2021 Season , Arrivals and departures

[Martinho II]

Everybody needs the money, with the possible exception of Dundalk but even then you need to operate with some restraint. Realistically, we probably knew he was going so the McCann signing makes more sense now. Not a replacement by any means given his age but he will be a good player for a year or two hopefully and let us build again.

It looks like Hearts will walk the Scottish second tier this year so in six months he will be in the top league there, so good move for him. Can't begrudge him taking a bigger opportunity than we can offer in this country. Just a shame the Scottish Championship is a bigger deal than our league.

Charlie whos the McCann bloke that signed for ye? Is this Chris McCann or am I thinking of someone else??

[sadloserkid]

Charlie whos the McCann bloke that signed for ye? Is this Chris McCann or am I thinking of someone else??

It is Chris McCann. I remembered him as being a really good prospect there so I just went and had a look through his Wiki. He played 231 league games for Burnley in the Championship (and another 7 in the Premier League). You'd have thought he wasn't far from an Ireland cap at some stage but he never even got U-21 caps and only played once for the U-19s.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40219334.html%3ftype=amp

[Sonny]

Ah that's not true. The LoI has to aspire to being a selling league, and it's not been that for about a decade now. Rovers get -

> 200k
> Added profile in Ireland as a club to join if you have ambitions to move abroad
> Added profile in Britain if McEneff does well. That's where the LoI has fallen down badly in the past few years and it's led to lower transfer fees. But get a reputation as a club where there's decent players to be had, and transfer prices will go up.

That's the game Rovers are in, ultimately.

I disagree with all of this. Firstly, 200k does not replace McEneff and continues the trend of UK clubs underpaying for LOI talent. The European situation this year is a massive opportunity for Rovers to take a step forward, and losing McEneff at this stage with very limited opportunities to try to replace him, and in addition to losing Byrne already, is a massive blow to that squad.

In relation to your second point, Rovers don't need a boost there. We already attracted Farrugia and Scales ahead of Dundalk and both of them clearly want to try their luck in the UK soon.

With regards to reputation in the UK, players doing well will attract more eyes and make it even more difficult to keep hold of players. I really don't see that exerting much upward pressure on transfer fees. The only way we can really prevent players being picked off for peanuts is to improve the material situation of the clubs here. Rovers are in a situation now where the conditions exist in terms of infrastructure, commercial potential, the academy, and backroom staff to really push the club on to another level. Yeah, regardless of how successful that is it will always involve the best players moving on, but clubs in smaller nations who are 'in that game' get compensated appropriately. We should be losing our best players for 7 figure sums, not the odd 100k.

There's no positive spin to losing McEneff when we did, to where we did, for the money they paid.

[pineapple stu]

Of course €200k will replace McEneff. How much did ye pay for him in the first place?

I don't agree LoI clubs are being underpaid for players. Far too many are going over to England or Scotland, failing to make any impact, and coming back home again. Burke, Bolger, McMillan, Hoban, Boyle and others in the past few years have been high-profile flops off the top of my head. There's been very few in the past decade or so who've justified a decent transfer fee. Why would you pay €200k for someone who, history shows, it likely to be released on a free two years and a handful of senior appearances later?

The Rovers signings of Farrugia and Scales are in the past. You can't keep still like that in business; that's how you start to fall behind others.

If McEneff bucks the trend and justifies his €200k price tag, then there's a case to demand more the next time. That's exactly what happened in the 2000s when (with a largely full-time league) LoI transfer fees starting increasing after the likes of Hoolahan, Coleman, Sammon, etc, proved to be successes.

[joey B]

Ethan Boyle signed back at Harps.

[2 Year Contract]

Pats have signed goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros on loan from Liverpool. He was on the bench for three of their champions league games this season and is supposedly highly rated. Fingers crossed he does the business.

Gerardo Bruna who was with Derry has signed for Shels. Must be the most expensive first division squad assembled since Limerick's overkill squad that won the first division in 2016

[sbgawa]

Pats have signed goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros on loan from Liverpool. He was on the bench for three of their champions league games this season and is supposedly highly rated. Fingers crossed he does the business.

Gerardo Bruna who was with Derry has signed for Shels. Must be the most expensive first division squad assembled since Limerick's overkill squad that won the first division in 2016


That's an excellent signing for Pats.

[Nesta99]

I disagree with all of this. Firstly, 200k does not replace McEneff and continues the trend of UK clubs underpaying for LOI talent. The European situation this year is a massive opportunity for Rovers to take a step forward, and losing McEneff at this stage with very limited opportunities to try to replace him, and in addition to losing Byrne already, is a massive blow to that squad.

