Shamrock rvrs, Derry city two horse race next season.

[Candystripe]

Looking at Dundalk and St Pat's it really seems like it'll be a two horse league next season. The money Derry city are pumping in ( and it's probably not over yet) it'll be between Shamrock Rovers and Derry city. I actually can't see any team who will be within 15 points of either team.

Thoughts?

[Finlay Harp]

A bold assumption.

[patsdad]

I might have had my doubts but your capture of Shane McEleney convinces me you’re right. ��

[Philosophizer]

A bold assumption indeed. Derry certainly have the potential to catch Rovers, but that's all it is at the moment - potential. Be careful counting your chickens before they hatch.
Having said all that, I for one am very excited to see how Derry progress in the coming years. I was in Derry last summer and it's such a great town. Would be great to see them push on to the next level. Interesting times ahead.

[Nesta99]

What? Have you missed the furore that Dundalk are signing up the team that finished 2nd this season and will be added to a proven goal scorer, 2 horse race....pure cheek...

[EatYerGreens]

Far too early to make this call. Derry's signings haven't set the world alight yet, and have mostly been bringing local players back home. Yes - McEleney and Duffy will be good additions. But important to remember that they were core parts of a Dundalk team that under-performed massively this season. And McEleneny Jnr is a genuinely curious signing for a team with notions on the title.

Derry need to be signing someone like Georgie Kelly to genuinely signal their intent for the coming season. Or James McClean, who is clearly on the downward curve of his career in England now.

[pineapple stu]

Would McClean return this year? He's said he'd like to join the 100 cap club - he's got 13 caps to go to get there, but I don't see him being part of the national team though if he's playing for Derry.

Maybe one for 2023 rather than next season?

Agree their signings haven't been the ones I'd necessarily sign for UCD if I had 2 billion in my pocket all of a sudden.

[Yossarian]

It’ll be interesting to see how Derrys signings get on. I think Duffy is one that will succeed without much question. If Derry get the Patching that was on loan to them then that’s a positive as he was generally mediocre when he returned to us albeit he had a few flashes of brilliance. Patrick McEleney is no doubt a quality player but his injury record is poor. If he stays fit then that would make a big difference.

[EatYerGreens]

Would McClean return this year? He's said he'd like to join the 100 cap club - he's got 13 caps to go to get there, but I don't see him being part of the national team though if he's playing for Derry.

Maybe one for 2023 rather than next season?

Agree their signings haven't been the ones I'd necessarily sign for UCD if I had 2 billion in my pocket all of a sudden.

Yeah. McClean is only 32, so has some mileage left in him at a League 1 salary. Which will always be higher than anything Derry would pay, as it's not like they have the capacity to be able to sell many more seats off the back of a 'marquee' signing. He's also missed the boat on playing for Celtic IMO, which is something he presumably would have loved to have done.

He always said he wanted to see out his career at Derry, so realistically he'd probably see that as joining them in his mid to late 30s. It all depends on whether or not Wigan want to keep him really, as he's only on a one year contract there. If they don't, it's hard to see anyone better than Wigan coming in for him. He brings a bit of baggage too, which woiud probably put a few clubs off.

[lofty9]

Far too early to make this call. Derry's signings haven't set the world alight yet, and have mostly been bringing local players back home. Yes - McEleney and Duffy will be good additions. But important to remember that they were core parts of a Dundalk team that under-performed massively this season. And McEleneny Jnr is a genuinely curious signing for a team with notions on the title.

Derry need to be signing someone like Georgie Kelly to genuinely signal their intent for the coming season. Or James McClean, who is clearly on the downward curve of his career in England now.

McGonigle will prove to be a better signing than Kelly IMO. A full pre season with us and I will have him as top league scorer. Kelly will likely take an offer in Britain. I have no problem with Big Shane coming back, good back up, good lad and now experienced and knows what is expected of him now. We've a strong local identity again. If we did ever sign Kelly, it's just another player we've developed alongside Shane, Fats, and Duffy to return. So outisde of Patching who did set the Brandywell alight on his loan, we haven't exactly pushed the boat out on signing players from left field. It looks like a much healthier recruitment policy than the recent past.

[lofty9]

Yeah. McClean is only 32, so has some mileage left in him at a League 1 salary. Which will always be higher than anything Derry would pay, as it's not like they have the capacity to be able to sell many more seats off the back of a 'marquee' signing. He's also missed the boat on playing for Celtic IMO, which is something he presumably would have loved to have done.

