2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[oriel]

Big news for Pats and the league if this happens, Johnny Giles to Shamrock Rovers type of appointment. He could see a pathway to the American MLS for himself if it goes well. Should be a great rivalry with Shelbourne. Who is Stephen Kenny's agent ?

Hibs have a vacancy this week and SK managed in SPL before, long time ago mind, he might also want to see what other interest there is in UK at L1 / L2 , but he wasn't even close to the Aberdeen job when that last came up a few months back.

Could still end up at Pats, but he might be also thinking that rules him out of any other UK job and there will be dozens of positions there to be filled during the summer, its an odd one, almost too good for LOI but not good enough (in UK clubs eyes) for over there, I remember reading Lincoln City fans were not too happy with the link in 2023.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Hardly on the Johnnny Giles to Rovers league..Giles possibly Irelands best ever player (or in the discussion) coming home with the at the time aim of making Rovers into a European force (that was the spin anyway) compared to a sacked international Manager going back to the league he came from
Giles was also manager of the Irish team at the same time - and a successful manager at that (given the players available and the corruption that cost Ireland two qualifications during his tenure).

Nowhere are Giles and Kenny in the same league as managers - in fact there is a massive gulf between them. I'd love to see what the likes of Giles or Liam Touhy could have done with the current squad.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Hibs have a vacancy this week and SK managed in SPL before, long time ago mind, he might also want to see what other interest there is in UK at L1 / L2 , but he wasn't even close to the Aberdeen job when that last came up a few months back.

Could still end up at Pats, but he might be also thinking that rules him out of any other UK job and there will be dozens of positions there to be filled during the summer, its an odd one, almost too good for LOI but not good enough (in UK clubs eyes) for over there, I remember reading Lincoln City fans were not too happy with the link in 2023.
His failure at Dunfermline will always count against him in Scotland.

[outspoken]

His failure at Dunfermline will always count against him in Scotland.

Always feel that such a false narrative. They were goosed financially and still got them to a cup final.

[Snapshot]

Giles was also manager of the Irish team at the same time - and a successful manager at that (given the players available and the corruption that cost Ireland two qualifications during his tenure).

Nowhere are Giles and Kenny in the same league as managers - in fact there is a massive gulf between them. I'd love to see what the likes of Giles or Liam Touhy could have done with the current squad.Giles was in fact player-manager at Rovers and for Ireland - so he picked himself for the international team. It was never questioned - he was still a class player, albeit a bit slower and crankier. He did well at West Brom, getting promotion from the old Second Division and finishing an impressive seventh in the First Division the following season.

[Jd2793]

king gone from dundalk already

[joey B]

Obviously if there’s genuinely a serious medical issue you wish him well but at the same time it’s hard not to believe he just packed it in,seriously embarrassing times for Dundalk though…..

[oriel]

Seemingly it was down to health issues, that's been confirmed by a few now, and I`m genuinely sorry for him.

He should never have been asked to take it, nor should he have accepted it, but he did.

That said, there is a chance now to get a more suitable candidate and to work with new joins in July, and to have a chance of keeping us up, still a huge ask as a lot more damage can be done between now and then.

[Nesta99]

Obviously if there’s genuinely a serious medical issue you wish him well but at the same time it’s hard not to believe he just packed it in,seriously embarrassing times for Dundalk though…..

Don't think anyone saw that. There are a gazillion rumours. Doolin in and maybe people should be careful what they wish for. The talk of assistant managers that are arguably stronger than the manager. Strange stuff. Garts being ousted was being called for timing is interesting.

King was on a hiding to nothing, saw the writing on the wall?

[Jack B]

Seen Ainscough was tweeting abuse to a fan and then deleted it swiftly. Not really helping his cause and just further makes the club look like an absolute basket case at the moment.

[sbgawa]

"go F@@@ yourself u **** head" from the owner is exactly what id want to see if i was a sponsor considering supporting Dundalk.
He must have a very thin skin, you cant be picking twitter fights as a Club owner.

