2013 squad & transfer rumours

[De Town]

Who would you like to see kept on from this year's squad? For me:

Craig Hyland - must try keep him
Paul Hunt - meh. Decent back up I suppose
Aidan Collins - See Paul Hunt
Gary Cronin - Keep him away from the pitch next season please
Des Hope - would like to see him stay
Chris Deans - get rid
Noel Haverty - must try keep him
Jeff Flood - seems decent, but too injury prone. See ya Jeff
Colm James - would like to see him stay
Alan Kirby - Happy retirement Kirbs!
William McDonagh - would like to see him stay
Jamie Duffy - get rid
Robert Bayly - must try keep him
Michael Lee - would like to see him stay
Mark Salmon - would like to see him stay
Keith Gillespie - Meh. Legs are gone imo. Added nothing in the 2nd half of the season
Craig Walsh - Decent squad player
Darragh Reynor - get rid
Austin Skelly - complete ****ebag. Not a bad player but his attitude is stinking
Karl Bermingham - Decent squad player
Tony Griffiths - wouldn't be much of a loss
Gary Shaw - must try keep him
Thomas Crawley - offer him the world and more to stay
Daniel Purdy - must try keep him

In summary, Hylo, Havo, Bayly, Shaw, Crawley and Purdy are vital to us imo. If we can hold on to most/all of them we'll be ok next season. That's a big IF though. Can see Hylo and Crawley especially being taken by Premier teams.

[outspoken]

Cousins was just on Shannonside radio and is looking forward to next season so make of that what you will.

[Longfordian]

That's the difficult part for me, do we stick with TC or go for some fresh ideas? He's a likeable guy by all accounts and is seemingly very easy to work with from the club's point of view. He can spot a player, but there were an awful lot of question marks in the last half of the season. I'd agree with most of De Town's verdicts on the current squad. I'd keep Gillespie around though, he costs the club very little and is a good lad to have in the dressing room. We perhaps shouldn't be relying on him as much though. I've not been particularly won over by what I've seen of Bayly either. He looks like he's going through the motions a lot of the time. Crawley, Purdy, Shaw, Hyland, McDonagh, Hope and Haverty are all very important for us IMO.

[L.T.F.C.]

Bayly needs to go. And should have went after his first match. Crap since he came. I feel however that it'll be like the wonderboys themselves: the Roche brothers, it'll take another season for you all to see it.

Hyland, Hope, Salmon, Lee, Haverty, Gillespie, Purdy, Shaw, Crawley, need to stay. Would be happy to see Skelly, Bermingham and Flood next year.

[outspoken]

No no I believe you this time bayly should have been dropped long ago.

[jamiec6284]

post it another trend aswell aussie has announced his retirement today due to injury

[De Town]

Bayly was the only one in both legs against Waterford that constantly looked for the ball off the back 4 and tried to get us playing football. Rest of the midfielders were happy enough to let the back 4 hoof it forward. He has an eye for a pass as well that none of the rest of our midfielders have. God forbid he actually tries to unlock a defence rather than hoof it at Tomo. :rolleyes:

[outspoken]

Bayly was the only one in both legs against Waterford that constantly looked for the ball off the back 4 and tried to get us playing football. Rest of the midfielders were happy enough to let the back 4 hoof it forward. He has an eye for a pass as well that none of the rest of our midfielders have. God forbid he actually tries to unlock a defence rather than hoof it at Tomo. :rolleyes:

He may look for it and have an eye for a pass but how many of the passes did he actually execute? He had 1 great game against Mervue playing alongside Purdy and that was it.

[L.T.F.C.]

Keith Gillespie doesn't have an eye for a pass? Suck my left one please.

[Cabs88]

Who would you like to see kept on from this year's squad? For me:

Craig Hyland - must try keep him
Paul Hunt - meh. Decent back up I suppose
Aidan Collins - See Paul Hunt
Gary Cronin - Keep him away from the pitch next season please
Des Hope - would like to see him stay
Chris Deans - get rid
Noel Haverty - must try keep him
Jeff Flood - seems decent, but too injury prone. See ya Jeff
Colm James - would like to see him stay
Alan Kirby - Happy retirement Kirbs!
William McDonagh - would like to see him stay
Jamie Duffy - get rid
Robert Bayly - must try keep him
Michael Lee - would like to see him stay
Mark Salmon - would like to see him stay
Keith Gillespie - Meh. Legs are gone imo. Added nothing in the 2nd half of the season
Craig Walsh - Decent squad player
Darragh Reynor - get rid
Austin Skelly - complete ****ebag. Not a bad player but his attitude is stinking
Karl Bermingham - Decent squad player
Tony Griffiths - wouldn't be much of a loss
Gary Shaw - must try keep him
Thomas Crawley - offer him the world and more to stay
Daniel Purdy - must try keep him


Agree 100% with all that...
If we could start next season with the spine of...

hyland-havo-hope-mcdonagh-lee
sammo-bayly
and crawley-purdy-shaw

I would be very pleased indeed.. We didn't see enough of Shaw this year as he was up in the clouds for most of it, our style of play really needs to accommodate him better...

