2020 season arrivals and departures

[trevy]

Sam Bone signs again for Waterford after being on loan to us for 2nd half of last season. He didn't play that much due to injury but he looked good when he was fit so fans happy with that.

[Jack B]

Opinions on Shane Griffin, Cork lads? Just announced there. Can't say I ever rated him too much from the limited amount I've seen him, though I have a sneaking suspicion we've signed him to predominantly play on the wing as opposed to left full.

[The Donie Forde]

Goalkeeper Liam Bossin (23), ex Anderlecht, Forest and Ireland underage, has signed for CCFC.

[David BOHie]

Robbie rumoured to be joining shels. Heard he was playing for Tolka Rovers recently very talented player and looked class at times but just didn't seem to work out for him at Bohs. Hopefully can get back on track at his next club (except against Bohs !)

He's absolutely bang average and a hider

[El-Pietro]

Opinions on Shane Griffin, Cork lads? Just announced there. Can't say I ever rated him too much from the limited amount I've seen him, though I have a sneaking suspicion we've signed him to predominantly play on the wing as opposed to left full.
Theres talent in there but he can't really defend.
He was really good in 2017, particularly with set piece deliveries, but never lived up to that in the following two seasons. happy enough to get him off the wage bill.

[sbgawa]

Conan Byrne to glenavan is a bit random.

[Martinho II]

Carlton Ubaezuonu has left us to go back to Galway Utd. He was a massive disappointment of a signing for us.

[marinobohs]

Conan Byrne to glenavan is a bit random.
Think he is a teacher and only interested in part time. Presume Glenavon are part time.

[Nesta99]

If Dundalk were to bring in a decent striker (as rumored) I could see Pats and shams throwing any number of kitchen sinks  at Georgie Kelly.

Considering the significance of next years title race and EL2 etc I think Dundalk would be throwing a kitchen sink or 2 to keep players out of others hands.

[trevy]

Graham Cummins signs for Waterford.

[marinobohs]

Decent signing for Waterford. Given they are likely to have a young side an experienced striker could be vital.

[Martinho II]

Graham Cummins signs for Waterford.

Back to his old haunt. Was part of Stephen Hendersons Waterford Utd side in 09 that should have went up that season and were in League Cup semis.

[Ezeikial]

Decent signing for Waterford. Given they are likely to have a young side an experienced striker could be vital.

Graham Cummins who turns 32 shortly certainly fits the experienced category - but I doubt he will manage to get into double figures for league goals next season

[placid casual]

Can only comment on what I saw whilst he was playing for Rovers, but Cummins looked to me like one of those gaa players who tried his hand at LOI players at the end of their career. Just looked like a guy playing the wrong sport ( or code as they say in the schticks)

[Longfordian]

Surprising if it's permanent alright. He was a standout at under 17 and handled the step up to 19's well. Think he's eligible for 19s again this year too. Has the potential to make a really good player and he should have a good impact at that level.

It doesn't really make much of a difference if it's loan or permanent. He'll be on a one year contract so if Rovers want him back after that there won't be much Longford can do about it.

[Longfordian]

Town have signed Dylan Hand from Dundalk. Any thoughts on him from the Dundalk contingent on here?

[dundalkfc10]

Town have signed Dylan Hand from Dundalk. Any thoughts on him from the Dundalk contingent on here?

Very impressive any league cup games he played

[Ezeikial]

Town have signed Dylan Hand from Dundalk. Any thoughts on him from the Dundalk contingent on here?

He has had very limited game time, but still manage to make a decent impression.

[oriel]

Likewise, only saw Hand in league cup games, noticed one thing though, he had very good positional sense, first team and regular football will benefit him, good move for him.

[Martinho II]

One thing though with Dylan is this a permanent signing for us?

[SkStu]

Scott Allardice (The Tartan Hammer) signs for Waterford. Was at Bohs last season.

[joey B]

Harps sign Ryan Connolly

[Longfordian]

One thing though with Dylan is this a permanent signing for us?

Don't know. The announcement on our site said Dundalk regard him highly which suggests a loan but as I said above it doesn't really matter when they're all on one year contracts anyway.

