2022 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[SeanDrog]

Perth surely a decent shout to replace Clancy at Drogheda?

If for arguments sake Clancy took the Pats job (I would see why it might entice him away) I’d like to see Andy Myler come to us ;) Drogs legends and I really liked his style of play with UCD.

[joey B]

O’Donnell to Dundalk imminent according to Neil O’Riordan,massive buzz kill for Pats fans that I’d say….

[Martinho II]

Vinny Perth has left Dundalk.

If Longford could afford him would be a bit of a coup for them.

I dont think VP would come back to us after his caretaker spell in 08 majority of us thought he was in the running to be town mgr and yet Gareth Cronin beat him to the punch. I dont think VP forgives ppl that easily!

[pineapple stu]

If for arguments sake Clancy took the Pats job (I would see why it might entice him away) I’d like to see Andy Myler come to us ;) Drogs legends and I really liked his style of play with UCD.

I'm hoping the fact Andy works in UCD will mean he's the last person we need to worry about this pre-season!

He's s UCD legend too don't forget. :)

Though Collie O'Neill is back coaching in UCD. There'd be an unexpected comeback if it happened!

[boynemunich]

If for arguments sake Clancy took the Pats job (I would see why it might entice him away) I’d like to see Andy Myler come to us ;) Drogs legends and I really liked his style of play with UCD.

If SOD goes to Dundalk then I can't see Clancy not going to Pats. I'd imagine it would then be between Kev Doherty, Andy Myler and Collie O Neill. Would leave Drogheda in a terrible position of having no manager or players signed up.

[Calcio Jack]

O’Donnell to Dundalk imminent according to Neil O’Riordan,massive buzz kill for Pats fans that I’d say….

Excellent news as it messes up Pats - and SOD will be under huge pressure to deliver , but fair play to him him backing himself and no doubt he managed to negotiate a decent contract

[joey B]

Pats better get their skates on or he’ll be bringing a few players with him!

[D24Saint]

O’Donnell to Dundalk imminent according to Neil O’Riordan,massive buzz kill for Pats fans that I’d say….

Gathering huge pace now online. He should have showed more loyalty to our chairman who took a big punt on him at the time of his appointment if it turns out to be true. We will move on and start again, with Europe next year we have a chance of a decent season.

[ger121]

He’ll take a few with him too I would think. Winning the cup Sunday. Manager gone on a Tuesday. What a league!

[Onapointoforder]

Get O Brien to take over at Pats ?

[Onapointoforder]

*Ger !

[D24Saint]

Get O Brien to take over at Pats ?

Wouldn’t expect that , couple of sidewinder predictions doing the rounds. That’s GOB I’ve heard on top of Sean O’Connor & Trevor Crolly. As a bloke GOB would be the only one I’d have time for but that aside I’d like another candidate to take the job.

[2 Year Contract]

Im hearing that O'Donnell signed a new 2 year contract at Pats in September just gone but wants out to Dundalk. Basically tying pats hands behind their backs as no club would want to keep a manager that doesn’t want to be there/is that snakey

[Kiki Balboa]

Im hearing that O'Donnell signed a new 2 year contract at Pats in September just gone but wants out to Dundalk. Basically tying pats hands behind their backs as no club would want to keep a manager that doesn’t want to be there/is that snakey

I find that hard to believe, not saying it isnt true, but it rings very unlikely to me. One, official sources are not hinting at it, and two why wouldnt have Pats announced it long ago? Why wait, and let this situation happen. Like surly it would make a lot of other things a lot simpler for Pats like signing players and creating momentum and stability, or at least ward off other teams. There would be near no benefits to anyone at the time not to make an official announcement of a new contract to SOD. From the reporting, it suggests that O'Donnell was only offered a contract recently.

You can say about loyalty, but SOD could rightfully feel like he earned a longer deal than two years at Pats, and why was the contract being offered so late, when really it was clear from late spring that he was doing a good job with a young team. He isnt the only person Pats have let the contracts wound down. He might feel a lot more secure at Dundalk , than a team that waited last minute to offer a contract.

