2021 Season , Arrivals and departures

[Calcio Jack]

That club can probably afford to pay him twice what Rovers could max budget for, its a better standard than a lot probably give it credit for, certainly miles better than LOI.

He'll have a decent lifestyle out there. Good move if it completes.

€48k per month , great move for him ; we were blessed to keep him for two seasons so good luck to him

[joey B]

A follow of mine on twitter sums up the Cypriot league as full of shady investment and foreign players, why would Jack Byrne not want to play in a nice climate, make plenty of cash and potentially improve his game against players from all over the world, its a no brainer, obviously it could end in 6 months but who knows......

[nigel-harps1954]

Athlone have signed Kilian Cantwell. They've signed fairly strong this year. Could be an outside bet for the playoff place.

[boynemunich]

Athlone have signed Kilian Cantwell. They've signed fairly strong this year. Could be an outside bet for the playoff place.

They should be very disappointed if they don't make the playoffs. Shels the only ones on paper with a better squad.

[Olander]

They should be very disappointed if they don't make the playoffs. Shels the only ones on paper with a better squad.
Disagree there, I think we're stronger than them and will be Shels main rivals next year - we still have 2-3 more important signings to make as well.

Athlone will certainly be in play-off contention next year. Hopefully they're still training in Athlone, but they've signed a lot of Dubs, hope they're not going down the Longford route, training in Dublin etc. Carberry did have them based out of Athlone last season in fairness.

[boynemunich]

Disagree there, I think we're stronger than them and will be Shels main rivals next year - we still have 2-3 more important signings to make as well.

Athlone will certainly be in play-off contention next year. Hopefully they're still training in Athlone, but they've signed a lot of Dubs, hope they're not going down the Longford route, training in Dublin etc. Carberry did have them based out of Athlone last season in fairness.

I'd still have Galway ahead of Athlone FWIW due to John Caulfield and going full-time. Also a lot of new signings at Athlone that will probably take time to gel but no denying they've signed some really good players for FD in Doona, Cantwell and Schlingermann. I also loved Meaney at Drogheda he was the best of our released players.

[Olander]

I'd still have Galway ahead of Athlone FWIW due to John Caulfield and going full-time. Also a lot of new signings at Athlone that will probably take time to gel but no denying they've signed some really good players for FD in Doona, Cantwell and Schlingermann. I also loved Meaney at Drogheda he was the best of our released players.
Definitely. They've made some excellent signings at this level, no doubt about that. They were clearly largely amateur last season, that's obviously not going to be the case next year. They've brought in several players from teams that were chasing promotion last season: Wixted, Daly, Cantwell, Schlings off us, Meaney. They'll be very competitive, they've obviously gone out and supported Carberry with a decent budget.

It's going to be another extremely tight First Division. Remains to be seen, but it looks like UCD could be losing Mahdy, he would be a massive loss to them. But they're always going to be involved. Cork City - nobody knows what they'll be like, probably be contesting the play-offs. Cobh have largely kept most of their squad, but they lost Hurley to us, which I think has gone slightly under the radar, he's a top player. Wexford look weak enough again, they signed a few academy players and some members of last season's squad. Cabinteely haven't really announced much bar a few youths players signing first team deals, they've lost a few decent players too, I think next year will be the season they fall back in the pecking order a bit after two decent seasons of overachievement. Bray have made a few decent signings, but they've lost some big players also, Wilson to Shels, Cantwell to Athlone, Thompson to Longford. Very happy with how our off-season has gone, 14-15 players have left the club, a massive clear out was needed and JC has been ruthless, he's brought in a lot of hungry players, with something to prove. 3-4 signings will finish our squad off nicely, if Caulfield gets the targets we're after, we should be in contention for the title next season.

[nigel-harps1954]

Sligo have signed Shane Blaney, former Harps defender last with Doncaster Rovers.

Had very high hopes for this lad when he left Harps for England.

[D24Saint]

Sligo have signed Shane Blaney, former Harps defender last with Doncaster Rovers.

Had very high hopes for this lad when he left Harps for England.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/people/doncaster-top-10-uks-worst-towns-485960

The beautiful surroundings might have got to him.

[2 Year Contract]

Athlone are putting together a very decent first division team so far. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them make the playoffs

[sbgawa]

Shels completly caved towards the end of the season , with the squad they had they should have been higher. Morris had them playing awful stuff, i was a shocked he kept his job tbh.

[placid casual]

Epitomised by the shameful attitude of their supposed "captain", deegan.
Morris now has a babysitter in situ for next season but I'd wager he'd be a good bet to be the first manager sacked next season. Although super Mario may run him close 😜

[nigel-harps1954]

Conor Clifford signs for Bray..