He always said he wanted to see out his career at Derry, so realistically he'd probably see that as joining them in his mid to late 30s. It all depends on whether or not Wigan want to keep him really, as he's only on a one year contract there. If they don't, it's hard to see anyone better than Wigan coming in for him. He brings a bit of baggage too, which woiud probably put a few clubs off.

I'd say fitness is a huge issue in LOI players not being selected for the international team. There's clearly a massive jump. If it was anyone other than James to return to LOI i'd say their international days would be numbered. but his fitness is something else. Pie in the sky anyhow, it'll be at least July 23 before he returns. He'll try get Wigan to the Championship and if he does, he'll definitely be there for another year and a better salary.

[brendy_éire]

Way too early to be calling that, I think.

There was a 24 point gap between the sides this season. I haven't seen enough change to overcome that. I think 2022 will be another comfortable league title for Shams.

Disregarding the likes of Bohs, Sligo and Dundalk (something which we can't really do), second place for ourselves could be achievable. We were eight points behind Pats this year, so not a mountain to climb there.

I think some City fans are losing the run of themselves a wee bit. We should be an improved side next year, but we won't have anywhere near the depth Shams will. A quick glance at their bench for recent games, they were bringing on the likes of Greene, Burke, Gary O'Neill, Gaffney, Farrugia; lads who would walk onto another any other side in the country. We'll likely have a bench of younger players, plus the likes of Shane McEleney.

McClean shouldn't come back to us at this stage. He's making decent money in England still, and he'll want to keep playing for the national side. He'll still be picked for the Nations League games next year, but would he still be in the squad come the Euro Qualifiers in 2023? If not, that could be the time to come back.

[Nesta99]

Kelly had a decent season undoubtedly but he wont replicate this seasons form year after year. He will be more like Conor Sammon especially if he goes to England where he will be lucky to break 10 goals a season. If he is deployed as foil(sp?) for another attacker, for hold up play, lay offs etc then he can still be very effective but Im not convinced that he is a scorer/finisher mainly as he is too brittle if his confidence drops at all. That said this season has earned him the chance to prove he is a consistent and reliable goal scorer wherever.

[pineapple stu]

Bit harsh on Kelly I think. He scored goals most places he's been. 37 in three First Division seasons at UCD - a goal every other game. Then at Dundalk, 8 goals in 2019 was a decent return considering he was usually a sub - in fact, in terms of minutes per goal, it was a better stat than this season (93 v 122) Last year wasn't great of course, but in general I think his career has been steadily upwards. That's not to say he'll score double figures in the Championship next season of course, or ever - a look at Hoban, McMillan, Burke, Maguire, Towell, etc will give warnings of that.

[sbgawa]

15 goals from play (+ 6 penos total 21) compared to 11 for Jonny Kenny or 10 for Mark Doyle (who also scored 3 penos for a 13 total) either of whom i would rate ahead of Kelly , not to mention 15 for Danny Mandroiu although he is more of a midfielder.
Kelly needs to cash in on this "top LOI goal scorer" with a 2 or 3 year contract somewhere and good luck to him but i think he will struggle to back it up next season.

I actually hope Derry do sign him tbh but i will be prepared to have this thrown back at me next season :)

[pineapple stu]

Look at it another way - without his goals Bohs would have been a side fighting relegation this season, and 21 league goals for relegation battlers is decent going :p

Plus 1 in the Cup and 4 in Europe too.

[sbgawa]

Look at it another way - without his goals Bohs would have been a side fighting relegation this season, and 21 league goals for relegation battlers is decent going :p

Plus 1 in the Cup and 4 in Europe too.

Only because of their bad start,
007 is sure to do it next year

[Nesta99]

The manner in which those cameo goals at Dundalk were scored is important in terms of how I think things could pan out, the ball practically needed to be on the line and then bounce off him in to goal (at least twice headed sitters came off a shoulder and a Rovers fan claimed one off the shadow of a boot). For his size and height he lacked a physicality though that can be coached to be used. He isnt very mobile, through no lack of effort, lacks pace which again is grand if you have players around that make up for that, can and will play to his strengths - ball in to feet, ball in from wide giving him a chance to crash through and maybe get a head on it, using him to play in runners, set pieces especially as a decoy. Like anything I could be totally wrong but I have seen much better similar young players like him that struggled in the end, didnt progress. Game time will always help and he has been getting that over the last 2 seasons, one ropey, one good. Unless he is 1st choice at Derry and plays most games he stats will fall off a cliff which would be almost inevitable as I think Derry will continue to look for a higher calibre of player - he definitely isnt clinical enough for Europe, but then is anyone in the league really.

