2018 Transfers

[Ezeikial]

Does it ever occur to you that these guys all had other options and chose to put something back in by playing in loi and coaching kids....your writing off and belittling of them says more about you then anything else. .....Sad but predictable stuff

Thats very unfair.

I am not belittling any of them, nor am I questioning anyone's motives. Each of the players I referenced (and Delaney), have had significant careers in professional football. However the relatively small number of games that each of them played on returning to Ireland is a matter of fact (although I may not have the numbers precisely correct).

Duff, McPhail and Fahey have obviously retired from playing, so it is bizarre to suggest that I am writing them off. Nor have I written off Joey O'Brien, but I have doubts as to whether he can make a sustained impact.

[Lim till i die]

He did though. He called JC and said he wanted to come home, said he had no interest in playing in the Championship again. He also specifically said "its not about the money"

This absolutely 100% happened.

[Ezeikial]

..........as for Delaney he wanted to come back to cork and fair play to him could have made more anywhere else.

I'm sure Damien Delaney is a lovely chap and is kind to animals, but this is what I was commenting on before inadvertently upsetting your sensitivities about veteran players come home to the league of Ireland.


Lets be honest, any club in the league would love to have Delaney in their defence

I am not convinced RH's assertion is true, and the Shamrocks recent veteran experiences is part of the reason

[bluemovie]

He did though. He called JC and said he wanted to come home, said he had no interest in playing in the Championship again. He also specifically said "its not about the money"

Either that or he was training with Waterford and in discussions having said he didn't want to go to Cork/Caulfield until Cork got the word on that 800k and within 24 hours he was signed for Cork

[sulywaterfordfc]

Either that or he was training with Waterford and in discussions having said he didn't want to go to Cork/Caulfield until Cork got the word on that 800k and within 24 hours he was signed for Cork

European prize money would of been known prior to the start of the season therefore budget would be set according, I’d of thought ?

[micls]

You can't have a serious conversation about money when nobody has a clue about what's being spent.

Except, we do know what's being spent. By ourselves anyway. We know the wage spending, although not the player to player break down. Our wage budget last year was 1.2m, it increased to 1.5m this year. It hasn't been a secret.

But, we don't know anyone else's wage budget so the comparisons are generally made up. We know Dundalk have money, and they're obviously spending some of it with the players being signed and the quality of squad. I would guess at the start of the season there wasn't much between the squads, I think the transfer window will see Dundalk spending a bit more, but we'll really see the difference over the next couple of seasons. They have resources I don't think anyone else can compete with, and they'll be making signings with an eye on Euro progression. It will be a struggle for anyone to keep up with them i think. This season is probably our best shot for the next while of winning the league, though it will be far from easy.

[Charlie Darwin]

Except, we do know what's being spent. By ourselves anyway. We know the wage spending, although not the player to player break down. Our wage budget last year was 1.2m, it increased to 1.5m this year. It hasn't been a secret.
But individuals' pay packets are a secret, which is what we're talking about here. You no more know what McEleney is being paid than I or anybody else, yet we're supposed to talk about it, or what others players are on, based on back of the fag packet calculations.

[Nesta99]

These wage budget discussions that break out frequesntly are great entertainment. To sum things up Dundalk have a lorry load of kitchen sinks to throw at players and Cork dont have any sinks left. Everyone bar Dundalk and Cork have the 4th highest budget except for the bottom 3 or 4 who pay expenses and some dont bother paying players at all....

Every supporter is likely to inflate other clubs spending, often with a dose of moral outrage at the alleged contract offers, and then underestimate their own level of spending to be upheld as the example of sporting integrity and financial prudence. In reality no supporter knows what is offered to players especially players that sign for rival clubs. It is no doubt rooted in disappointment that a player opts for another club and that has to be to do with money and only money. Mostly it is to do with money but I'm sure there are players that have signed for clubs that havent offered the best terms and for plenty of reasons like the chance to win silverware, play in Europe, play for a hometown club or one a player has grown up supporting.

Sidewayspasser is probably right about the way an 'increase' in European prizemoney is being presented by UEFA. It is more or less CL QR2 money with EL QR2 added give or take 50k. So 800k was a reasonable estimate of the minimum that Cork will get this season. As it was budgeted for already there isnt a significant bonus pot to dip in to now without breaking a budget. JC was clumsy in how he presented that there isnt a significant unexpected additional payment, I can see what he was getting at. There was an increase but via restructuring of the competitions and could be a fairly accurately esitimated minimum before UEFA announcments in May. He was lowering expectation in case supporters thought there was a windfall and would expect the squad to be strengthened. Dundalk in the past made sure that supporters knew the significant lump that came out of European money especially before the 2016 EL, and even then 8mil or whatever that Dundalk got was a gross figure and the net figure while not insignificant was nowhere near the top end of figures bandied about.

