2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[joey B]

Paddy Power's Division I prices for 2024 have arrived. Cork and Bray, I think, poor value at one to three and sixes. UCD an unknown quantity at 17/2. Wexford and Finn Harps good value at sixteens and ninety respectively.

Harps down to 50’s from 90’s yesterday!

[sbgawa]

That tenner i put on has moved the market

[Thewhitepele]

I agree the clubs would do what clubs do with extra money, at least at the top. But this thing is an entirely predictable consequence of introducing minimum wage by the association, and they should be seen to do something about. And increasing the pitiful prizemoney levels would be two birds with one stone (they can then hold their hands up when clubs do as you say)

Whatever about short term positives of longer contracts, the league's not big enough to have everyone tied down. And I worry that we might look back fondly on the days of boom and bust as could be looking at new hegemony with a top 5/6 that's increasingly hard to breaking into forming over the next few years.

Who do you see as being in that top 5/6? While I can see Shams and Derry being there for a few years I don't see dominance from any of the others. They are all a few bad decisions from falling down the table.

[joey B]

That tenner i put on has moved the market

And my fiver!

[2 Year Contract]

Who do you see as being in that top 5/6? While I can see Shams and Derry being there for a few years I don't see dominance from any of the others. They are all a few bad decisions from falling down the table.

Being in the top 6 isn’t dominance. The top 6 has contained each of rovers, Derry, Pats, Bohs and Dundalk in the last 5 seasons already, with the exception of Derry being 7th in 2020 in an 18 game season. There’s usually 1 more team that pops up in the top 6 sporadically (Sligo, Shels etc.) but those 5 always seem to be there as it is already

[nigel-harps1954]

And my fiver!

And my axe!

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk have Togolese international goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola on trial with them. He’d be the 2nd Togo international to play in the league after the infamous Cyril Guedje played a couple of games for pats before being loaned out to Limerick

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/dundalk-fc-running-the-rule-over-21-times-capped-togo-international-goalkeeper/a768065755.html

I always find the fates of footballing siblings mad, his brother Bradley plays for PSG while he goes on trial at the AUL :D

[pineapple stu]

Clubless since last May, when he played the last of his eight games for Tuzla City, a midtable Bosnian side. Missed five months of the season; not sure why. Soccerway doesn't list unused subs in the Bosnian league so can't tell if he was injured or dropped. Really random one. I'm sure Dundalk will be hoping he's not another Alessio Abibi...!

[D24Saint]

Dundalk have Togolese international goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola on trial with them. He’d be the 2nd Togo international to play in the league after the infamous Cyril Guedje played a couple of games for pats before being loaned out to Limerick

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/dundalk-fc-running-the-rule-over-21-times-capped-togo-international-goalkeeper/a768065755.html

I always find the fates of footballing siblings mad, his brother Bradley plays for PSG while he goes on trial at the AUL :D

Lovely lad but unfortunately was absolutely hopeless.

[cláirseach]

Is Daithí McCallion fit enough to do preseason with Derry?

[Thewhitepele]

Being in the top 6 isn’t dominance. The top 6 has contained each of rovers, Derry, Pats, Bohs and Dundalk in the last 5 seasons already, with the exception of Derry being 7th in 2020 in an 18 game season. There’s usually 1 more team that pops up in the top 6 sporadically (Sligo, Shels etc.) but those 5 always seem to be there as it is already

In the last 4 years Sligo Rovers have been in the top 5 as often as Derry, Bohs, Pat's and Dundalk.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Still mad to see Waterford buying up players rather than using the free agent market, fascinating.

The examiner is reporting the club received a six figure compensation fee from Shrewsbury for Rowland. Might explain how the club are managing to pay transfer fees.

The examiner is also reporting Blues are trying to sign Tommy Lonergan and Jad Hakiki.

Rennie is expected to move back to Derry also. Been on the cards for a while now. The deal hinges on compensation being agreed reportedly.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41307826.html

[joey B]

Kyle Robinson departed Drogheda for Arbroath….

[2 Year Contract]

In the last 4 years Sligo Rovers have been in the top 5 as often as Derry, Bohs, Pat's and Dundalk.

Good point, if anything it strengthens the argument though that the top 6 is pretty consistent as it is already

[2 Year Contract]

Rob Manley has signed for Home Farm

[Shearer]

Rob Manley has signed for Home Farm
Playing alongside his two brothers I believe. Great expenses at that level I'm sure.

[total hoofball]

The examiner is reporting the club received a six figure compensation fee from Shrewsbury for Rowland. Might explain how the club are managing to pay transfer fees.

The examiner is also reporting Blues are trying to sign Tommy Lonergan and Jad Hakiki.