[2 Year Contract]

I find that hard to believe, not saying it isnt true, but it rings very unlikely to me. One, official sources are not hinting at it, and two why wouldnt have Pats announced it long ago? Why wait, and let this situation happen. Like surly it would make a lot of other things a lot simpler for Pats like signing players and creating momentum and stability, or at least ward off other teams. There would be near no benefits to anyone at the time not to make an official announcement of a new contract to SOD. From the reporting, it suggests that O'Donnell was only offered a contract recently.

You can say about loyalty, but SOD could rightfully feel like he earned a longer deal than two years at Pats, and why was the contract being offered so late, when really it was clear from late spring that he was doing a good job with a young team. He isnt the only person Pats have let the contracts wound down. He might feel a lot more secure at Dundalk , than a team that waited last minute to offer a contract.

I get your point about not announcing the new deal in September but when Liam Buckley was in charge his contract details were never announced at all during his 7 years at the club.

You don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to but it’s coming from a very good source within the club. If he felt he earned a longer contract than 2 years then he probably shouldn’t have signed it 2 months ago and showed the decency to honour that contract with a club that took a chance on him with no managerial experience and stuck by him late last year when many pats fans wanted him sacked during the 6 games we went without even scoring a goal and finishing 2 points above relegated shels while scoring just 14 goals all season

[total hoofball]

O'Donnell was questioned by the Mirror last week whether him and Pats were close to a new deal and he said "Yeah. I am, you could safely say yeah"

If he had signed a new contract in September as is being claimed by your Pats source why wouldn't O'Donnell have confirmed in that interview that he had already signed a new deal instead strongly implying that he was in contract negotiations? Why wouldn't have Pats have announced it in September? Why have all of the Irish media repeatedly stated this week that O'Donnell was out of contract after the cup final?

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-odonnell-brands-keith-longs-25532901

[Longfordian]

Dan McDonnell's report yesterday suggested it's not entirely clear cut. He said something like SOD "does not have a long term contract however some negotiations between the clubs will still be required". Which is odd if he's entirely finished his contract.

[Yossarian]

If O’Donnell did sign a contract in September then at any point from then until now Pats could’ve announced it. Even if they didn’t want to publicly announce it they could’ve leaked it to a journo and the information would be in the public domain.
It strikes me as very odd that all of a sudden when O’Donnell appears to be leaving that this info is now being leaked to some fans. A cynic would think that Pats are trying a bit of damage limitation to paint O’Donnell in a bad light to take the focus off them not having him or a lot of players signed up.
I’ll caveat the above by saying I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a contract signed but now wants to leave. That’s the nature of football.

[Mr A]

I'm hoping the fact Andy works in UCD will mean he's the last person we need to worry about this pre-season!

He's s UCD legend too don't forget. :)

Though Collie O'Neill is back coaching in UCD. There'd be an unexpected comeback if it happened!

Make it happen!

Am going to wear the wrestling mask either way so having some sort of tenuous excuse is kind of helpful.

[pineapple stu]

Actually, Collie's been in the stands at the last couple of home games.

That sounds far more interesting - a Collie v Mr A rumble in the stands :p

[Jack B]

For what it's worth we really haven't had a tendency to announce new contracts for managers, rightly or wrongly. Never mind that there's even been several cases in recent years where players have turned up in pre-season having signed new deals that neither the club announced nor any media member picked up on. Understand the skepticism but it honestly wouldn't surprise me if it was true given that's just how the club has done things for much of recent history.

[Stav]

What budget would he have. Longford need a lot more than a manager

[2 Year Contract]

If O’Donnell did sign a contract in September then at any point from then until now Pats could’ve announced it. Even if they didn’t want to publicly announce it they could’ve leaked it to a journo and the information would be in the public domain.
It strikes me as very odd that all of a sudden when O’Donnell appears to be leaving that this info is now being leaked to some fans. A cynic would think that Pats are trying a bit of damage limitation to paint O’Donnell in a bad light to take the focus off them not having him or a lot of players signed up.
I’ll caveat the above by saying I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a contract signed but now wants to leave. That’s the nature of football.