Caulfield didnt need to comment on Dundalk's recent outlay in the 2 signings imo, while I dont know what question was asked that led to the huge money comments and that the huge money McEleney was on at Oldham obviously means he is on huge money at Dundalk. He was up to a bit of mischief making by alluding to Dundalk spending 'huge' money but are only 2 points ahead in the league for all the outlay. He was having a bit of a wind up moment there but nothing new in that and is a bit par for the course for JC. The comments could be contrived as deflection, making excuses for possibly not retaining the league etc. I'd have preferred at times that Stephen Kenny hadnt made certain comments, like the awarding of penalties stuff, as I felt it did a disservice to him by making him sound petty. SK is many things but I dont think he is a master of public mind games and so should rise above the petty point scoring efforts. If I were a Cork fan Id be thinking the same about Caulfield as it does come across as thinking too much of whats going on with Dundalk and not just getting on with things in Turners Cross. To use and example, its sounding a bit like (not exactly the same as) the 'as long as we beat England I dont care if we are otherwise muck' type thinking.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm sure there are players that have signed for clubs that havent offered the best terms and for plenty of reasons like the chance to win silverware, play in Europe, play for a hometown club or one a player has grown up supporting.
This is it. I have heard firsthand players have turned down Rovers for less money because they think they'll get more games and get a chance to go to England, or they want to play for a more successful team on similar money, or they just think the manager fancies them better. Players are obviously interested in money but they're not idiots either. Most of them aren't going to sit around and pick up a paycheck, play no football and then have no offers in 12 months, which has happened to many player at several clubs.

[Buller]

These wage budget discussions that break out frequesntly are great entertainment. To sum things up Dundalk have a lorry load of kitchen sinks to throw at players and Cork dont have any sinks left. Everyone bar Dundalk and Cork have the 4th highest budget except for the bottom 3 or 4 who pay expenses and some dont bother paying players at all....

Every supporter is likely to inflate other clubs spending, often with a dose of moral outrage at the alleged contract offers, and then underestimate their own level of spending to be upheld as the example of sporting integrity and financial prudence. In reality no supporter knows what is offered to players especially players that sign for rival clubs. It is no doubt rooted in disappointment that a player opts for another club and that has to be to do with money and only money. Mostly it is to do with money but I'm sure there are players that have signed for clubs that havent offered the best terms and for plenty of reasons like the chance to win silverware, play in Europe, play for a hometown club or one a player has grown up supporting.

Sidewayspasser is probably right about the way an 'increase' in European prizemoney is being presented by UEFA. It is more or less CL QR2 money with EL QR2 added give or take 50k. So 800k was a reasonable estimate of the minimum that Cork will get this season. As it was budgeted for already there isnt a significant bonus pot to dip in to now without breaking a budget. JC was clumsy in how he presented that there isnt a significant unexpected additional payment, I can see what he was getting at. There was an increase but via restructuring of the competitions and could be a fairly accurately esitimated minimum before UEFA announcments in May. He was lowering expectation in case supporters thought there was a windfall and would expect the squad to be strengthened. Dundalk in the past made sure that supporters knew the significant lump that came out of European money especially before the 2016 EL, and even then 8mil or whatever that Dundalk got was a gross figure and the net figure while not insignificant was nowhere near the top end of figures bandied about.

Caulfield didnt need to comment on Dundalk's recent outlay in the 2 signings imo, while I dont know what question was asked that led to the huge money comments and that the huge money McEleney was on at Oldham obviously means he is on huge money at Dundalk. He was up to a bit of mischief making by alluding to Dundalk spending 'huge' money but are only 2 points ahead in the league for all the outlay. He was having a bit of a wind up moment there but nothing new in that and is a bit par for the course for JC. The comments could be contrived as deflection, making excuses for possibly not retaining the league etc. I'd have preferred at times that Stephen Kenny hadnt made certain comments, like the awarding of penalties stuff, as I felt it did a disservice to him by making him sound petty. SK is many things but I dont think he is a master of public mind games and so should rise above the petty point scoring efforts. If I were a Cork fan Id be thinking the same about Caulfield as it does come across as thinking too much of whats going on with Dundalk and not just getting on with things in Turners Cross. To use and example, its sounding a bit like (not exactly the same as) the 'as long as we beat England I dont care if we are otherwise muck' type thinking.