Should add thoughts on the OP and not one player. Much already said, Duffy will add to any squad in a big way but for some reason was more hopeful of Patching staying at Oriel as part of a rebuild but that was always dependent on what would happen with budgets etc. He could have filled the McEleney gap and a couple of others and if he stays in LoI for a while will imo become one of the list of greats. McEleney its going to be about keeping him fit. One thing that would have been interesting is whether the pitch was contributing to injuries, if he gets an injury free run then the medical/s&c side of things would warrant looking at or at Derry getting a lot of plaudits. I think the squad was looking better very quickly under Higgins and players seem to want to have him as their coach. That's much broader than not wanting to continue playing for a coach eg at Dundalk. Whether Derry can really challenge for the 2022 league title - I think so but it would be a serious achievement and could cause some changes at Rovers who are in the jump seat. Dundalk's first tilt at the title under Kenny fell short but not by a whole lot and it was experience in closing out the latter head to head with St Pats that was the difference really. But there will be experienced league and cup winners in the Derry squad so I dont think it will take that long to gel.

If the Brandywell can become the real old fortress it was during Derry Mk I days, were teams were almost done before KO (from just warming up up the hill ;)), and keep Rovers close in Tallaght, show consistency against lesser sides which I think Rovers have been sloppy on but nobody was there to capitalise, then yeah its possible. Rovers knowing that they are in a close title race could raise their game as tbh they didnt have to be particularly good to win the last couple of years. Derry should sign up players and send them on loan to Bohs and get that Dublin hoodoo going again... As every year how things go in Europe can sway a league which obviously means that Dundalk and Bohs will nip in to contention with Sligo after they are knocked out in round 1.

[DCWA]

At the minute we are way off Rovers. I expect we have to be favourites for second alright.

Also nonplussed on possible signing of Kelly and believe we have the best finisher in the league in McGonigle anyway.

No doubt a few more additions to come for us, I am not sure who we could attract in Ireland that we would really want so if we really want to step up the level at the club we might have to look further afield. That itself might be for some time down the line.

Improve, get closer to the top and I’ll be happy for next season. We will be winning leagues on due course no doubt about that.

[Neish]

Don't see Derry properly competing with Shamrock Rovers next season but they will be up near the top all season long

[sbgawa]

My take on 2022 is that it is going to be super competitive.

Dundalk:
Appear to have a competitive budget and assuming SOD can persuade the core of the team to stay will be up there.

Sligo:
Bucko will strengthen and if they can avoid the euro hangover they had should be up there again.
St Pats:
If pats are smart the compo dundalk agree will be an understanding that dundalk don't sign any pats players.
On that basis pats will be up there again.

Shels:
Harder to call but you'd imagine persuading duffer to risk his reputation meant a decent budget. That and his pulling power for younger players should make them mid table at least.
Bohs:
007 will be trying to keep as many as possible for next season but if rumours of breslin, Cornwall, Kelly, as well as Tierney are correct it's an uphill battle. Should be at least mid table. The draw for younger players coming back from England to go to Shels for full time football under Duffer will be a problem for bohs as they have done well here in the past.

Derry:
Adding patching , mcl , Duffy to a team that finished 4th should ensure an upwards move, McLean or other signings in dec/Jan will decide if its 2nd or 3rd or challenging for the title.

Harps:
Hard to know with Harps I'd say ucd coming up and drogs being like stripped of some of their better players should mean Harps can target mid table and maybe higher.

Ucd:
Expect Ucd to struggle as there is a big gap from 1st to Premier and will likely lose a few in July if not before....competitive but destined to be 9th or 10th I think.
Drogs:
Lot will depend on signings and keeping players but given the budgets elsewhere I think next season is going to be very tough for them.

Almost forgot about Rovers :
Same squad as last season minus joey plus jack Byrne...
It was a poor enough league and Rovers need to be better next year given other clubs seem to be stepping up.
If we lose Danny in Jan I expect next season to be much closer. Rovers should win the league but we need to be a lot more convincing.

[nigel-harps1954]

Far too early to call where anyone will be at next season. Good business by Bohs and Rovers to get the bulk of their squads done early.

Shels will be strong, and hard to beat based off early signings.

Other than that, who knows.

[mrtndvn]

Far too early to call where anyone will be at next season. Good business by Bohs and Rovers to get the bulk of their squads done early.

Shels will be strong, and hard to beat based off early signings.

Other than that, who knows.