In relation to your second point, Rovers don't need a boost there. We already attracted Farrugia and Scales ahead of Dundalk and both of them clearly want to try their luck in the UK soon.

With regards to reputation in the UK, players doing well will attract more eyes and make it even more difficult to keep hold of players. I really don't see that exerting much upward pressure on transfer fees. The only way we can really prevent players being picked off for peanuts is to improve the material situation of the clubs here. Rovers are in a situation now where the conditions exist in terms of infrastructure, commercial potential, the academy, and backroom staff to really push the club on to another level. Yeah, regardless of how successful that is it will always involve the best players moving on, but clubs in smaller nations who are 'in that game' get compensated appropriately. We should be losing our best players for 7 figure sums, not the odd 100k.

There's no positive spin to losing McEneff when we did, to where we did, for the money they paid.

Currently there is nothing that is of any significant advantage to Rovers at face value bar 200k. It could be an expensive 200k if it damages the ability to win the league and/or progress in Europe. But I dont think you can totally dismiss what Stu is saying. Its not a level playing field for all clubs but for Dundalk and Rovers as the main examples, they have the ability to hold out for better transfer fees and possibly more importantly to be able to wait for when add-on clauses are activated - we saw such an example for Bohs recently. If anything it's a neutral situation for now as a lot depends on McEniff and others to make their mark and indicate that LoI is a viable market for players. Currently the sort of money involved at any level of the game here in terms of transfers out, means that clubs abroad can take a gamble, practically risk free and that is the issue for us as a league. A lot also depends on the player themselves, if a LoI club blocks a move then it can cause significant disruption in a squad, so maybe losses are cut, and calculated if there is a squad that can cope - remain competitive with potential cover already on the books . Nobody as fans and managers want player drain but clubs and the owners differ and it is the sporting business model that is actively encouraged. FG said in an interview (that was quite tetchy) that players signed have sell on value. While I hope this turns out to be the case as we get the benefit of that players contributions until they are noticed and in demand and that is something we would have to suck up

I was starting to think that a corner was being turned in keeping players, getting players to return if things dont work out, long term contracts helping to facilitate significant fees for in contract players but maybe even at the so called 'wealthy' clubs there currently needs to be some pragmatic approach. Not all can be blamed on the current pandemic but it undoubtedly is going to have lower tiered UK clubs come sniffing for bargains due to their own financial constraints. Nobody would be surprised by a LoI club taking 200k right now with the exception really of Rovers and Dundalk. That Rovers sanctioned this deal is either down to the players demands, income being income, or it creates questions on what is actually motivating the money folk at Rovers. The relatively low fee involved for a key player should and has caused some head scratching and questions to be asked and it would be the same for Dundalk, not for eg for St Pats (with all due respect).

Its all well and good for Rovers to have their house in order to keep players content and by extension needing genuine value for money offered/accepted to entice a transfer. But if everyone else still have archaic grounds and not have good average attendances than, giving season long contrcts (which will suit some players and negatively, maybe artificially, impact on market values), well its going to be hard to push the player to stick until the club gets a fair wedge. Progress in Europe, pretty consistently by all who qualify, and of course the possibility of being called up to represent respective countries all need to fall in to place before premium transfer fees will be on the table. We often say a rising tide raises all boats but in some circumstances there is only the strength of weak(est) links.

This is far from a new topic and what Ive said is stating the obvious nowt new and has certainly been discussed before. But the way this particular transfer has happened, pretty much out of the blue so it'd not be a surprise of it turns out to be a much better deal for Rovers u due course than the initial 200k would suggest. While there was a bit of slagging over Cork selling their sell on clauses to get a 2020 license, it was the start of a process that could well sav the club and to kick on from the well intended limitations of the fan owned model and hopefully a better hybrid job. So ye never know what the longer term benefits of any player sale may have.

[Nesta99]

Pats have signed goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros on loan from Liverpool. He was on the bench for three of their champions league games this season and is supposedly highly rated. Fingers crossed he does the business.

Gerardo Bruna who was with Derry has signed for Shels. Must be the most expensive first division squad assembled since Limerick's overkill squad that won the first division in 2016

Shels are past masters of assembling expensive squads - with a different manager ye'd have to wonder whether the 2020 side would have stayed up and irrespective of their 2021 squad can the maximum be gotten under Morris. Laudable to stick with a young manager and build/rebuild but maybe this is the sort of time that an experienced head is a better option while spending a bit less on the squad.

I hope that Dundalk's new keeper lives up to the hype if there was the chance of a stopgap loanee like Jaros. Dont recall too much of Bruna tbh but then with BCD football ye dont get the chance to see others squads to get a real handle on them.

