2023 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[Bohtastic]

I really thought that some defenders would be in by now after Fenlon's arrival. What is it, three weeks he's been in? Thought he might have some Irish League contacts from his time with Linfield. But transfer window came and went... Maybe there are free agents knocking about, but looking more like the kids will have to step up.

[RealJohn91]

I really thought that some defenders would be in by now after Fenlon's arrival. What is it, three weeks he's been in? Thought he might have some Irish League contacts from his time with Linfield. But transfer window came and went... Maybe there are free agents knocking about, but looking more like the kids will have to step up.
The window doesn't close here for a few more weeks. Can still makes signings from the UK till then. Will probably be only young lads on loan though.

[sulywaterfordfc]

I really thought that some defenders would be in by now after Fenlon's arrival. What is it, three weeks he's been in? Thought he might have some Irish League contacts from his time with Linfield. But transfer window came and went... Maybe there are free agents knocking about, but looking more like the kids will have to step up.

Irish League window may have closed but LOI clubs can still buy/loan players from the Irish league until February 22nd - Open to correction. Pretty sure that’s when the LOI window closes for in contract players.

[outspoken]

Joe Power signs for Bray https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/status/1622677321151926273

[ontheotherhand]

Ollie O'Neill to Derry on loan from Fulham. That's an interesting one. Could be very useful if he's ready for mens football. 7 goals, 6 assists in 12 games in the PL2 ain't bad for a winger.

[Bunny Kelly]

Ollie O'Neill to Derry on loan from Fulham. That's an interesting one. Could be very useful if he's ready for mens football. 7 goals, 6 assists in 12 games in the PL2 ain't bad for a winger.


Anyone else think Derry are doing the classic LOI thing teams with money do & that is having a massively bloated squad? Great to have depth but hard to keep everyone happy, the old Fergie maxim of 2 players per position is long gone with most the top teams

[Jd2793]

Anyone else think Derry are doing the classic LOI thing teams with money do & that is having a massively bloated squad? Great to have depth but hard to keep everyone happy, the old Fergie maxim of 2 players per position is long gone with most the top teams

suppose they are thinking/hoping to get as far as possible in europe, youll need bodies to challenge on both fronts.

[Bunny Kelly]

suppose they are thinking/hoping to get as far as possible in europe, youll need bodies to challenge on both fronts.

In isolation yes more players is better but from a squad management point of view it is dangerous because players who aren't playing every week can become disgruntled & unmotivated. Maybe it will work out fine for them but I wonder as a relatively inexperienced manager will it be an extra headache that Higgins doesn't need

[yurt]

I'd be really excited by the O'Neill signing if I was a Derry man.

As an LOI fan it's exciting too as the standard of prospects which are being sent here are slowly increasing season on season.

In particular I think it makes sense for UK based underage internationals. Playing in the LOI instead of the EPL2 should only help their claim in any Irish squads.

[culloty82]

1623041799051771904

He seems to have started every game for Cork's U19s last year, until that run abruptly stops in May - presumably suffered an injury then?

[total hoofball]

In isolation yes more players is better but from a squad management point of view it is dangerous because players who aren't playing every week can become disgruntled & unmotivated. Maybe it will work out fine for them but I wonder as a relatively inexperienced manager will it be an extra headache that Higgins doesn't need
I make it a squad of 23 they have so far I would consider that a minimum for a team expected to play up to 50 games, challenge for a title and cup/European runs playing on an artificial home pitch

[Bunny Kelly]

I make it a squad of 23 they have so far I would consider that a minimum for a team expected to play up to 50 games, challenge for a title and cup/European runs playing on an artificial home pitch


23 Senior pros which leaves you with a few sitting in the stands every week not happy. Rovers have had a got balance with talented young lads at the back end of the squad who won't be as demanding, Kenny never carried that big a squad at Dundalk either, it tended to be a core 17/18. The last squad that probably had this much 'depth' was Caulfield's Cork & while you may not have as many right backs as he did I'd be concerned you similarly won't be able to get the best out of your players.

[joey B]

Kian Leavy on loan to Shels from Reading until June..