Top post. Logical and summed up the madness perfectly.

[Asterix]

Dean Dillon gone on loan to Longford from Rovers.

[sbgawa]

Great loan for longford
All he needs is games

[thebronze14]

Danny Seabourne signs for Derry from Exeter.

https://www.derrycityfc.net/2018/07/danny-seaborne-joins-candystripes/

A experienced centre-half. That's what we need.

I follow Southampton as well as Harps and he was a really good player for Saints until the nightclub attack. Certainly upper end of Championship standard, sadly didn't work out after that. If he shows some of that form he'll be a very good signing for Derry

[Longfordian]

Town have also signed Jamie Doyle from Shels.

[sullanefc]

Stephen Bradley has his say on the McElaney transfer.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/2805433/stephen-bradley-says-the-league-of-ireland-has-been-left-looking-foolish-after-patrick-mceleneys-transfer-back-to-dundalk/

[jinxy lilywhite]

Stephen Bradley has his say on the McElaney transfer.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/2805433/stephen-bradley-says-the-league-of-ireland-has-been-left-looking-foolish-after-patrick-mceleneys-transfer-back-to-dundalk/

minnowism

[pineapple stu]

Town have also signed Jamie Doyle from Shels.
How many clubs has he had now?

Since 2014 I think it's Leixlip, UCD, Shels, Bohs, Shels and now Longford.

Bit mad

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

You’d swear Dundalk told McElhenney to get out the way Bradley is going on

[RathfarnhamHoop]

minnowism

Look at the flags your clubs just come up with and talk to me about minnowism.

Embarrassing stuff really

[ToberonaTornado]

Look at the flags your clubs just come up with and talk to me about minnowism.

Embarrassing stuff really

Concentrate more.
The club didn't produce any flags or banners.
Way back and read the tweet properly.

[White Horse]

Concentrate more.
The club didn't produce any flags or banners.
Way back and read the tweet properly.

Indeed, no need to criticise young lads in Garda Youth Diversion Project who decide to devote their free time to making posters to support their local club.

We should be applauding the affinity the local youths have for their local football club.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Concentrate more.
The club didn't produce any flags or banners.
Way back and read the tweet properly.

Concentrate more.
I didn't say produce, I said come up with, Google it, it doesn't mean the same thing.
Go back and read my reply properly, work on your English too.

[ToberonaTornado]

Concentrate more.
I didn't say produce, I said come up with, Google it, it doesn't mean the same thing.
Go back and read my reply properly, work on your English too.

LOL,you're losing it lad,the plot ;)

https://www.dundalkfc.com/supporters-flag-project/

[White Horse]

I didn't say produce, I said come up with, Google it, it doesn't mean the same thing.


I did as you suggested.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h311/MarkJM/come%20up%20with_2.jpg

[RathfarnhamHoop]

I did as you suggested.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h311/MarkJM/come%20up%20with_2.jpg

Exactly, put forward, present, recommend, advocate, just some of the words there that dont imply the person is the creator. Or is that classic ability to selectively read stuff all Dundalk fans seem to have rearing it's head again so you didn't see those words.

[Ezeikial]

Exactly, put forward, present, recommend, advocate, just some of the words there that dont imply the person is the creator. Or is that classic ability to selectively read stuff all Dundalk fans seem to have rearing it's head again so you didn't see those words.

Are you Bradley's communications advisor?

[Nesta99]

“I think the supporters would rather win that than the league, to be honest with you.” This has to be tongue in cheek Rovers fans?

There is a real sense of resignation (no pun intended) from Bradley in that piece. Echoing Caulfield too yet both clubs have and can sign top players. Cleary has been a revelation since joining Dundalk and Rovers could have signed him. Finn was offered better terms that what Dundalk were offering. Im sure there are other examples. Rovers and Cork can surely use the 'every player would want to play at the most successful/best supported club' in the country as a makeweight against Dundalk's financial clout!!

Im not sure why Bradley is saying this stuff about McEleney unless there is a tough game coming up and needs to do some deflecting too, the cup being what supporters really want fits in with this. He is aware of the mitigating factors in the McEleney transfer dealings. Leaving as an out of contract player to Oldham, not released by Dundalk. Finances crashed at Oldham as we know and they needed to cut costs so the opportunity arose for Dundalk to make an approach.