[Sonny]

I was starting to think that a corner was being turned in keeping players, getting players to return if things dont work out, long term contracts helping to facilitate significant fees for in contract players but maybe even at the so called 'wealthy' clubs there currently needs to be some pragmatic approach. Not all can be blamed on the current pandemic but it undoubtedly is going to have lower tiered UK clubs come sniffing for bargains due to their own financial constraints. Nobody would be surprised by a LoI club taking 200k right now with the exception really of Rovers and Dundalk. That Rovers sanctioned this deal is either down to the players demands, income being income, or it creates questions on what is actually motivating the money folk at Rovers. The relatively low fee involved for a key player should and has caused some head scratching and questions to be asked and it would be the same for Dundalk, not for eg for St Pats (with all due respect).


I'm not questioning the decision to let him leave necessarily. By all accounts he really fancied the opportunity, and although I don't think we are getting any value in the money paid, I think standing in his way in this situation would be counterproductive in the larger picture. Convincing your better players to sign contract extensions is difficult enough, and keeping McEneff against his will in this case would probably lead to more players running down deals and leaving for nothing in the future. Everything that I'm saying is aspirational, and I completely accept that we are not in a good position to retain our best players as it stands.


Of course €200k will replace McEneff. How much did ye pay for him in the first place?

200k in Rovers' pocket at the moment absolutely will not replace Aaron McEneff. He has made massive strides in the last couple of years and was one of the most important players in that side and hands down the best 8 in the league. The UK and Euro transfer windows are closed, and even if they weren't we aren't operating at the level where we can attract players who will command that sort of fee in the first place.

[2 Year Contract]

Laudable to stick with a young manager and build/rebuild but maybe this is the sort of time that an experienced head is a better option while spending a bit less on the squad.

Dont recall too much of Bruna tbh but then with BCD football ye dont get the chance to see others squads to get a real handle on them.

Morris signing a 3 year contract in early 2020 I’m sure made it a lot easier for them to stick with him in the first division rather than pay him off with so long left on it

Bruna was actually with Derry for 2 years. Looked a tidy player on the ball any time I saw him. He scored a cracking free kick against Pats in Richmond in 2019 but having just looked up his stats, that was his only league goal for the club in 34 appearances over the 2 seasons

[pineapple stu]

200k in Rovers' pocket at the moment absolutely will not replace Aaron McEneff. He has made massive strides in the last couple of years and was one of the most important players in that side and hands down the best 8 in the league. The UK and Euro transfer windows are closed, and even if they weren't we aren't operating at the level where we can attract players who will command that sort of fee in the first place.
But you don't need to attract players who can command that sort of fee.

How much did ye pay to sign McEneff? (Or O'Neill, Scales or Farrugia for that matter) I would say it was a lot less than €200k (it was probably nothing, in fact), and he didn't come from the UK or Europe (Derry jokes taken as read)

The point is that a club like Rovers has to be prepared to grow to a position where they can expect to lose their top player (or players) each year. You prepare for that by already having his replacement signed. And in fairness, Rovers have been quite good at building up not only a decent squad but a strong academy.

[sbgawa]

i have a feeling the McEneff transfer was coming, i thought we were well covered in midfield (watts in particular deserves more game time and also had Ronan Finn playing wingback) so signing McCann, Mandriou and Gannon didnt make sense for me.
With Gannon slotting in at wingback that leaves Finn/Watts/McCann/Farrugia/Mandriou/O Neill as well as two Academy lads Nugent and Murphy for 3 midfield spots assuming we are playing 5 3 1 1 like last season.
Dont get me wrong id rather McEneff stayed but if there are decent sell ons and he wanted to go its probably the right call, he could leave for free in Nov and sign terms in July.

[Longfordian]

Conor Davis has signed for Longford. Only 22, but didn't play last season due to injury.

[Sonny]

But you don't need to attract players who can command that sort of fee.

How much did ye pay to sign McEneff? (Or O'Neill, Scales or Farrugia for that matter) I would say it was a lot less than €200k (it was probably nothing, in fact), and he didn't come from the UK or Europe (Derry jokes taken as read)

The point is that a club like Rovers has to be prepared to grow to a position where they can expect to lose their top player (or players) each year. You prepare for that by already having his replacement signed. And in fairness, Rovers have been quite good at building up not only a decent squad but a strong academy.

I think we're speaking at cross-purposes at this point, but I still fundamentally disagree that Rovers can take positives from this particular situation.

McEneff was out of contract when he signed for Rovers; he signed as a talented young player with a reputation for inconsistency, and has left as one of the most consistent performers in the league and the best number 8 in the country. I've accepted multiple times that Rovers are always going to have to deal with the best players moving on, and yeah that will involve constant succession planning. In fairness, McPhail and Bradley have handled that very well thus far.

