2020 season arrivals and departures

[sulywaterfordfc]

Limerick/Waterford fans on here, what are Lee Devitt, Adam Foley and Darryl Walsh like? Only saw them in our friendly with Pat’s so not a lot to judge. Going off their past, Walsh in particular could stand out. On paper I’d say this is our best squad since 2016.

Darryl is a player with a lot of potential. He should do well down in Cobh. It’ll be great experience for him

[sulywaterfordfc]

Cork have signed Joe Redmond on loan from Birmingham. Is today the last day for Irish teams to get players in on loan from abroad?

LOI deadline day isn’t till normally February 22nd

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford In’s

Matty Smith (Dundee Utd)
Tyreke Wilson (Man City)
Both permanent deals too.

Swindon local news site confirmed Cameron McGlip has also signed. No official confirmation by us tonight

[Steve Bruce]

Anyone want Ethan Boyle back. He's not a player at all. Possibly the worst right back I've seen at Windsor.

[Ezeikial]

Anyone want Ethan Boyle back. He's not a player at all. Possibly the worst right back I've seen at Windsor.

Something not right here.

Stephen Bradley is regarded by many Hoops fans to be a great judge of players. This is what he said when he signed him for Rovers



" I think he brings a lot of qualities to us. He’s very athletic, powerful and he can use the ball. He’s very comfortable on the ball because he’s played midfield as well. He has a lot of really good attributes.
He’s a good age, he’s an Irish under 21 international so I think he’s a great fit for us. I believe we can help take Ethan’s game to the next level, make him into a top right back, centre-back and midfielder. He can play in 3 or 4 positions. I’ve known him for a number of years and he’s impressed me every time I’ve seen him, whether it’s right back or central midfield."


http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2017/11/28/ethan-boyle-signs-shamrock-rovers-finn-harps/

[Kingswood Rover]

Ball control and distribution was always dodgy.

[Nesta99]

So doesnt use the ball well and not so comfortable on the ball either!? Bradley has a career in 2nd hand car saless if football management doesnt work out!

[Paulgufc]

Enda Curran and Sam Warde sign for GUFC. Some size of a squad we have now.

Any views on Warde Sligo fans?

[Steve Bruce]

Something not right here.

Stephen Bradley is regarded by many Hoops fans to be a great judge of players. This is what he said when he signed him for Rovers




http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2017/11/28/ethan-boyle-signs-shamrock-rovers-finn-harps/

His passing is shocking, his positional play is shocking, his ball control is shocking, he's easy to go past.

The only things I've seen is he is decent in the air offensively and he is better than our other RB at throw ins.

Maybe the difference in the 2 leagues style of football is the issue.

Bastian Hery is struggling but I do see a top player in their, linfield however are so inconsistent this season.

We can hammer someone 7 one match then get hammered the next.

[sbgawa]

Something not right here.

Stephen Bradley is regarded by many Hoops fans to be a great judge of players. This is what he said when he signed him for Rovers




http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/2017/11/28/ethan-boyle-signs-shamrock-rovers-finn-harps/

Lol , manager speaks highly of player on day of signing :)
Shock

[Nesta99]

His passing is shocking, his positional play is shocking, his ball control is shocking, he's easy to go past.

The only things I've seen is he is decent in the air offensively and he is better than our other RB at throw ins.

Maybe the difference in the 2 leagues style of football is the issue.

Bastian Hery is struggling but I do see a top player in their, linfield however are so inconsistent this season.

We can hammer someone 7 one match then get hammered the next.

How bad is that other RB then? or is it grasping at straws?

I dont think Boyle is that bad but obviously needs to find his feet and some form. It is amusing that almost exactly what Bradley signed him for is what is being criticised as lacking. Maybe he needed a bit of time with a Rovers B team as part of his general development...

[sbgawa]

I think he is a decent player but he lost confidence after a few mistakes and never seemed to get a decent run in the team. He played well for a few matchs and I thought he had turned a corner and then he got injured.
He's still a young lad hopefully he turns it around

[Nesta99]

He has also played in a Rovers side that plays ball and in a Harps side that played more attritionally. I doubt varying styles in the 2 leagues are impacting performances for him. I'd expect him to improve. As for Hery, imo he is a player that could struggle in a physical game on a heavy pitch. and he can go anonymous in games. He will show plenty of worth in European games but is a bit of a luxury player if involved in a battle and when needing players that will dig deep. I'd have been quite happy to see him at Oriel especially last season with our midfiled's injury decimation.

[sbgawa]

I expected hery to stand out for linfield, he looked fantastic in the LOI.

[Nesta99]

I expected hery to stand out for linfield, he looked fantastic in the LOI.