Lets call a spade a spade, Rovers have signed very well and there's no doubt they will be up challenging Derry next year.

[ToberonaTornado]

Calm the hell down fella.

https://foot.ie/threads/271571-Will-Derry-city-win-the-league-next-season

Wait boy .. . WAIT!

[Neish]

Rovers have signed very well and there's no doubt they will be up challenging Derry next year.

Its a bit early to be opening the xmas sherry is it not?

[oriel]

I wouldn't be so confident that Derry will finish 2nd next season as seems to be a lot of their fans expectations. They have recruited very well, Duffy for one will add a missing spark to their attack and when on form he is unstoppable.

Patching too been there before and will fit in easy, McEleney missed a huge amount of games for Dundalk in both spells though and will need to keep a lot more fit. Overall there will be a lot of new faces, and it will take time, I just think it will be 2023 before they really challenge.

Rovers on the other hand are very settled, Jack B added to the mix will strengthen them but Towell needs to do a lot better, seemed to go almost unnoticed in a lot of games last year and he's 3 more years left on his contract.

The sides who will take up 2nd to 5th will be of most interest, I think thats really open and bodes very well for a really competitive league next season with hopefully an increased quality standard too.

[Jd2793]

I

Patching too been there before and will fit in easy, McEleney missed a huge amount of games for Dundalk in both spells though and will need to keep a lot more fit. Overall there will be a lot of new faces, and it will take time, I just think it will be 2023 before they really challenge.

Rovers on the other hand are very settled, Jack B added to the mix will strengthen them but Towell needs to do a lot better, seemed to go almost unnoticed in a lot of games last year and he's 3 more years left on his contract.




Agree, Mceleneys fitness leaves a lot to be desired dont think hes someone to be relied upon for Derry. Duffy was the real big signing. Rovers are stuck with a massive deal for Towell , Byrne is miles ahead of him. They are lucky DD is on board because being stuck with a contract like that is something that normally leaves clubs in no-mans land

[DCSIL]

If this is going to be who’s going to challenge for the league in 2022 instead of Derry fans being optimistic and catching the Fan who talks more about Derry on here than their own club…

Rovers have got Jack Byrne back. If they were to find the likes of a Hoban give them the league already. Free up the wages of some of their other misfiring strikers for a Joey O’ Brien replacement.

Derry have made the 3 big signings now quietly building the rest of the team. Mcgongigle looks to be a steal from Crusaders.

I’d expect Sligo to be up there again, they work hard for each other and will pick out some gems from nowhere.

Bohs and Pats hard to know what either are doing

Rest depends on signings. Drogheda signed well on coming up, Longford were limited by budget. Shels might surprise us all.

[WeAreRovers]

Towell and Jack are not competing for a place, the Richie Towell of 2021/22 is a very different player with a very different role than the player who left Dundalk. These days Towell sits beside Gary O'Neill in central midfield as a deep-lying playmaker and midfield anchor. Took him a while to get going but he really came into his own in the run-in and with a rest and then a full pre-season he'll be even better next season.

Jack will play further forward alongside a combination of Watts/Mandriou/Burke etc as an attacking midfielder, completely different animal to Richie Towell.

Also contrary to popular misconception Dermot Desmond does not bankroll losses or fund transfers and wages at Rovers, he invested in the academy, full stop. For those who can't sleep at night worrying about Rovers finances, player sales including the Scales and ongoing Bazunu cash alone almost equals what DD invested. That's our business model not sugar daddy funding.

[Calcio Jack]

Towell and Jack are not competing for a place, the Richie Towell of 2021/22 is a very different player with a very different role than the player who left Dundalk. These days Towell sits beside Gary O'Neill in central midfield as a deep-lying playmaker and midfield anchor. Took him a while to get going but he really came into his own in the run-in and with a rest and then a full pre-season he'll be even better next season.

Jack will play further forward alongside a combination of Watts/Mandriou/Burke etc as an attacking midfielder, completely different animal to Richie Towell.

Also contrary to popular misconception Dermot Desmond does not bankroll losses or fund transfers and wages at Rovers, he invested in the academy, full stop. For those who can't sleep at night worrying about Rovers finances, player sales including the Scales and ongoing Bazunu cash alone almost equals what DD invested. That's our business model not sugar daddy funding.