But in this case the bid came relatively out of the blue on the final day of the UK transfer window, and the club were basically in the position where they couldn't turn it down, despite the fact that the money is meh at best. There is an extra 200k in the bank, but now a massive, unanticipated hole in the squad with little time or obvious candidates to fill it before the start of the season. On top of that it's in an area of the pitch where we have just lost the best overall player in the league. The vast majority of business has been done in Ireland and the UK and European windows are closed. Where is the replacement coming from right now? There isn't a player of McEneff's calibre in his position in the league, let alone one that is available or could be made available. Barring a major stroke of luck, the hole is not going to be adequately filled.

And this is my entire point. This particular deal as it unfolded is ****ing **** for Rovers, and any minor upsides are vastly outweighed by the loss of the player ahead of a very important season.



i have a feeling the McEneff transfer was coming,

Well the club absolutely did not. By all accounts this was a late bid and even the players didn't have a sniff that McEneff might be on the move. That's Greg Bolger, McEneff and Byrne gone with only McCann (an opportunistic, somewhat hopeful punt based on his recent injury record) and Mandroiu coming in to those positions. There is absolutely no way this was planned.

[pineapple stu]

But the point is you can be annoyed that a top player has gone, but it's really really short-term stuff to think there's no positives whatsoever from the transfer. The transfer window opens again in the summer, so even that's hardly the end of the world. And €200k (in covid time) reflects the fact that McEneff is a gamble given how Burke and Bolger fared (ie they were sent back home again within 12 months)

That's the reality of it ultimately

[Sonny]

But the point is you can be annoyed that a top player has gone, but it's really really short-term stuff to think there's no positives whatsoever from the transfer. The transfer window opens again in the summer, so even that's hardly the end of the world. And €200k (in covid time) reflects the fact that McEneff is a gamble given how Burke and Bolger fared (ie they were sent back home again within 12 months)



Comparing Bolger and Burke to this is apples and oranges. Bolger was a kid signed for Cardiff's academy, and Burkey went to a much higher level than Hearts to a league he just lacks the physical attributes to excel in. He's back here for family and lifestyle reasons, and could easily still be in England if he wanted to be. Had he gone to the level McEneff has he would have undoubtedly been a success. You could just as easily have pointed to Trevor Clarke who is coming back from injury and getting minutes in the Championship, or Big Gav who is starting week in week out in League 1, or Jamie McGrath who is flying in the Scottish Prem.

Of course Hearts are assuming risk signing him; that's how football transfers work. But at 200k I'm absolutely certain they have nabbed a bargain and McEneff will succeed over there. And as a Rovers fan, I accept they there was no option but to sell in the circumstances, but I don't accept it's a good deal for us. I don't think that's short-term thinking at all; this season is absolutely vital to build upon last year and take advantage of the opportunity the new Euro competition offers. That's part of a long-term process of building the club to the point that we aren't getting fleeced by Hearts. Losing McEneff in these circumstances, especially after losing Byrne, is a major blow to that. I don't think there's too much left to say really as we're already going in circles.

[pineapple stu]

He's back here for family and lifestyle reasons, and could easily still be in England if he wanted to be.
Ah, I've heard that one before...

[Calcio Jack]

Ah, I've heard that one before...

I’ll be kind and say clueless

[Nesta99]

Comparing Bolger and Burke to this is apples and oranges. Bolger was a kid signed for Cardiff's academy, and Burkey went to a much higher level than Hearts to a league he just lacks the physical attributes to excel in. He's back here for family and lifestyle reasons, and could easily still be in England if he wanted to be. Had he gone to the level McEneff has he would have undoubtedly been a success. You could just as easily have pointed to Trevor Clarke who is coming back from injury and getting minutes in the Championship, or Big Gav who is starting week in week out in League 1, or Jamie McGrath who is flying in the Scottish Prem.

Of course Hearts are assuming risk signing him; that's how football transfers work. But at 200k I'm absolutely certain they have nabbed a bargain and McEneff will succeed over there. And as a Rovers fan, I accept they there was no option but to sell in the circumstances, but I don't accept it's a good deal for us. I don't think that's short-term thinking at all; this season is absolutely vital to build upon last year and take advantage of the opportunity the new Euro competition offers. That's part of a long-term process of building the club to the point that we aren't getting fleeced by Hearts. Losing McEneff in these circumstances, especially after losing Byrne, is a major blow to that. I don't think there's too much left to say really as we're already going in circles.

