2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[Stuttgart88]

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.Agree totally on Clarke & Farrugia.

I have a feeling Kenny will improve. Retaining Poom was very important. Having a fully fit Jack Byrne back will be huge too.

I think Pohls will be OK. I expect some teething problems (like Pats at home last year) but he's very talented and made big saves in Derry, Dalymount and Cork. I had doubts but he proved he's worthy of his place imho.

McEneff would be amazing and I think Naj Razi could be a big player for us this year. I said the same about Ferijaz last year though :)

[sbgawa]

Razi scored both goals in the first pre season friendly against Lucan at the weekend in a 2 nil win.
Was a youthful enough side but a few seniors in it as well.
He will need to light it up pre season if he is going to take a place in midfield.
If we continue to play 5 at the back inc the 2 wb that means only 3 midfielders needed or 4 at a push.
leaving aside a couple of Academy kids in the squad our senior pros for the 3 or 4 places are.

JAck Byrne, Darragh Burns, Ritchie Towell, Poom, O Neill, Dylan Watts, Nugent...and possibly McEneff.
Very tough to break into that line up but i think he might just be good enough to force the issue.

[ontheotherhand]

I hope you're right. That's not what I'm hearing. They are absolutely critical to how we play. Not that a bad start would be the end of the world. The team is obviously good enough to come back from one after breaking that record last season.

Poom should kick on again. He was steadily improving as the season went on. A lot of competition in midfield as you say but we have a lot of competitions coming up. I'd worry a little bit about Nugent getting minutes as I thought he showed some real ability last season in his few cameos. Not at RWB but in the middle. Surprised we aren't looking at a loan move again there.

[D24Saint]

Dundalk have brought in full back Jamie Walker from Kelty Hearts in Scotland. What kind of standard is it in League one in Scotland ?

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk have brought in full back Jamie Walker from Kelty Hearts in Scotland. What kind of standard is it in League one in Scotland ?

Martin Rennie is still playing at that standard ;)

[total hoofball]

Scottish League One is mostly part-time I would say lower Premier Division/First Division standard is a fair enough comparison. AFAIK Falkirk, Hamilton, Queen of the South are the only full-time teams in that division and Falkirk and Hamilton are miles ahead of the other 8

Just because a player is signed from a part-time team doesn't mean they are not any good as we all know Gary Twigg was signed by Rovers from Brechin City when they were in that same division

[joey B]

Galway signed Jeannot Esua ,a Cameroonian defender last with Ekenäs IF who play in the Finnish First Division….

[oriel]

Dundalk have brought in full back Jamie Walker from Kelty Hearts in Scotland. What kind of standard is it in League one in Scotland ?

Archie Davies was playing non league up to end of 2022 and ended up in the LOI team of the year.

I would also say a lot of teams in the division that Wrexham just came out are stronger than LOI PD.

No idea what this new guy will be like he'll play left full, but its worth a go moving for players like this looking to go to full time, as ever time will tell on his ability / performances though.

[TonyD]

Martin Rennie is still playing at that standard ;)

Ah yes, fast acting Rennie ;). He even scored a goal recently I believe. Imagine !

[Jolly Red Giant]

Scottish League One is mostly part-time I would say lower Premier Division/First Division standard is a fair enough comparison. AFAIK Falkirk, Hamilton, Queen of the South are the only full-time teams in that division and Falkirk and Hamilton are miles ahead of the other 8

Just because a player is signed from a part-time team doesn't mean they are not any good as we all know Gary Twigg was signed by Rovers from Brechin City when they were in that same division
Some players choose to play part-time because they can make more money with a job and part-time football. It has happened on several occasions that teams have gone into a slide after they go full-time, because they lose their best players.

[2 Year Contract]

Some players choose to play part-time because they can make more money with a job and part-time football. It has happened on several occasions that teams have gone into a slide after they go full-time, because they lose their best players.

A warning for Drogheda! Once they go full time they enter the same market as Pats/Bohs/Rovers/Shels/Dundalk for players. Being part-time is the reason they’ve been able to hang onto the likes of Darragh Markey despite Bohs interest last year, as he wants to stay in his day job and the evening training with Drogheda allows him to do that

[joey B]

Bj Banda signed for Institute after leaving us….

[pineapple stu]

How many times has he left Harps at this stage?!