[D24Saint]

Conor Clifford signs for Bray..

His career is on a constant downward curve, it’s sad considering the early potential he had at Chelsea.

[redobit]

It seems there aren't that many English Premier and Championship clubs making offers for Jack Byrne after all. Money talks and the EPL is the richest league in the world and Championship is 6th or 7th richest league in the world. If clubs from these leagues were as interested in Byrne the way some Shamrock fans were making out during the season then he'd be heading to England. Good luck to the lad, nicer earner all the same.

[Neish]

Athlone, Galway & Shels all taking big big gambles IMO.

With us realistically looking at early summer before we get any decent size crowds paying into games and at the very best only two of them will get promoted which could leave one or two possibly even all three facing a big financial pit by this time next year.

[oriel]

It seems there aren't that many English Premier and Championship clubs making offers for Jack Byrne after all. Money talks and the EPL is the richest league in the world and Championship is 6th or 7th richest league in the world. If clubs from these leagues were as interested in Byrne the way some Shamrock fans were making out during the season then he'd be heading to England. Good luck to the lad, nicer earner all the same.

I'd change this to 'biggest' not the richest, I remember reading and looked this article up, most if not all made massive losses to the end of 2019 season, and well before Covid. Most in an attempt to get into the PL, the rest trying to stay there. All it will take is for a tv deal to be pulled and the Championship is goosed going on these figures.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7034591/Championship-clubs-combined-operating-loss-510m-year.html

Now on the quality, I will admit it probably is better than a host of top tier euro leagues, but these figures are frightening.

I think Irish clubs / players need to re-define who they can sell / move to, I would think L1 might soon be the top expectation.

[ontheotherhand]

It seems there aren't that many English Premier and Championship clubs making offers for Jack Byrne after all. Money talks and the EPL is the richest league in the world and Championship is 6th or 7th richest league in the world. If clubs from these leagues were as interested in Byrne the way some Shamrock fans were making out during the season then he'd be heading to England. Good luck to the lad, nicer earner all the same.

It was fairly widely reported which clubs were interested. Sounds like Mick convinced him early on that Apoel was a place he would play and get exposure. Byrne knows he can operate at that level having played well against Apollon with Rovers so it makes sense as a next step up. Probably thinks he can make a bigger impact there at the moment. 2 CL spots up for grabs there.

I'd say it came down to choosing where he would fit in best with a manager he trusts after the few bad experiences in England already and I don't think Michael O'Neill's Stoke would have been a good fit for example. MON wouldn't be known for the most intricate style of football. The risk of being pushed out to right wing or out of position would have come into his mind. That said, there's a risk of Mick not staying in the job long enough at Apoel as well.

I was looking at the money side too when it was rumoured. Sounds like a nice fat contract and I'm not sure he would have been offered more at a Stoke or Bournemouth after coming from the LOI inn a pandemic. Some players on huge contracts in the Championship but look at a similar age profile and position and you're taking around the same for a player at Apoel i.e. half a million a year- https://footballleaguefc.com/stoke-city-2019-20-player-wages/

Adding this (https://salarysport.com/football/player/sean-maguire/#:~:text=Sean%20Maguire%20earns%20%C2%A37%2C600,co ntract%20expires%20June%2030%2C%202021.) - Sean Maguire is on 395K a year. So if the reports are accurate, Jack likely got a better offer from Apoel. Maybe money did talk after all?

[sbgawa]

Whatever about jacks options, duffy about to sign back with DFC as cant get a decent offer from uk.
Good news for dfc dissapointing for him

[Nesta99]

Athlone, Galway & Shels all taking big big gambles IMO.

With us realistically looking at early summer before we get any decent size crowds paying into games and at the very best only two of them will get promoted which could leave one or two possibly even all three facing a big financial pit by this time next year.

It's the LoI way, but is it a clubs' market where players are taking what they can get without pushing the boat out too far under the circumstances. It does seem that Galway are making a big push with going FT, though FT doesnt always mean daytime split session training with sports catering/nutrition in between!?

With the Jack Byrne speculation, while he would be a loss to any side Rovers are more than capable of filling his boots. Maybe not with like for like but what is freed up in the players budget and if the rumours of what was on the table well there is plenty of scope of going out and recruiting some high calibre player/s.