Its a great deal for the rest of us who hope to have our club in the driving seat come next November - McEneff and Byrne moving on in a matter of weeks is almost like other clubs bringing in top players, If we didnt know better ye[d think P6 had a stake in Hearts and Apoel and were hedging their bets on Dundalk getting to conference groups and back in CL by throwing a spanner in the Tallaght works! But seriously though, every football fans knows where ye are coming from the world over maybe with the exception of some Madrid bully boys. Towell, Horgan, McEleney, Hoban, McGrath, Boyle, Gannon, McMillan, Finn, Benson were all key players that Dundalk lost for one reason or another (obviously some returned like Burke). You may not hold them in the high regard as McEneff but they certainly were to varying degrees at Oriel Park. We have never properly replaced Finn and he left in the most frustrating of circumstances and tbh to much amusement from SRFC fans. Towell selling out his ambition to be capped and his footballing soul to play in the lowest EFL tier is such a shame as he could have been lining out v Arsenal, maybe Ireland last Autumn. But thats football as the old saying goes - sentiment is for the fans, its in short supply for most footballers these days. One of the few exceptions from the beaten trail to England or Scotland is Michael Duffy and he too is a returnee from the dazzling lights of Parkhead via some less spectacular surroundings in Scotland.

(When ye think of the quality Derry players plying their trade elsewhere in top end LoI clubs over the last number of seasons it muxt really rankle and what a Derry side that would be! McEneff pulling the strings in midfield....)

[ontheotherhand]

Where is the idea that 200k isn't a good fee coming from? Dundalk have lost their best players for nothing over the past 6 years, one of whom they paid to sign back! Maguire went for less. In the current climate getting 200k for a 25 year old with one year left is a decent bit of business. Burke went for more but he's a goal scorer and that was pre the pandemic drop in transfer fees which are down 23% based on a quick search.

Gutted to lose McEneff as he was more important to the team than Byrne in my opinion but you can't promise to help a player's career and then stand in their way when they want to step up. Part of Bradley's promise to players is to help them get to the next level and he's done that for Aaron, although I think the player could've held out for a bigger move. Hopefully he can go on and do as well as McGrath has done so far. It will help future fees increase.

[Kiki Balboa]

Where is the idea that 200k isn't a good fee coming from? Dundalk have lost their best players for nothing over the past 6 years, one of whom they paid to sign back! Maguire went for less. In the current climate getting 200k for a 25 year old with one year left is a decent bit of business. Burke went for more but he's a goal scorer and that was pre the pandemic drop in transfer fees which are down 23% based on a quick search.

Gutted to lose McEneff as he was more important to the team than Byrne in my opinion but you can't promise to help a player's career and then stand in their way when they want to step up. Part of Bradley's promise to players is to help them get to the next level and he's done that for Aaron, although I think the player could've held out for a bigger move. Hopefully he can go on and do as well as McGrath has done so far. It will help future fees increase.


I always thought this was an utterly silly remark. Dundalk didnt sell the players and saw out the contracts with them as they choose to bet on themseleves to win leagues. The fees Dundalk would have gotten for the likes of Towell, Horgan, Hoban and Boyle is all vastly under what they achieved through keeping them and winning titles and progressing in Europe. Its a far more brave decision than cashing out, and has obviously worked out well for the club.

If Rovers end up not winning the league because of selling McEneff, the 200k and Europa league money is less than what they would have achieved in the Chamipons League. Plus, if you know you are losing McEneff in December, you can plan ahead to replace him (while also being a more attractive place as league Champions.... Think Michael Duffy replacing Horgan).

Maybe the player would have became unsettled if he didnt leave, or didnt want to be at Rovers and it would affect his form and made sense to cash out on him... I dont know. But people saying the way Dundalk did their buisness, despite maininting an increadably high standard over 8 or so years, winning leagues and achieving so much in Europe, as a bad way to run a LOI club makes no sense to me.

[sbgawa]

I think its possible to rewrite History to suit any argument.
I don't remember any Dundalk player having a bid against them a year from the end of their contracts that was rejected by the club in favour of trying to win the league. Players leaving at the end of their contracts as a cheap signing on a free in England is a very different thing.
If a club is offered a decent fee and the player is going to get a big hike in wages it is very hard to retain the player and expect him to be unaffected by not being allowed go. From McEneffs perspective he probably sees this as his big chance.

I think Dundalk are just like Rovers bumping along but at the mercy of the noisy neighbours across the water and can only ever try to do the best on the day.
Jack Byrne went because he was offered a huge salery in Cyprus , Duffy stayed at DFC because he didnt get a decent offer.
Neither of those outcomes was because of the people looking after the transfers in DFC or Rovers its just life as we know it

[2 Year Contract]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-bradley-insists-shamrock-rovers-23443106

Bradley confirmed the transfer was unexpected to the club and that Hearts triggered the €180,000 release clause in McEneff's contract

[Dalymountrower]

i have a feeling the McEneff transfer was coming..