[nigel-harps1954]

How many times has he left Harps at this stage?!

Second time he's left the club now. I'd say it'll be the last time too. He was brutal last year.

[pineapple stu]

Hmm. Feels like he's had more spells with ye for some reason

[bohsmug]

Banda and Harps are like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Married twice but it feels like more.

[joey B]

Second time he's left the club now. I'd say it'll be the last time too. He was brutal last year.

Very odd player,scored and played well enough to prompt Larne to sign him not too long ago but didn’t look interested last season at all,granted the environment was not very good but others with alot less experience played far better than him…..

[cláirseach]

Archie Davies was playing non league up to end of 2022 and ended up in the LOI team of the year.

I would also say a lot of teams in the division that Wrexham just came out are stronger than LOI PD.

Leaving aside that he asked about League One in Scotland, having Caledonia Braves and Kelty Hearts as your CV is quite different to Crawley and Aldershot.

Good players can come from anywhere of course.

[RealJohn91]

Yeah Archie Davies played nearly 70 league games in England before dropping into non-league. Not comparable at all really. You won't see many players with a similar CV coming here this off-season.

[Shearer]

Darren Nwankwo and Robbie Lynch sign part time pro deals with Treaty.

[da bishop]

Delighted to see two promising young players who have come up through the local pathway sign,the part time pro deals is interesting ,we just might hear less of the ....amateur...dictate now going foward.

[culloty82]

Antonio Tuta, who I seem to recall had a rather turbulent spell at Finn Harps last year, has signed for Kerry:

https://kerryfc.com/antonio-tuta-pens-deal-with-kerry-football-club/?fbclid=IwAR1udISFSq3gQq7LQEt3J6UoKKWjb1LsazrqLIvh OohcnSU_nxEaKSWctAY

[nigel-harps1954]

Antonio Tuta, who I seem to recall had a rather turbulent spell at Finn Harps last year, has signed for Kerry:

https://kerryfc.com/antonio-tuta-pens-deal-with-kerry-football-club/?fbclid=IwAR1udISFSq3gQq7LQEt3J6UoKKWjb1LsazrqLIvh OohcnSU_nxEaKSWctAY

Signed mid-summer to cover the injured Tim Hiemer, but ended up on the bench behind Rory Kelly for most of his spell. Ended up playing 7 games for us in total, and I think could be a good bit of business for Kerry. He's better than Axworthy, for me.

[thebronze14]

Second time he's left the club now. I'd say it'll be the last time too. He was brutal last year.

I wouldn't say brutal...Showed glimpses of quality but not enough. Don't think he was any worse than Ferry. Seems much lazier now though which didn't help endear himself and I'm glad we kept Ferry on instead for that reason

[thebronze14]

Antonio Tuta, who I seem to recall had a rather turbulent spell at Finn Harps last year, has signed for Kerry:

https://kerryfc.com/antonio-tuta-pens-deal-with-kerry-football-club/?fbclid=IwAR1udISFSq3gQq7LQEt3J6UoKKWjb1LsazrqLIvh OohcnSU_nxEaKSWctAY

He was fairly good I thought. Made some great saves but liable to the odd brain fart

[gufct]

I was looking for somewhere that has all registered premier squads . I lost the link I had to it

[2 Year Contract]

I was looking for somewhere that has all registered premier squads . I lost the link I had to it

I’m not sure that this list is 100% accurate but it’s not far off

https://www.extratime.com/articles/32217/league-of-ireland-transfer-tracker-confirmed-signings-in-the-premier-and-first-division-ahead-of-the-2024-season/

[nigel-harps1954]

I wouldn't say brutal...Showed glimpses of quality but not enough. Don't think he was any worse than Ferry. Seems much lazier now though which didn't help endear himself and I'm glad we kept Ferry on instead for that reason

Managed 3 goals and 1 assist in 18 games, and Ferry had 3 goals and 1 assist in 15 games, so fairly similar records for the season, but I think Ferrys work-rate alone makes him worth keeping on. Banda didn't shake a leg in 18 games. Just didn't look in the least bit interested.