There is a lot to this transfer that we dont and wont know. Paying a fee, (reported only by Oldham!!), may have smoothed the way for a 'cheaper' transfer in for Dundalk; Oldham would have been obligated to pay up McEleney's contract if they were just releasing him and there was no mutual termination of his deal. It has been suggested locally that not only did Dundalk pay a lot less (maybe nothing) than what Oldham valued McEleney at, they may also still be paying him a % of his contract and Dundalk paying him a %; Similar to when Stephen Kenny was signed on as manager - we were able to offer him less, a top up if you like, as he was still getting paid off by Rovers, hence it was a cheaper appointment for Dundalk than what Kenny was actually earning. Overall it could be a cheaper transfer and signing than say Sean Gannon's new contract. Its all conjecture and there are only 3 or 4 people that know the true cost.

There is no credibility issue for the league on this transfer as Bradley is suggesting. What's happening at Bray, (Limerick, Athlone) is where comment on the league's credibility should be.

[sbgawa]

You don't understand how piddled off we are with the cup issue.
If you offered me a choice between winning the league next year and winning the cup id have to think hard and probably go for the cup.
The only thing that might swing me towards the league would be the financial stuff CL money etc....but that's head not heart.

I'm not sure its a creditability thing re DFC paying a fee for McElaney its more for me that the UK clubs now will star to expect fees from LOI clubs but so what that's life.

The Athlone / Limerick / Bray stuff , you are bang on

[Mr A]

How many clubs has he had now?

Since 2014 I think it's Leixlip, UCD, Shels, Bohs, Shels and now Longford.

Bit mad

He is nearly running out of Dublin clubs to sign for at this stage!

[micls]

> Rovers and Cork can surely use the 'every player would want to play at the most successful/best supported club

I'm sure we'll try, but in a practical sense that only tends to work if the player has some connection to the club. For most, money talks (understandably).

It's no gonna be so much an issue of having some quality players. I think we will always have and sign quality players and Caulfield will get the best out of them, the difference will likely be in squad depth.

[Nesta99]

You don't understand how piddled off we are with the cup issue.
If you offered me a choice between winning the league next year and winning the cup id have to think hard and probably go for the cup.


Shamrock Rovers really are becoming the new St Pats! :p

[Longfordian]

How many clubs has he had now?

Since 2014 I think it's Leixlip, UCD, Shels, Bohs, Shels and now Longford.

Bit mad

I have a vague recollection of hearing that he’s a bit er..temperamental. I could be doing the chap a disservice though. Either way were in a need of a forward or two to give us options so it’s worth a punt.

[Ezeikial]

Shamrock Rovers really are becoming the new St Pats! :p

That's a bit unfair. St Pats went over 50 years without winning the cup whereas the Cup Specialists won it back in 1987

[Charlie Darwin]

That's a bit unfair. St Pats went over 50 years without winning the cup whereas the Cup Specialists won it back in 1987
You're right. At least they managed to win the thing.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Looks like Dundalk have deleted the photo, Garda twitter still has it up though

[Nesta99]

That's a bit unfair. St Pats went over 50 years without winning the cup whereas the Cup Specialists won it back in 1987

I did say becoming! Only another 23 years or so to go - which of course now means Rovers will win it this season especially as it's what the fans really want.

[Nesta99]

Looks like Dundalk have deleted the photo, Garda twitter still has it up though

Whats the issue with the banners? I havent seen them but as long as it isnt a 'won it in talla' effort!!

[ToberonaTornado]

Whats the issue with the banners? I havent seen them but as long as it isnt a 'won it in talla' effort!!

Cant find the photos.(or mirrors of them)
One of the banners in the photo depicted a spear like flagpole going through a shamrock rovers badge with a legend written on it.The photo includes the banner,the guys who made it during a Garda diversity community programme.Pat McEleney,Liam Burns,a few vol people,members of AGS and a couple of other current Dundalk players.
The young guys are no more than 17 y-o.

The second photo - the young lads had made a banner depicting the '3-in-a-row'
All very harmless.

Why was it removed from the website?
I don't know and i'll not be speculating either.

[CityBoy]

For anyone who thinks Delaney is on huge money you'd be very wrong. You can argue about it here all you like but I'm willing to trust the guy himself. Listen here at 01:15 on. He said it was the easiest negotiation JC has ever had. Earlier in the video be mentions offers from the UK and elsewhere but none of that excited him. He just wanted to move home with his pregnant girlfriend.

https://youtu.be/RTBJnHQmCJk

[Ezeikial]

For anyone who thinks Delaney is on huge money you'd be very wrong. You can argue about it here all you like but I'm willing to trust the guy himself. Listen here at 01:15 on. He said it was the easiest negotiation JC has ever had. Earlier in the video be mentions offers from the UK and elsewhere but none of that excited him. He just wanted to move home with his pregnant girlfriend.

https://youtu.be/RTBJnHQmCJk

The narrative is fairly clear. He is on a wage that is less than championship clubs pay. He did not haggle with Caulfield, but accepted his first offer.

