2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[nr637]

Anyone with a list of all the recent transfers!

[culloty82]

Treaty with a big statement signing in Lee Lynch who you would have to assume is signing fulltime given he has just left fulltime football to return for what i believe is his third spell on shannonside and the 12th move of his career.Here,s hoping he can inspire all around him from the rather mundane stuff we have witnessed so far .

You're also set to sign Jack Kavanagh - unfortunately, he was plagued with injuries after signing for us, and by the time he did recover, Seán O'Connell was undroppable in that position.

[Shearer]

Steven Healy gone on loan to Treaty from Galway.

[Shearer]

Trpimir Vrljicak, formerly of Kerry, signs for Treaty United.

Not the most inspiring of signings but it's another body, something Treaty have lacked.

[gufct]

Released , Joseph Wright , Tom Costello, wassim Aouachria. Kazeem I love the club last Sunday then loved Pats more on Monday.

Signings Bobby Burns & Junior from Glentoran . Jimmy Keohane Rochdale.

Loan Stephen Healy treaty .

[culloty82]

Trpimir Vrljicak, formerly of Kerry, signs for Treaty United.

Not the most inspiring of signings but it's another body, something Treaty have lacked.

Best of luck to him, even if, as you say, I'm surprised that an LoI club expressed an interest.

[Martinho II]

Longford Town made 5 signings today:Eric Yoro from Cliftonville,Emre Topcu from Cliftonville,Daniel Norris from UCD,Chris Lotefa from Bohs,and Carl Lennox from Wexford. Lotefa is the only one whose name Im familar with. Anyone any opinion on these players? Jack Harrington and Samuel Clarke have departed us. Chris Lyons has retired from us due to his injuries. Strange move from club not to mention about Lyons retiring.

[Another Bohemia]

Longford Town made 5 signings today:Eric Yoro from Cliftonville,Emre Topcu from Cliftonville,Daniel Norris from UCD,Chris Lotefa from Bohs,and Carl Lennox from Wexford. Lotefa is the only one whose name Im familar with. Anyone any opinion on these players? Jack Harrington and Samuel Clarke have departed us. Chris Lyons has retired from us due to his injuries. Strange move from club not to mention about Lyons retiring.

Did Topcu not play for Drogheda? If so he's a Turkish u18 midfielder and that's the extent of my knowledge. If that's not him then o find it strange that there are 2 people on the island of Ireland with such a unique name playing in the LoI

[pineapple stu]

Eric Yoro wouldn't have been great with us! Got a move to Bolton, which came as a surprise, but was at Cliftonville since Feb, where he played 45 minutes.

Little bit surprised to see Norris moving; hadn't been featuring at all this season but presumed that was injury as he was a regular last year

[The Bowler]

When Bolton signed Eric Yoro, the powers that be at UCD were as flabbergasted as the fans. He was a special sort of footballer. He had pace, but that's all he had. Awful touche and his party trick was fresh air shots when trying to kick a ball while an attacker was running anywhere near him. Best of luck to him, was sold a pup by Bolton in the first place, not sure he ever kicked a ball for their B team even. Hopefully he gets his career back on track. Started with a clean sheet, can't ask for more than that.

[thebronze14]

Willie played over 100 times for Treaty i think but most of those appearances were off the bench.
I have no idea how or why that comment was quoted with my other one!!

[outspoken]

Trpimir Vrljicak, formerly of Kerry, signs for Treaty United.

Not the most inspiring of signings but it's another body, something Treaty have lacked.

Is he a big lump of a centre forward? If he's the lad I'm thinking of from last season he isn't even related to a footballer

[outspoken]

When Bolton signed Eric Yoro, the powers that be at UCD were as flabbergasted as the fans. He was a special sort of footballer. He had pace, but that's all he had. Awful touche and his party trick was fresh air shots when trying to kick a ball while an attacker was running anywhere near him. Best of luck to him, was sold a pup by Bolton in the first place, not sure he ever kicked a ball for their B team even. Hopefully he gets his career back on track. Started with a clean sheet, can't ask for more than that.