[Martinho II]

Harps sign Ryan Connolly

From Galway Utd I imagine. Great player for us in 13

[nigel-harps1954]

From Galway Utd I imagine. Great player for us in 13

Non league in Mayo I think he was at for the past year after a miserable year in Galway in 2018.

Supposedly has the drive back again and itching to prove himself again in the league.

[Olander]

Non league in Mayo I think he was at for the past year after a miserable year in Galway in 2018.

Supposedly has the drive back again and itching to prove himself again in the league.He was playing for Ballyglass in the Mayo Super League.

Finn Harps fans, don't get too excited about this one. If you made this signing about 3 years ago, then it would be a totally different story.

Connolly comes with a bit of a name and reputation, but he hasn't been the same player or anywhere near it since coming back from Shamrock Rovers. He badly injured his toe (ironically against Galway United in Terryland Park) and now has arthritis in it, which is on-going and something he has to manage.

In 2018, he wasn't far off a disgrace for us. He didn't give a fúck, he was club captain and our top earner by a distance, and he didn't try a leg all season and showed no respect to the club. He was poison around the place and burned his bridges at the club badly. The only thing of note that he did in 2018 was score a cracker against UCD, then he ran towards the New Stand shouting "*****" at our supporters. That sort of sums up his character.

Putting aside the fact he's not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, as a player, he doesn't have it in him anymore physically to play the way he used to. He was phenomenal for us from 2014-2016, his engine, he just never stopped, he was relentless. He was basically our Player of the Year for three seasons running.

In 2018, he began to change his game and just sit in front of the back four and play safe passes, he's past it now unfortunately, as a proper LOI player anyway. The athleticism he once had has sadly deserted him and it's not going to come back just because he says he "has drive again".

A few weeks ago Connolly featured in a friendly for us against the Galway Oscar Traynor team. He looked a shadow of the player he once was, which is sad to see honestly because he used to be a class act. Added to that, he's also about a stone and a half overweight compared to his normal build. He was in really poor shape and actually looked like a Junior player.

If we had signed him off the back of that performance, I would've been furious and worried (that's putting aside the dislike of Connolly and just assessing him purely as a footballer). The only way I can see him being an addition to Finn Harps is if Ollie Horgan wants a midfielder with a good (not great) passing range that will sit in front of the back four and spray passes, mostly laterally. Goodluck to him at Harps anyway, however you won't find many United fans wishing him too well.

[Martinho II]

Non league in Mayo I think he was at for the past year after a miserable year in Galway in 2018.

Supposedly has the drive back again and itching to prove himself again in the league.

Didnt know he was playing there as I thought he took a years break. Know that hes from Castlebar.

[Martinho II]

Ryan was phenomenal for us in 13 season when he joined for the remaining few months of that season. He was superb for us in that spell. Yeah I noticed when Ryan was playing against us two yrs back he didnt look the same player at all. That older brother of his that played for us also in 08 is he still playing footie? His first name escapes me!

[Longfordian]

Evan Connolly if I recall correctly. No idea if he is still playing at a junior level.

[Martinho II]

Evan Connolly if I recall correctly. No idea if he is still playing at a junior level.

Yeah thats the exact fellow I was thinking of.

[Olander]

Evan Connolly if I recall correctly. No idea if he is still playing at a junior level.
Correct, he's still playing with Ballyglass in the Mayo Super League. Same team as Ryan.

Ryan's father also manages Ballyglass.

[joey B]

Dave Webster formerly of Pats and Shamrock Rovers signs for Harps.

[sbgawa]

Mike Tracy departs peak6 and dundalk...

[Nesta99]

Mike Tracy departs peak6 and dundalk...

Doomed!! The Americans are starting their wthdrawal! It's not as dramatic a development as it seems. Personal decision by Mike Tracey and maybe having Mr Hulsizer SNR pulling the strings mightnt be so bad.

RTE team of the decade isnt to shabby though cant agree with one season wonder Maguire. Twigg is ancient history too - nobody remembers much of 2012 or before....

[sbgawa]

Obviously was planned for a while as he positioned the father in law.

[Ezeikial]

Obviously was planned for a while as he positioned the father in law.

That's a really sneaky move by Mike Treacy - is his father-in-law aware of these positioning shenanigans?

[nigel-harps1954]

Dave Webster formerly of Pats and Shamrock Rovers signs for Harps.

