2023 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[Jack B]

For once most decent options around the league have already been tied down so it stands to reason that the likes of ourselves, Dundalk etc will be brining in lads from outside of the league.

[total hoofball]

I'm guessing we will see the largest amount of imports into the league by season kick-off? Anyway it's always interesting to see which unknowns turn into gems and just how many are going to be hilariously bad

[gufct]

Daryl Horgan has signed for Stevenage until end of the season.

[Dermobohs]

Strong rumours of Dylan Connolly to bohs

[2 Year Contract]

Strong rumours of Dylan Connolly to bohs

Just looked him up there as I hadn’t heard much of note from him since the move to the UK. He’s actually moved around quite a lot, scoring only 4 league goals in 119 league games across 5 clubs since leaving Dundalk in 2018.

His pace alone could still cause plenty of issues for some LOI defences though you’d imagine. Similar to Serge Atakayi at Pats, not a technically gifted player by any stretch but his pace caused a lot of trouble for some defences, his goals against Sofia, Bohs, UCD and Sligo can all be attributed to his raw pace

[Another Bohemia]

Strong rumours of Dylan Connolly to bohs

I'd take him. We need options on the wing and pace is a real game changer in this league. We also need about half a dozen defenders if we want to get through the season.

[redarmyfaction]

Mink Peeters rumoured for the Showgrounds, cue much childish hilarity in Sligo.

https://twitter.com/SportsPeteO/status/1611004663834222592?s=20&t=OXSeQnMvPIbGIX8rZiRO_Q

[Philosophizer]

I'd take him. We need options on the wing and pace is a real game changer in this league. We also need about half a dozen defenders if we want to get through the season.
Not a bad replacement for Burt. Burt is a superior footballer all day long but Connolly can cause problems even if he is one dimensional.

[nigel-harps1954]

Always thought Dylan Connolly was a bit crap. Lots of speed, then gets near the box and falls over looking for a free. Rinse/repeat.

[outspoken]

Always thought Dylan Connolly was a bit crap. Lots of speed, then gets near the box and falls over looking for a free. Rinse/repeat.

Kenny never seemed to trust him either when it came to big games or Europe, first touch was absolutely woeful, as you say lots of speed and very little end product. He does good deals on cigarettes at least ?

[Jd2793]

connolly is an awful footballer, very fast though.

[ger121]

Trevor Clarke gone to Rovers on loan. That could be a good move for both parties.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps sign striker Michael Harris, last with Colorado Rapids. Letterkenny lad who was previously with Derry.

Another two year deal as well.

https://finnharps.ie/michael-harris-signs-for-harps/

[ontheotherhand]

Trevor Clarke gone to Rovers on loan. That could be a good move for both parties.

Bad injury record at this point but that's how we like our left wing backs. Bristol fans seem to think he did ok when he got his chance but ultimately never got a good run due to injuries and falling out with Barton. If he's the same player we had before I'll be delighted. More pace and very direct which we rarely are so he brings something different to Kavanagh. And he has goals in him which we needed to replace with Lyons gone.

Still think we need one or two more but nobody is making huge moves so far. Whelan to Derry and Burt to us probably the major signings at the top.

Pats and Dundalk seem very quiet. Lonergan is probably a good one for Pats.

[joey B]

Ben Doherty to Derry from Larne with Joe Thomson and Michael Glynn going in the opposite direction….

Ex Harps and Ballinamallard striker Bj Banda joined Larne yesterday aswell…..

[Philosophizer]

Kenny never seemed to trust him either when it came to big games or Europe, first touch was absolutely woeful, as you say lots of speed and very little end product. He does good deals on cigarettes at least ?
His game certainly wouldn’t be technical enough to excel at European level, but he’s capable of doing a job in our league.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Louis Britton has been released by Yeovil after 4 appearances. Surprised he got a club so high up the English system tbh , can’t see him returning to the LOI either. Personally I don’t think he’s good enough

[outspoken]

Louis Britton has been released by Yeovil after 4 appearances. Surprised he got a club so high up the English system tbh , can’t see him returning to the LOI either. Personally I don’t think he’s good enough

He's just a big battering ram so could see why clubs lower down the English League might look at him. Yeovil might be a well enough known name but they are struggling in the conference and are a shambles off the pitch so it's not the move you might think.

[ontheotherhand]

I see Brian Murphy hung up the boots. Smashing keeper. Hard not to respect him even when he was with bohs. Himself and Mannus are probably two of the best I've seen in the league if not the best. 22 clean sheets in 66 games for Waterford is some going and very satisfyingly precise in terms of %.