He played central midfield wearing the 10 tonight. Definitely not his position. Difficult debut

[elatedscum]

Did Topcu not play for Drogheda? If so he's a Turkish u18 midfielder and that's the extent of my knowledge. If that's not him then o find it strange that there are 2 people on the island of Ireland with such a unique name playing in the LoI

Emre Topcu was at Drogheda and is by all accounts a very promising footballer, turned down an Ireland u19 call-up as he was already with Turkey and basically felt the staff were really good taking a leap of faith with them and felt it wouldn't be right to switch. His younger brother is first choice keeper for this coming Ireland u17. Great young keeper but will need to grow a good bit to be tall enough to make it at the highest level as a keeper...

[Martinho II]

Did Topcu not play for Drogheda? If so he's a Turkish u18 midfielder and that's the extent of my knowledge. If that's not him then o find it strange that there are 2 people on the island of Ireland with such a unique name playing in the LoI

Apologises yeah you are right AB!

[joey B]

Drogheda goalkeeper Andrew Wogan transferred to League One side Stockport County,record fee involved and loaned back for the rest of the season.

[Bunny Kelly]

There is a lot to be said for giving youth a chance from a business perspective & I am not surprised someone has taken a punt on Wogan, but even allowing for his age, is he actually any good?

[joey B]

There is a lot to be said for giving youth a chance from a business perspective & I am not surprised someone has taken a punt on Wogan, but even allowing for his age, is he actually any good?

I thought he looked really good last season but has suffered behind a bad defence this year,has made some bad errors but he’s only 18 so definitely a decent prospect I think….

[Another Bohemia]

I thought he looked really good last season but has suffered behind a bad defence this year,has made some bad errors but he’s only 18 so definitely a decent prospect I think….

From what I've seen of him he's a good sweeper keeper at times (maybe it's a confidence thing but that wasn't as prominent this season) and is good with the ball at his feet. 2 things that are really coveted in the modern game.

[Nesta99]

Drogheda goalkeeper Andrew Wogan transferred to League One side Stockport County,record fee involved and loaned back for the rest of the season.

What is the previous record for out of inteest if anyone has an idea? Itd be interesting to know waht all clubs transfers out and in are if anyone wants to share. Transfer fees paid by Dundalk were non existant until relatively recently. I think Stephen Napier was the last until SK signed Dylan Connolly from Bray. Stuart Connolly cost compensation to Athlone when we were in the 1st division which could still be a record (around 10k). How we let Hoban go for a club that could technically pay anything will always be a mystery unless Hoban or O'Donnell ever writes a book. Actually any book written by one or two of the more grounded stalwart officials of the club would be film script worthy....

Bunch of ruours about Archie Davies transfer out. One was for €75k.

Bear with off thread for a moment ive little else to do than air some thoughts at the moment:eek: - For context I think Steve Staunton's transfer fee was IR£75k, 20k up front and sell on to villa brought it to the 75k so about €200k in todays money. Add pre season friendly with Liverpool held 1991, reported 15k at the game but Id say more 12k paying (either way it was dangerous as fencing was still around the pitch and kids were lifted over the perimiter fences to sit on the sideline to alleviate crushing - I was one of those kids and have never underestimated the risks of overcrowding since), At guess of £5 average ticket in 1991 ,Oriel might remember better?, but thats €150k gate income. A similar crowd was there for Celtic a few days later, €150k. Over the next few preseasons we played Forest and Man Utd to say a combied 15k @£7 ticket - €240k. We were league champions twice, a cup run to the fianl and 3 or 4 European nights. So income just shy of €1mil for a semi pro club and a lot less overheads than today.

How did Dundalk FC not do anything to Oriel Park since the 70s even then do the same couple of decades later.