[Neish]

I wouldn't say brutal...Showed glimpses of quality but not enough. Don't think he was any worse than Ferry. Seems much lazier now though which didn't help endear himself and I'm glad we kept Ferry on instead for that reason

BJ has shown in glimpses that he has the quality but there just seems to be lacking in work rate / determination, Sound fella though , hopefully it work out for him at Institute

[culloty82]

Kennedy Amechi re-signs for the new season, which, given our problems in front of goal, will be a major boost.

[legendz]

Antonio Tuta wants to help Kerry fight for the playoffs. I hope he does. Not conceding sloppy goals from set pieces will at least help to pick up more points.
Amechi is an important re-signing. Okwute and Mechi will both need to contribute at least 10 goals alongside Kelliher.

[SPXcyan]

Barry Baggley has returned to Waterford for the upcoming season, no mention of a loan or otherwise, but great to have him back, he was a key player for us last season.

https://waterfordfc.ie/baggley-returns-for-2024/

[2 Year Contract]

Barry Baggley has returned to Waterford for the upcoming season, no mention of a loan or otherwise, but great to have him back, he was a key player for us last season.

https://waterfordfc.ie/baggley-returns-for-2024/

Fleetwood say it’s on loan

https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2024/january/baggley-waterford-fc-loan/

[SPXcyan]

Just saw that there now yeah, a loan.

[Shearer]

Adam O'Halloran joins Treaty United. 19 signed up now, imagine not many more due.

[joey B]

Aaron McEneff joined Shamrock Rovers on loan.

[2 Year Contract]

Aaron McEneff joined Shamrock Rovers on loan.

Due to become a permanent transfer at the end of the season also on a long term deal. Aside from in goals you’d have to say their squad is probably stronger than last year now

[ontheotherhand]

Due to become a permanent transfer at the end of the season also on a long term deal. Aside from in goals you’d have to say their squad is probably stronger than last year now

Has a chance to be the strongest in quite a while but it all depends on key players staying fit, particularly at wingback.

[total hoofball]

Don't know if Rovers are looking much stronger but they are not any weaker which puts pressure on Derry/Pats. Bradley has certainly won the battle with the board bluffing a few months back over the threat of budget cuts no way they were ever going to cut back with 5 in a row on the table

[ger121]

Don't know if Rovers are looking much stronger but they are not any weaker which puts pressure on Derry/Pats. Bradley has certainly won the battle with the board bluffing a few months back over the threat of budget cuts no way they were ever going to cut back with 5 in a row on the table

They don’t look weaker at all, except in the keeper area. They’ll be the ones to beat again this season.

[joey B]

Are Bohs very quiet on the transfer front or is it just me?
Coote,Afolabi,the 2 Polish defenders gone,Buckley out long term with an injury and they’ve signed the Estonian striker,Rooney and Cornwall ?

The Talbot situation in there aswell,they feel like they have alot of work to do…..

[Calcio Jack]

Aaron McEneff joined Shamrock Rovers on loan.

So JB was resigned plus a host of other including Clark and now McEneff….. you have to ask crisis what crisis as reported by Daniel McD in his ‘heresay’ piece in the Indo the day after we won the title last season …. He’s a decent reporter but that article certainly let him down as it was based on comments obtained from individuals who weren’t prepared to go on the record …. Perhaps was a case of the envious fan in him getting the better of the professional journalist

Cue the usual

[SkStu]

Are Bohs very quiet on the transfer front or is it just me?
Coote,Afolabi,the 2 Polish defenders gone,Buckley out long term with an injury and they’ve signed the Estonian striker,Rooney and Cornwall ?

The Talbot situation in there aswell,they feel like they have alot of work to do…..

Yeah - its gonna be a tough year.

[Jack B]

McEneff was fantastic when he was last in the league. Will be interesting to see if he's still the same level of player but I can't see why that wouldn't be the case.

I think it's an interesting one with Rovers where before the off-season you'd have said goalkeeper and I suppose a more reliable goalscorer were what they'd need to really "improve", and they've not really addressed either while still making admittedly good signings in other areas of the pitch. Getting lucky with the fitness of the likes of Byrne and Farrugia this time around will be as impactful as any of the incomings will be.

Still a lot of question makes around Bohs, Dundalk and Sligo right now. Each of them have important areas of the starting eleven still to address, never mind the squad as a whole.