[SPXcyan]

Yeahh Brian Murphy will be a big miss to the first team, however it really wasn't a surprise that he has decided to retire, he will stay on with the club in a coaching role, I believe within the academy structure.

[ger121]

I see Brian Murphy hung up the boots. Smashing keeper. Hard not to respect him even when he was with bohs. Himself and Mannus are probably two of the best I've seen in the league if not the best. 22 clean sheets in 66 games for Waterford is some going and very satisfyingly precise in terms of %.

I would have to agree with you there. 2 of the best I have seen in the league the last 20 or so years.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Even in Murphy’s later stages of his career he was fantastic for us. Having him still involved with the club is great news. Young Martin has had to wait years for his chance but can more then hold his own. We should be in safe hands next year. Having Dirk and Murphy as coaches is huge for any keeper at the club, two great guys with a lot of experience.

[CamacTerrace202]

I’m lead to believe (hopefully wrong) that Barry Cotter will not be joining St Pats

[oriel]

Seems to be a very quiet pre season for a lot of clubs, with very little movement.

Dundalk have yet to announce a single new player, only ones are contract extensions to Boyle, Leahy, and Cherrie I think, Mountney and Benson possibly due to be confirmed this week.

SOD must be looking at lower leagues in England and Scot or reserve / youth players at same looking to step up to senior football, Shepperd was a diamond find in that regard last year.

[RealJohn91]

Dylan Connolly cancelled his contract at Morecambe so the Bohs move will probably be announced in the next few days you'd have to think

[legendz]

Former Sunderland and Cork City winger signs for Kerry. Sean Kennedy has signed to play for Kerry FC in the 2023 SSE Airtricity First Division campaign.

[culloty82]

The interesting thing there is that he'd just broken into the City first XI at the end of 2021, and then took last season off, for whatever personal reasons.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Any sign at all of Pats signing anyone ?

[D24Saint]

Any sign at all of Pats signing anyone ?

There was an online rumour about Cotter today but apart from that its been extremely quiet.

[timothydec77]

City have a recent History of signing players whose careers sink like a stone.

Some of the players are now playing 7th tier in England.

An Indication of how low Irish wages are compared to those in England.

[Jd2793]

The interesting thing there is that he'd just broken into the City first XI at the end of 2021, and then took last season off, for whatever personal reasons.

healy was expecting him to stay on, came as a shock he wasnt going to. healy said something about him going down a different route to football, presumably it was work/career related. probably less of an issue with kerry being local to him and training in evenings

[Glen Of Aherlow]

There was an online rumour about Cotter today but apart from that its been extremely quiet.

Saw that on Twitter, nut not the most reliable looking account that posted it

[pateen]

Louis Britton has been released by Yeovil after 4 appearances. Surprised he got a club so high up the English system tbh , can’t see him returning to the LOI either. Personally I don’t think he’s good enough

He was good for ye though, right?
Whats happened in the meantime?

[Jd2793]

waterford suited him down to the ground, good wide players in patterson and idowu along with either junior or el neyah in the centre could do a lot of the build up and feed him the ball in the box. he played a lot further away from the box with us and was expected to do more in build up as our midfield isnt as strong. he wasnt able for it , couldnt get up and down the pitch. he wasnt helped by missing 2 sitters against cobh and waterford either they had to have hurt his confidence infront of goal. turned out to be a bad move football wise for him, we didnt suit him at all , although he was on good money so i dont think he will care much

[joey B]

Dylan Connolly confirmed at Bohs.....

[Kiki Balboa]

Bohs love signing good and average lads to long term contracts.

I will say, there is a player in Connolly, and all-in-all has had a succesful spell in Britain, playing 122 times across League 1 and 2, and the Scottish Premiership. He never suited Kennys Dundalk, as they dominated midfield and forced teams to sit back, and there was no space for him to use his pace. I always thought Connolly far suited Caulfields Cork, and Sadlier should have joined Dundalk.

[total hoofball]

Connolly was one of the most exciting young players I've seen break into the Shels first team during that 2014 First Division season, looking at his subsequent spells with Ipswich/Bray/Dundalk/rest of UK I don't feel ever reached his full potential which would have been Championship level. If Devine has a suitable system to play him in and he hasn't lost any pace you would think he will be a big player this season

[Jd2793]

connolly will only do well if he plays on a team that plays on the break. if devine/cronin have any intention on keeping possession (cronins teams do) then connolly will be ineffective imo. he'll be a great asset in the derby against rovers mind you.

[Jd2793]

Bohs love signing good and average lads to long term contracts.

