Transfer Window

[kingpin4]

So, while the season is on a break... who would you like to sign (lets be realistic) or where would you like to see us strengthen. Rumours of some of the Junior lads training with the team again this summer. I'd actually like to see them get a chance this summer and not be kept training on their own.
Rumours have varied between Eamon Zayed to Garry O'Connor... the club seem to keep these things quite close to their chest so will be interesting to see what business we do.

For me, I'd like to see another centre midfielder to compliment Duggan. Another natural left full. I'd like 1 other striker who is different to Gaffney and McManus...maybe someone with the pace that Axel had last season. And maybe even one big name to just try and bring some of the fans back (is Zayed a 'big' name?). As it stands, we're not actually that far off of fifth so a big name signing, might even put us in the hunt for fourth (if we can dream a bit)

[Jofspring]

I'd like to see another winger and Striker as priority. If we can stretch it another central midfielder.

A few might be on the way out. Sheedy and Coughlan are in limbo, too old for 19's and not getting game time with the senior team so a possibility they may leave either for a first division team or to premier in Limerick.

Clarke, Zayed and Sheppard all rumoured but probably going to be only one of the three signed if any are even true.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Galbraith is gone according to Oji on Twitter.

Edit: His contract has apparently expired.

[Jofspring]

Galbraith is gone according to Oji on Twitter.

Edit: His contract has apparently expired.

Knew his contract was expiring but didn't think they'd let Galbraith go.

We need some serious re-inforcements now or we'll be in trouble.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It depends what he was asking for I suppose.

[Lim till i die]

We just keep getting better and better to watch!!

[kingpin4]

Definitely need to replace Curran and Galbraith for a start anyway. Someone who might bring a bit of excitement is badly needed.

After that, centre mid x 2, left full, winger. Someone with pace too would be nice.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I honestly don't think we'll get even half of that. Limerick won't get relegated now, won't challenge for much higher. I'd say there is little motivation to open the coffers for anything other than a bog standard replacement just to see the season out.

[kingpin4]

There could be less than 200 people at the game Friday. World cup Semi finals are on and there is zero buzz around.

[Jofspring]

I wouldn't say we are well safe. A decent run of results for the teams below us and we are right back in the mix. We can't rest too much on what we have or we will be punished. We are only a few points away from the bottom two and are as of today a weaker squad again.

That puts it at 10 players out from last season and two new faces in.

[Lims4ever]

Can't believe this it gets more confusing with every passing week what exactly there trying to achieve , they send out a statement wondering why fans have abandoned the club they let so many players go from last season then curran goes and now Galbraith as well even the hardcore fans are starting to get disillusioned with what's going on and the display last Friday night showed a lot of players seem to be as well . They were going to struggle to get even 200 there Friday with this news hard to see even that there now

[NeverFeltBetter]

I wouldn't say we are well safe. A decent run of results for the teams below us and we are right back in the mix. We can't rest too much on what we have or we will be punished. We are only a few points away from the bottom two and are as of today a weaker squad again.

That puts it at 10 players out from last season and two new faces in.

Roughly 30 points seems to be the average (over the last 5 seasons at least) to be reasonably certain of avoiding anything in the relegation/relegation playoff zone. I think this team is capable of getting to that number by the end of the season. I'd be very surprised if they didn't.

The attendance issue is causing me way more alarm right now. I've had an unsettling feeling about the last few weeks and the crowds, like a financial catastrophe is right around the corner.

[kingpin4]

The attendance issue is causing me way more alarm right now. I've had an unsettling feeling about the last few weeks and the crowds, like a financial catastrophe is right around the corner.


The only thing that worries me about the attendance is trying to get players in. Not many high calibre players will fancy coming to play on front of 500 people. Like you said above, there is very little motivation to open the cheque book when potenitally we may only need another 4 wins to stay up.

[bluewhitearmy]

Well its not gonna help attendances in any way to get rid of possibly the best player at the club now is it. We have played well maybe once possibly twice in months and the main one of them was all thanks to Danny against Pats. I can't see how they expect anyone to bother going at this stage because tbh I am going to games the last 15 years in the last 6 years the most games I've missed in a season is 5 but if we don't make a few signings and good signings this window I won't be back and a know a few more that feel the same. There is zero enjoyment anymore the football is crap the ground is like a library if I could end this season tomorrow I would.

[Lim till i die]

In fairness i dont think crowds matter a jot to footballers.

Professional footballers care about their wages, and in most cases, not a hell of a lot else.