The tweet he was responding to was from a fan (i preume) responding to the NK departure by saying "time to pick up the phone and beg the real King" not exactly hurling abuse at BA. unless there is history i amnt aware of

[pateen]

Thin skin I guess you mean. As in, hyper sensitive to a simple fans suggestion

[mcgonigle]

Mad stuff by Ainsworth. While he seems to be doing good stuff off the pitch. The King appointment and the ****show that's followed, the argument in Drogheda and now this on X are very worrying. Coming across as a bit of a headcase, who thinks he knows best and won't listen to advice. Recipe for disaster. Fully expect him to hire Buckley

[total hoofball]

So who's in the running to be Ainscough's next hire... Roddy, Keely, Sean Connor, Steve Staunton??

[Another Bohemia]

So who's in the running to be Ainscough's next hire... Roddy, Keely, Sean Connor, Steve Staunton??

Dermot Keely anyone?

[ontheotherhand]

This season is great.

[placid casual]

What an utter farce of a football club.
A barstoolers wet dream when it comes to discussing the merits or otherwise of the League of Ireland.

[outspoken]

What an utter farce of a football club.
A barstoolers wet dream when it comes to discussing the merits or otherwise of the League of Ireland.

F"ck them their small minds are already made up. As a LOI fan this is the soap opera stuff that makes the league

[placid casual]

F"ck them their small minds are already made up. As a LOI fan this is the soap opera stuff that makes the league
We'll have to agree to disagree then outspoken.
For me it's a really bad look for the league , albeit the comedy value of a club who 6 yrs ago were cash rich ,boasting a title winning team and self proclaimed best loi manager ever, are now melting like fallen snow in may. Good enough for them.
Cork will at least offer the opportunity of raincover for away fans next season, which should be the bare minimum for ground facilities in a league striving to get better and be taken seriously by the hoi polloi of irish football fans.

[outspoken]

We'll have to agree to disagree then outspoken.
For me it's a really bad look for the league , albeit the comedy value of a club who 6 yrs ago were cash rich ,boasting a title winning team and self proclaimed best loi manager ever, are now melting like fallen snow in may. Good enough for them.
Cork will at least offer the opportunity of raincover for away fans next season, which should be the bare minimum for ground facilities in a league striving to get better and be taken seriously by the hoi polloi of irish football fans.

I don't think Cork City are in any position to be feeling smug. The club. With the self proclaimed best support in the country once again in the First Division and only recently back in a stadium they were locked out of as they don't own it. This time last year it was their owner making the headlines.

[Nesta99]

What an utter farce of a football club.
A barstoolers wet dream when it comes to discussing the merits or otherwise of the League of Ireland.

Bar stoolers?? You'd be sliding off your stool legs crossed when the news broke PC!


Always feel that such a false narrative. They were goosed financially and still got them to a cup final.

Agreed and its lazy to just see a trigger happy end to that speel without any of the rest. Got to within safety on the last day of the SPL after being well adrift (10pts I think) and after 4 wins in a row at one point were staying up last day bar a St Mirren miracle. The cup run wasnt luck of the draw with Rangers, Hearts and Hibs knocked out before a damn close tussle with Celtic. Followig season Scottish Trophy R-Up and lost to Hacken 2-1, 1-1 at home but for some reason these 'Swedish minnows' was a huge blot on the copybook from day dot that new season - when you consider some SPL european results, its hard to see how a 2nd tier Scottish side could see that loss as humiliation. They did climb 3 places and safety after SK left, he was barely a year in the job at that point. So imo it is harsh to see Dunfermline as a blackspot on his career and with some luck things may have been very different and who knows whether Dundalk would have had the chance to be the circus of this week if things hd been slightly different then.(they say a lucky manager is better than a good one and time in the Irleand job does kind back that up in an odd way).

[Jd2793]

I don't think Cork City are in any position to be feeling smug. The club. With the self proclaimed best support in the country once again in the First Division and only recently back in a stadium they were locked out of as they don't own it. This time last year it was their owner making the headlines.

everyone says they've the best support in the country - unless you are from longford where 200 people show up every fortnight.

[Nesta99]

We'll have to agree to disagree then outspoken.
For me it's a really bad look for the league , albeit the comedy value of a club who 6 yrs ago were cash rich ,boasting a title winning team and self proclaimed best loi manager ever, are now melting like fallen snow in may. Good enough for them.
Cork will at least offer the opportunity of raincover for away fans next season, which should be the bare minimum for ground facilities in a league striving to get better and be taken seriously by the hoi polloi of irish football fans.