And you kept that all to yourself? At least you should have let Bradley know.

Mc Eneff leaving may make the league slightly more competitive, but Rovers still have the strongest squad, by far.

[WeAreRovers]

Bradley knew it was a strong possibility as did the fans - Cardiff & Stoke were the two favourites over the off season - the Hearts bid may have been a surprise but not that McAneff could very well leave. It's all in the Mirror piece https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-bradley-insists-shamrock-rovers-23443106

People forget that Aaron could have left for free at the end of the season and could have signed a pre-contract in July so €200k is a decent fee despite some being of opinion that it's not.

Again, per the Mirror quotes, that's our business model like it or not. For instance if Scales continues to impress he'll be gone too, same for any of them, sometimes you can't control the timing but you can prepare. McPhail and Bradley have have done a brilliant job with recruitment and player development and no reason to think that won't continue.

[ontheotherhand]

I always thought this was an utterly silly remark. Dundalk didnt sell the players and saw out the contracts with them as they choose to bet on themseleves to win leagues. The fees Dundalk would have gotten for the likes of Towell, Horgan, Hoban and Boyle is all vastly under what they achieved through keeping them and winning titles and progressing in Europe. Its a far more brave decision than cashing out, and has obviously worked out well for the club.

If Rovers end up not winning the league because of selling McEneff, the 200k and Europa league money is less than what they would have achieved in the Chamipons League. Plus, if you know you are losing McEneff in December, you can plan ahead to replace him (while also being a more attractive place as league Champions.... Think Michael Duffy replacing Horgan).

Maybe the player would have became unsettled if he didnt leave, or didnt want to be at Rovers and it would affect his form and made sense to cash out on him... I dont know. But people saying the way Dundalk did their buisness, despite maininting an increadably high standard over 8 or so years, winning leagues and achieving so much in Europe, as a bad way to run a LOI club makes no sense to me.

I wasn't really out to attack Dundalk's business model but I'm not sure they were as in control of things as you make out? I don't remember, notr can I find, reports of bids being rejected for their big names. Also, if they were able to replace the players so we'll why not also get the fee? Either way, my point is that the perceived value associated with our leagues best players on the transfer market is drawn, in part, from historical context and in that context of small fees or no fees, 200k isn't terrible. If you are looking to buy from the loi and you know one of the best clubs allows their players to leave on frees then you're going to be less willing to part with money for any player. He was going at some point soon, I'd rather have 200k now to invest in his replacement (if it isn't already here).

Let's not forget rovers have basically signed 3 midfielders (McCann, Mandriou and Gannon allowing Finn to return to the middle) and promoted one from the B team. Bradley turned McEneff into the leagues best box to box midfielder from a bright but inconsistent spark so I'd guess he thinks there is the raw material there to fill the gap with someone else in the existing group or due to arrive. Time will tell.

But look, you're right to defend Dundalk's business a bit, it panned out well for them and you might be right that it's a bad decision for Rovers to sell McEneff now rather than increasing their chance of CL qualification. It certainly sounds harder to win the league now but we also haven't kicked a ball yet and my point is really just on the fee. 200k for a loi player isn't peanuts, it's up there with one of the largest fees received I think and sets the precedent that if you want to come for a rovers player right now, you'll have to open the cheque book. Unfortunately I think that's a game we have to play for the long term benefit of the league and clubs ability to command fees for their assets.

[passinginterest]

Contracts are the key to fees. Longer contracts equals bigger fees. While there's rarely more than 2 year contracts in the league significant transfer fees are very unlikely. €180k release fee in the contract of a player like McEneff makes a lot of sense. Rovers get a decent cash sum and don't lose him for free (or for a much lower fee as might have been the case, I'm sure there's been a few cases of players downing tools when a club has refused a fairly paltry offer to stop them heading to the UK). Probably the most sustainable model any league of Ireland club can hope for is to develop their own talent, and build in sell on clauses when they leave at a very young age. Or sign players in their early 20s on decent contracts, continue to develop them and include release clauses should they make an impact and attract interest from abroad.

I know the Rovers grand plan gets a bit of stick sometimes, but with the academy and they type of players they seem to be targeting it's starting to look like a sustainable and sensible model. If Byrne and McEneff go on to even more success, they'll be more attractive again to players of a similar age looking to increase their profile and they'll be looking for bigger fees and sell on clauses if they do well and move on. Of course the League has seen plenty of models that looked like they were going the right way and then fell apart (Cork might be the most recent example, always seem to be strong academies, some successful transfers to the UK, decent sell on clauses, but the club still managed to basically fall apart. Again.)