Sporting Fingal had a dozen fans and their squad was absolutely insane.

The bad vibes and sense of decay around the place is another issue and I'd say something fairly drastic needs to be done during the window, if only to keep the players youd like to keep for next year interested. (come to think of it is their five you'd be really pushed about??)

I wouldnt really subscribe to the "hold steady we're far enough ahead" talk because we re about two defeats away from squeaky bum time and if theres one thing Taylors team has consistently shown when it really mattered this season (Cork games, Bohs in the cup) its a complete and utter lack of character. In two of the last three games theyve disgraced the club.and insulted Pat O'Sullivan. They could well win this Friday.

Would any of ye fancy them in a dogfight??

[bluewhitearmy]

We have signed Ian Turner from Cork.

[dutchie]

Pity about low numbers going to matches,we were years trying to get into the premier nad when we get there the fans seem to stay away,maybe when we go to the markets field things will change.

[Lims4ever]

Sick to the teeth of hearing people saying that "oh I'll go watch them when there in the markets field " I suppose then it will be raining and they can't go , what a pleasure it is to go and watch them in thomond park you just won't get any better , they call limerick sporting limerick but it's anything but full of armchair supporters who jump on bandwagons when things are going well . What it all boils down to is most people think the standard of football here is not good enough hence very hard to get them to go to games , it must be very frustrating for the people running the club who have done there best to make it a success but if people don't attend games it gets harder and harder to survive

[NeverFeltBetter]

People will go to games if Limerick are winning, regardless of the kind of football they play. Last season had a novelty factor with the top tier status and the stadium. A drop off was inevitable.

I think the Market's Field will help somewhat though, simply by having better conditions for atmosphere, not to mention dropping the rent money for Thomond.

[kingpin4]

People will go to games if Limerick are winning, regardless of the kind of football they play. Last season had a novelty factor with the top tier status and the stadium. A drop off was inevitable.

I think the Market's Field will help somewhat though, simply by having better conditions for atmosphere, not to mention dropping the rent money for Thomond.

Going by reports, there won't be much of a difference between the rent at Thomond and the rent in the Markets Field.

[NeverFeltBetter]

What reports? It would be crazy for the two to be similar.

[gael353]

The field by all accounts is going to be more expensive i shhhiiit u not

[NeverFeltBetter]

What accounts? The MF being more expensive wouldn't be sustainable. How could that be agreed to?

[gael353]

Of course its not sustainable and no it hasnt been agreed to hense we aint in there. But yes it has been offered at higher rents then what we have

[Jofspring]

Ciaran Kilduff a sub again tonight for rovers. Would be a very good loan signing to get in if possible.

[Jofspring]

Clarke played last night in the first half with a mix of 17/18/19's and scored once against Carew. Played again today with the first team against Regional and bagged a hat trick.

[bluewhitearmy]

Clarke played last night in the first half with a mix of 17/18/19's and scored once against Carew. Played again today with the first team against Regional and bagged a hat trick.

Should 100% be signed til the end of the season at least.

[faceoff]

Should 100% be signed til the end of the season at least.

And do you honestly think Shane would be happy with that.very least he'll want is a 2 year contract.heard the new manager didnt even speak to him after the game.bit odd that one.

[Jofspring]

And do you honestly think Shane would be happy with that.very least he'll want is a 2 year contract.heard the new manager didnt even speak to him after the game.bit odd that one.


Well Russell had a chat with him at half time in the Carew match so don't see why he wouldn't talk to him after the Regional game. Clarke involved again against QPR.

Bluewhitearmy says "at least till the end of the season". That means he expects him to be signed for at least that length of time if not more. Gamble was the last player to get a 2 year deal so can't see Clarke getting that long. 18 months would be perfect. Thats the rest of this season and till the end of next season.

[bluewhitearmy]

Since Russell has come in Clarke has been training with Limerick and played 3 games so he has had more than enough time to talk to him tbh. Russell didnt seem to talk to anyone at all individually after the Regional game so no big deal.

Did well enough again today when he came on.

Also ex Cork and Shamrock Rovers Shane O'Connor played for us today.

[da bishop]

this Clarke episode is taking on "soap" proportions,the player is either good enough or not,in his case this ..having a look at him...again...is farcical.he is being messed about imo and though we could use a player like him i can,t see happening.

[bluewhitearmy]

this Clarke episode is taking on "soap" proportions,the player is either good enough or not,in his case this ..having a look at him...again...is farcical.he is being messed about imo and though we could use a player like him i can,t see happening.