As I said, he’s in contract at Pats…

https://twitter.com/mcdonnelldan/status/1465816495301218309?s=21

If he was out of contract there would be nothing to iron out between the clubs (ie, the compensation fee Dundalk will be paying Pats). It would already be a done deal. Also the reason he mentions they won’t be an obstacle to his move to Dundalk is because Pats are not going to keep a manager that doesn’t want to be there, that would be a ridiculous decision

[oriel]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/dundalk-part-ways-vinny-perth-25585167?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

This article suggesting he is not under contract.

[2 Year Contract]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/dundalk-part-ways-vinny-perth-25585167?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

This article suggesting he is not under contract.

Yes and there was also media reporting yesterday that the move to Dundalk was off. Journalists get things wrong

[total hoofball]

As I said, he’s in contract at Pats…

https://twitter.com/mcdonnelldan/status/1465816495301218309?s=21

If he was out of contract there would be nothing to iron out between the clubs (ie, the compensation fee Dundalk will be paying Pats). It would already be a done deal. Also the reason he mentions they won’t be an obstacle to his move to Dundalk is because Pats are not going to keep a manager that doesn’t want to be there, that would be a ridiculous decision
Which contract is O'Donnell currently under with Pats? Is it his existing contract since he joined or is it this new contract Pats fans are claiming he signed in September?

Just really bizarre if O'Donnell signed a new contract in September that he completely forgot about it last week and communicated to a respected journalist to indicate that he was in advanced negotiations with the club over a new contract

[oriel]

They sure do, by 10.30 am yesterday I thought the move to DFC was dead in the water, things changed quickly from around 6pm though.

Seems Pats trying to argue that the initial contract he signed in mid 2019 also had a 2 year deal extension confirmed, hence that appears to be the 'to iron out' part.

https://twitter.com/DavidSneyd/status/1466013199065653256?s=20

This latest link now suggesting he has already left St Pats.

Would Pats fans be happy with Clancy ?

[total hoofball]

Clancy looks inevitable. The option Pats are claiming was accepted sounds pretty flaky as I suspected

https://www.the42.ie/odonnell-dundalk-st-pats-5616727-Dec2021/

[pineapple stu]

Just wondering - what's in it for O'Donnell?

OK, he was Dundalk captain for their best years, so I can understand why he might have a bit of a grá for the place. But Pat's and Dundalk seem to be going in opposite ways at the moment - Pat's with an increased budget due to Europe and Dundalk with a smaller one for the same reason (and also because their two group stage bonuses are gone). There's also a huge rebuild to be done at Dundalk.

Seems a bit of a strange move from the outside.

[Jd2793]

Just wondering - what's in it for O'Donnell?

OK, he was Dundalk captain for their best years, so I can understand why he might have a bit of a grá for the place. But Pat's and Dundalk seem to be going in opposite ways at the moment - Pat's with an increased budget due to Europe and Dundalk with a smaller one for the same reason (and also because their two group stage bonuses are gone). There's also a huge rebuild to be done at Dundalk.


Seems a bit of a strange move from the outside.


Yeah thats where I am with it aswell. Doesnt make much sense to me , has to just be a pull from him being a player up there.

[Jd2793]

Drogs are in big trouble. Clancy going and all their best players. likely to leave to other LOI clubs or UK. If they could push Markey down to Cork i'd be delighted!

[kksaints]

Just wondering - what's in it for O'Donnell?

OK, he was Dundalk captain for their best years, so I can understand why he might have a bit of a grá for the place. But Pat's and Dundalk seem to be going in opposite ways at the moment - Pat's with an increased budget due to Europe and Dundalk with a smaller one for the same reason (and also because their two group stage bonuses are gone). There's also a huge rebuild to be done at Dundalk.

Seems a bit of a strange move from the outside.

Could be some big money going into Dundalk. Daniel McDonnell keeps saying that they'll have a competitive budget, which could mean a lot. Wouldn't be surprised if it was bigger than ours and probably everyone else other than Derry and Rovers.

[Longfordian]

Clancy looks inevitable. The option Pats are claiming was accepted sounds pretty flaky as I suspected

https://www.the42.ie/odonnell-dundalk-st-pats-5616727-Dec2021/

Depends how the contract was written but unilateral options in favour of the club can absolutely be binding once they're triggered before the contract expires. But I'm sure they'll agree a figure eventually and get on with things.

