2022 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[D24Saint]

I’ll happily finish 6th!

Id imagine so, in that scenario St Johns Ambulance would encounter a nose bleed epidemic in Finn Park. I think Harps should defo stay up this season.

[Martinho II]

Is there any website with all the squads updated?

Pundit Arena your best bet Briuk!

[Jd2793]

not enough lsl players to fill the team so athlone are looking abroad for their equivalents. impressive

[sadloserkid]

Not a player but Shane Keegan has been appointed 'Academy Lead' at Treaty. Quite what that means in practice is anyone's guess.

[2 Year Contract]

2 more New Zealanders in the LOI. Sligo have signed the excellently named Max Mata, a striker who was last with Real Monarchs in the USL which is americas 2nd tier effectively. Previously spent time in Europe with Nomme Kalju in Estonia and Groshopper's B team in Switzerland.

shels have signed Adam Thomas, a centre back who’s spent his entire career in New Zealand up until last year when he moved to a lower league Australian team Oakleigh Cannons. Was part of the NZ Olympic team in 2012 and played against Neymar's Brazil in that tournament but is 29 now and has amazingly missed 6 years of his career through injuries

[D24Saint]

Ollie Horgan: "We normally lose four or five ... this year we’ve had to replace 11 players" (irishexaminer.com) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40808220.html)

Ollie in the Examiner.

[pineapple stu]

2 more New Zealanders in the LOI. Sligo have signed the excellently named Max Mata, a striker who was last with Real Monarchs in the USL which is americas 2nd tier effectively. Previously spent time in Europe with Nomme Kalju in Estonia and Groshopper's B team in Switzerland.

shels have signed Adam Thomas, a centre back who’s spent his entire career in New Zealand up until last year when he moved to a lower league Australian team Oakleigh Cannons. Was part of the NZ Olympic team in 2012 and played against Neymar's Brazil in that tournament but is 29 now and has amazingly missed 6 years of his career through injuries
There seems to be an awful lot of these random signings this year - don't really know what to make of any of them and they're presumably all relatively risky. I do think though that it really challenges anyone (and there's a fair few) holding the view that the LoI is maybe League One standard to see players signing from the Swiss fourth tier central or the Australian equivalent of the LSL.

[DCWA]

There seems to be an awful lot of these random signings this year - don't really know what to make of any of them and they're presumably all relatively risky. I do think though that it really challenges anyone (and there's a fair few) holding the view that the LoI is maybe League One standard to see players signing from the Swiss fourth tier central or the Australian equivalent of the LSL.

It all has a whiff of desperation about it and brings back memories of Kenny Shiels toward the end of his time at Derry signings seemingly at random.

Also there can surely be absolutely no one holding the view that the LOI is League One standard?

If there is the they must be playing Football Manager and not actually watching games.

[Longfordian]

It's an interesting life these lads have. Rock up at a new club in a new country every year. "(insert club manager name) has told me a lot about (insert club name) and I've been really impressed. I know the league is of a high standard and I can't wait to get started".

[nigel-harps1954]

Who has signed a player from the Swiss fourth tier?

I've seen signings from Slovakian premier, USL in America, and funnily enough from English League One.

The bitterness shown by some is a bit funny. It's beyond the tried and tested, the same old LOI merry go round. For every Wilfred Zahibo, there's a Joey N'Do, and picking the most negative scenario from every situation must lead to a very pessimistic and bleak day to day.

[pineapple stu]

Ah Nigel would you stop with the bitterness ****e.

Grasshoppers II are in the Swiss fourth tier, in the post I quoted. (Ok, your man has had one year in the American third tier since, but the point holds)

Joey Ndo went to the World Cup and is in no way comparable with any of the players being talked about here. It's not remotely correct to say that there's an Ndo for every Zahibo - there's been plenty of the latter and Ndo is pretty much a one-off.

You can discuss these signings rationally or you can close your eyes and spout irrelevancies like how they're something different while dismissing views you don't like as bitterness. If you want something different, I'll sign for Harps. Doesn't mean I'm any good

[nr637]

Anyone have a break down of the percentage of players from different countries now playing in the league. I supposes its just a reflection of an international game even for smaller leagues.
I think its great and a reflection on our society. I know that over 75% are Irish, but the UK and others countries have a high representation.