Rennie is expected to move back to Derry also. Been on the cards for a while now. The deal hinges on compensation being agreed reportedly.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41307826.html

A six figure transfer fee for Idowu is mental compared to what we have seen been received by LOI clubs by UK clubs over so many years. Released by Southampton, released by Cardiff, released by Bohs, and then looking decent at Waterford but with the health warning it was in an absolutely terrible First Division. I assume Shrewsbury also paid a decent fee to Waterford for Sobowale in the summer?

If that is an example of UK clubs feeling the squeeze on recruitment due to Brexit and LOI clubs benefiting from significantly higher fees then you can see why Waterford are targeting unpolished young Irish players like Hakiki and Lonergan happy to pay a fee but then hope to flip them on a year later at a handsome profit to the UK

All I can say from Shels perspective with Hakiki it wouldn't make sense unless Waterford pay a decent fee if they are getting six figures for the likes of Idowu who I don't believe has a higher ceiling than Hakiki. I don't think it makes sense for Pats either to take a fee for Lonergan unless they really don't rate his potential, Keating and Kavanagh are not sure fire things to score the 15-20 goals they will need from a striker if they want to win the league, always a possibility they may have to lean on Lonergan who could push on from his Cup final goal he has only just turned 20

[outspoken]

Rob Manley has signed for Home Farm
Some waste of talent

[gufct]

Wassim Aouchria Resigned for gufc.

[A N Mouse]

Good point, if anything it strengthens the argument though that the top 6 is pretty consistent as it is already

Yeah the top six is fairly consistent. But there some change over time, Shels looking like replacing Sligo, questions over Dundalk or Bohs. Waterford and Galway with bit of backing could sneak in. A resurgent Cork, would hope to be back there in a few year.

Over the past decade, with some boom and bust, we've had 8 different teams represent us in Europe, one of them was UCD getting a fairplay place, and Waterford weren't allowed in. That's about what you'd expect, previously with a bit more churn could have 10 teams (premier division's worth) over a decade.

The worst case scenario is that number drops to 6 or 5 - think top 4 or big 6 in epl - and chances of any other teams breaking into it are slim to none.

The worry since Ollie Byrne's day has been of one club dominating because of european money. And to be fair we've seen it in fits and starts since. But that was based mostly on wages, how many clubs can pay the fees and the wages?

So yeah I don't think it's currently a sign of an unhealthy league, there will be positive and negative. But I worry if one of the negatives might be a Rosenborg 90's, La Liga, or EPL style hegemony.

[joey B]

Trevor Clarke signed back at Shamrock Rovers on a permanent deal.

[sbgawa]

If Clarke and farrugia can stay fit we will be very hard to beat for the league . When they played together last year we looked fantastic. Adding mceneff as well as seems to be flagged improves us. Only question mark really is are the replacements for Manus good enough.

[sbgawa]

8 points after 6 games last year. We surely can't start as badly....

[ontheotherhand]

8 points after 6 games last year. We surely can't start as badly....

Byrne and Clarke are out until April..Never say never!

[sbgawa]

Clarke and byrne are both training and will be ready for season start.

[legendz]

*Exclusive

Kennedy Amechi recently spent time on trial with Reading + Crystal Palace (impressing particularly at the former).

However, IFB understands that Kennedy is back in Ireland and set to re-sign with Kerry on a multi year deal.

Huge business he just needs his chance!

[Buckett]

What's IFB?

[culloty82]

We were certainly goal-shy last term, and Kennedy definitely showed his potential when he was given more than cameo minutes off the bench, so should be a more regular starter this season.

[culloty82]

What's IFB?

The Irish Football Blog Twitter a/c - regularly posts rumours/info on LoI transfer movements, many of which, naturally, never happen, but he does have more than his fair share of news that does hit the mark. He decided to be a player sponsor for Amechi last season, so will thus have been made aware of his intentions for this campaign.

[legendz]

Ryan Kelliher scored 10 goals last year and 2 in the Cup. Gaxha scored 7. Kerry will need Kelliher, Okwute and Amechi getting at least 10 this year.

[oriel]

Clarke and byrne are both training and will be ready for season start.

Odds on a first double for Rovers since 87 are reducing. Its actually quite an amazing stat that it hasn't been achieved since then considering Dundalk have done it 3 times (88-15-18) + in 79 but not for this comparison, Bohs did it 01 + 08, Shels 00, Cork C in 2017 and Derry** 89 during that period.

**And before any Derry fans start, the treble has been won 4 times previous to 1989, Rovers 3 times and Bohs once, and the Shield was a massive trophy too, and bigger than the league cup, all won by Rovers and Bohs.

I think a regular poster on here from Derry has a signature 'Have you ever won a treble'.................its been done 5 times in history of LOI.

[Nesta99]

Odds on a first double for Rovers since 87 are reducing. Its actually quite an amazing stat that it hasn't been achieved since then considering Dundalk have done it 3 times (88-15-18) + in 79 but not for this comparison, Bohs did it 01 + 08, Shels 00, Cork C in 2017 and Derry** 89 during that period.