[Thewhitepele]

So JB was resigned plus a host of other including Clark and now McEneff….. you have to ask crisis what crisis as reported by Daniel McD in his ‘heresay’ piece in the Indo the day after we won the title last season …. He’s a decent reporter but that article certainly let him down as it was based on comments obtained from individuals who weren’t prepared to go on the record …. Perhaps was a case of the envious fan in him getting the better of the professional journalist

Cue the usual

Well it was in a heresy column and it turns out that is all it was. Players often moan and groan but when push comes to shove stay where they are comfortable. You are lucky that Dan has an interest in yee. His interest in the LOI outside Leinster is lacking. Blames the 'national' paper for not wanting to dispatch him outside the pale.

[dundalkfc10]

John Mountany confirmed as signed back with Dundalk. Strange considering he barely played now in over 2 years

Still no word on Slogget but hearing hes eager for a move to the UK to be closer with the girlfriend

[dundalkfc10]

McEneff was fantastic when he was last in the league. Will be interesting to see if he's still the same level of player but I can't see why that wouldn't be the case.

I think it's an interesting one with Rovers where before the off-season you'd have said goalkeeper and I suppose a more reliable goalscorer were what they'd need to really "improve", and they've not really addressed either while still making admittedly good signings in other areas of the pitch. Getting lucky with the fitness of the likes of Byrne and Farrugia this time around will be as impactful as any of the incomings will be.

Still a lot of question makes around Bohs, Dundalk and Sligo right now. Each of them have important areas of the starting eleven still to address, never mind the squad as a whole.

We are going to end up getting a young lad from England on loan as centre forward, so he could be great or could be terrible. Big gamble but it is what it is

Young kenny looked good last night though

[nigel-harps1954]

It's been said already, but Shamrock Rovers only glaring weak spots now are goalkeeper and a reliable goalscorer to really push on. You have to feel that Pohls won't be strong enough to sustain a European challenge, and with Graham Burke, Aaron Greene and Rory Gaffney all on the wrong side of 30 now, they really need to be looking at a younger 15/20 goal striker, and someone who can push them on in Europe too. Johnny Kenny probably isn't the answer to that question either, and remains to be seen whether Conan Noonan can be that player either.

I don't see a challenger for the league title. Pat's probably best placed at the minute, as Derry will have their troubles with perennially injured players, a concrete pitch and I am yet to be convinced by Higgins as a manager.

[Calcio Jack]

Well it was in a heresy column and it turns out that is all it was. Players often moan and groan but when push comes to shove stay where they are comfortable. You are lucky that Dan has an interest in yee. His interest in the LOI outside Leinster is lacking. Blames the 'national' paper for not wanting to dispatch him outside the pale.

The point I’m making is that it was pitched as being a serious article in a national newspaper …. There is no such thing for a professional journalist as an article containing statements posing as facts ( i.e. not corroborated or source on the record) and it being labelled a ‘heresay’ article.

Heresay comments/rumours etc. is what we entertain ourselves with here…. A decent journalist writing a two page article based on heresay/rumour is poor and tbh at the time I was amazed that his editor allowed it to be printed …. As for him having an interest in us great but as I said on this occasion I think he let his roots in Dundalk get the better of him…. But overall he does imo a good job on reporting matters related to the LOI

[WeAreRovers]

McEneff was fantastic when he was last in the league. Will be interesting to see if he's still the same level of player but I can't see why that wouldn't be the case.

I think it's an interesting one with Rovers where before the off-season you'd have said goalkeeper and I suppose a more reliable goalscorer were what they'd need to really "improve", and they've not really addressed either while still making admittedly good signings in other areas of the pitch. Getting lucky with the fitness of the likes of Byrne and Farrugia this time around will be as impactful as any of the incomings will be.

Still a lot of question makes around Bohs, Dundalk and Sligo right now. Each of them have important areas of the starting eleven still to address, never mind the squad as a whole.

I can see the logic of that thinking but it would be very much the view from outside Rovers - Pohls performed brilliantly last season, something like 13 clean sheets out of 20 appearances, also we were top scorers last year and have added goals with the new signings. Johnny Kenny to be added again too.

Remains to be seen if we have enough strength-in-depth for Europe which was an issue last year but we are undoubtedly stronger. Fitness and form or rather the lack there of will be the things to knock Rovers off their perch IMO but saying that no one was able to capitalise last year when both were issues.