Anywhere for figures?

[Lim till i die]

For every Wilfred Zahibo, there's a Joey N'Do

This is absolute scutter. 😂

On the Shane Keegan to treaty thingy I had been led to believe that Treaty United called themselves Treaty United because they were under the incorrect assumption that Pat O'Sullivan owns the word "Limerick". But it turns out it was actually because Galway United were using the word Galway.

I'm old enough to remember when my local team would be made up of people cork had been through and didn't want. I think the move from Cork to Galway is a downgrade personally.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ah Nigel would you stop with the bitterness ****e.

Grasshoppers II are in the Swiss fourth tier, in the post I quoted. (Ok, your man has had one year in the American third tier since, but the point holds)

Joey Ndo went to the World Cup and is in no way comparable with any of the players being talked about here. It's not remotely correct to say that there's an Ndo for every Zahibo - there's been plenty of the latter and Ndo is pretty much a one-off.

You can discuss these signings rationally or you can close your eyes and spout irrelevancies like how they're something different while dismissing views you don't like as bitterness. If you want something different, I'll sign for Harps. Doesn't mean I'm any good


You tried to make a point about standard versus player signings, using the example that someone signed from the Swiss Fourth tier. No player signed from the Swiss Fourth tier. And even if they did, what of it, can be argued he's taken a step up in standard. Does a player have to sign from a league of equal standard, or can a chance be taken on a player from a lesser league? The argument that signing a player from a perceived certain standard or league equates to the standard of league they arrive in in as much a nonsense as anything else written in this thread you may or may not have dismissed as s***e.

Joey N'Do and Wilfried Zahibo were obviously extreme examples, but Zahibo came from a standard deemed much higher than the LOI, having played in La Liga (albeit a couple of games), and the MLS. He flopped. Doesn't mean I'll be shouting the LOI is a higher standard than MLS. But, had any LOI team this season signed someone who played the majority of their football in the MLS and Spanish second tier without the experience of Zahibo at Dundalk last seasonn, I doubt we'd question whether they had the ability to make it in this league. Perception of league standard isn't everything.

Whether they've 200 LOI appearances, or 50 appearances in the Estonian Premier Division, every signing comes with an element of risk. But some people labelling a signing from a different country as "a whiff of desperation", or somehow the signing of a player from a different league suddenly downgrades the standard of this league, is a bit ridiculous.

[pineapple stu]

The "no-one signed from the Swiss fourth tier" is semantics - ok, he was there a year before, went on loan to Estonia, and then to the US third tier, where he signed from. Hardly a huge difference, is it?

There's players this year coming in from the Portuguese fourth tier and the relegation zone of the Croatian second tier and (I think) the Turkish regionalised third tier. And these are all journeymen, hopping from club to club every six months without making much of a mark anywhere - someone like Romo Boco who had three solid seasons with Accrington is much less of a gamble. Even if we take Boco as a more reasonable definition of a success (and Romeo Parkes, Wes Charles, Ryan Guy, etc), there's still plenty more players like Damian Dupuy, Yael Haro, Ibrahmia Thian and Ola Tidman. There's just a bias towards remembering the Bocos because they actually made an impact.

The league a player plays in absolutely does tell something about their ability. I don't know how you could argue otherwise. That's not to say they can't jump up a level (though you haven't actually tried to argue they can), but it does seem you just want to close your eyes and pretend they'll all be solid signings (probably because Harps have a lot riding on that in fairness)

I didn't say there was a whiff of desperation about the signings. All I said was that those signings were risky (you seem to agree) and that it undermines suggestions the LoI is League One standard - which you seem to have taken a bit of umbrage by given your reference to a signing from League One "funnily enough". Do you think the LoI is League One standard?


Also there can surely be absolutely no one holding the view that the LOI is League One standard?
A mate of mine (Man City fan) was trying to argue that exact point to me only a couple of weeks ago, coincidentally enough.

[DCWA]

Wilfred Zahibo, there's a Joey N'Do

Bleedin’ hell this can’t be a serious statement.

Insult to N’do.

[DCSIL]

Bleedin’ hell this can’t be a serious statement.

Insult to N’do.

N'do was a Magician... Zahibo was a Randomer.