[ontheotherhand]

Don't see any issues for Derry myself. I hope they pop up but they needed wide attackers and defensive midfielders. They missed Duffy badly and looked a bit fragile between midfield and defense until Diallo arrived. Connolly sorts some of that as well.

Lots of creativity but not enough bite to them for parts of last year I thought albeit only from games against us and highlights. O'Reilly gives them more if that and the two wingers will give them options they didn't have last year to backup Duffy. Their ability to challenge just got stronger for me.

Home "turf" would be more concerning than their squad at this point.

[Shinkicker]

Bohs squad on twitter (sorry the link wouldn't copy) 19 players. 2 keepers, 3 defenders, 3 attacker and the rest midfielders and wingers. I think it's light. Very short on defenders and attackers and not long to get it sorted.

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs squad on twitter (sorry the link wouldn't copy) 19 players. 2 keepers, 3 defenders, 3 attacker and the rest midfielders and wingers. I think it's light. Very short on defenders and attackers and not long to get it sorted.

How do you define attackers? I'd always include wingers as attacking options myself. I think the squad is only lacking in defenders currently. From the preseason games I've seen we'll play 3 up front with a decent amount of options from McDaid, Connolly, Twardek, Coote, Williams, Afolabi, Akintinde & Okosun. Could argue we need another out and out striker but there is a need for them all through the league.

Also they have at least 4 defenders in Kirk, Burke, Horton and Byrne ;)

[Jack B]

I quite like the balance of Bohs' squad in midfield and attack and think for the most part they should really be expected to put up a good challenge for top 4, but that defence really is an issue. Obviously they're going to be bringing players in but we're at that point in the window where you'd expect for most sides it'll just be loans in from the UK and there's always an element of risk and the unknown with those kind of deals, even more so than others a lot of the time. It's an awkward spot to be in so close to the start of the season.

[Bunny Kelly]

Duffer at the league launch saying the going rate for a senior pro in top half of Prem is 1200-1400, would that be correct? Seems higher than I'd have expected but hard to know with these things

[Burnsie]

Duffer at the league launch saying the going rate for a senior pro in top half of Prem is 1200-1400, would that be correct? Seems higher than I'd have expected but hard to know with these things

are you sure he didn't say top tenth of the Prem?

[2 Year Contract]

Duffer at the league launch saying the going rate for a senior pro in top half of Prem is 1200-1400, would that be correct? Seems higher than I'd have expected but hard to know with these things

I wouldn’t take much heed of what he says. He’s also quoted as saying his side were the most improved over the course of last season from game 1 (3-0 loss to pats) to game 36 (4-0 loss to pats), while winning 2 of their final 15 league and cup games against premier opposition, compared to 5 wins in their first 15. Little old Damien wouldn't be fond of letting the truth get in the way of a good spoof

[nigel-harps1954]

Duffer at the league launch saying the going rate for a senior pro in top half of Prem is 1200-1400, would that be correct? Seems higher than I'd have expected but hard to know with these things

Possibly in top two or three, but I'd highly doubt beyond that.

[Bunny Kelly]

I wouldn’t take much heed of what he says. He’s also quoted as saying his side were the most improved over the course of last season from game 1 (3-0 loss to pats) to game 36 (4-0 loss to pats), while winning 2 of their final 15 league and cup games against premier opposition, compared to 5 wins in their first 15. Little old Damien wouldn't be fond of letting the truth get in the way of a good spoof


They are all capable of being loose with the truth, it was just strange to hear someone throw out actual numbers. The average league 2 salary is around £1500 with some much higher so Duffer's numbers do seem somewhat feasible

[2 Year Contract]

They are all capable of being loose with the truth, it was just strange to hear someone throw out actual numbers. The average league 2 salary is around £1500 with some much higher so Duffer's numbers do seem somewhat feasible

League Two wages are higher than most LOI wages. I recently listened to a podcast which Jack Byrne was on and during it he stated that 1k a week would be considered ‘a good wage’ for an experienced LOI player at one of the top 2 or 3 clubs. Obviously the very top players in the league like himself would actually be on a bit more than that again but to say that 1200 to 1400 a week is the going rate for the top 5 clubs is way wide of the mark