We still don't know, nor should we have any right to know, how much that actually is.

[CityBoy]

The narrative is fairly clear. He is on a wage that is less than championship clubs pay. He did not haggle with Caulfield, but accepted his first offer.

We still don't know, nor should we have any right to know, how much that actually is.

Exactly. The narrative is that he's not here for the money. He could have gotten a better deal from dozens of other clubs. Obviously rival clubs will twist that in to 'A player coming from the PL will be on huge wages' but I'm willing to trust the man himself on this one.

We've also gotten rid of Michael Howard(not sure how much of his wages we paid) and Tobi Adebayo Rowling. Pierce Phillips and John Kavanagh likely to be off our wage bill soon. Might free up a few quid for someone else to come in.

[Ezeikial]

Exactly. The narrative is that he's not here for the money. He could have gotten a better deal from dozens of other clubs. Obviously rival clubs will twist that in to 'A player coming from the PL will be on huge wages' but I'm willing to trust the man himself on this one.


Rival clubs shouldn't really be commenting on Cork City's transfer business, wouldn't you think?

Maybe fans from other clubs will try to point score, but that hardly matters much. In any case, its not publicly known how much dosh he is getting, and anyway the real question is if he will deliver value for money.



We've also gotten rid of Michael Howard(not sure how much of his wages we paid) and Tobi Adebayo Rowling. Pierce Phillips and John Kavanagh likely to be off our wage bill soon. Might free up a few quid for someone else to come in.

I presumed that Michael Howard was costing Cork litlle or nothing (nothing would be more appropriate based on his game time for Cork), while Kavanagh and Phillips are likely to be recent burdens on the wage bill if Waterford and Cobh respectively were paying for them in the early part of the season.

In any case I doubt that the circa €1.5m wage bill is causing any stress to Cork City's finances

[micls]

Rival clubs shouldn't really be commenting on Cork City's transfer business, wouldn't you think?


But Where's the fun in that? Of course rival clubs shouldn't be discussing and speculating on each others transfers.

[disgruntled]

But Where's the fun in that? Of course rival clubs shouldn't be discussing and speculating on each others transfers.

At least it beats talking about referee's & crisp packets :)

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Whats the issue with the banners? I havent seen them but as long as it isnt a 'won it in talla' effort!!

Its a Rovers crest on a pile of ashes with a Dundalk flag being planted through it. Sort of thing that's pretty childish but grand from fans but for a club and the manager to go out of their way to endorse it is pretty small time and embarrassing to be honest

[placid casual]

They view a club, who are struggling ( big time!) to make Europe as their main rival. The sad fact is that seems to be what's important to them, even with all their Yankee money and Rovers being relatively mediocre.
Forever in our shadow, it would seem.

[sullanefc]

Its a Rovers crest on a pile of ashes with a Dundalk flag being planted through it. Sort of thing that's pretty childish but grand from fans but for a club and the manager to go out of their way to endorse it is pretty small time and embarrassing to be honest

And they talk about other clubs lacking class.

[White Horse]

Its a Rovers crest on a pile of ashes with a Dundalk flag being planted through it. Sort of thing that's pretty childish but grand from fans but for a club and the manager to go out of their way to endorse it is pretty small time and embarrassing to be honest

How did they "go out of their way"? The Gardaí have tweeted about it, did they also "go out of their way"?

This is the sort of banner that kids design. It is not my cup of tea, to be honest. Some of the reaction is hysterically funny, particularly when langers jump on the bandwagon.

[sbgawa]

It was on your own account as well. Your social media people let you down .

[El-Pietro]

How did they "go out of their way"? The Gardaí have tweeted about it, did they also "go out of their way"?

This is the sort of banner that kids design. It is not my cup of tea, to be honest. Some of the reaction is hysterically funny, particularly when langers jump on the bandwagon.


To be fair this flag is more disrespectful to Shamrock Rovers than a player chanting **** the Lilywhites was to Dundalk, especially as it was actually put up on your website in a photo with your manager and a chunk of first teamers. Dundalk lost their **** at that chant but see little issue with this?
It doesn't particular bother me though I'm sure I'd be more annoyed if it were a City crest.