[fitzpatrick10]

rite heres my two cents

So squad for next year
Craig Hyland, - very poor in the air and decision making, hesitant and does not command the back four, this cost us goals and he got suspend for this during the season, if he could improve this he would be far better!! Hopefully this is addressed in pre season
Gary Cronin - keep him on the coaching side of things he is just too old!
Des Hope - commands back four well, players should listen to him more
Noel Haverty - keep was impressed with him throughout the season
Colm James - tc beter try his best to keep collie! One of the best players we had
William McDonagh we need a strong back for and he would be one to watch for next season, fited in well mid season
Robert Bayly most say its love or hate with bayly but im on the fence, no harm keeping him with kirbs gone
Michael Lee love to see him stay, was very good at lb swaping wif lw depending on breaks
Mark Salmon heart of the midfiled, was at times this year the only one with pace
Keith Gillespie I think tc should really get keith coaching the midfield, hes great player but does his lack of pace make up for this im not sure.. keep anyway, its really down to what way tc uses him
Tony Griffiths - goodwork rate, lucky we had him with others injured
Gary Shaw -depending on how he recovers, but by far we need him, im sure at sum stageballs will be hoofed in desperation
Thomas Crawley KEEP, enough said
Daniel Purdy was dissapointed he got injured, good player

Anyone ive left out imo shouldn’t try and keep them,
anyway the main question is who will he sign, like over the last few seasons we have signed big names will this year be the same, anyone any idea on funds ?

[Longfordian]

Haven't heard anything specific but I don't think there'll be any major variation either way on this year, budget wise. Barring any unforeseen circumstances obviously.

[L.T.F.C.]

Is there anyone on more than one year contracts?

[Martinho II]

Happy to have signed another 1 year contract with longford this mornin nice chillaxi few wks ahead n crimbo te look forward to then the hard work starts again !! #bringit

confirmed on his twitter page earlier!

Collie James is staying for another season.. Fantastic news he was a big loss for us for the playoffs when he suffered his back injury.

[Longfordian]

Hopefully most of the lads we want to stay will. Good to know Tony's working on it anyway.

[outspoken]

Great to hear Colly's staying I just hope he can have 1 injury free season.

[outspoken]

Chris Deans has just announced on Twitter he's signed a new contract for next season, cosou getting to work early.

[Martinho II]

Paul Hunt confirmed on twitter just now that he is staying with us for next season.. so thats three secured so far!

[Longfordian]

And Salmo makes four. Also confirmed on his Twitter. Good start to close season business.

[Martinho II]

salmo is only two appearances off making 100 town appearances ... Delighted for him that hes stayin.. If he plays the next two games of next season he will be the first player since Dessie Baker since 07 to hit 100 town appearances..

[Joe Dixon]

Haven't heard anything specific but I don't think there'll be any major variation either way on this year, budget wise. Barring any unforeseen circumstances obviously.

From what i know, the budget was increased towards the end of the season to bring in ex-Monaghan players. The plan will be to start next season at the same figure they started last season.

[Martinho II]

I heard on twitter that Gary Shaw is staying with us for next season but unfortunately Craig Hyland wont be which is a blow but not unexpected..

[Longfordian]

From what i know, the budget was increased towards the end of the season to bring in ex-Monaghan players. The plan will be to start next season at the same figure they started last season.

Sounds about right. I did hear that TC had asked for a bit extra to sign those lads. The club usually try and give the manager a little extra in July if things are going ok and he wants to sign a couple of players.

[outspoken]

Very disappointing news re hylo. Yes he made some stupid mistakes this season but some of his saves were out of this world and his performance in the defeat of Limerick in jackman was the best I ever seen from a town keeper.

As I said he made some mistakes but he was young there was so much more potential in him. Big blow.

[L.T.F.C.]

Ah Jesus... it would have been a real bonus to keep him! Delighted to hear about Shaw though.

[De Town]

Shaw hasn't signed yet so don't be jizzing yerselves lads. He has agreed a deal but that doesn't mean a whole lot these days...I'd be fairly hopeful of him being with us though next season.

Hyland not coming back is true though. Hasn't got any offers on the table from anywhere else at the moment either...

[L.T.F.C.]

He isn't coming back, but has no offers?