[sbgawa]

As Nigel says top 3 at best
Id say that is probably what he meant ...as in the cost of players who would make a difference for him as opposed to the ones he can now afford.
There isnt a chance the average senior pro is on 1200+ per week.
Even a cursory glance at the accounts of any club would say that

[Bunny Kelly]

As Nigel says top 3 at best
Id say that is probably what he meant ...as in the cost of players who would make a difference for him as opposed to the ones he can now afford.
There isnt a chance the average senior pro is on 1200+ per week.
Even a cursory glance at the accounts of any club would say that


What a team can afford & what they will spend is very rarely the same thing

[Another Bohemia]

What a team can afford & what they will spend is very rarely the same thing

Sure but this is clearly a case of Duff trying to temper expectations for the upcoming season. Shels probably have fans and possibly board members or other stakeholders who think they should qualify for Europe this season but I think that's probably unrealistic considering they haven't improved their attacking options (that I can see) and didn't exactly score freely last year. Plenty of managers do it, but Duff seems to be exaggerating wages to drive home the point.

[DCWA]

He would be about right for some players I would think. Adam O’Reilly was offered £1100 a week by a club in Scotland and all of our clubs looking for him were able to beat that. He is only one example and would possibly be at higher end of pay scale (although definitely not the highest) but with the competition for his signature you can assume he is probably on a decent bit more than this particular Scottish offer.

[Shinkicker]

How do you define attackers? I'd always include wingers as attacking options myself. I think the squad is only lacking in defenders currently. From the preseason games I've seen we'll play 3 up front with a decent amount of options from McDaid, Connolly, Twardek, Coote, Williams, Afolabi, Akintinde & Okosun. Could argue we need another out and out striker but there is a need for them all through the league.

Also they have at least 4 defenders in Kirk, Burke, Horton and Byrne ;)
As I said it was from a list on twitter which would not copy. Yes wingers are an attacking option but mostly used to feed attacker who does the scoring. High scoring wingers don't normally exist.
Do you really think a squad of 19 will be enough? I don't think so, and if one of the front 3 gets injured do you play 2 up top or just fill the gap with a someone who is not a natural attacker. By the way I wasn't criticing the quality it was purely the strength in depth from a small squad. I still believe Bohs need 4 more proven players to complete the squad.

[Mr A]

Some of the disparity in figures may be from gross v net. Club cares about overall cost, player cares about what they get in their hand. That said even with that some of the quoted figures seem very high.

[Another Bohemia]

As I said it was from a list on twitter which would not copy. Yes wingers are an attacking option but mostly used to feed attacker who does the scoring. High scoring wingers don't normally exist.
Do you really think a squad of 19 will be enough? I don't think so, and if one of the front 3 gets injured do you play 2 up top or just fill the gap with a someone who is not a natural attacker. By the way I wasn't criticing the quality it was purely the strength in depth from a small squad. I still believe Bohs need 4 more proven players to complete the squad.

So I think Bohs need to add at least 2 experienced defenders. Strikers, midfielders, attackers and wingers I think they are covered well. Just as a striker option there is Afolabi, Williams and Okosun. Sure they are all a bit unknown to a degree but they all offer something different. I actually think if Okosun gets a run he could be the best of the lot. If worst came to worst and all 3 of them were injured/unavailable Akintunde or McDaid would be deployed there. First front 3 of the season I expect to be Akintunde, Afolabi and Connolly. That would leave McDaid, Williams, Coote and Okosun on the bench and doesn't include Twardek who I expect to be the starting RB. Midfield is a similar story. Probably looking at Bucko, McManus & Clarke starting with McDonnell and Flores on the bench with Coote being able to play there in case of injury.

19 players isn't enough but 23 is too many imo. As it stands there are already good LOI players not going to make the match day squad for Bohs and they need to sign more defenders. Too many players not getting a game and you risk one of them upsetting the apple cart and throwing toys out of the pram.