[Kiki Balboa]

I wasn't really out to attack Dundalk's business model but I'm not sure they were as in control of things as you make out? I don't remember, notr can I find, reports of bids being rejected for their big names. Also, if they were able to replace the players so we'll why not also get the fee? Either way, my point is that the perceived value associated with our leagues best players on the transfer market is drawn, in part, from historical context and in that context of small fees or no fees, 200k isn't terrible. If you are looking to buy from the loi and you know one of the best clubs allows their players to leave on frees then you're going to be less willing to part with money for any player. He was going at some point soon, I'd rather have 200k now to invest in his replacement (if it isn't already here).

Let's not forget rovers have basically signed 3 midfielders (McCann, Mandriou and Gannon allowing Finn to return to the middle) and promoted one from the B team. Bradley turned McEneff into the leagues best box to box midfielder from a bright but inconsistent spark so I'd guess he thinks there is the raw material there to fill the gap with someone else in the existing group or due to arrive. Time will tell.

But look, you're right to defend Dundalk's business a bit, it panned out well for them and you might be right that it's a bad decision for Rovers to sell McEneff now rather than increasing their chance of CL qualification. It certainly sounds harder to win the league now but we also haven't kicked a ball yet and my point is really just on the fee. 200k for a loi player isn't peanuts, it's up there with one of the largest fees received I think and sets the precedent that if you want to come for a rovers player right now, you'll have to open the cheque book. Unfortunately I think that's a game we have to play for the long term benefit of the league and clubs ability to command fees for their assets.

Ah I get it, I didnt mean to single anyone out .... Im just annoyed that people throw that Dundalk didnt make money off players moving to England with such narrow perspective. Dundalk showed that there is a different way (esp before the Americans,) of doing football buisness and I just wanted to make the point that McEneff is probably worth a lot more to Rovers than 170k (but it dosent matter if his release clause is met, Rovers have no choice).

Rovers still have O'Neill and Watts, two good players in centre mid, but it will hurt losing not only their two best players but two best players in the league.
Just putting it out there, but Rovers also have an age issue. Mannus (38), Finn (33), O'Brien (34) Greene (31) are all starters, McCann is 33, Gaffney and Gannon are 32 and 30 this year. It doesnt help to lose a 24 and 25 year old from that team.

Dundalk never really replaced O'Donnell or Finn, so its hard to find the right players consistently to fill in.

[Dalymountrower]

Contracts are the key to fees. Longer contracts equals bigger fees. While there's rarely more than 2 year contracts in the league significant transfer fees are very unlikely. €180k release fee in the contract of a player like McEneff makes a lot of sense. Rovers get a decent cash sum and don't lose him for free (or for a much lower fee as might have been the case, I'm sure there's been a few cases of players downing tools when a club has refused a fairly paltry offer to stop them heading to the UK). Probably the most sustainable model any league of Ireland club can hope for is to develop their own talent, and build in sell on clauses when they leave at a very young age. Or sign players in their early 20s on decent contracts, continue to develop them and include release clauses should they make an impact and attract interest from abroad.

I know the Rovers grand plan gets a bit of stick sometimes, but with the academy and they type of players they seem to be targeting it's starting to look like a sustainable and sensible model. If Byrne and McEneff go on to even more success, they'll be more attractive again to players of a similar age looking to increase their profile and they'll be looking for bigger fees and sell on clauses if they do well and move on. Of course the League has seen plenty of models that looked like they were going the right way and then fell apart (Cork might be the most recent example, always seem to be strong academies, some successful transfers to the UK, decent sell on clauses, but the club still managed to basically fall apart. Again.)

Nothing wrong with model as described above, I would have thought that it is more focussed on selling on younger players developed within the club than losing established players that will be difficult to replace?
Release clauses give some security, but the problem with putting too high a price on the release clause is that it may deter players from signing up ,if they think they are good enough for cross channel they may opt for clubs with lower barriers to them transferring there.

[oriel]

Ah I get it, I didnt mean to single anyone out .... Im just annoyed that people throw that Dundalk didnt make money off players moving to England with such narrow perspective. Dundalk showed that there is a different way (esp before the Americans,) of doing football buisness and I just wanted to make the point that McEneff is probably worth a lot more to Rovers than 170k (but it dosent matter if his release clause is met, Rovers have no choice).

Rovers still have O'Neill and Watts, two good players in centre mid, but it will hurt losing not only their two best players but two best players in the league.
Just putting it out there, but Rovers also have an age issue. Mannus (38), Finn (33), O'Brien (34) Greene (31) are all starters, McCann is 33, Gaffney and Gannon are 32 and 30 this year. It doesnt help to lose a 24 and 25 year old from that team.