**And before any Derry fans start, the treble has been won 4 times previous to 1989, Rovers 3 times and Bohs once, and the Shield was a massive trophy too, and bigger than the league cup, all won by Rovers and Bohs.

I think a regular poster on here from Derry has a signature 'Have you ever won a treble'.................its been done 5 times in history of LOI.

Sure its not really the same Derry City FC that won a treble these days anyway!

[sbgawa]

Cant say i care much about doubles, maybe i was spoiled having a few in the 80's , all i really want to do this sa=eason is win the league first and foremost.
Getting to group stages again for the bit of foreign travel would be a nice second priority.

[MaxLL]

Cant say i care much about doubles, maybe i was spoiled having a few in the 80's , all i really want to do this sa=eason is win the league first and foremost.
Getting to group stages again for the bit of foreign travel would be a nice second priority.

For me, winning the league is a priority too. I like to bet on winners :) At the same time, I wish that for all the teams I support in the different leagues.
I didn't watch games in the 80's since I wasn't born yet. So you had time to get more fan :) I hope I get to see the doubles too.

Hi everyone! I like football and I like your forum. I don't get on the forums very often. Hopefully I won't bore you too much :)

[nigel-harps1954]

For me, winning the league is a priority too. I like to bet on winners :) At the same time, I wish that for all the teams I support in the different leagues.
I didn't watch games in the 80's since I wasn't born yet. So you had time to get more fan :) I hope I get to see the doubles too.

Hi everyone! I like football and I like your forum. I don't get on the forums very often. Hopefully I won't bore you too much :)

Fresh blood.

Excellent. Welcome.

[pineapple stu]

You realise that makes us sound like some sort of vampire convention looking for fresh victims, right? :p

Note to other lurkers - we're not vampires. Join us...!

[D24Saint]

Fresh blood.

Excellent. Welcome.

I think that was the PS on The Watcher letters.

[sbgawa]

You realise that makes us sound like some sort of vampire convention looking for fresh victims, right? :p

Note to other lurkers - we're not vampires. Join us...!

And we dont bite :)

[MaxLL]

Fresh blood.

Excellent. Welcome.


You realise that makes us sound like some sort of vampire convention looking for fresh victims, right? :p

Note to other lurkers - we're not vampires. Join us...!

Thank you. You guys are fun. I think I'm gonna like it here :)

[Another Bohemia]

You realise that makes us sound like some sort of vampire convention looking for fresh victims, right? :p

Note to other lurkers - we're not vampires. Join us...!

Summer league killed off the vampire support. They don't enjoy the long evenings. One of the many rumoured reasons for the change from winter football.

[nigel-harps1954]

You realise that makes us sound like some sort of vampire convention looking for fresh victims, right? :p

Note to other lurkers - we're not vampires. Join us...!

This is a welcoming place, full of welcoming people.

https://www.looper.com/img/gallery/hannibal-lecters-backstory-explained/intro-1568920260.jpg

[joey B]

Drogheda signed Hayden Cann and Oisin Gallagher on loan from Lincoln City….

[2 Year Contract]

Dane Massey has retired. Lovely player to watch when he was at his peak

[nigel-harps1954]

Dane Massey has retired. Lovely player to watch when he was at his peak

Probably one of the few LOI players over the past 10-15 years that had a genuine shout of an Ireland cap. Bit of a shame he didn't get one when he was really flying around 2015-17.

Also good for him that he's going out when he still has a bit in the tank, not to tarnish any reputation. Was still very good for Bray last year.

[Martinho II]

Callum Bonner signs for us from Dundalk. He came through their U19 side and was their top scorer. Any Dundalk fans know much about him?

[Nesta99]

Bit of a surprise tbh. He's talented, neeeds to play senior ball. He certainly can score. We could be talking about him more during the season.

[MaxLL]

Callum Bonner signs for us from Dundalk. He came through their U19 side and was their top scorer. Any Dundalk fans know much about him?

I'm not a Dundalk fan, but if a guy has become a top scorer then he knows how to score at his level of play. How he will play against more serious opponents - time will tell.

[joey B]

Not sure if this is the right thread but rumours John Mahon picked up a bad injury in Sligo,Achilles apparently and could be out for the season,would be a big loss for them…..

[2 Year Contract]

Not sure if this is the right thread but rumours John Mahon picked up a bad injury in Sligo,Achilles apparently and could be out for the season,would be a big loss for them…..

Is it just me or do Sligo seem to get loads of long term injuries like that in the last few years? Mahon himself a few years ago, Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, think there’s more I’m missing too

[forza rovers]

Is it just me or do Sligo seem to get loads of long term injuries like that in the last few years? Mahon himself a few years ago, Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, think there’s more I’m missing too

we do seem to have our fair share alright, peers in one of the cup finals, mark byrne also last year,danny kane. Probably a load more too