I dunno whether it is good or bad that things are quiet out of Oriel Park. Imo there is enough retention in the squad for it not to be a complete rebuilding process. I do think that fresh faces are needed, though the likes of Gannon isnt a player that should have been on the exit list. Next season will depend a lot on players like Colovic showing his worth in the 'second season' make or break situation we have gotten used to. Certainly if rumours are to be believed, the money involved would want to see some classy performances. The Albanian keeper talk I took with a pinch or salt but it seems there is somthing to it and is rated. I hope so as we saw how Mannus really was the missing piece for Rovers - more than Byrne imo.

[Nesta99]

Whatever about jacks options, duffy about to sign back with DFC as cant get a decent offer from uk.
Good news for dfc dissapointing for him

Duffy is a key player for Dundalk, but is he better than Horgan? Horgan has done his stint in Scotland and is cutting a path at Wycombe, in to the Ireland setup and one of the better attacking players in a disrupted squad. But at 28 he is only now really getting the full credit for the potential he showed in LoI. Finances are all over the place in general so Duffy may not have the options to take a punt on lower leagues in England or cannon fodder in the SPL - in that if the career doesnt kick on then at least there has been a payday. He is still only what 23 or 24 so taking another year at Dundalk could be the better choice and there could be those cant say no contracts on offers when clubs loosen the purse strings. So few of the recent LoI 'superstars' have made a real impact that clubs are not likely to take the (financial) gamble currently. That include Maguire who seemed to be the one that would make the breakthrough.

All that said, players in general do seem to be older before getting chances at the top table unless they are exceptional youngsters.

[nigel-harps1954]

Duffy is a key player for Dundalk, but is he better than Horgan? Horgan has done his stint in Scotland and is cutting a path at Wycombe, in to the Ireland setup and one of the better attacking players in a disrupted squad. But at 28 he is only now really getting the full credit for the potential he showed in LoI. Finances are all over the place in general so Duffy may not have the options to take a punt on lower leagues in England or cannon fodder in the SPL - in that if the career doesnt kick on then at least there has been a payday. He is still only what 23 or 24 so taking another year at Dundalk could be the better choice and there could be those cant say no contracts on offers when clubs loosen the purse strings. So few of the recent LoI 'superstars' have made a real impact that clubs are not likely to take the (financial) gamble currently. That include Maguire who seemed to be the one that would make the breakthrough.

All that said, players in general do seem to be older before getting chances at the top table unless they are exceptional youngsters.

Duffy will be 27 next summer..

[Charlie Darwin]

APOEL have sold players or seen them move free to the Bundesliga, Eredivisie and Champions League sides the last couple of years ago. Whatever you think about him not getting an offer from Preston or Gillingham, going to Cyprus is a huge opportunity to move himself forward. He might not make it but it's a good step for him.

[Nesta99]

Duffy will be 27 next summer..

Ha! Well time flies and 2020 just disappeared...

[CorribsideSteve]

APOEL have sold players or seen them move free to the Bundesliga, Eredivisie and Champions League sides the last couple of years ago. Whatever you think about him not getting an offer from Preston or Gillingham, going to Cyprus is a huge opportunity to move himself forward. He might not make it but it's a good step for him.

Exactly. We are 99.9% Anglo-centric. Poor weather, he will probably play out of position, 442/541 grit and graft long ball, and tough as nails man-mountain defenders. Not a place where techincal ability flourishes, as has been evidenced by many a skillful player leaving the LOI and getting mired in League 2. All that the holy land of England has over the LOI really is bigger wages, much bigger. Hopefully more players (if they're anywhere on the level of JB) in the future try Antwerp, Vitesse or Molde over Accrington Stanley, Rotherham and Grimsby Town in the coming decade. Good luck to him, great move, on a personal and competitive level.

[joey B]

Gearóid Morrissey back at Cork, important piece for them to build around.....

[Brusher]

One of the reasons I love the LoI, when a "star"of the league leaves, then invariably new names shine the following season.So, is it too early to pick a few possibilities ??The first division will surely throw up a few names.

[joey B]

Not a player but Kevin Deery departed as Derry's assistant manager.....

[oriel]

It's the LoI way, but is it a clubs' market where players are taking what they can get without pushing the boat out too far under the circumstances. It does seem that Galway are making a big push with going FT, though FT doesnt always mean daytime split session training with sports catering/nutrition in between!?

With the Jack Byrne speculation, while he would be a loss to any side Rovers are more than capable of filling his boots. Maybe not with like for like but what is freed up in the players budget and if the rumours of what was on the table well there is plenty of scope of going out and recruiting some high calibre player/s.