This would be the same league that the 4 in a row champions had their home ground sold out from under them a year on, had to traipse across the city to play at dog tracks, running tracks, rented a room from their bitter rivals, had ground development grant money 'reallocated', went in to luquidation, submitted false accounts, were relegated by Dublin City FC a club that Roddy Collins left calling them a sham for him to be given a job by Shamrock Rovers, who suspended Roddy and were then done for unfair dismissal, spent so long developing a new ground that it would make Harps blush, was declared derelict and was taken back by the council to be actually develped and allow Shamrock Rovers to rent. Possible issues to come ie the bankrolling of club activities diluting and maybe ending the much lauded fans ownership model with DD due to call in his loan or take ownership in lieu - is it this year or next that debt matures and with accounts showing the sort of loss that is likely to see that sacrosanct fan share end. SRFC becomes another play thing of a billionaire that can d what he likes!?

Its LoI, nobody is in a position to point the finger at the colourful back stories of our clubs, no one should point the finger knowing that the future of any cluB can be upended. Really PC you should know your history!!

[sbgawa]

everyone says they've the best support in the country - unless you are from longford where 200 people show up every fortnight.


Population of Longford 40000 crowds (according to Nigel) 594
Population of Dublin 1.5million = average attendance in Dublin should be 22,275
Shels Rovers Bohs UCD, Pats = 19629 (credit Nigel again)
Turns out Longford are killing it :)

[outspoken]

Population of Longford 40000 crowds (according to Nigel) 594
Population of Dublin 1.5million = average attendance in Dublin should be 22,275
Shels Rovers Bohs UCD, Pats = 19629 (credit Nigel again)
Turns out Longford are killing it :)

Best support in the country

[placid casual]

This would be the same league that the 4 in a row champions had their home ground sold out from under them a year on, had to traipse across the city to play at dog tracks, running tracks, rented a room from their bitter rivals, had ground development grant money 'reallocated', went in to luquidation, submitted false accounts, were relegated by Dublin City FC a club that Roddy Collins left calling them a sham for him to be given a job by Shamrock Rovers, who suspended Roddy and were then done for unfair dismissal, spent so long developing a new ground that it would make Harps blush, was declared derelict and was taken back by the council to be actually develped and allow Shamrock Rovers to rent. Possible issues to come ie the bankrolling of club activities diluting and maybe ending the much lauded fans ownership model with DD due to call in his loan or take ownership in lieu - is it this year or next that debt matures and with accounts showing the sort of loss that is likely to see that sacrosanct fan share end. SRFC becomes another play thing of a billionaire that can d what he likes!?

Its LoI, nobody is in a position to point the finger at the colourful back stories of our clubs, no one should point the finger knowing that the future of any cluB can be upended. Really PC you should know your history!!

It's PRECISELY this reason Nesta.!!!
I and all my Rovers mates suffered for 30 years under this kind of $hite ,and are determined not to let it happen again. You can't seem to acknowledge where your club is headed.
The biggest difference is your club had the best part of €9/10 Million quid during the kenny era to improve your club and you pi$$ed it right up the wall- The kilcoyne twa*$ sold Miltown for a million quid when it was worth multiples of that,so even they lost out along with the Rovers fans.

[Nesta99]

Dont bother with the bs PC, You were were feigning concern about the image of the league, claiming that we deserve this. At least be honest with yourself and accept that you are particularly bitter when it comes to Dundalk, behaving more akin to minnowism. You are simply gloating and now trying to cover by flying a flag of SRFC experience based virtue. That hole in your finances doesnt indicate that lessons have been learned, that you may, as fans, lose any say in how your club is run, which doesnt indicate lessons have been learned. If you think that Dundalk fans do not know where mistakes were made, what it like to have no say in how money should be invested, have decisions made that have long term implications with out any input well you are quite wrong. Being powerless while wtaching your club get toyed with is not easy, Im sure you recall what its like. But its a glimpse in to a possible future for you. So come on then, when does the DD loan mature and he can take control of the club? He might cover losses, or he might focus on youth development and strip playing assets for his Glasgow operation, do you think this is a possibility? Do you think losing the fans stake in the club is learning from the past? Was a good enough for Rovers fans past, possibley future? Get down off that high horse before you fall PC!

