training with Derry? Gone quiet on the deal at the moment.

Derry Sentinel -


Published on Wednesday 30 January 2013 12:25

DERRY City will kick off their pre-season preparations against cross-city neighbours Institute at the Riverside Stadium on Monday (February 4).
Candystripes fans will have an opportunity to size up new signings Paddy Kavanagh, Sean Houston, Michael Rafter for the first time.
The Foylesiders are also anxiously trying to secure the (http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/institute/stute-versus-candystripes-kicks-off-pre-season-schedule-1-4735715#) services of talented out-of-contract Lilywhite Marc Griffin - scorer of the 2012 goal of the season.


http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/institute/stute-versus-candystripes-kicks-off-pre-season-schedule-1-4735715

A deal appeared to have been agreed 2 weeks ago but then it fell apart with both Dundalk and Derry camps blaming the other party for trying to change the deal.

Griffin wants to sign for Derry, but it seems they want to get him cheaper (maybe because of his desire to sign). He could easily end up at Limerick or elsewhere if Derry don't get serious about closing the deal.

[brendy_éire]

Mark Griffin still training with Derry? Gone quiet on the deal at the moment.

Still training here. Clubs can't agree on exact figures or when those figures would kick-in (eg. After 20 games, etc).
I reckon it's going to tribunal.

[Quayman]

Still training here. Clubs can't agree on exact figures or when those figures would kick-in (eg. After 20 games, etc).
I reckon it's going to tribunal.

Surprise surprise with Derry City.

Didn't Niall McGinn's case go to a tribunal cause Derry City refused to pay what Dungannon wanted for Niall McGinn and they got awa y with a measly sum.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

They're dead right to let it go to tribunal. Tribunal won't say they have to pay what Dundalk want I would imagine.

[oriel]

They're dead right to let it go to tribunal. Tribunal won't say they have to pay what Dundalk want I would imagine.

Or maybe they may say Derry need to pay closer to what Dundalk want condsidering his age and potential.

He has rejected an improved contract, so Dundalk will be entitled to proper compensation.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I'm sure they'll come up with a figure in between what both are talking about at the moment. Which works out better for Derry.

[Ezeikial]

Still training here. Clubs can't agree on exact figures or when those figures would kick-in (eg. After 20 games, etc).
I reckon it's going to tribunal.


They're dead right to let it go to tribunal. Tribunal won't say they have to pay what Dundalk want I would imagine.

I would be very surprised if this goes to tribunal.

If that was the route that Derry wanted to go then it is probable they would have signed Griffin by now to secure him for the season. Declan Devine has previously been quoted by the local Derry press as saying that they are not willing to go to a tribunal - for very good reasons.

Afaik there is no precedence for a tribunal (DRC) decision as no cases have been heard under the current rules. But the guidelines are fairly clear and known to both clubs. Derry have been looking to complete a deal for less then the benchmark indicated by these guidelines - hence the impasse and why a tribunal is unlikely.

[sligoman]

We've Anthony Elding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Elding) on trial, impressive amount of clubs.

[adamd164]

Leonel Messi - senior clubs: 1.

[Longfordian]

So Preston wanted to sign him a month ago and he's now on trial at Sligo? No offence but that's a bit of a drop isn't it?

[Bawnville Hoop]

He could be the leagues white Rohan Ricketts!

[Mr A]

We've Anthony Elding (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Elding) on trial, impressive amount of clubs.

I signed him in Football Manager and he was absolutely lethal. On that basis I confidently predict he would be a brilliant signing.

[nigel-harps1954]

So Preston wanted to sign him a month ago and he's now on trial at Sligo? No offence but that's a bit of a drop isn't it?

16th in League One to LOI Champions? Not exactly a huge step down..

[oriel]

I'm sure they'll come up with a figure in between what both are talking about at the moment. Which works out better for Derry.

On another note, quite why Derry want to take both of our strikers from last season is a bit odd. Did they not see where we finished last year?

[Longfordian]

16th in League One to LOI Champions? Not exactly a huge step down..

Yeah fair enough, I thought Preston were a Championship side for some reason. Still a difference in wages I'd imagine.

[nigel-harps1954]

Yeah fair enough, I thought Preston were a Championship side for some reason. Still a difference in wages I'd imagine.

Wouldn't be so sure about that either. He's under contract at Grimbsy according to that Wiki page. They're not exactly rich anymore.

[Longfordian]

Wouldn't be so sure about that either. He's under contract at Grimbsy according to that Wiki page. They're not exactly rich anymore.

Quiet you, stop making pertinent points, there's no place for that here :bigsmile:

[nigel-harps1954]

Pertinent is my middle name.

..or at least I wish it was. That'd be a cool name.