PS. Didn't think it was a criticism just didn't think you realised the depth in every area for Bohs excluding defence. Which is fair some players were kept on and not announced other were let go and not announced so unless you went to preseason games you wouldn't know who's there and who's not.

[sbgawa]

So I think Bohs need to add at least 2 experienced defenders. Strikers, midfielders, attackers and wingers I think they are covered well. Just as a striker option there is Afolabi, Williams and Okosun. Sure they are all a bit unknown to a degree but they all offer something different. I actually think if Okosun gets a run he could be the best of the lot. If worst came to worst and all 3 of them were injured/unavailable Akintunde or McDaid would be deployed there. First front 3 of the season I expect to be Akintunde, Afolabi and Connolly. That would leave McDaid, Williams, Coote and Okosun on the bench and doesn't include Twardek who I expect to be the starting RB. Midfield is a similar story. Probably looking at Bucko, McManus & Clarke starting with McDonnell and Flores on the bench with Coote being able to play there in case of injury.

19 players isn't enough but 23 is too many imo. As it stands there are already good LOI players not going to make the match day squad for Bohs and they need to sign more defenders. Too many players not getting a game and you risk one of them upsetting the apple cart and throwing toys out of the pram.

PS. Didn't think it was a criticism just didn't think you realised the depth in every area for Bohs excluding defence. Which is fair some players were kept on and not announced other were let go and not announced so unless you went to preseason games you wouldn't know who's there and who's not.

23 isnt a lot imo , in any group of 23 players you would be lucky if you didnt have 3 or 4 at any time carrying knocks that required a rest (not even long term injuries as such) and you have 6 or 7 on the bench so a lot of the time you would have no one missing out on being in the squad.

I think you are under rating Williams btw , he will score plenty of goals for you if he gets a run.

[RealJohn91]

Young lads like Derin Adewale, Jake McCormack, Chris Lotefa and Danny McGrath will probably be in and around the Bohs first team too.

[Jack B]

You get 9 subs now no? Plus are able to make 5, definitely makes it more necessary to have a bit of depth if you want to compete for things.

[Another Bohemia]

23 isnt a lot imo , in any group of 23 players you would be lucky if you didnt have 3 or 4 at any time carrying knocks that required a rest (not even long term injuries as such) and you have 6 or 7 on the bench so a lot of the time you would have no one missing out on being in the squad.

I think you are under rating Williams btw , he will score plenty of goals for you if he gets a run.

23 isn't a lot when you have multiple competitions. Bohs have 2 serious competitions this year in the league and FAI cup. If we get knocked out of the cup early then there's a lot fewer games to go around and as I said there is already the possibility of good LOI players not even making the bench for Bohs. Then even if there are injuries you're still paying the player to be full time even if they can't play so there's a financial reality to the squad size too. If Bohs had 21 senior pros supplemented by 2-3 u19 players coming up if/when needed that would be ideal imo. Especially when you consider not all signings will work out so you may need to release a player in July and try to bring in one or 2 as well. Best not to go all in on your first throw of the dice.

On Williams I actually think he's a great signing and no doubt he will get game time and goals for us. I just think Okosun has the combination of strength and speed that can be lethal in this league. Similar to Omochere for us last year. Only concern is he's 16 so still on the young side to play week in week out.

[Another Bohemia]

You get 9 subs now no? Plus are able to make 5, definitely makes it more necessary to have a bit of depth if you want to compete for things.

Bohs are at the start of a rebuild IMO. Only thing we will realistically compete for is Europe and I think that's the high end of realistic expectations.

As for the subs I must have trauma from Longs stint as manager. If we made 2 subs in a game it was a miracle. So we could have had 80 on the bench and it wouldn't have mattered :D

[Shinkicker]

So I think Bohs need to add at least 2 experienced defenders. Strikers, midfielders, attackers and wingers I think they are covered well. Just as a striker option there is Afolabi, Williams and Okosun. Sure they are all a bit unknown to a degree but they all offer something different. I actually think if Okosun gets a run he could be the best of the lot. If worst came to worst and all 3 of them were injured/unavailable Akintunde or McDaid would be deployed there. First front 3 of the season I expect to be Akintunde, Afolabi and Connolly. That would leave McDaid, Williams, Coote and Okosun on the bench and doesn't include Twardek who I expect to be the starting RB. Midfield is a similar story. Probably looking at Bucko, McManus & Clarke starting with McDonnell and Flores on the bench with Coote being able to play there in case of injury.