I'd put Ryan Connolly in the same bracket as Mbappe though. World Class at diving to get a Free Kick.

[da bishop]

Not a player but Shane Keegan has been appointed 'Academy Lead' at Treaty. Quite what that means in practice is anyone's guess.So Tribe Athletic not content with having signed almost half the squad from Galway have now added ex Galway manager of questionable football character,sure if anything he will provide a pathway for some more lads from the west.........seriously though what are they at?

[Eminence Grise]

N'do was a Magician... Zahibo was a Randomer.

True, but Zahibo's disappearing act was mightily impressive.

[joey B]

David Odumosu left Drogheda,spent the off season on trial at few different English clubs but came to nothing,could see Pats especially being interested….

[Jd2793]

i dont think odumosu is all that great tbh, wasnt all that impressed with him last season.

[nigel-harps1954]

i dont think odumosu is all that great tbh, wasnt all that impressed with him last season.

Same as myself. Young and time to improve, but far from what the likes of Pats needed.

[sbgawa]

He's a big unit which probably explains some of the interest in him but I'd put him down as competant rather then very good which again probably explains why he hasn't moved away. As you say though he is young and has loads of time to improve. He might be an improvement on what pats have though.

[Jack B]

Agree on Odumosu but think it's a smart signing if it happens, which it seems it will. As back-up keepers go I'm not sure there's better in the league so at the very least he'll be a competent pair of hands should Anang not work out.

[Nesta99]

He showed enough potential and ability for people wanting him back at Oriel prior to the whole Abibi affair and he definitely was considered for resigning for Dundalk mid season. Instead we took a chance on lad in from England who got injured after 1 game. Cherrie really upped his game and saw out the season solidly though. The original plan was to have a Talbot or Murphy sign with Cheerie/Odumosu as back up but that got vetoed. He could be a very good LoI keeper with additional proper coaching and game time. Too much longer bench warming and he will become the journeyman reserve keeper type occasionally getting the No 1 slot at 1st Div clubs.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Highly rated Irish youth international Kevin Joshua has signed on loan for Waterford from West Brom. As recent as December he was linked with some big premier league clubs in England. Interesting signing, looks like he’ll cover the injured Cantwell whom could potentially miss the first couple months of the season.


Opposition fans will still be crying from the rooftops Bircham ‘refusing’ to play the owners son was the reason he was sacked 🙃. Weird that the owner would grant the finance to sign players in the position plays if he wanted his son in the team 😂😂😂🙈... Seems to be the only reason why people think we’ll be sh*t this year 🤷🏼*♂️🤷🏼*♂️

People can say a lot about Forrest but Power was flogging a dead dog last year when Forrest took over. Forrest has given the club a chance again, the fact half our team our local is a big plus, and for the first time in a long time we’ve managed to hold onto most of our better young players. And for the first time in a long term we’ve managed to keep majority of our squad and better players from last year. A lot to be hopeful for. But it’s the fu**king hope that kills ya.

Although we’re never far aware from trouble as the past 20 years have shown. Anytime we’ve gotten our hope up our hearts are always ripped out. Despite the sh**t over the years it builds the love for the club even stronger.

From a personal point of view, I just want us to have a good season and to avoid any sh**tshows.

[Kiki Balboa]

I always thought having a lad like Bircham involved was always going to end in tears.

Not saying it was his fault, but I got the feeling there was always going to be off the filed drama.

[sulywaterfordfc]

I always thought having a lad like Bircham involved was always going to end in tears.

Not saying it was his fault, but I got the feeling there was always going to be off the filed drama.

Don’t get me wrong I think that was handled badly and I was gutted at the time. And there was obviously a lot more to it. Bircham to my knowledge hasn’t spoken about why he received a club suspension prior to his sacking. But Bircham went and paraded himself around the UK with self praise and blaming the sacking on the owners son all in order to get a club over the water. I find it interesting Bircham didn’t go into any other details when there was quite clearly an issue between Bircham and the academy director other then pinning the blame on the owners son.

For all the good that Bircham done he had plenty of faults which people have overlooked because of how poor we were before he came in. The team under his guidance had the chances to avoid the play offs prior to the sacking and ultimately the club went into the play off on a bad run and got relegated. Bircham himself supposedly said he’d have set the team up the same way Hendon etc. set the team up for the play offs. For some reason people seem to think Bircham’s presence alone on the sidelines would have given us instant survival.