I will say, there is a player in Connolly, and all-in-all has had a succesful spell in Britain, playing 122 times across League 1 and 2, and the Scottish Premiership. He never suited Kennys Dundalk, as they dominated midfield and forced teams to sit back, and there was no space for him to use his pace. I always thought Connolly far suited Caulfields Cork, and Sadlier should have joined Dundalk.


yeah you arent far wrong. sadlier was a great player, joined us a season too late imagine himself and maguire together for 16+17. defo more suited to a kenny side especially in europe. thankfully caulfield dropped him for our biggest euro game, braindead stuff.

[The Bowler]

I'm liking the squad that Drogs are putting together, as a UCD fan, I'm finding hope in a very dark window !

[Bunny Kelly]

Connolly was one of the most exciting young players I've seen break into the Shels first team during that 2014 First Division season, looking at his subsequent spells with Ipswich/Bray/Dundalk/rest of UK I don't feel ever reached his full potential which would have been Championship level. If Devine has a suitable system to play him in and he hasn't lost any pace you would think he will be a big player this season


I went to a lot of Shels games that season & was convinced he would play multiple times for Ireland but whatever happened at Ipswich he never seemed like the same player when he came back (despite relative success).

[Kiki Balboa]

He hasn't really scored much since he left Bray. If Bohs can get him scoring 6 or 7 again, that would be an excellent signing. Probably one of the more intriguing transfers of the off-season, as the difference in the potential floor and ceiling is massive.

I was laughing at Bohs earlier in the offseason for the Buckley move (which I still think is a bit silly), but having a quick look, they seem to have a plan of being able to soak pressure and quickly attack, by bringing in experience in defence and midfield, and quick attacking options up front (Williams, Atkintunde, Connolly, and even it might suit Twaderk).

[Another Bohemia]

He hasn't really scored much since he left Bray. If Bohs can get him scoring 6 or 7 again, that would be an excellent signing. Probably one of the more intriguing transfers of the off-season, as the difference in the potential floor and ceiling is massive.

I was laughing at Bohs earlier in the offseason for the Buckley move (which I still think is a bit silly), but having a quick look, they seem to have a plan of being able to soak pressure and quickly attack, by bringing in experience in defence and midfield, and quick attacking options up front (Williams, Atkintunde, Connolly, and even it might suit Twaderk).

If we want to sit back and soak up pressure we need to sign a few defenders. We have 2 left backs (I think Burke was injured when devine was brought in and may have been told he can find a new club), 2 senior cbs (If we didn't release Kerr) and one promoted from the 19s and no right backs that I've seen. If the plan is to play Bucko right back we're ****ed because he is useless there. Hopefully there's a defender or 3 lined up before the start of preseason.

[culloty82]

Kerry will happily sign players of any nationality once they have a connection to a local club:

1612766334974033921

[RealJohn91]

If we want to sit back and soak up pressure we need to sign a few defenders. We have 2 left backs (I think Burke was injured when devine was brought in and may have been told he can find a new club), 2 senior cbs (If we didn't release Kerr) and one promoted from the 19s and no right backs that I've seen. If the plan is to play Bucko right back we're ****ed because he is useless there. Hopefully there's a defender or 3 lined up before the start of preseason.
There was a list of players released posted by the club a few weeks back. Burke and Kerr weren't on it so they're probably still under contract.

[Another Bohemia]

There was a list of players released posted by the club a few weeks back. Burke and Kerr weren't on it so they're probably still under contract.


True but not sure how much faith Devine has in either of these lads since they didn't see much game time a the end of the season. Granted Burke may have been injured but afaik Kerr was available and behind Feely and Kelly in pecking order. Neither of whom set the world alight last season.

[RealJohn91]

True but not sure how much faith Devine has in either of these lads since they didn't see much game time a the end of the season. Granted Burke may have been injured but afaik Kerr was available and behind Feely and Kelly in pecking order. Neither of whom set the world alight last season.
Devine had Kerr on loan at Derry a few years ago at least

[total hoofball]

I went to a lot of Shels games that season & was convinced he would play multiple times for Ireland but whatever happened at Ipswich he never seemed like the same player when he came back (despite relative success).
Not sure the exact reason he only lasted a year at Ipswich but if you look at Adam McDonnell at Bohs now who also broke into that same Shels team aged 17 in 2014 and also moved to Ipswich then as some Shels fans suspected back then Ipswich were a not a good club to sign for early career development

[joey B]

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/dundalk-fc-owners-seeking-investors-ahead-of-the-new-season-42275342.html

Dundalk seeking new investors.......

[Longfordian]

No shortage of options these days for the queue of investors waiting to get involved in LOI. A sound investment for sure.