What you say is correct but for context important to note that DD is owed €2m and if not repaid in a few years then 50% ownership of the club goes to him…. Not saying that the loan won’t be repaid but there’s still a huge amount outstanding to DD…. And whilst the members almost unanimously voted for that deal and it’s been very beneficial so far, there is the potential for DD to own at least half the club but also have control at board level in a few years…. So personally that still concerns me

[Nesta99]

What you say is correct but for context important to note that DD is owed €2m and if not repaid in a few years then 50% ownership of the club goes to him…. Not saying that the loan won’t be repaid but there’s still a huge amount outstanding to DD…. And whilst the members almost unanimously voted for that deal and it’s been very beneficial so far, there is the potential for DD to own at least half the club but also have control at board level in a few years…. So personally that still concerns me

Honest and transparent so thanks for that CJ. This arrangement was hotly disputed at the time and being prior to the most of the income on player sales was a gamble but it looks to have paid off. I doubt Rovers wouldnt have paid off the 2mil even if it meant dipping in to a loan market but at the time there was a good bit of sure it'll never get to that (giving over 50% ownership) but its collateral for a reason. Its gas how inter company and director type loans get presented as investment in one moment and then loans down the line. It would make sense to keep DD involved in some capacity when this agreement expires - fans owned clubs are great in principle, can pontificate loudly about it but tough to deliver success, but hybrid models can give the best of both worlds.

[WeAreRovers]

What you say is correct but for context important to note that DD is owed €2m and if not repaid in a few years then 50% ownership of the club goes to him…. Not saying that the loan won’t be repaid but there’s still a huge amount outstanding to DD…. And whilst the members almost unanimously voted for that deal and it’s been very beneficial so far, there is the potential for DD to own at least half the club but also have control at board level in a few years…. So personally that still concerns me

I have friends who have or had similar concerns but personally I'm not worried, DD doesn't want 50% of SRFC, he wants the investment to be worth his while from a footballing point of view - which is why he invested in the first place. That said you or anyone else are perfectly entitled to doubt his bona fides re his interest in Rovers but I'm also happy to have DD nominees on the board as it brings a new level of corporate expertise and professionalism to a LOI club.

There is definitely an argument to be made that with money so cheap at the moment we could or should borrow the €2m to pay off DD but it's not one I currently agree with and anyway that debate is internal to SRFC.

[WeAreRovers]

The 'loan' element rather than pure investment is actually there as comfort for the members club ie as a mechanism to buy back the stake from DD. Also it wouldn't be 50% of the club but again that's our business.

[DCWA]

Lads relax

Derry will obviously finish 2nd (we were actually a clear second since Higgins came in last year) then we will win the league for about 50 years solid to the extent that the LOI becomes a pointless exercise and Rovers, Dundalk etc are getting crowds of about 180 because its all a waste of time.

We just need to stop signing players from within Ireland (they are all sh|t) and build properly.

[Longfordian]

Until the other clubs decide that you need to go back to the Irish League and refuse to play you.

[DCWA]

Until the other clubs decide that you need to go back to the Irish League and refuse to play you.

Don’t be so partitionist in your mindset boss man we are part of the furniture now, we will win all the leagues, their will be a united Ireland then we will win Europa league and possibly look to join the European Super League I suppose.

[Longfordian]

Licences have been granted based on less reasonable assumptions I suppose.
.

[Yossarian]

We just need to stop signing players from within Ireland (they are all sh|t) and build properly.

Players from outside Ireland you say? Well look no further, we have contacts with some excellent overseas players for you.

[DCSIL]

Until the other clubs decide that you need to go back to the Irish League and refuse to play you.

The Dubs who make up most of your Town influencing your attitude of "We hate the Brits or anyone we think is a Brit but we will buy their products and consume their entertainment"

[DCWA]

You’re right DCSIL free state snakes no better than the french who fought for the nazis them
lot but us Derry men will show them on the soccer field !!

[Nesta99]

I have friends who have or had similar concerns but personally I'm not worried, DD doesn't want 50% of SRFC, he wants the investment to be worth his while from a footballing point of view - which is why he invested in the first place. That said you or anyone else are perfectly entitled to doubt his bona fides re his interest in Rovers but I'm also happy to have DD nominees on the board as it brings a new level of corporate expertise and professionalism to a LOI club.

There is definitely an argument to be made that with money so cheap at the moment we could or should borrow the €2m to pay off DD but it's not one I currently agree with and anyway that debate is internal to SRFC.

Hmmmm now where have I heard that before.............have analytics ever been mentioned?

[Nesta99]

You’re right DCSIL free state snakes no better than the french who fought for the nazis them
lot but us Derry men will show them on the soccer field !!

You could then have an annual parade to celebrate! What dates are the walls available?