I dunno whether it is good or bad that things are quiet out of Oriel Park. Imo there is enough retention in the squad for it not to be a complete rebuilding process. I do think that fresh faces are needed, though the likes of Gannon isnt a player that should have been on the exit list. Next season will depend a lot on players like Colovic showing his worth in the 'second season' make or break situation we have gotten used to. Certainly if rumours are to be believed, the money involved would want to see some classy performances. The Albanian keeper talk I took with a pinch or salt but it seems there is somthing to it and is rated. I hope so as we saw how Mannus really was the missing piece for Rovers - more than Byrne imo.

I would think a lot of this is purely down to holiday leave, people with their families over xmas etc. Prob get next bit of news from Mon 4th onwards. As for Duffy, it does appear the links have gone quiet in UK, then maybe clubs who were interested looked at him and thought at 26, maybe his peak is over for that level? They may also have looked at his EL group stage level performances and thought maybe he didnt stand out too much, for me I can only think of Rapid away as a superb performance from him at this level.

I would expect he will sign back, but you just never know. It was expected too that Gartland was due to agree a contract, but no news on that also at the minute.

PS I would have loved to have got Morrissey from Cork, think he's a gem of a player that would only improve with better players around him, but getting him to leave his roots would be hard, to be fair have to admire him for sticking with Cork City in the FD.

[oriel]

It's the LoI way, but is it a clubs' market where players are taking what they can get without pushing the boat out too far under the circumstances. It does seem that Galway are making a big push with going FT, though FT doesnt always mean daytime split session training with sports catering/nutrition in between!?

With the Jack Byrne speculation, while he would be a loss to any side Rovers are more than capable of filling his boots. Maybe not with like for like but what is freed up in the players budget and if the rumours of what was on the table well there is plenty of scope of going out and recruiting some high calibre player/s.

I dunno whether it is good or bad that things are quiet out of Oriel Park. Imo there is enough retention in the squad for it not to be a complete rebuilding process. I do think that fresh faces are needed, though the likes of Gannon isnt a player that should have been on the exit list. Next season will depend a lot on players like Colovic showing his worth in the 'second season' make or break situation we have gotten used to. Certainly if rumours are to be believed, the money involved would want to see some classy performances. The Albanian keeper talk I took with a pinch or salt but it seems there is somthing to it and is rated. I hope so as we saw how Mannus really was the missing piece for Rovers - more than Byrne imo.

Forgot to comment on this, yes Gannon is a massive loss, when in form, in my view there is no better player in the league at owning that right hand corner of the pitch, playing one-twos, then the killer cross / or goal. Also at same time keeping an eye to track back when needed, a big loss, but with 5 leagues and 3 cups, nothing but admiration for the guy as he was brilliant for us. Should never have been in the position of losing him but players move on, end of.

[D24Saint]

I wonder will transfers slow down with the news that the start date of the league is still uncertain & the funding is yet in place.

[Nesta99]

I wonder will transfers slow down with the news that the start date of the league is still uncertain & the funding is yet in place.

Maybe Mad Bill wasnt being so mad after all!!

[sulywaterfordfc]

Shane Griffin and John Martin signed up Waterford’s 2021 squad. Squad stands at 4, unofficially announced yet but two others have reportedly re-signed also.

[oriel]

I wonder will transfers slow down with the news that the start date of the league is still uncertain & the funding is yet in place.

Plus no confirm that Airtricity can be tempted to stay on for one more year, as things stand their contract expires tonight.

[lofty9]

Whatever about jacks options, duffy about to sign back with DFC as cant get a decent offer from uk.
Good news for dfc dissapointing for him

Duffy has no real desire to go to England, Sunderland and Oxford were very keen. Dundalk off their heads paying what they are though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Duffy has no real desire to go to England, Sunderland and Oxford were very keen. Dundalk off their heads paying what they are though.

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/michael-duffy-weighing-options-amid-huddersfield-peterborough-interest-3067796

Were these quotes by someone else then?

[lofty9]

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/michael-duffy-weighing-options-amid-huddersfield-peterborough-interest-3067796Were these quotes by someone else then?

Agent Spin. You naive enough to believe that rag ? :)

[sbgawa]

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/michael-duffy-weighing-options-amid-huddersfield-peterborough-interest-3067796

Were these quotes by someone else then?
That article is two weeks old, Huddersfield signed Danny Grant instead and the others didn't follow through.
His Agent managed to get DFC to anti up so that's good for him.
Peak 6 have all the money in the world so it doesn't really matter , DFC are getting a good if not particularly committed player to re-sign.
Positive for them, next season is shaping up to be compeititive

[Yossarian]

DFC are getting a good if not particularly committed player to re-sign.

A bit like Rovers signing Gannon and Hoare then, who didn’t particularly want to leave.