He has undoubted quality. A player that would really shine in a team with quality around him that would make use of his ability to unlock defences. I just think that if he is in a game where things are going against ye he goes quiet rather than grab it by the scruff. He looked to give up in the Unite the Union game, I also felt that when Waterford started to struggle at the relegation end of the table he wasnt half as interested as when they were in the hunt for Europe. I wasnt surprised to see him leave Waterford for a team that was in for league titles and European qualification - he didnt have the stomach for the relegation battle aside from Waterford cutting back the squad.

[Ezeikial]

Lol , manager speaks highly of player on day of signing :)
Shock

What the manager said was no particular shock

Signing the chap thinking he was a decent footballer certainly was

[sbgawa]

Manager signs young player and signing doesn't work out.
It's never happened at any club before......shock horror.
Lol yawn.

[Bunny Kelly]

Galway sign another 2, any chance of a 12 team First Division with Galway & Galway II.

I'm going to be a little judgmental but are they being a little reckless given the uncertainty in the division regarding the amount of games & revenue they can accrue?

[sbgawa]

Fair question. This really should have been sorted out by now. The league launch is next week afaik

[Paulgufc]

I think it’s mad the size of a squad we have. We have a minimum of 2 players for every position and enough for 3 midfields. Apart from the budget issue (which I’d have preferred to go towards facilities or underage teams) it’s going to be impossible to keep players happy with 6 or 7 in the stands every week.

On paper though it looks a very strong first division squad. We’ll have to be challenging for the title.

[Ezeikial]

Manager signs young player and signing doesn't work out.
It's never happened at any club before......shock horror.
Lol yawn.

That's just gibberish

All managers sign player young and not-so-young that just don't work out.

Ethan Boyle was a very limited player from the outset and probably dis-improved during his time in Tallaght , but he is only one of a long litany of poor signings by Bradley.

To be fair he has signed some quality players in the last year, although the much needed striker appears to remain elusive

[sbgawa]

Pot kettle. Give the kid a break, he was an Irish u21 international so people saw something in him . I wish him the best.

[placid casual]

That's just gibberish

All managers sign player young and not-so-young that just don't work out.

Ethan Boyle was a very limited player from the outset and probably dis-improved during his time in Tallaght , but he is only one of a long litany of poor signings by Bradley.

To be fair he has signed some quality players in the last year, although the much needed striker appears to remain elusive
Do you have withdrawal symptoms zeke?
Or are you that impatient that you can't wait another week before resuming your laughable Bradley obsession so bring him up in conversation for no apparent reason.
I know the off season is maddeningly long but find another hobby ffs. Can I recommend gardening, as it's very therapeutic.

[Ezeikial]

Pot kettle. Give the kid a break, he was an Irish u21 international so people saw something in him . I wish him the best.

I wish him well too, but it looks like he is being found out now at Linfield too

Was it Noel King who capped him at U-21? Enough said!


Do you have withdrawal symptoms zeke?
Or are you that impatient that you can't wait another week before resuming your laughable Bradley obsession so bring him up in conversation for no apparent reason.
I know the off season is maddeningly long but find another hobby ffs. Can I recommend gardening, as it's very therapeutic.

I've actual said more positive than negative things about Bradley in recent times



https://foot.ie/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Ezeikial https://foot.ie/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://foot.ie/showthread.php?p=2030128#post2030128)
To be fair he has signed some quality players in the last year, although the much needed striker appears to remain elusive


If you disagree with any of the views expressed, don't be shy to present a contrary view instead of the normal obsession guff

[Martinho II]

Longford Town have signed Niall Barnes from Bluebell Utd. He impressed in our two one friendly win over Harps and scored our first goal that evening. Another signing is due to be made shortly which I expect to be Aaron McNally from Dundalk who also impressed.

[joey B]

Harps sign Leo Donnelan an attacking midfielder ,ex QPR and Ireland underage player and previously at Dagenham and Redbridge and Mainstone United......

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps have signed midfielder Leo Donnellan, former QPR and Ireland underage international. Played last season with Maidstone in English conference.

https://www.finnharps.ie/post/harps-sign-leo-donnellan?fbclid=IwAR1KWE5xiseN42dEzrqxb7IFYJim-OmJQRsTrsWWACXCxz9CniAska7_vWc

[Ezeikial]

Another signing is due to be made shortly which I expect to be Aaron McNally from Dundalk who also impressed.

Aaron McNally was announced by Longford Town back in mid January

http://ltfc.ie/new-signing-aaron-mcnally-signs-from-dundalk/

[Martinho II]

Aaron McNally was announced by Longford Town back in mid January

http://ltfc.ie/new-signing-aaron-mcnally-signs-from-dundalk/

yeah my mistake.