[joey B]

Stephen Kenny confirmed as the new St Patrick’s Athletic manager….

[2 Year Contract]

Contract till the end of the 2029 season. Wasn’t a bad idea publicly buttering him up for the Ireland job back in 2018 after all now was it Dundalk lads ;)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Kenny back at the level he is more suited to. I suspect he'll do a lot better for Pats than he did for Ireland.

[Another Bohemia]

Potentially game changing appointment by Pat's. You would wonder what has changed in the 8? Weeks since he was linked with the Bohs job because I can confirm he did do the tour of the training ground and the usual stuff managers late in the process do. Fingers crossed it ends up like his time at Rovers :D.

On Rovers. If they do end up being owned 100% by Dermot Desmond I'd say Rovers will always be second fiddle to Celtic for him but I don't think that would mean he would let Rovers rot. From anything I've heard about him he is someone who wants to win everything with Celtic and I can't see why that wouldn't translate to another club should he own them as well. You would probably lose some of the young exciting players to Celtic for less than you would want but that's how it goes with multi club models.

On Dundalk I've always fancied being a manager and can get into internet arguments with the best of them. Does anyone have BA's number so I can throw my hat in the ring? :D Jokes aside I think Dundalk fans (whether it's a hundred of them or thousands) need to band together and plan for BA throwing his toys out of the pram and leaving Dundalk in the lurch because I'm not sure he has the patience for the long term project that Dundalk have become. If he did he would have stayed at Kerry but he tried to jump a few steps ahead by buying Dundalk.

[sbgawa]

Whats happened in the 8 weeks is G Kelliher has offered him a lengthy and lucretive contract with cedrtainty around budget.
Bohs can toffer the same particularly if they have to move during Dalymount rebuild etc.
Money talks

[placid casual]

Dont bother with the bs PC, You were were feigning concern about the image of the league, claiming that we deserve this. At least be honest with yourself and accept that you are particularly bitter when it comes to Dundalk, behaving more akin to minnowism. You are simply gloating and now trying to cover by flying a flag of SRFC experience based virtue. That hole in your finances doesnt indicate that lessons have been learned, that you may, as fans, lose any say in how your club is run, which doesnt indicate lessons have been learned. If you think that Dundalk fans do not know where mistakes were made, what it like to have no say in how money should be invested, have decisions made that have long term implications with out any input well you are quite wrong. Being powerless while wtaching your club get toyed with is not easy, Im sure you recall what its like. But its a glimpse in to a possible future for you. So come on then, when does the DD loan mature and he can take control of the club? He might cover losses, or he might focus on youth development and strip playing assets for his Glasgow operation, do you think this is a possibility? Do you think losing the fans stake in the club is learning from the past? Was a good enough for Rovers fans past, possibley future? Get down off that high horse before you fall PC!

I don't think you realise. I'm not on any horse at all.
I'm just laughing at you on your 3 legged donkey going in the wrong direction.
Don't bother bringing the bedsheets past the away section tomorrow night,like what happened before. You'll get short shrift from Rovers fans.

[placid casual]

Kenny back at the level he is more suited to. I suspect he'll do a lot better for Pats than he did for Ireland.
Complety agree. He has a base to work from there , although he might have to get rid of some expensive deadwood first.

[nr637]

Stephen Kenny confirmed as the new St Patrick’s Athletic manager….

Who will be his assistant and possible other staff?

Brian Gartland is available!

[Acornvilla]

Complety agree. He has a base to work from there , although he might have to get rid of some expensive deadwood first.

He's had a knack of getting the best out of people at a crossroad in their career when working together day to day, so you never know what's possible with the current group even before they bring a couple of new faces in.

I think this is an extremely positive development for Pats and the league by extension. For himself, I'm sure it's not the dream gig, but there's a lot to work with and the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong with a European adventure or three.

