2023 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[joey B]

Sam Bone joined Maidstone United.....

[joey B]

I see one of those Dundalk signings Cameron Elliott has been playing in the Scottish Lowland League for the last 2 seasons with East Fife. Another Pat Cregg masterclass signing on the cards? Although in fairness to Martin Rennie even he was playing 2 tiers above this lad. Bizarre stuff for a club playing European football to be looking at that poor a level for a signing

Some amazing named teams in that league....
Civil Service Strollers FC
Open Goal Broomhill
Gala Fairydean Rovers
Bo'ness United

[ToberonaTornado]

I see one of those Dundalk signings Cameron Elliott has been playing in the Scottish Lowland League for the last 2 seasons with East Fife. Another Pat Cregg masterclass signing on the cards? Although in fairness to Martin Rennie even he was playing 2 tiers above this lad. Bizarre stuff for a club playing European football to be looking at that poor a level for a signing

Hard to know really- just plucking goalscorers from obscurity to being hero's
Twigg,Towell,Hoban etc..
My own(informed) info is that Cregg wasn't involved in this signing. But keep on ploughing that trough:cool:

[total hoofball]

East Kilbride would be one of the better teams in the Lowland league but overall the standard of that league would be lower half of the First Division/intermediate, definite big step up to LOI Premier and European football O'Donnell you would hope must know something about this player

[oriel]

I see one of those Dundalk signings Cameron Elliott has been playing in the Scottish Lowland League for the last 2 seasons with East Fife. Another Pat Cregg masterclass signing on the cards? Although in fairness to Martin Rennie even he was playing 2 tiers above this lad. Bizarre stuff for a club playing European football to be looking at that poor a level for a signing

At first glance that would appear to be a risky signing, however no one had heard of Pat Hoban who joined from Mervue in 2013. Malley and Muller look solid signings, I`m 50/50 on Gibraltar lad but he has to have some pedigree.

[Jack B]

Lot of talk that Pats have signed Jake Mulraney.

[RealJohn91]

At first glance that would appear to be a risky signing, however no one had heard of Pat Hoban who joined from Mervue in 2013. Malley and Muller look solid signings, I`m 50/50 on Gibraltar lad but he has to have some pedigree.
Hoban had already scored 20 senior goals in the first division and Cup here and got a move to a championship club in England. I wouldn't be comparing that to some lad playing 5th tier in Scotland.

[nigel-harps1954]

Elliott has four goals and five assists in 53 Scottish League One appearances, and one goal in nine Scottish League Two games.
Cracking record this season in Lowland League, but it's like taking a player from junior football here.

Fair gamble for Dundalk but presumably they've had him watched and see something in him.

[ontheotherhand]

I believe there's an option to buy yeah.

Our u19s do have a few that I've seen a bit of. Cruise and Tetteh could probably use a loan move. Ferizaj will presumably be fully with the seniors now. I'm not that clued in on the youngins though to be honest. The one that looked the most promising is a sad story. Not sure if he ever made a recovery.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/top-shamrock-rovers-prospect-stood-27821328

Quick update on this, unrelated to transfer news -Happy to say Conan Noonan played in our friendly v Lucan today.

[sbgawa]

If he is fit he could well be one to watch this season. Was part of duffers under 15s when duff was at rovers and imo the best prospect we have

[oriel]

Hoban had already scored 20 senior goals in the first division and Cup here and got a move to a championship club in England. I wouldn't be comparing that to some lad playing 5th tier in Scotland.

I totally forgot about Hoban being in England the first time, Bristol City I think, still though no one other club was interested in him in 2013.

[Kiki Balboa]

Elliott has four goals and five assists in 53 Scottish League One appearances, and one goal in nine Scottish League Two games.
Cracking record this season in Lowland League, but it's like taking a player from junior football here.

Fair gamble for Dundalk but presumably they've had him watched and see something in him.

I don't think its a massive gamble per se as it is potentially a silly/pointless move. Not that there is no major drawbacks if he is a complete bust, but No matter who came in, Dundalk would still be hoping Hoban plays 30+ games in the league.

Its a strange one alright tho. From the reports from Scotland, he seemed to massively standout in the league, so you never know. Dundalk still have a wafer thin squad... Hopefully 4 loan signings also come in.