[bullit]

Griffin has a case to answer in court in Dundalk in April,maybe thats the hold up with his signing for Derry.If found guilty he could be jailed.not spreading scandal btw.
http://www.argus.ie/news/accused-of-punching-person-in-eye-3373725.html

[El-Pietro]

Wouldn't be so sure about that either. He's under contract at Grimbsy according to that Wiki page. They're not exactly rich anymore.
If thats the case then Sligo can't sign him.

[dong]

Is Griffin hoping to get out of the country before that trial?:D

[Trainee]

Whats the story with Craig Burns as I was full sure he signed for Waterford during the week, but he was playing for Limerick against Mervue today

[nigel-harps1954]

If thats the case then Sligo can't sign him.

He's been given word by Grimsby that he would be released from his contract if he found another club.

[Charlie Darwin]

Surely he can sign for any Irish side before the Irish window closes?

[outspoken]

Whats the story with Craig Burns as I was full sure he signed for Waterford during the week, but he was playing for Limerick against Mervue today

Waterford announced him as re-signed during the week alright so the only thing I could possibly think of is maybe he agreed to re-sign verbally but never actually put pen to paper and limerick have come in for him since.

[Ezeikial]

Declan Devine reckons his board will get serious about Griffin in next few days (or at least before the signing deadline)


The deal to bring striker Marc Griffin to Derry City could be days away, the Sunday Journal understands.
Griffin, 22, has been linked with a move to the Brandywell since his contract with Dundalk F.C. expired in 2012. However, as the player is under the age of 23, the Lilywhites are entitled to compensation and negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing.
Speaking to the Sunday Journal from a training session at St. Mary’s College on the Northland Road, Derry City boss, Declan Devine, said he remained optimistic that Australian-born Griffin would follow his former team-mate at Dundalk F.C., Michael Rafter, to the Brandywell.
“Our interest in Marc Griffin is perhaps the worst kept secret,” said Devine.
“There’s no real change to Marc’s situation but I am confident that a deal will be done before the transfer deadline on February 22.”




http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city/griffin-to-join-derry-city-soon-1-4750259

[El-Pietro]

He's been given word by Grimsby that he would be released from his contract if he found another club.

would need to have been a free agent at the end of January.

[gspain01]

Whats the story with Craig Burns as I was full sure he signed for Waterford during the week, but he was playing for Limerick against Mervue today

He told Limerick he hasn't signed for anyone yet.

[Charlie Darwin]

would need to have been a free agent at the end of January.
Why? The transfer window doesn't close for another month.

[El-Pietro]

Why? The transfer window doesn't close for another month.

actually, you are right, I don't know why I was confusing the ability to sign players after the Irish window and UK window.

[Guinney]

@McLaughlinGavin (https://twitter.com/McLaughlinGavin)
@DundalkFC (https://twitter.com/DundalkFC) boss Stephen Kenny is hoping to sign former St Pat's striker Vinny Faherty who trained with the squad in Wexford at the weekend

Vinny Faherty training with Dundalk.

[Mr A]

By the sound of it, Dundalk are going to get way, way better value for their budget this year than last. Presuming they haven't raised it of course (I presume they haven't, but Mr Kenny can be very persuasive and this is the LOI..)

[Ezeikial]

By the sound of it, Dundalk are going to get way, way better value for their budget this year than last. Presuming they haven't raised it of course (I presume they haven't, but Mr Kenny can be very persuasive and this is the LOI..)

While the club have not confirmed the budget publicly, it appears that Stephen Kenny has a similar budget to what Sean McCaffrey started with last season. The general consensus is that SMC delivered very bad value - so an improvement is almost inevitable. How good remains to be seen, but SK seems to have assembled a decent squad that could cause some upsets along the way. A top half finish would be punching above the weight!

[oriel]

At one point last season the weekly budget was close to 9k.

At a conservative estimate that was 6k more than the panel was worth paying.

Mccaffrey's one and only appearance at Loi club level.

I think Kenny has assembled this squad for 6, 7k max.

Mid table with a good.home record (1 league win last season) would keep most of us happy !

[Bawnville Hoop]

At one point last season the weekly budget was close to 9k.

At a conservative estimate that was 6k more than the panel was worth paying.

Mccaffrey's one and only appearance at Loi club level.

I think Kenny has assembled this squad for 6, 7k max.

Mid table with a good.home record (1 league win last season) would keep most of us happy !

In no way a dig but what do you think Towell is on?

[nigel-harps1954]

In no way a dig but what do you think Towell is on?

A rack?

[Lim till i die]

The weed mostly.

http://southparkstudios.mtvnimages.com/images/south_park/episode_thumbnails/s05e08_480.jpg

[Lim till i die]

In no way a dig but what do you think Towell is on?

The weed mostly.

http://southparkstudios.mtvnimages.com/images/south_park/episode_thumbnails/s05e08_480.jpg

[nigel-harps1954]

The weed mostly.

Get it right....it's meth mostly.