[Longfordian]

The Dubs who make up most of your Town influencing your attitude of "We hate the Brits or anyone we think is a Brit but we will buy their products and consume their entertainment"

I don't hate Brits or Derry people or Derry City at all actually.I'm just bored while I wait to see what underwhelming assortment of Dubs we bring in next so I can give out about them.

[DCSIL]

I don't hate Brits or Derry people or Derry City at all actually.I'm just bored while I wait to see what underwhelming assortment of Dubs we bring in next so I can give out about them.

We want Locals.

[Longfordian]

Not unless they're good locals. We really want exotic sounding foreigners that had trials with Middlesbrough or Huddersfield.

[sbgawa]

What you say is correct but for context important to note that DD is owed €2m and if not repaid in a few years then 50% ownership of the club goes to him…. Not saying that the loan won’t be repaid but there’s still a huge amount outstanding to DD…. And whilst the members almost unanimously voted for that deal and it’s been very beneficial so far, there is the potential for DD to own at least half the club but also have control at board level in a few years…. So personally that still concerns me

Sorry but that is absolute nonsense.
He bought 25% of the club for 2 million, he is a shareholder and is owed precisely Zero by the club ......
I would be happy if buying him out was an option so if Gavin Bazunu was sold or we get a bucket of Euro group stage money we could buy back 25% of the club for the members but that is not an option we have.
No idea where this is coming from

[Calcio Jack]

The 'loan' element rather than pure investment is actually there as comfort for the members club ie as a mechanism to buy back the stake from DD. Also it wouldn't be 50% of the club but again that's our business.

I’m not doubting DDs bone fides …. He is what he is ; a successful tycoon and tax exile who was a supporter of CJH and recently came out with a glowing tribute to Sean Fitzpatrick ; what ‘amused’ me at the time of his investment was his effort at persuading the Rovers members that they shouldn’t regard him as an aggressive investor but a benevolent ‘uncle’- that made me laugh and also saddened me that (a) he took all of us to be that naive and (b) turns out he was right about most…. Bottom line is if we don’t pay him back he owns 50% of Rovers and so far not a penny has been paid back… personally I’d like to us start to pay down the debt soon but understand that over lat 18 months that wasn’t possible but I’ll start to worry if we haven’t paid off at €500k by this time next year

[sbgawa]

I’m not doubting DDs bone fides …. He is what he is ; a successful tycoon and tax exile who was a supporter of CJH and recently came out with a glowing tribute to Sean Fitzpatrick ; what ‘amused’ me at the time of his investment was his effort at persuading the Rovers members that they shouldn’t regard him as an aggressive investor but a benevolent ‘uncle’- that made me laugh and also saddened me that (a) he took all of us to be that naive and (b) turns out he was right about most…. Bottom line is if we don’t pay him back he owns 50% of Rovers and so far not a penny has been paid back… personally I’d like to us start to pay down the debt soon but understand that over lat 18 months that wasn’t possible but I’ll start to worry if we haven’t paid off at €500k by this time next year

Calcio, i suggest you ask someone on the board to explain the transaction to you.
He bought 25% of the club for 2m....no loan just a purchase and no option for us to pay it back.

[Calcio Jack]

Calcio, i suggest you ask someone on the board to explain the transaction to you.
He bought 25% of the club for 2m....no loan just a purchase and no option for us to pay it back.

Correction he did purchase 25% of the club not 50%. and technically correct it’s not a loan but the option for the club to buy back his 25% shareholding is correct

[WeAreRovers]

I’m not doubting DDs bone fides …. He is what he is ; a successful tycoon and tax exile who was a supporter of CJH and recently came out with a glowing tribute to Sean Fitzpatrick ; what ‘amused’ me at the time of his investment was his effort at persuading the Rovers members that they shouldn’t regard him as an aggressive investor but a benevolent ‘uncle’- that made me laugh and also saddened me that (a) he took all of us to be that naive and (b) turns out he was right about most…. Bottom line is if we don’t pay him back he owns 50% of Rovers and so far not a penny has been paid back… personally I’d like to us start to pay down the debt soon but understand that over lat 18 months that wasn’t possible but I’ll start to worry if we haven’t paid off at €500k by this time next year

As Sbgwa says that is untrue. I've hinted as much above too but it's not for outsiders to have that detail. You have an axe to grind about DD and obviously don't like him but bottom line is he is a 25% shareholder in the club which he bought for €2m approx. Nothing shady or out of the norm about that - as the massive vote in favour showed.