[pineapple stu]

John Ryan a late addition to this list - has signed for UCD from Rovers, and made his debut last night against Harps. (Bit of an emergency situation as both our full-backs went off injured last week...)

[ontheotherhand]

John Ryan a late addition to this list - has signed for UCD from Rovers, and made his debut last night against Harps. (Bit of an emergency situation as both our full-backs went off injured last week...)

How did he do Stu? I've heard good things.

[pineapple stu]

Did ok in what wasn't a great game. Harps' attack was very poor - they created chances but were wasteful with them - so though we kept a clean sheet, the defence was still a bit shaky.

But obviously he's only had one training session and was thrown in due to injuries, so in that regard he did ok.

Dylan Duffy the pick of the new signings so far

[ontheotherhand]

Did ok in what wasn't a great game. Harps' attack was very poor - they created chances but were wasteful with them - so though we kept a clean sheet, the defence was still a bit shaky.

But obviously he's only had one training session and was thrown in due to injuries, so in that regard he did ok.

Dylan Duffy the pick of the new signings so far

Ta. Great to hear that about Duffy. It was also good seeing Brennan play in Tallaght. I liked him when he was with our B team. How's he been doing for you?

[pineapple stu]

He's a livewire on the wing. Nutsed his man a couple of times and has confidence to try tricks to get space.

Obviously we haven't scored yet so his impact is limited where it counts. But early days yet.

[Briuk]

Did ok in what wasn't a great game. Harps' attack was very poor - they created chances but were wasteful with them - so though we kept a clean sheet, the defence was still a bit shaky.

But obviously he's only had one training session and was thrown in due to injuries, so in that regard he did ok.

Dylan Duffy the pick of the new signings so far

Are Osam and Gallagher out for long?

[pineapple stu]

Dunno. Both came off injured in Tallaght. Osam came off at half-time so didn't see what happened, but he's injury-prone unfortunately and may have tweaked something again.

[Longfordian]

A chip off the old block.

[pineapple stu]

We can relaunch the old UCD fanzine under the new name of "Osam is Doubtful"

[pineapple stu]

In fact, he's back tonight

[joey B]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2022/march/02/brown-earns-new-deal-/

James Brown extends his deal at Blackburn just 2 months into the original one,a good sign for him hopefully…

[total hoofball]

I would bet my mortgage and life savings that Ollie is definitely one of the managers mentioned scouring this FIFPRO free agent list right now

Good idea though on all levels

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/league-of-ireland-managers-to-examine-list-of-free-agents-in-russia-and-ukraine-arising-from-conflict-41425088.html

[Longfordian]

There's an obvious joke to be made about Finn Park resembling a war zone but I'm too nice (and tired) to make it.

[Mr A]

There's an obvious joke to be made about Finn Park resembling a war zone but I'm too nice (and tired) to make it.

Well there was certainly a slaughter the last time you visited

[Longfordian]

Ha touché. I'd forgotten about that. I like Finn Park actually, had a few enjoyable visits there. Most notably that play off final in 2002.
,

[Neish]

There's an obvious joke to be made about Finn Park resembling a war zone but I'm too nice (and tired) to make it.

Rather it the "no man's land" that is Bishopsgate(or whatever its named these days, hard to keep track tbh)

[Longfordian]

That's a good effort. I surrender. I'm sorry, Harpies.

[nigel-harps1954]

Consequently, I brought a guy to his first game in Longford last season, and he said the ground and surroundings reminded him of some random Eastern European stadia.

[Nesta99]

Consequently, I brought a guy to his first game in Longford last season, and he said the ground and surroundings reminded him of some random Eastern European stadia.

Ye can see a resemblance I suppose
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Fk_Red_Star_stadium.jpg

[joey B]

Consequently, I brought a guy to his first game in Longford last season, and he said the ground and surroundings reminded him of some random Eastern European stadia.

I wish we had a few more Eastern European Stadia!

[TonyD]

Ye can see a resemblance I suppose
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Fk_Red_Star_stadium.jpg

Jaysis, the Flansiro is look8ng good these days :eek:

[Longfordian]

We'd still only get 600 or 700 into it sadly.