[De Town]

He isn't coming back, but has no offers?

Correct. No offers yet. Would expect him to pick up a club by March though.

[Longfordian]

Chris Bennion has signed according to the PFAI. Meh. We needed a keeper, he's pretty mediocre though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Chris Bennion has signed according to the PFAI. Meh. We needed a keeper, he's pretty mediocre though.

Plenty of Premier League experience though. Very good signing for ye if you ask me. Most First Division clubs would lick a dogs arse to get a keeper with plenty Premier experience.

[outspoken]

I think it's a great signing he's been at some good clubs we need all the experience we can get especially in such an important position. Hopefully Tony builds from the back.

[Martinho II]

Dont forget with Bennion that he has being in the league of ireland a long time over ten years and he has a lot of experience from the various clubs he has played for ie Dundalk,Shels,Monaghan.. I would give him a go.. What would other loi fans think of him?

[Town Legend]

To be honest I think he's a good capture, good keeper with plenty of experience which is what we need. Time will tell how right or wrong I am!!

[Longfordian]

I was never hugely impressed with him any time I saw him in the last couple of years but we'll give him a chance I suppose. Daniel Purdy has apparently signed back for next season too.

[Martinho II]

confirmed tonight on twitter that robert bayly is leavin us to go to shels! please discuss. hes a massive loss for us I was very impressed with him in his short spell with ourselves..

[L.T.F.C.]

Delighted to be honest!

[Dodge]

Dont forget with Bennion that he has being in the league of ireland a long time over ten years and he has a lot of experience from the various clubs he has played for ie Dundalk,Shels,Monaghan.. I would give him a go.. What would other loi fans think of him?

He's the worst keeper I've seen play for Pats

[Martinho II]

He's the worst keeper I've seen play for Pats

when did he play with ye dodge?

[outspoken]

when did he play with ye dodge?

He moved there from Athlone so what was that 3 years ago?

[Longfordian]

Encouraging talk at the dinner tonight. TC reckons he has everyone kept that he needed to keep. Willo McDonagh has signed back which is great, Roddy was on to him two days after he'd signed back with us apparently.

[outspoken]

That's great news. ....all we need now is a goal scorer and 2 back up full backs because we are always short there when we get injuries.

[Martinho II]

I heard last night that David O'Sullivan a forward has signed from Arklow Town. From what I heard about him he was their top scorer who scored twenty goals. Apprently we beat one of the Dublin clubs to his signature.Hopefully he can be our Keith O Connor who came from the LSL Bluebell Utd.
I also heard that Hylo was lookin for too much money to stay Apparently we were very close to sign Bennion earlier this year when he joined Shels for his second spell.

[Longfordian]

We've signed a striker who was scoring plenty in the Leinster Senior League apparently. I heard his name but can't remember it now. Martinho knows the name I think.

Edit: there you go, that was well timed!

[Cabs88]

Signing Willo McDonagh is a huge boost, great ball playing centre half and not afraid to get stuck in (ask seanie maquire). If we can keep and get Des Hope back and fit that would be a great boost. Happy so far at a few of the players we have kept, but the name I look for everytime i see an update is Crawley, any word on him? Was he there last night?

[Longfordian]

Wasn't there but then a lot of them weren't. Didn't hear anything about him one way or another but Tony Cousins was saying he's been very busy and is very pleased with who he's managed to hold on to. We should be announcing signings in the next few weeks. He said something like you won't have heard of some of them but they'll be stars by the end of the season, there's others you will know and will be pleased with.

[Martinho II]

From what I heard last night Keith Gillespie is definitely staying.Mick Lee is waitin on confirmation I hope he stays.

.http://www.arklowtownfc.com/leinster-senior-league-team-advance-in-metropolitan-cup-9th-may-2012/

by the way this is a link from arklow town fc website:

[Cabs88]

Wasn't there but then a lot of them weren't. Didn't hear anything about him one way or another but Tony Cousins was saying he's been very busy and is very pleased with who he's managed to hold on to. We should be announcing signings in the next few weeks. He said something like you won't have heard of some of them but they'll be stars by the end of the season, there's others you will know and will be pleased with.


Keeping his cards close to his chest so, good to see he's been busy. Hopefully he'll introduce a new system of play when he's at it. I'll hold my breath on the 'stars by the end of the season' unless he has a 6 foot 6 left winger who can control Chris Deans' customary right to left diagonal ball..

[Martinho II]

btw Craig Hyland is going to Bohs.. all will be confrmd in the comin days..

[L.T.F.C.]

Crawley was there last night. Unless I was more drunk that I thought.

[Longfordian]

Maybe he was there so, I didn't notice him but it's possible. I wasn't really near the players table to be fair.