Rather unexpected, but welcome, signing for Harps. Needed a quality centre half after the departures of Cowan and O'Reilly in particular, and Josh Smith to a lesser extent.

Interesting to see if he relocates here or travels up and down like O'Reilly done last season.

[sbgawa]

Whoops , father of peak6 head not his father in law .
Either way , I call that planning.

[Nesta99]

Obviously was planned for a while as he positioned the father in law.

I dunno! When you look at the increased cost of club admin it could be the cost of 2 pretty high profile CEOs, both of which did plenty of talking but did they do that much else? Their premature departures could be that that Peak6 didnt feel they were getting value for money. Snr was sent over, seemed to smooth over a few issues, employee leaves, key board members return. Bill is surely a trusted pair of hands, close contact with those involved and now formally involved so just makes sense. It will be interesting to see how hands on he is as Chairman rather than in an 'employee' role. While Tracey is stepping away directly he'll still be analysing all the stats he can get his hands on no doubt.

[sbgawa]

Rather unexpected, but welcome, signing for Harps. Needed a quality centre half after the departures of Cowan and O'Reilly in particular, and Josh Smith to a lesser extent.

Interesting to see if he relocates here or travels up and down like O'Reilly done last season.

Webster is a more than decent centre half. Surprised to see him leave pats, thought his attitude was always good. Very good signing for harps

[Dalymountrower]

I dunno! When you look at the increased cost of club admin it could be the cost of 2 pretty high profile CEOs, both of which did plenty of talking but did they do that much else? Their premature departures could be that that Peak6 didnt feel they were getting value for money. Snr was sent over, seemed to smooth over a few issues, employee leaves, key board members return. Bill is surely a trusted pair of hands, close contact with those involved and now formally involved so just makes sense. It will be interesting to see how hands on he is as Chairman rather than in an 'employee' role. While Tracey is stepping away directly he'll still be analysing all the stats he can get his hands on no doubt.
Your club is one boardroom strop away from oblivion.

[sbgawa]

No imminent boardroom. Strop

[Martinho II]

Rather unexpected, but welcome, signing for Harps. Needed a quality centre half after the departures of Cowan and O'Reilly in particular, and Josh Smith to a lesser extent.

Interesting to see if he relocates here or travels up and down like O'Reilly done last season.

Didnt know Danny OReilly has gone. Since when Nigel?

[Enruoblehs]

Here you go, Martinho

https://shelbournefc.ie/shels-sign-defender-daniel-oreilly/

[Nesta99]

Your club is one boardroom strop away from oblivion.

Or settling nicely for another decade of dominance.

[sbgawa]

I suspect somewhere in between

[Nesta99]

I suspect somewhere in between

Careful now! Remember what happened to Pat's fans last preseason when expections were raised ;)

As has been said a few times, next season really is pivitol probably moreso for Dundalk imo with CL/EL2. I am fully expecting a real rivalry with Rovers developing maybe with a Bohs or Derry sneaking in to the mix. Any further news on te future on Byrne - could determine plenty where he ends up, and the elsuive 20 goal hatstand?

[placid casual]

Nesta , surely you can't fail to notice that there appears to be a lot of coming and going taking in the dundalk boardroom in the last couple of years, hence the suspicion that a standard LOI drastic situation may be about to unfold?

On the Rovers thing, Byrne is staying for 2020 unless he's bought out of his contract in the January transfer period. No talk of any Rovers signings so far.

[sbgawa]

Hiring and firing of employees whether footballers or directors is just everyday business.
The ownership by peak6 remains unchanged and their resolve will be untested until rovers or someone else wins the league and throws a spanner in the business plan.
Until that happens there is no reason for any meltdown. Even then with el2 in place I don't think 1 bad season would be enough to force any major rethink.
A scaling back maybe but even a scaled back dundalk would still be a highly likely Euro qualifier.

[sbgawa]

On Byrne I am worried he won't be here for next season.
He is a current Irish international in the squad on merrit and could be bought for less than a million Euro, how man yh others in the squad could be bought for that kind of money.... has to be a target.
On the hat stand I think the way we play Aaron greene is vital and I'd be happy enough to stick with him.
Unless we get lucky a la Sean Maguire