[Martinho II]

Harps have signed midfielder Leo Donnellan, former QPR and Ireland underage international. Played last season with Maidstone in English conference.

https://www.finnharps.ie/post/harps-sign-leo-donnellan?fbclid=IwAR1KWE5xiseN42dEzrqxb7IFYJim-OmJQRsTrsWWACXCxz9CniAska7_vWc

Leo Sayer was the alternative name on the teamsheet in the friendlies! Assume he must have played against us!

[SkStu]

Leo Sayer was the alternative name on the teamsheet in the friendlies! Assume he must have played against us!

Hopefully he'll make you feel like dancing.

[Calcio Jack]

Hopefully he'll make you feel like dancing.

Or maybe he was moonlighting so you won’t see him again

[oriel]

Apparently he contacted the manager after and asked when his next game is, he got a text back ‘WHEN I NEED YOU’

(its fine, I’ve already got my coat)

[oriel]

Interesting new player incoming for Dundalk, Indo is reporting this is a 2 year deal, with option for 3rd.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-reach-agreement-for-colovic-transfer/

Always a gamble getting players in from so far away, but if he is anything like or hopefully better than Adjoran (Hungarian) who was with Dundalk for half of 2018, this could work out very well, I'd say its more for the european games, but he''ll have to settle first in the league scene, and that's not always easy.

[Martinho II]

Is this the first Serbian player to have played in this league?

[Mr A]

Alex Nesovic was half Serbian half English and all madman. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/alexander-nesovic/

[Nesta99]

Alex Nesovic was half Serbian half English and all madman. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/alexander-nesovic/

Oh f*ck! Dont mention the war and all that, ye'll send Dundalk fans back in to emotional breakdowns!!

New signings are always a gamble but I think this is an example of where Dundalk as a club have progressed behind the scenes in even a few seasons. Tagbajumi was a waste of space and money for example and Adorjan was real quality but there seemed to be too many questions on his contract situation, could he be released from his contract etc, his parent club looking for money well out of our league yet when he was taken on loan there seemed to be serious hope, as much with the player also that it could be made a permanent move. I'd have more confidence now of Colovic being firstly more in the quality of Adorjan than Tagbajumi and is signing a multi-year contract. Smith in on loan looks a useful addition not to mention the early signings of Slogget, Patching and Leahy. There must be some building up of Peak6 connections with scouting. There are few ways to mitigate against 'freak' injuries but reading reports on some of the training injury prone players like Flores would indicate a step up in more individualised consideration of a players close/preseason needs.

In general, since a decision was made not to bring in fairly high profile CEOs, there seems to be a calm efficiency with the work behind the scenes. The appointment of someone that should improve overall communication from the club, a local and a supporter even, is another example of an 'arrival' that will help develop the club off-field that isnt just about 'when is a new ground being built'. Nice balance of games from Div 1, I.L. and European teams. It's such an important year on the field and in fear of hexing us, I think this seems to have been the most settled preseason of this era. Hopefully all will be as calm and confident come November (and beyond with European games!!! ;)

[sulywaterfordfc]

Ex Bohs keeper Brian Murphy is linked with a move to Waterford https://t.co/Tq0d8JEvh7?amp=1

[ToberonaTornado]

Oh f*ck! Dont mention the war and all that, ye'll send Dundalk fans back in to emotional breakdowns!!

New signings are always a gamble but I think this is an example of where Dundalk as a club have progressed behind the scenes in even a few seasons. Tagbajumi was a waste of space and money for example and Adorjan was real quality but there seemed to be too many questions on his contract situation, could he be released from his contract etc, his parent club looking for money well out of our league yet when he was taken on loan there seemed to be serious hope, as much with the player also that it could be made a permanent move. I'd have more confidence now of Colovic being firstly more in the quality of Adorjan than Tagbajumi and is signing a multi-year contract. Smith in on loan looks a useful addition not to mention the early signings of Slogget, Patching and Leahy. There must be some building up of Peak6 connections with scouting. There are few ways to mitigate against 'freak' injuries but reading reports on some of the training injury prone players like Flores would indicate a step up in more individualised consideration of a players close/preseason needs.

In general, since a decision was made not to bring in fairly high profile CEOs, there seems to be a calm efficiency with the work behind the scenes. The appointment of someone that should improve overall communication from the club, a local and a supporter even, is another example of an 'arrival' that will help develop the club off-field that isnt just about 'when is a new ground being built'. Nice balance of games from Div 1, I.L. and European teams. It's such an important year on the field and in fear of hexing us, I think this seems to have been the most settled preseason of this era. Hopefully all will be as calm and confident come November (and beyond with European games!!! ;)

Latter part totally agree Nesta.

