2023 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[Jd2793]

Liam Buckley appointed sporting director by Cork City...

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delighted with that

[2 Year Contract]

Ian Baraclough linked with the pats job. Probably the most established name linked with it so far.

https://extra.ie/2023/05/03/sport/soccernews/highly-regarded-irish-coach-in-frame-for-st-pats-job-after-clancy-sacking


Liam Buckley appointed sporting director by Cork City...

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Interesting to see how the player recruitment will pan out for him. Cork have very little pull power among premier division clubs these days so you’d imagine the players coming in will be from abroad which has resulted in a wide range of hit and miss for Bucko. His 'brought them into the league' miss list includes Gilmartin, Langley, Guedje, Skowron, Farago, Watson, Penninkangas, Olberkis, Lorenzen, Hamilton and more. While the (relatively speaking) hits he brought to the league have been Balk, Garvan, Twardek, Parkes, Banks, Keena, Mata, Pijnaker. That’s only a fraction of the players he’s brought into the league, a lot of which I didn’t include because I don’t remember them standing out as either good or bad signings but for Cork in their current position I think it’s a good appointment because their recruitment can’t get much worse than it has been for this season, plus Buckley's experience will be invaluable to Colin Healy

[joey B]

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[Longfordian]

Clearly Buckley's experience isn't all that invaluable to Healy.

[Nesta99]

Wont be Robbie Keane, he has gone into a coaching role at Leeds.

Richard Dunne and Stephen Rice were two intresting names that appeared for other jobs recently enough. Wonder if they will be linked here too.

Really, until Bradley leaves Rovers, it is as attractive as a job could be in the League. Good budget, big fanbase, and a lot of talent in the squad.

patsdad where are you for the inside scoop??? Thoughts on former and new manager, how the top 4 is taking shape??

If Keane is off to Leeds surely he is off the FAI wagelist, and Rovers can stop cringing at his efforts to court them for a future role!!

[Nesta99]

Wonder will Pats go to Drogs again for the replacement?

Drogheda have approached Pats to offer their services (and players)!

[nigel-harps1954]

Ballinamallad United reporting that striker Patrick Ferry is signing for Harps at the end of his contract.

[DCSIL]

Liam Buckley appointed sporting director by Cork City...

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Haven’t been on here in a while but saw Colin Healy had left. Didn’t notice Tim Clancy had done the same.

First thought was “Does Bucko fancy another go?” Whoever goes in is going to be well backed going by the Squad. First time manager maybe.

Cork, Well John Caulfield could make a surprise return, and Galway make a few people happy on here by appointing his Assistant as Manager…

[legendz]

A tough league. A lot of pressure on managers for various targets.

[Kiki Balboa]

Cork could do worse than Tim Clancy.

[Bunny Kelly]

Has Shane Keegan rebuilt his reputation enough for the Cork job?

[Shearer]

Has Shane Keegan rebuilt his reputation enough for the Cork job?
Jesus no.

[pateen]

Good article if you havent read it already

https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2023/05/03/the-irish-market-brexit-england-and-europe/

[EalingGreen]

Good article if you havent read it already

https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2023/05/03/the-irish-market-brexit-england-and-europe/Thanks for that, very interesting. Up in the IL, Larne owner Kenny Bruce, who's plunged a reputed £5m into the club, reckons they can become financially sustainable on a f-t basis without his further input, due to 3 reasons:
1. Increased crowds, sponsorship following success on the field (obv); 2. European participation (even if not guaranteed); and 3. Player transfers to GB.

Being a shrewd customer, he will have thought all this through, including the transfer angle. For what that article didn't explicitly outline is that English clubs may still sign EU players, but only if good enough to gain a GBE exemption. But while such players may still be affordable to PL or even Championship clubs, this puts them out of the reach of League One and Two clubs, which is why those clubs are looking elsewhere, including towards the LOI. Of course, IL clubs are similarly accessible, with the additional advantage that NI youngsters may travel over from 16 y.o. (though I have a feeling that their clubs can only seek Compensation, rather than an actual Transfer Fee?).

To that end, Larne signed Lee Bonis on a f-t contract from Portadown (p-t) in January 2022, for what was then thought to be an exorbitant £100k. But 18 months later, all the talk is that with Pompey, Blackpool, Brum and Wigan competing to sign him this summer, it will take £300k to secure his signature - what you might call a "Brucey Bonis" (groan).