Ya a new manager having a look at a player before he signs him what nonsense :rolleyes:

[Jofspring]

this Clarke episode is taking on "soap" proportions,the player is either good enough or not,in his case this ..having a look at him...again...is farcical.he is being messed about imo and though we could use a player like him i can,t see happening.

I agree he has been messed about previously, mainly a few weeks ago but I don't see any problem with Russell wanting to see him first. He probably knew little or nothing about Clarke previously. I'd be surprised if he doesn't sign him up though. Russell also wanted a look at Shane O Conner, a guy who played for Ipswich, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers.

[psddyb]

Clarke scored twice v Regional - one a mile offside . How many more chances does he need ?
O Connor looked good last night and as we are losing another top player he may well be needed

[adamd164]

Also ex Cork and Shamrock Rovers Shane O'Connor played for us today.

I was wondering where he went! Don't think he played for anyone last season.

Signed him from Ipswich, he promised loads but never settled for us. Rovers fans said he was decent for them though so he could do a job.

[faceoff]

Russell said he would have a look at Shane again in January.I think Shane gave him his answer to look elsewhere.Cannot for the life of me see why Limerick dont sign him.Limerick need a scorer?He scores them.Crazy.Hat trick last Sunday.What more does he need to see?????

[kingpin4]

Russell said he would have a look at Shane again in January.I think Shane gave him his answer to look elsewhere.Cannot for the life of me see why Limerick dont sign him.Limerick need a scorer?He scores them.Crazy.Hat trick last Sunday.What more does he need to see?????

To be fair, he scored the 3 against a junior team (Regional) which is what he has done all year. If he had scored a hat trick against QPR, it'd have more weight.

There must be something there that recent managers haven't taken a chance on him though... something they see in training that they havent felt he's warranted a contract.

Personally, I am disappointed we're not taking him on though. He definitely would have been another option going forward that we need. I'd much rather throw Shane Clarke on in the last 10 mins of chasing a match instead of one of the younger lads.

[psddyb]

I'm new to this thing but have been watching it for a while . First of all , Clarke
scored 2 last Saturday - his last a mile offside . He has gotten loads of chance
by various managers . What's his attitude like ??

[Jofspring]

I think it's madness not to sign him and at this stage I'd tell the club to shove it up there arse if I was him. If we go away and sign some rubbish now it will look even worse.

It will be interesting to see now do the club take a gamble on O'Connor cause going on his recent record that's what it will be. It will make the not signing Clarke thing even worse in my opinion.

[Sea Bird]

it's preseason for clarke very harsh on him

[bluewhitearmy]

So since last season is this how it is?

Out:
Gamble
Bradley
McGann
Purcell
O'Callaghan
Judge
Axel
Curran
Galbraith
Kelly

In:
Ali
Leahy
Prince
Duggan
Turner
Tam

Might have missed a few.

[Jofspring]

Even at that Prince and Ali were expected since last season so realistically the only players to come in that we wouldn't have previously been expected were Leahy, Duggan, Turner and Tam. Leahy spent the first half of the season injured and Turner only came in two weeks ago.

Even with a supposed cut budget that amount of ins compared to outs doesn't make any sense. If we had a top class under 19's winning leagues every year to rely on you'd say something.

[bluewhitearmy]

At the minute we don't have a squad I would be confident of staying out of the bottom 2 we are only 3 points ahead of Bray. One or two injuries to good players and its done for us the next week until the window closes is absolutely huge.

[CraftyToePoke]

Who does McGann play with these days ?

[Jofspring]

Who does McGann play with these days ?

Someone out in Ennis as far as I know.

[kingpin4]

Confirmed by the club it's Shaun Kelly who is gone. He will be a massive loss. Nzuzi or Costelloe are nowhere near good enough to replace him. Suppose if it is family and not football reasons though, just have to wish him well for the future.

[kingpin4]

Supposedly close to signing two, possibly three players. Anyone know who they are?

[LK37oldskool]

could be as many as 4 new signings by weekend.

[bluewhitearmy]

could be as many as 4 new signings by weekend.

Shane O'Connor, Midfielder, Striker and ?

[Jofspring]

Shane O'Connor, Midfielder, Striker and ?

RB to replace Kelly maybe?

Any new signings would need to be pretty much in by tomorrow i'd imagine rather than waiting till Thursday at the risk of any hiccups.