[Calcio Jack]

This would be the same league that the 4 in a row champions had their home ground sold out from under them a year on, had to traipse across the city to play at dog tracks, running tracks, rented a room from their bitter rivals, had ground development grant money 'reallocated', went in to luquidation, submitted false accounts, were relegated by Dublin City FC a club that Roddy Collins left calling them a sham for him to be given a job by Shamrock Rovers, who suspended Roddy and were then done for unfair dismissal, spent so long developing a new ground that it would make Harps blush, was declared derelict and was taken back by the council to be actually develped and allow Shamrock Rovers to rent. Possible issues to come ie the bankrolling of club activities diluting and maybe ending the much lauded fans ownership model with DD due to call in his loan or take ownership in lieu - is it this year or next that debt matures and with accounts showing the sort of loss that is likely to see that sacrosanct fan share end. SRFC becomes another play thing of a billionaire that can d what he likes!?

Its LoI, nobody is in a position to point the finger at the colourful back stories of our clubs, no one should point the finger knowing that the future of any cluB can be upended. Really PC you should know your history!!

The difference with us is that despite various iterations of owners almost destroying the club as outlined by you above ; we the fans worked and succeeded in becoming owners and over last 15 years have ‘built’ the sustainable club we have today that incorporates a hugely successful first team and an academy that is the best in the country ( e.g. 8 of our u15s are in the Irish squad) and a range of other community projects ( yesterday for example our men’s Walking football team participated in a tournament in Cork). And of course we even had to in conjunction with the SCC take on and defeat the GAA ( Thomas Davis) in the High Court .

Based on the above we’ve earned the right to comment on others as we may of been a ‘basket case’ the difference is we set about to fix ( not saying we couldn’t get into trouble in the future ) that and as things stand we’re doing good ).

[DCSIL]

Dont bother with the bs PC, You were were feigning concern about the image of the league, claiming that we deserve this. At least be honest with yourself and accept that you are particularly bitter when it comes to Dundalk, behaving more akin to minnowism. You are simply gloating and now trying to cover by flying a flag of SRFC experience based virtue. That hole in your finances doesnt indicate that lessons have been learned, that you may, as fans, lose any say in how your club is run, which doesnt indicate lessons have been learned. If you think that Dundalk fans do not know where mistakes were made, what it like to have no say in how money should be invested, have decisions made that have long term implications with out any input well you are quite wrong. Being powerless while wtaching your club get toyed with is not easy, Im sure you recall what its like. But its a glimpse in to a possible future for you. So come on then, when does the DD loan mature and he can take control of the club? He might cover losses, or he might focus on youth development and strip playing assets for his Glasgow operation, do you think this is a possibility? Do you think losing the fans stake in the club is learning from the past? Was a good enough for Rovers fans past, possibley future? Get down off that high horse before you fall PC!

Rovers only care for one other club... "our friends in the north" who they occasionally send top ups...

[total hoofball]

Complety agree. He has a base to work from there , although he might have to get rid of some expensive deadwood first.
That current Pats squad looks a mid-table level write-off to me unimpressed everytime I have seen them this season I wouldn't be expecting miracles from Kenny this season and with Dundalk in 2013 he had a complete clean slate unlike Pats who will have alot of junk still under contract next season

You have to expect Kenny is being provided a budget to match Rovers/Derry so more wage inflation in the league and players picked off from Bohs/Shels/the rest, if Pats botch their recruitment again for 2025 at least Kenny has the security of that bumper contract and any potential big pay-off it's a win-win for him

[Nesta99]

I don't think you realise. I'm not on any horse at all.
I'm just laughing at you on your 3 legged donkey going in the wrong direction.
Don't bother bringing the bedsheets past the away section tomorrow night,like what happened before. You'll get short shrift from Rovers fans.

Now there's some honesty, no bs. Its a **** show at Oriel, as it has with other clubs, proabably all at some point. CJ is spot on too, Rovers supporters worked damn hard to preserve the club but you havent forgotten the hard times CJ and pointed the finger. PC was up on his pedestal talking about barstoolers using this to LoI bash. He was just having a (justified) swipe with faux concern for the wider league.

You still havent answered my question on the possibility of losing fan ownership! A self proclaimed perfect model for LoI clubs that would prevent mistakes of the past being repeated. Im sure it would stick in the craw for the likes of CJ who was one of those who fought to bring the club back from the brink but could yet cede once again to private ownership, potentially risking the club being exposed to the whims of an individual. While its unlikely that DD would dismantle the club he could make Rovers a youth development outfit and feeder club to his main football interest. Care should be taken in LoI when laughing at other clubs as there but for the grace of god or he who laughs last etc etc. Its is mad that Dundalk's current situation is rooted in the appointment of a single mad geriatric about 4 years ago. Maybe if we had weathered that storm without demanding the ousting of people with very deep pockets, Bob would have moved on and some normal footballing operation resumed, who knows and tbh is a warning to any club that a few years can make a big difference. BA could well be the man that gets the off field club operations up to scratch, has acknowledge and not fudged the fact the facilities are not up to scratch. He scored an own goal with appointing NK but he has indicated an awarness of deeper issues at the club. It is too early to pass judgement on his ownership but if he was pushed out by fan groups where to then?