Anyhow, it seemed a little curious to me that Derry City only had one such transfer in the list, Eoin Toal (has had a very good season at Bolton btw, despite only making his League One debut in December). For with many Derry City players having "a foot in both camps" (NI + LOI), the club should be particularly well-placed to take advantage of this new opportunity, if/when their owner wants to go down the feeder/transfer route.

[Longfordian]

Very interesting article. Really good analysis.

[patsdad]

patsdad where are you for the inside scoop??? Thoughts on former and new manager, how the top 4 is taking shape??

If Keane is off to Leeds surely he is off the FAI wagelist, and Rovers can stop cringing at his efforts to court them for a future role!!

I’ve no inside track so I’ve no idea who might be in the frame - though I don’t think any of the names mentioned so far is likely to be offered the job.

Clancy was an appointment made under pressure when O’Donnell broke his contract. There was a period where it looked as if it might work, particularly the performances in Slovenia and Bulgaria, but this season it became increasingly clear that it wasn’t going to work. An amicable parting was best for all concerned.

[joey B]

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Cork removing media accreditation from their biggest fans podcast for announcing the Colin Healy news is fairly petty and a bit mad….

A rocky start for Dermot Usher down there you’d say,not a fanbase to get on the wrong side of either you’d think….

[2 Year Contract]

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Cork removing media accreditation from their biggest fans podcast for announcing the Colin Healy news is fairly petty and a bit mad….

A rocky start for Dermot Usher down there you’d say,not a fanbase to get on the wrong side of either you’d think….

You have to remember that Usher comes from good North Korean stock having been involved with Bray in those years ;)

[Nesta99]

Pure childish and hints at annoyance behind the scenes and this was just an excuse to give a slap on the wrist.

[sbgawa]

"Those darn dubs coming down here and telling us how to run things in the real capital....bah humbug...."
Usher better keep his head down

[Another Bohemia]

You have to remember that Usher comes from good North Korean stock having been involved with Bray in those years ;)

Ahh it's been a while since we've had a meltdown like that. How long until Usher releases a statement calling this statement "Fake News"

[joey B]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0507/1381268-walters-exits-role-with-waterford/

John Walters departs Waterford and Fleetwood…

[Martinho II]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0507/1381268-walters-exits-role-with-waterford/

John Walters departs Waterford and Fleetwood…

Bit of a surprise this!

[SPXcyan]

He only took on the role in December, a bit strange that he has already stepped down.

[pineapple stu]

It's the end of the (English) season, which may explain where the real priorities lie in the link-up.

Though he's also been linked with a role in the FAI - although that's not really a reason to resign his current one I guess.

[SPXcyan]

Sometimes one has to take the selfish option, if the FAI job is on for him then he should do whatever he can to get it.

[Martinho II]

Sometimes one has to take the selfish option, if the FAI job is on for him then he should do whatever he can to get it.

Yeah Walters is heavily linked with being a no 2 to Marc Canham as director of football in FAI. See small piece in Irish Sun today on Walters

[Nesta99]

A Director of Football is traditionally a role to create consistency in transfer policy if there is manager turnover, what would be the purpose of the role in an international setup and an assistant DoF? Unless it part of a recruitment system for convincing qualified players to declare for the Republic of Ireland (Oriel!!) Technical Director as an oversight of player development obviously makes sense but maybe Im missing the eccentricities of the FAI and a DoF role...

[Shearer]

Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh signs for Longford Town.

It would seem he's a bit of a bad egg, as it is fairly well known he was told he wasn't welcome back at Cobh.

[outspoken]

Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh signs for Longford Town.

It would seem he's a bit of a bad egg, as it is fairly well known he was told he wasn't welcome back at Cobh.

Threw his weight around when he came on tonight, we've nobody to put the ball in the net and Hendo obviously knows him well so I'd have no concerns about attitude etc

[Martinho II]

Beineón O'Brien-Whitmarsh signs for Longford Town.

It would seem he's a bit of a bad egg, as it is fairly well known he was told he wasn't welcome back at Cobh.

His brother plays for Cork City. pity BOW didnt start last night maybe game might have taken a different course altogether.

[nigel-harps1954]

Being reported today that Shamrock Rovers have made a short term contract offer to Keiren Westwood.

At 38 years old, he'd be a youthful addition to the goalkeeping department in Tallaght.

[sbgawa]

Being reported today that Shamrock Rovers have made a short term contract offer to Keiren Westwood.

At 38 years old, he'd be a youthful addition to the goalkeeping department in Tallaght.