[2 Year Contract]

I’d be delighted with Clancy as would most pats fans I’ve heard from

[Yossarian]

Could be some big money going into Dundalk. Daniel McDonnell keeps saying that they'll have a competitive budget, which could mean a lot. Wouldn't be surprised if it was bigger than ours and probably everyone else other than Derry and Rovers.

I think a lot of people outside Dundalk are over estimating the rebuild job required. Yes, we don’t have players signed up but that will change very quickly once O’Donnell is confirmed.
The new owners have ambition and while our budget will drop significantly from this season, you have to remember that that budget was huge, probably 80k a week. So even a big reduction in that will still leave us in a decent position.
I keep seeing references to Dundalk being a train wreck and in disarray off the field but all that mess is gone now and the new owners are starting to get things back on track. There’s plenty there to interest O’Donnell, on top of the emotional attachment. I also presume he’ll be getting a good long term deal and I see Cregg will be moving back to Ireland permanently due to a longer deal for him.

[pineapple stu]

I think a lot of people outside Dundalk are over estimating the rebuild job required. Yes, we don’t have players signed up
I mean, that's pretty much the definition of a huge rebuild job.

If Peak6 have left no debt, then yeah, 1500-1800 at a game probably gives Dundalk a mid-table budget. But compared to a club on the up, going into Europe and presumably with a bigger budget next year, it does still seem like a downwards step in purely footballing terms.

[Kiki Balboa]

Clancy and O'Donnell are two of the most impressive young managers in the league, and it is great news that they are both getting moves to much bigger clubs :)


I dont think there would be much pressure on O'Donnell at Dundalk. I think next season is already a write off in terms of challenging for the league, and the fans normally back the manager (Some didnt even want Perth to leave). Dundalk is a rebuild, but if they keep Murray and Hoban (who was meant to be signing for O'Donnell at Pats), they would still have two of the best players in the league.


Very tough for Drogheda if Clancy moves on with the other players meant to be moving too, they ran the club excellently on a shoestring budget. Collie O'Neill would probably be the best fit, home town club, and did a great job at UCD (although he does probably have out of football commitments so it is unlikely). Not many other great options (I hear no chance for Vinny Perth).


On a day like today, I do remember St. Pats trying to flog our most successful manager to the national team not so long ago....

[2 Year Contract]

Clancy and O'Donnell are two of the most impressive young managers in the league, and it is great news that they are both getting moves to much bigger clubs :)


I dont think there would be much pressure on O'Donnell at Dundalk. I think next season is already a write off in terms of challenging for the league

To follow up that first sentence with the next 2 is truly hilarious

[Kiki Balboa]

To follow up that first sentence with the next 2 is truly hilarious

I thought it was clear I was tongue-in-cheek.....(Pats aren't bigger than Drogheda :) ). There is no 'big' team in LOI.

I also like the fact that your user name is based on the phantom 2 year contract.

[Nesta99]

Kiki beat me to it, they would simply be moving to bigger clubs with greater potential. It comes with greater pressure too. O'Donnell has never been the type to shirk a challenge either. His connections to the town run a tad deeper than just the club after his years as a player and living here. Until it announced officially its never a done deal!

[sbgawa]

Rovers have apparantly signed up the full squad from this year minus Joey O Brien but adding Jack Byrne and almost new signings in Farrugia and Sean Kavanagh who missed almost the whole season.
Derry have already added 3 big signings McEleney, Duffy and Patching and apparently McClean on the way.
IF you take it that these clubs cant sign many more Dundalk will be able to offer reasonable wages to most of their team that should match the offers of Pats/Bohs/Sligo. Unless guys have options in the UK of course.

Add in a few players like Massey and Mountney who would be happy to sign back to play under SOD and that looks like a very competitive side. Could SOD persuade Forrester to move ??? Forrester spoke unbelievably highly of him on a Podcast i was listening to and he could be the new DFC McEleney.