Dundalk are a local club and now with Martin Connolly back at the helm as CEO we are once more back in the community.No need for a brit flown in ceo who dosnt understand the scene in Dundalk (and who almost lost us a v lucrative shirt sponsorship deal) when the talent for the CEO position is right on the doorstep
Gavin McL in with the media is huge also and a massive addition.Never would have happened under Devlin.

Recruitment wise the addition of Colovic wouldn't have happened either on his watch.
God help peterbouruh

[outspoken]

Latter part totally agree Nesta.

Dundalk are a local club and now with Martin Connolly back at the helm as CEO we are once more back in the community.No need for a brit flown in ceo who dosnt understand the scene in Dundalk (and who almost lost us a v lucrative shirt sponsorship deal) when the talent for the CEO position is right on the doorstep
Gavin McL in with the media is huge also and a massive addition.Never would have happened under Devlin.

Recruitment wise the addition of Colovic wouldn't have happened either on his watch.
God help peterbouruh

Totally agree with this. Living in Dundalk these days and last season there was a huge slice of the fan base who felt the community aspect of the club was drifting away. Money was p1ssed away on CEO's who had no clue about the club or the town and as you said almost cost the club one of if not the best sponsorship deal in the LOI. There was a lot of criticism of the media team too (plus the high profile run in with one of the town's most respected reporters) delighted to see Gavin brought in, should take the club forward in that regard.

[Nesta99]

Latter part totally agree Nesta.

Dundalk are a local club and now with Martin Connolly back at the helm as CEO we are once more back in the community.No need for a brit flown in ceo who dosnt understand the scene in Dundalk (and who almost lost us a v lucrative shirt sponsorship deal) when the talent for the CEO position is right on the doorstep
Gavin McL in with the media is huge also and a massive addition.Never would have happened under Devlin.

Recruitment wise the addition of Colovic wouldn't have happened either on his watch.
God help peterbouruh

Ironic things is that Gavin being appointed probably happened because of Devlin ...

[Nesta99]

Totally agree with this. Living in Dundalk these days and last season there was a huge slice of the fan base who felt the community aspect of the club was drifting away. Money was p1ssed away on CEO's who had no clue about the club or the town and as you said almost cost the club one of if not the best sponsorship deal in the LOI. There was a lot of criticism of the media team too (plus the high profile run in with one of the town's most respected reporters) delighted to see Gavin brought in, should take the club forward in that regard.

It was mind boggling behaviour, what was the thinking there? I can only think that the CEO though he could play hardball and look for a lot more money from Fyffes - there are not too many multi-national companies queuing up to sponsor LoI clubs and surely he was told that. Was a bit classic LoI behaviour where there was a lot being gambled that would have ended up zip in comparison. It's not so long ago that we were sponsored by a local taxi company and a local pub. Even slightly larger previous sponsors it was doing pals a favour type stuff. Alienating local media outlets isnt the smartest either especially when a statement put out can be directly contradicted!? Anyway it was sorted out thankfully on both fronts and a whole lot more also.

[Martinho II]

Was that partly the reason why Devlin left Dundalk I wonder?

[Nesta99]

The Fyffes issue might have been at least partly during Brannigans time at the club? Devlin definitely had some unothodox ways with media wrangles, player contract negotiations and and wysterious scout-consultants. The issue that was there with Hoban's contract negotiations too, yes he wasnt prolific last season but surely its up to the team manager to make football decisions if the budget was there if the CEO was actually the one digging the heels in.

[outspoken]

The Fyffes issue might have been at least partly during Brannigans time at the club? Devlin definitely had some unothodox ways with media wrangles, player contract negotiations and and wysterious scout-consultants. The issue that was there with Hoban's contract negotiations too, yes he wasnt prolific last season but surely its up to the team manager to make football decisions if the budget was there if the CEO was actually the one digging the heels in.

Then you had the ex sky sports head knocking about as well who nobody seemed to know what his role was

[Ezeikial]

Then you had the ex sky sports head knocking about as well who nobody seemed to know what his role was

Supporters and the wider sporting public may not have been clear on Andy Burton's role but Vinny Perth got to understand that recruitment responsibility was being moved towards Burton and the Devlin. It caused a lot of friction and unrest, not least of which was with Patrick Hoban

VP refers to it in an Irish Times interview today
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/vinny-perth-i-m-six-10-weeks-away-from-losing-my-job-at-any-stage-1.4164445?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Nesta99]

Then you had the ex sky sports head knocking about as well who nobody seemed to know what his role was

That was the mysterious scout/consultant.

[Martinho II]

Where did andy burton disappear to after leaving Dundalk? Years ago remember seeing him on sky sports news!

[MattB11]

Harps confirm Barry McNamee signing

[Longfordian]

Ah you can't just post that and not the actual announcement. Great stuff from Harps.

https://twitter.com/FinnHarpsFC/status/1226209496017637376?s=19