Dundalk never really replaced O'Donnell or Finn, so its hard to find the right players consistently to fill in.

I remember talking to a DFC club official around summer 2015, Dundalk going head to head with Cork for the league, and there was offers in Towell, at the time easily the best in the league. They weighed it up and considered winning the league and entry into CL would prob get around 750k. Worth nothing around 2014 or 2015 the CL monies rocketed to make the first round, compared to say what Pats got from the 2013 win, or possibly even Dundalk from 2014. Not sure who or what the offer was on Towell, possibly around the 200k mark.

Still think the only player DFC sold during this current era was Dylan Connolly, around 40k, but think they paid around 30k for him, could be wrong on last part. It is said Colovic left after DFC agreed terms with his new club, but I'd say that was a small fee, and they were happy to move him on as he was on massive wages.

[ToberonaTornado]

Was trying to look up something that SK said about McEneff signing for Dundalk just before he(McEneff) signed for Derry but no comeback on it. he basically said it off the cuff = That if Dundalk could have got him we would win the league for 10 years in-a-row.Sk was mad keen to get McEneff to Oriel during his time here.

Anyway,presser from earlier today from FG


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN1zdODIAts&feature=youtu.be

[joey B]

Adam Foley signed back at Harps, added for the second half of last season and did really well when he came in.....

[joey B]

Colm Horgan signed for Sligo.

[Martinho II]

Colm Horgan signed for Sligo.

Had forgotten the amount of clubs he has played for. Hard to believe Salthill Devon was his first loi club all these yrs ago. And of course Daryl played for SR too. Superb signing by LB.

[DCWA]

Disappointed to lose Horgan (and Figueira) to Sligo.

Horgan solid performer and a genuine RB that we lack and there is no doubt we failed utterly to get anything close to the best from Figueira, Liam Buckley unlikely to make the same mistake with a talented and intelligent attacking player.

[2 Year Contract]

Joe Hodge signed for Derry on loan from Man City youth teams. Great signing, he looked a real prospect any time I’ve seen him play for Ireland u17/19s

[Bucket]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/6544632/joe-hodge-derry-city-loan-move/
He looks like he won a competition to be a mascot!

[Martinho II]

Joe Hodge signed for Derry on loan from Man City youth teams. Great signing, he looked a real prospect any time I’ve seen him play for Ireland u17/19s

Yeah heard game on raving about him. Never heard of the chap before. Where is JH from 2 year?

[2 Year Contract]

Yeah heard game on raving about him. Never heard of the chap before. Where is JH from 2 year?
Manchester born and raised I believe. Qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin granny

[bennocelt]

That's an excellent signing for Pats.

Why have you seen him play?
:rolleyes:

[joey B]

Kosavar Sadiki signed back at Harps this week aswell,good squad retention for us from last season which will hopefully help us
make a good start.....

[Martinho II]

Manchester born and raised I believe. Qualifies for Ireland through his Dublin granny

Yeah Irish sun confirms this today 2 year. In hindsight I have heard of JH from listening to diff irish podcasts. He must be some talent!

[oriel]

Dundalk looking to sign Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, ex Derry and was with Sligo last year before the season was interrupted by Covid.

Sligo fans, what was he like ? I can only recall his time at Derry, 2019, almost sure he ended up league top scorer, and with a low total of 14 or 15?

(edit, as per wiki he got 14 and finished one ahead of Hoban)

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk looking to sign Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, ex Derry and was with Sligo last year before the season was interrupted by Covid.

He only signed for them in the summer ahead of the resume after the Covid break. I saw him play a couple of games but don’t recall him doing much/anything in the games I saw but Sligo fans will be a better source of up to date info on his performances. 2 goals in 15 appearances doesn't look great though

[oriel]

Think Dundalk looking to use him out wide, if he signs.

[Nesta99]

Raiding Rovers backroom team! I'm not sure how the new club 'doctor' works as from reading this it sounds like an enhanced physio type department rather than a registered medic!? Unless the BSc is in general medicine but its not very clear.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/new-additions-to-backroom-team/

Dunno if this was posted either.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/wynne-completes-his-move-to-leeside/

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Junior was only ok with us. Could see he has lots of talent but don’t think Buckley got the best out of him. Thought he was great at Derry the few times I saw him.

[Nesta99]

We could see that Oduwa had bags of talent and was a wide player. Unless the size of contract was an issue it seems a bit change for changes sake if another player with potential talent is brought in in a similar role. The number of clubs a young player has can be a red flag but I thought Oduwa could have been coached some of the basics without killing the flair. Maybe there is something of a proven track record in LoI with Junior, but its still a bit inconsistent player recruitment imo.