19 players isn't enough but 23 is too many imo. As it stands there are already good LOI players not going to make the match day squad for Bohs and they need to sign more defenders. Too many players not getting a game and you risk one of them upsetting the apple cart and throwing toys out of the pram.

PS. Didn't think it was a criticism just didn't think you realised the depth in every area for Bohs excluding defence. Which is fair some players were kept on and not announced other were let go and not announced so unless you went to preseason games you wouldn't know who's there and who's not.
I didn't realise the depth although some are very young and inexperienced. However if presented with an opportunity its up to them to grasp it and make their name known.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Doesn’t seem to be much news of incoming players for us. A little concerning, although we’ve a strong starting lineup imo. I think the squad is still light on numbers. Definitely would like us to bring in another 2/3 players at least.

[Jack B]

Bohs are at the start of a rebuild IMO. Only thing we will realistically compete for is Europe and I think that's the high end of realistic expectations.

As for the subs I must have trauma from Longs stint as manager. If we made 2 subs in a game it was a miracle. So we could have had 80 on the bench and it wouldn't have mattered :D

I just meant generally as opposed to Bohs specifically, obviously there were a few players under contract already that needed shifting the the context is a little different there. In any case I think ideal world is a squad of around 23-ish, which to be fair Bohs would probably be looking at had they a normal number of defenders.

[Martinho II]

We make yet another unknown signing in Aaron Walsh who was last with Loughgall. He was with Shels under 17s so thats where Stephen must have come across him first.

[Shinkicker]

We make yet another unknown signing in Aaron Walsh who was last with Loughgall. He was with Shels under 17s so thats where Stephen must have come across him first.
Loughgall are winning their league. The standard would be less than LOI D1, and if he wasn't getting on for Loughgall he propably won't be much of an addition.

[culloty82]

Jonathan Hannafin signs for Kerry, having played for Dynamos in the A Championship in 2011 and won the FAI Junior Cup in 2018 with Pike Rovers - and even after all that, he'll still only turn 29 this year!

[culloty82]

Meanwhile, Wexford man Graham O'Reilly, who was with the Kerry U19s last season, has moved up to the senior squad.

[joey B]

Daniel Okwute joining Harps on loan from Stockport,joined them from Kerry FC last year…..

[Tribalwarrior19]

Jonathan Hannafin signs for Kerry, having played for Dynamos in the A Championship in 2011 and won the FAI Junior Cup in 2018 with Pike Rovers - and even after all that, he'll still only turn 29 this year!

Enda Curran, Mikey Fox and Jonathan were the 3 standout performers of the Galway League the last few years. Enda easily transitioned into LOI football. Be interesting to see if Jonathan can make the step up as well.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ellis Farrar also joins Harps on loan from Stockport.

[culloty82]

Daniel Okwute joining Harps on loan from Stockport,joined them from Kerry FC last year…..

They didn't really know what to do with him since he signed, twice on the bench in the Cup, and then sent him to Warrington in the NPL. If he keeps up his form from last year, he's certainly capable of chipping in with 10-15 goals between now and November.

[legendz]

Daniel Okwute joining Harps on loan from Stockport,joined them from Kerry FC last year…..
Pity he isn't signing up for Kerry's maiden voyage.

[2 Year Contract]

Pity he isn't signing up for Kerry's maiden voyage.
Think it was mentioned on here somewhere that amateur clubs are unable to sign players on loan, even if the parent club covers the wage. Would make sense as to why he’s at Harps now and not back at Kerry

[joey B]

Sligo sign Faroese attacker Stefan Radosavljevic….

[RealJohn91]

Right back (finally!) Jay Benn on loan from Lincoln to Bohs till the summer