Its important to give these young lads a chance

[thebronze14]

Sat near Roy Carroll on a flight on Sunday. Didn't realise he was on his way to tallaght!

[sbgawa]

Sat near Roy Carroll on a flight on Sunday. Didn't realise he was on his way to tallaght!

He's 46, couldnt rule him out 100% but i doubt it :)

[Martinho II]

Being reported today that Shamrock Rovers have made a short term contract offer to Keiren Westwood.

At 38 years old, he'd be a youthful addition to the goalkeeping department in Tallaght.

Where is KW nowadays Nigel? Theres a blast from the past!

[D24Saint]

Where is KW nowadays Nigel? Theres a blast from the past!

Unattached but has been training with Crewe Alexandria I think it was.

[joey B]

https://twitter.com/westmeathindo/status/1658791510295420930

Athlone looking for their THIRD manager of the season ,a bizarre football club….

[Battery Rover]

https://twitter.com/westmeathindo/status/1658791510295420930

Athlone looking for their THIRD manager of the season ,a bizarre football club….

Bizarre wouldn't be the word I would use. It's like the circus comes to town every few weeks.

[outspoken]

Bizarre wouldn't be the word I would use. It's like the circus comes to town every few weeks.

2 days on and not a peep from the club, they've no respect for the few fans left

[Battery Rover]

2 days on and not a peep from the club, they've no respect for the few fans left


I heard on Monday evening about it and posted it as a rumour circulating on Tuesday on the unofficial Facebook page. I got confirmation from someone close to club juat after and confirmed it expecting the club to release a statement shortly after. Still nothing posted by them yet as of this evening Thursday.

It's like they only want positive posts ?

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps confirm the signings of Patrick Ferry from Ballinamallard and Stephen Doherty from Dergview.

Both Donegal lads. Doherty came all the way through Harps academy and is a very welcome returnee, and Ferry also spent time in Harps academy before joining Derry and on to Ballinamallard and provides another attacking option.

Doherty can play from 1st June and Ferry from 1st July.

[Martinho II]

I heard on Monday evening about it and posted it as a rumour circulating on Tuesday on the unofficial Facebook page. I got confirmation from someone close to club juat after and confirmed it expecting the club to release a statement shortly after. Still nothing posted by them yet as of this evening Thursday.

It's like they only want positive posts ?

Has your boycott ended BR and is Ashley Cahill still boycotting still( used to be a prominent poster here)

[Battery Rover]

Has your boycott ended BR and is Ashley Cahill still boycotting still( used to be a prominent poster here)

Boycott still continues with all the originals.
8 years and counting

[Burnsie]

Irish Mirror reporting Neil Lennon has ruled himself out of the Pats job. Daly not shy about making his own case

[Jack B]

An interesting one to say the least.

[TonyD]

Irish Mirror reporting Neil Lennon has ruled himself out of the Pats job. Daly not shy about making his own case

Glad to hear that. Not the sort of move that usually works well in this league in my view. I’m still scarred by the memory of Jeff Kenna, though to be fair Lennon has a lot more managerial experience than he did. Still wouldn’t be for me though.

Jon Daly is doing ok, and I wouldn’t object to him getting the rest of the season, and maybe beyond if it goes well.

[outspoken]

Glad to hear that. Not the sort of move that usually works well in this league in my view. I’m still scarred by the memory of Jeff Kenna, though to be fair Lennon has a lot more managerial experience than he did. Still wouldn’t be for me though.

Jon Daly is doing ok, and I wouldn’t object to him getting the rest of the season, and maybe beyond if it goes well.

On LOI central this week it was suggested there's an apathy towards the idea of Daly getting it from large swathes of the fanbase?

[TonyD]

On LOI central this week it was suggested there's an apathy towards the idea of Daly getting it from large swathes of the fanbase?

Only speaking for myself, so I’m not sure what the general consensus would be. As I said, he’s done ok so far. Late defeat to Rovers aside, which he’s not going to get judged harshly for. Dundalk next Friday will be a good test, especially after the spanking they gave us in Oriel.

[pineapple stu]

Glad to hear that. Not the sort of move that usually works well in this league in my view. I’m still scarred by the memory of Jeff Kenna, though to be fair Lennon has a lot more managerial experience than he did.
There's surely a world of a difference between Kenna and Lennon? Kenna was in his first job and Lennon has 10+ years' experience at a much higher level, doing reasonably well too.

Can't see how Pat's could have afforded him though