They need Hoooooban to sign back as priority 1 2 and 3

[pineapple stu]

Kiki beat you to it - but at least had the good grace to include a "not entirely serious" smiley! :)

[Jd2793]

Rovers have apparantly signed up the full squad from this year minus Joey O Brien but adding Jack Byrne and almost new signings in Farrugia and Sean Kavanagh who missed almost the whole season.


Relying on Kavanagh is a risky policy though, the fella cant catch a break with injuries.

[sbgawa]

Relying on Kavanagh is a risky policy though, the fella cant catch a break with injuries.

Agree but hopefully the latest surgery works the cure for him, Farrugia and Cotter are the options on LWB so there is cover if he go's again.
I noticed Bradser had him playing in a number 6 roll a few times before he got injured which was interesting, he did talk about him in an interview as being a player who was smart enough to play anywhere

[pineapple stu]

Ditto Farrugia in fairness.

I think it's still fair to say you're looking at Rovers/Derry for the top two spots next season. Bohs/Pat's/Sligo/Dundalk - Dundalk are probably in the weakest position of those four; they're similar-sized clubs but Dundalk have less Euro cash for their budget (assuming Bohs saved something from this year), and of course they've to build a squad from scratch.

So they'll probably be in for the same players and should be eyeing 3rd-6th next season. Which of course doesn't factor in that the LoI is rarely that simple...

[boynemunich]

Drogs are in big trouble. Clancy going and all their best players. likely to leave to other LOI clubs or UK. If they could push Markey down to Cork i'd be delighted!

We are goosed, essentially building from scratch whilst in the Premier Division. If UCD hold onto Kerrigan and Whelan we'll be favourites to go down.

[sbgawa]

The Dundalk squad from 2021 were probably the second best team in the league but were a shambles due to Mangt changes and off Field stuff.
They almost snuck 4th place by stringing a few wins together and had a theoretical chance of 4th on the final day.

Take out Duffy (McEleny who missed a chunk of the season and Patching ditto) and if they retain most of the rest and add a few like Massey / Mountney , Darragh Burns that is a team that can challenge. Duffy is a huge loss but the core of a really god team is there

[WeAreRovers]

Rovers will be very short odds to retain the title again. All our rivals are in a mess or rebuilding and Derry still need to make a team out of their signings - don't forget Duffy, McEleney and even Patching, who did perform well in Derry, were part of a dire Dundalk side this year so zero guarantees there. Rovers will probably add a centre-half to replace Joey and ideally Collie Whelan even if it is mid-season.

[pineapple stu]

We are goosed, essentially building from scratch whilst in the Premier Division. If UCD hold onto Kerrigan and Whelan we'll be favourites to go down.
I'd say both will be gone by the summer. There's players coming through to replace them - Evan Caffrey for example - but obviously those two alone would make things very difficult for us next year.

We did at least show in the cup that we can compete (beat Longford and Shels; nearly beat Waterford and of course did beat them in the playoffs) and given how close 4th-9th was last year, then that gives us hope.

But I'd be surprised if we didn't go straight back down tbh. Fewer 10-1 defeats than last time would be nice. :)

[Kiki Balboa]

Ditto Farrugia in fairness.

I think it's still fair to say you're looking at Rovers/Derry for the top two spots next season. Bohs/Pat's/Sligo/Dundalk - Dundalk are probably in the weakest position of those four; they're similar-sized clubs but Dundalk have less Euro cash for their budget (assuming Bohs saved something from this year), and of course they've to build a squad from scratch.


So they'll probably be in for the same players and should be eyeing 3rd-6th next season. Which of course doesn't factor in that the LoI is rarely that simple...


How many players do Pats have under contract (majority of squad also out of contract)? Or Bohs who are set to lose key players? It leaves Sligo, who are in a good position (how good is Kenny), but not so long ago they were calling for Buckley to be gone, and they seemed limited too.

Dundalk arent so far behind as you think. They will also have a bigger budget than the others, despite no European football. O'Donnell would not have left Pats for nothing. There will be resources for him in Dundalk above Pats (which is the real reason why he would leave on the footballing side of things). The new owners are no slouches. The have LOI experience (Fastfix), and money (and maybe connections?) from Statsport. Going out and getting SOD is a great statement of intent.