[oriel]

This is the risk though for Dundalk, especially playing one up front, if all goes well and Hoban fit for the season, he is potentially the best all round striker in the league, more so if he gets the service and he'll have local boy O'Kane on left wing and Kelly (again if he can keep fit) on the other flank, but a lot of ifs.

If Hoban gets injured, options are limited as John Martin couldn't really step up and take his chance last season from mid august when Hoban was out. Then we had to turn to McMillan, who actually scored one of the two goals that sealed 3rd spot in the end but that said goals dried up after Hoban injury and same concern will be there this season if same happens.

I'm not sure if Elliot can step up, but who knows he could be a gem of a find, but jury out for now, then again need to see him play first !

[Shearer]

Is it just me or are we in the middle of that lull period between Signings wrapping up and the season starting?

[2 Year Contract]

Is it just me or are we in the middle of that lull period between Signings wrapping up and the season starting?

There’s probably been more signings over the last few days as there has been in the previous number of weeks combined to be fair. A lot of clubs still have a good few signings to make between now and the season too looking at squads

[nigel-harps1954]

Would think we'll see a lot more signings at the end of the month and into the first week of February as the English and Scottish transfer windows close.

Irish market is very poor this year so more clubs will be looking across the water.

[Shearer]

There’s probably been more signings over the last few days as there has been in the previous number of weeks combined to be fair. A lot of clubs still have a good few signings to make between now and the season too looking at squads
Ah I'm more on about the First Division, where most sides have their business done

[total hoofball]

Lots of teams in both divisions short of 22-26 players announced. I would expect steady stream of signings over next few weeks, Premier teams mostly announcing imports and First Divisions teams mostly the dwindling free agents and trialists

[sidewayspasser]

As clubs have to pay players in preseason now, can it be that some of them are dragging out signings as long as possible to save on a few weeks worth of wages?

[culloty82]

21-year-old striker Ryan Kelliher joins Kerry FC from Killarney Celtic - another academy player, really, bar playing in the KDL last season:

1614963178185674754

[Dermobohs]

Pat Fenlon confirmed as dof

[2 Year Contract]

Pat Fenlon confirmed as dof

After listening to Keith Long on LOI Central after he got the sack, I’d say he’s pretty jealous of Devine right now after that appointment. A director of football is something Long saw as a necessity at Bohs as he was being given a huge amount of the non coaching related workload which was taking its toll on him

[D24Saint]

Two Flora players into the league in recent days. They must be in financial trouble.

[passinginterest]

I'd say most of Estonia is in a bit of financial trouble, hit very hard by Ukraine war. Inflation rate over 20% for most of last year. I'd image that makes Ireland a more attractive prospect, especially if the clubs are providing accommodation.

[nigel-harps1954]

Average wage in Estonia would be much lower than it is here. I would just imagine it's Irish clubs taking a punt on cheaper players who have international and European experience, while the Irish market is very poor this year.

[Olander]

The three Estonian players that have signed for Sligo, Pats and Rovers all have the exact same agent.

Trequartista management.

[ger121]

Is that Rovers signing Mark Poom’s son? Born in Derby.

[pineapple stu]

It is, yep.

Edit - I see wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Flora#Out_on_loan) is saying it's a loan deal, as well as Kreida to Pat's.

[2 Year Contract]

It is, yep.

Edit - I see wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Flora#Out_on_loan) is saying it's a loan deal, as well as Kreida to Pat's.

Yep, both pats and rovers have announced both as loan signings

[Jack B]

Not sure about Rovers but Pats have an option to make it permanent at the end of the season.

[joey B]

https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status/1614677164061859842

Dundalk ''effectively for sale'' in James Rodgers opinion....

[nigel-harps1954]

That's mental. Statsports are hardly short of the cash

[The Bowler]

While Statsports may have a big historical valuation, it doesn't mean they are cash rich, and tech company valuations have been smashed up the last 12 months, so very likely they are looking to conserve cash

[Yossarian]

I’m not sure how much truth is in that. From what I hear the club isn’t for sale but have had some parties get in touch about investing.
As mentioned above Statsports wouldn’t be cash rich and cash is vital to run a club so despite their company being highly valued that would only ever be realised if they sold up or floated.