Part of Rovers business model is to wing the league every x number of years, the champions pathway making group stages possible semi regularly. If a SK led and heavily financially backed St Pats were to dominate going forward then that financal deficit could grow and become increasingly problematic. Selling the odd player, making Europe is still the basis of Rovers sustainability, hardly unique.

[Calcio Jack]

Now there's some honesty, no bs. Its a **** show at Oriel, as it has with other clubs, proabably all at some point. CJ is spot on too, Rovers supporters worked damn hard to preserve the club but you havent forgotten the hard times CJ and pointed the finger. PC was up on his pedestal talking about barstoolers using this to LoI bash. He was just having a (justified) swipe with faux concern for the wider league.

You still havent answered my question on the possibility of losing fan ownership! A self proclaimed perfect model for LoI clubs that would prevent mistakes of the past being repeated. Im sure it would stick in the craw for the likes of CJ who was one of those who fought to bring the club back from the brink but could yet cede once again to private ownership, potentially risking the club being exposed to the whims of an individual. While its unlikely that DD would dismantle the club he could make Rovers a youth development outfit and feeder club to his main football interest. Care should be taken in LoI when laughing at other clubs as there but for the grace of god or he who laughs last etc etc. Its is mad that Dundalk's current situation is rooted in the appointment of a single mad geriatric about 4 years ago. Maybe if we had weathered that storm without demanding the ousting of people with very deep pockets, Bob would have moved on and some normal footballing operation resumed, who knows and tbh is a warning to any club that a few years can make a big difference. BA could well be the man that gets the off field club operations up to scratch, has acknowledge and not fudged the fact the facilities are not up to scratch. He scored an own goal with appointing NK but he has indicated an awarness of deeper issues at the club. It is too early to pass judgement on his ownership but if he was pushed out by fan groups where to then?

Part of Rovers business model is to wing the league every x number of years, the champions pathway making group stages possible semi regularly. If a SK led and heavily financially backed St Pats were to dominate going forward then that financal deficit could grow and become increasingly problematic. Selling the odd player, making Europe is still the basis of Rovers sustainability, hardly unique.

I’m not sure what is the point of the above post bar explaining what we all know I.e. the future is uncertain- but what we’ve tried to do is future proof ourselves as best as possible but the good thing about sport in general is that no one or club stays indefinitely at the top ; current example is Bayern Munich- so we’ll see in a few years and that’s the fun/pain of it depending on which part of the circle your clubs sits.

[Another Bohemia]

I’m not sure what is the point of the above post bar explaining what we all know I.e. the future is uncertain- but what we’ve tried to do is future proof ourselves as best as possible but the good thing about sport in general is that no one or club stays indefinitely at the top ; current example is Bayern Munich- so we’ll see in a few years and that’s the fun/pain of it depending on which part of the circle your clubs sits.

I suppose the argument is that you really haven't tried to future proof yourself if your business model is dependent on winning the league and doing well in Europe frequently. That's been the flaw of every LOI team that's boomed and busted. What happens if Kenny leads Pat's to multiple leagues and Rovers falter in Europe as a result? You can't depend on revenue from the academy simply because player development is dependent on so many factors outside of the control of the academy. You could have years with great youth teams and years with ones where there's no player who is above LSL standard. It's good to invest in these facilities but they don't guarantee revenue and shouldn't be seen that way imo.

[Jolly Red Giant]

The appointment of Kenny is a positive for the LOI - having a former international manager appointed to a club here raises the profile of the entire league.

Kenny has a good record in the LOI, but that does not guarantee future success. However, the better the level of competition the better the entire league will become.