[sbgawa]

It was always Gannons dream to come back and play for Rovers and Hoares Dad actually played for Rovers so all good here :rolleyes:

[oriel]

A bit like Rovers signing Gannon and Hoare then, who didn’t particularly want to leave.

That was probably more to do with contract length offer than $$$, quite insulting to Gannon if he was only offered a one year deal, heard it was since upped, but too late, so DFC can have no complaints on that given how he was treated. Mad Bill does seem to be sticking to short term deals for most though, although it would appear they are willing to make an exception with Duffy.

To touch on a point by sbgawa, P6 def have the resources, and maybe that's a reason why they are not interested in giving out longer deals, to cash in on 'sell ons', as they don't need to. However that strategy leaves them wide open for players to leave for rivals, and already Leahy falls into that bracket end of next season.

This is their view not mine btw, I would think 2 year deals should have been the order of the day, but its not me paying the bills.

[nigel-harps1954]

Agent Spin. You naive enough to believe that rag ? :)

Are you saying they made up the quotes? Why hasn't Duffy come out and said he was falsely quoted?

[DCSIL]

Duffy set to re-sign with Dundalk then..,

[oriel]

Irish Star reporting Duffy will sign back with Dundalk.

[sbgawa]

Are you saying they made up the quotes? Why hasn't Duffy come out and said he was falsely quoted?



Duffy im sure did say he wanted to test himself in England, the agent spin would be that he had interest from several clubs.
A scout turning up and going away unimpressed is reason enough for an agent to aledge interest if it pushes another club to step up.
feeding the press is just doing their jobs.
It does show the lack of respect for our league in the UK though when one of the best players in the league who i would like to see at Rovers doesn't get a decent offer from the UK.
We need Sean MAguire to kick on and Danny Grant to do well as well as a few more like them to give the UK clubs interest in us again

On the other hand Jack Byrne moving to Cyprus to play in a team that has made group stages in Europe in 7 of the last 10 years is derided by the bar stoolers.
When you look at the likes of Sancho and other young English players going to mainland Europe hopefully Jack lights it up in cyprus and other European clubs realise we arent a kick and rush league anymore

[D24Saint]

Duffy im sure did say he wanted to test himself in England, the agent spin would be that he had interest from several clubs.
A scout turning up and going away unimpressed is reason enough for an agent to aledge interest if it pushes another club to step up.
feeding the press is just doing their jobs.
It does show the lack of respect for our league in the UK though when one of the best players in the league who i would like to see at Rovers doesn't get a decent offer from the UK.
We need Sean MAguire to kick on and Danny Grant to do well as well as a few more like them to give the UK clubs interest in us again

On the other hand Jack Byrne moving to Cyprus to play in a team that has made group stages in Europe in 7 of the last 10 years is derided by the bar stoolers.
When you look at the likes of Sancho and other young English players going to mainland Europe hopefully Jack lights it up in cyprus and other European clubs realise we arent a kick and rush league anymore

Anyone that laughs at Jack Byrnes move hasn’t a clue about football. The barstool brigade love the premier league not football, I know that doesn’t always apply but for the majority it’s true. It’s a good move for the chap and it’s refreshing to see a Irish player go down that route.

[oriel]

Anyone that laughs at Jack Byrnes move hasn’t a clue about football. The barstool brigade love the premier league not football, I know that doesn’t always apply but for the majority it’s true. It’s a good move for the chap and it’s refreshing to see a Irish player go down that route.

That's a very good point, I don't actually follow any English side, and used to enjoy watching MOTD, then about 5 years ago I said to myself, why am I watching this when I have no interest on who wins and loses, haven't watched it since. Much prefer goal updates from Championship, and to keep an eye on other euro leagues.

Cyprus is a more than decent standard and this is a fantastic career move in my view for Jack B, 10k a week if correct, superb climate, yes please. Best of luck to him.

[D24Saint]

That's a very good point, I don't actually follow any English side, and used to enjoy watching MOTD, then about 5 years ago I said to myself, why am I watching this when I have no interest on who wins and loses, haven't watched it since. Much prefer goal updates from Championship, and to keep an eye on other euro leagues.

Cyprus is a more than decent standard and this is a fantastic career move in my view for Jack B, 10k a week if correct, superb climate, yes please. Best of luck to him.

Gave up on the premiership twenty years ago but have since added Hartlepool United to Pats as a cross to bear in life.

[Nesta99]

Why Hartlepool? Watford and Brentford my soft spots, both have climbed since ;p

[Charlie Darwin]

The only English team I support is TNS.