[oriel]

Statsports looking for someone to come in to take a part of the investment not to sell up. The important part of the handover in Nov 2021 was to ensure someone took over from P6.

SS took 2/3 and one of the previous owners took the remaining 1/3, their job was to stabilise the club which they did, I think this is to get extra funds in to now compete at the higher end of the table so should be interesting to see what happens next.

Would appear SS do not have the available cash to pump into the club, but are willing to remain on as part owners, no idea what their new stake will be if new investor comes in.

[nigel-harps1954]

Mark Timlin announced his retirement from football aged 28.

Fantastic player but injuries plagued him the past few years.

[LOI101]

Cotter leaving Rovers for the UK

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/league-one-outfit-barnsley-swoop-for-shamrock-rovers-defender-barry-cotter-42295580.html

[2 Year Contract]

Cotter leaving Rovers for the UK

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/league-one-outfit-barnsley-swoop-for-shamrock-rovers-defender-barry-cotter-42295580.html

20k is a very low fee for him, regardless of a sell on clause. Dan McDonnell reporting on twitter that rovers turned down a higher initial bid from pats for him too

[Jd2793]

hes very poor defensively , he'll be back over here after a season or so.

[Jack B]

Poor form from Rovers really, just let us have him like.

[sbgawa]

20k is a very low fee for him, regardless of a sell on clause. Dan McDonnell reporting on twitter that rovers turned down a higher initial bid from pats for him too

Couldnt have been that much higher youd think.
Based on what i saw at Rovers he was always an accident waiting to hapen as a defender, one or two absolute howlers that led to goals so i cant see any sell ons in the future tbh.
Maybe if he was playing left side of midfield in a team that plays 442 so he would have someone behind him because he would be horribly exposed against higher standard opostion.

[Buller]

Couldnt have been that much higher youd think.
Based on what i saw at Rovers he was always an accident waiting to hapen as a defender, one or two absolute howlers that led to goals so i cant see any sell ons in the future tbh.
Maybe if he was playing left side of midfield in a team that plays 442 so he would have someone behind him because he would be horribly exposed against higher standard opostion.

He's a winger being played who was being played as a fullback. Great talent and exciting to watch.

[WeAreRovers]

Cotter is an athlete not a footballer IMO and carries a lot of baggage as we all know. Delighted to get €20,000 TBH and a sell-on clause is a bonus.

[Bunny Kelly]

He is a wing back not a full back, a LOI version of Matt Doherty

[RealJohn91]

Anybody know much about Sean McEvoy, on trial with Bohs at the moment. Saw that he had a spell at Bray and up north before.

[culloty82]

Justin Ferizaj on trial at Spurs this week:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41050787.html

[Jack B]

Cotter was great for us, but at the same time he perfectly fit what we needed at the time at right wing back, which I'd say is definitely his position. He has quite unique attributes in this league in terms of his dribbling and pace/general athleticism from that position and basically offered a completely new dimension to our play. Probably Pats' most effective player maybe outside of Forrester towards the back end of the season.

Can see why he didn't fit Rovers though as while the formation is largely the same they play a much more considered, possession-based style that isn't suited to him. Would be surprised to see him make a big success of things at a club like Barnsley where they could feasibly be back in the Championship soon, as his physical advantages will be lessened over there and he'll have more of a spotlight on the defensive side to his game. Who knows though, silver lining can be that he just comes back to us if so.;)

[Another Bohemia]

Anybody know much about Sean McEvoy, on trial with Bohs at the moment. Saw that he had a spell at Bray and up north before.

He started at RB in the friendly against Galway. He was decent enough but not sure how good that Galway team really is.

[nigel-harps1954]

Anybody know much about Sean McEvoy, on trial with Bohs at the moment. Saw that he had a spell at Bray and up north before.

Was a promising underage player at Ballinamallard but didn't really step up to senior football and looked fairly poor in the Irish League. Think he went to America a couple of years back.

[placid casual]

We got €20k for a player we were desperate to get rid of.. Nice one.
And the fact that pats didn't get him to bolster their European chances next season...Double bonus!