Ireland will always suffer from the close proximity of Britain in terms of siphoning off talent - but one of the benefits of Brexit is that the kids will remain at home. This increases the potential of those players continuing to play and raise the standard of the LOI. I personally know several talented teenagers who were so disillusioned by their time working with English clubs, that they simply stopped playing altogether.

[RealJohn91]

Jake Carroll signs for Bohs. Makes sense why he was still hanging around the place on match nights.

[2 Year Contract]

Jake Carroll signs for Bohs. Makes sense why he was still hanging around the place on match nights.

Without a club for 11 months and has played 1 league game in the last 2 years so wouldn’t be the most dependable availability wise but at 33 y/o in a couple of months he’ll bring a bit of experience to the squad anyways

[Another Bohemia]

Jake Carroll signs for Bohs. Makes sense why he was still hanging around the place on match nights.

Could be a good signing for a squad lacking in leadership in defence but the big question is fitness. He will be needed to play games with Mills and Mathesons loans ending soon.

[total hoofball]

That's a strange signing by Bohs, a 32 going on 33 year old centre-half who has hardly kicked a ball in 2 years due to injury is mostly likely going to be rubbish at that age in the LOI Premier Division even if they had a decent enough career in the UK in their 20s, there's enough experience in that Bohs squad already they don't need to another veteran around to pat the early 20 somethings on the back

[Nesta99]

I’m not sure what is the point of the above post bar explaining what we all know I.e. the future is uncertain- but what we’ve tried to do is future proof ourselves as best as possible but the good thing about sport in general is that no one or club stays indefinitely at the top ; current example is Bayern Munich- so we’ll see in a few years and that’s the fun/pain of it depending on which part of the circle your clubs sits.

Once again the question of future ownership has been evaded. Fan ownership is a key pillar of futrue proofing SRFC, but isnt that at risk or not. As AB as said yes my point is that the future is uncertain and hence why taking excessive pleasure in another club's turmoil can throw some karma in your direction. When CCFC got in to financial trouble and were relegated I didnt take any paricular pleasure in it (bar to one or two on their forum that claimed that Cork were future proofed and that they would dominate the league by virtue of their sustainable model and average gate), my criticism was not to kick CCFC fans but to question how they let the elected FORAS board let things get out of control again.

Dundalk for all our current contribution to the GLITW soap opera are still in business. The management appointment was a mess for one reason or another. Its not good but may not be a disaster....yet. Whether SK was seriously considering the Dundalk job and the time given t him to decide was cut off is only relevant if he came out and said he would have taken the job and we missed the chance. Likewise Derry could also lament not making a move sooner. From what Im hearing SK was unsure about 'going back' to where he had good times and ditto with the Bohs offer. Nobody really expected him to come back to Dundalk so the situation really stays the same. We need a manager that could give us a fighting chance and will bring in a backroom team to help.

If its true, I get why Garts may have made a last ditch effort to get SK to reconsider the Dundalk job, but he did it while there was a manager in situ that had just been appointed, behind the back of the owner. Well intentioned but questionable jusgement to try and oust a newly appointed man using the weight of fan popularity and pressure. I can see why the owner would have seen that as over stepping the mark.

I will say again that it hs seemed for a while that Dundalk FC was eating itself from within in recent years and moves have been made to put an end to that cycle. Hopefully it will reap rewards down the line and it was certainly better that the apparant indifference of hyped up local ownership.

[RealJohn91]

That's a strange signing by Bohs, a 32 going on 33 year old centre-half who has hardly kicked a ball in 2 years due to injury is mostly likely going to be rubbish at that age in the LOI Premier Division even if they had a decent enough career in the UK in their 20s, there's enough experience in that Bohs squad already they don't need to another veteran around to pat the early 20 somethings on the back
There's hardly any experience in that defence though. Cornwall would be the one but he's probably out for the season. Matheson and Mills' loans are up shortly too. Who knows what state he's in physically but the side needs some depth and experience in defence.

[Another Bohemia]

There's hardly any experience in that defence though. Cornwall would be the one but he's probably out for the season. Matheson and Mills' loans are up shortly too. Who knows what state he's in physically but the side needs some depth and experience in defence.

Yep, Paddy Kirk is the most experienced defender of the starting back 4 and he's prone to being the biggest liability as well. Prior to this signing there was no alternate left back at the club either hence Flores getting games there. Risky but necessary signing imo.