Have transfer fees out of the league really improved that much since Stauntons transfer when index linked

The PFAI want minimum wages, minimum 14 pros per club, fanancial stability for their members where contracts are adhered to yet their members contribute to or more dont really contribute to league finaces. A quid pro quo argument should be made to the PFAI where they encourage their members to be like a Gavin Bazunu where he insisted that Rovers be properly recogised for his development and not at the very minimum of training comp. UEFA obviously need spread the wealth but the PFAI have had as much a role in holding some things back as the FAI during their problem child phase, encouraging very short term contracts, even wrangling the odd player out of their contract so they could transfer for free.

[RealJohn91]

Bohs sign Alex Greive, a New Zealand International forward who was last at St Mirren.

[Another Bohemia]

The PFAI want minimum wages, minimum 14 pros per club, fanancial stability for their members where contracts are adhered to yet their members contribute to or more dont really contribute to league finaces. A quid pro quo argument should be made to the PFAI where they encourage their members to be like a Gavin Bazunu where he insisted that Rovers be properly recogised for his development and not at the very minimum of training comp. UEFA obviously need spread the wealth but the PFAI have had as much a role in holding some things back as the FAI during their problem child phase, encouraging very short term contracts, even wrangling the odd player out of their contract so they could transfer for free.

There is already a minimum wage

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/1108/1333832-pfai-hail-positive-step-as-430-minimum-wage-agreed/#:~:text=Senior%20full%2Dtime%20professionals%20in ,and%20representatives%20of%20the%20clubs.

It's also not a lot of money when you look at it in real terms. Less than 2 grand a month. You wouldn't live on that in most of the country

[Shinkicker]

Bohs sign Alex Greive, a New Zealand International forward who was last at St Mirren.
Needed a striker, hopefully he will knock in a few and get us up the table

[joey B]

Archie Davies left Dundalk for Carlisle,not ideal for Dundalk losing one of their best players going into the remainder of the season…..

[Another Bohemia]

Needed a striker, hopefully he will knock in a few and get us up the table

It's so hard to know the quality of these lads. Tierney and Carroll were proven quantities in the league and Carroll had been around the squad all season anyway so very logical signings. Meekison and Grieves are about as unknown as possible. On the one hand Grieves striking partner for his country is one of the better LOI strikers in recent memory on the other hand imports from Scotland can be hit and miss as we've seen this season at various clubs. I think the first team is stronger overall than at the start of the window but would still like to add a right back before the end of the window because we have none at the club.

[Demesne Lad]

Archie Davies left Dundalk for Carlisle,not ideal for Dundalk losing one of their best players going into the remainder of the season…..

Carlisle manager Paul Simpson has had Davies watched and believes that although it will be "a step up" to EFL 2, Davies will hold his own, especially as he is fully fit. So Dundalk get a few euro, but it seems the squad is getting weaker and weaker.

[outspoken]

Rumoured locally to be a 75k fee. Peanuts but his contract was up end of season. Dundalk have done like Sligo last season and weighed up likelihood of surviving without him against the cash injection. Goes to show how fragile the league still is when a club feel they can't afford to turn down 75k for a quality player.

Simpsons comments will draw the usual anger from LOI fans but as someone who has watched a lot of Davies I agree with Simpson that he needs to improve in a lot of areas, there's stuff he got away with here that he won't in the UK, simple.

[joey B]

Hayden Muller has left Dundalk for Sutton United aswell,no idea if he was an important player for Dundalk or not….

[Jolly Red Giant]

Carlisle manager Paul Simpson has had Davies watched and believes that although it will be "a step up" to EFL 2, Davies will hold his own, especially as he is fully fit. So Dundalk get a few euro, but it seems the squad is getting weaker and weaker.
Most of the clubs in League Two come from towns similar in size between Limerick and Cork (closer to Limerick population wise). The LOI should be comparable to the top end of L2 - but there are reasons why it is not.

League Two clubs get about £0.5m per year from the EFL and a further £0.5m a year in 'solidarity' trickle down payments from the PL (there is a reason why the Hollywoods threw a massive amount of money into getting Wrexham out of the Conference). That is nearly €1.2m every year that LOI clubs do not have access to. The average attendance in L2 (with the exception of a couple of larger clubs) is in the 4,500 range - Bradford get about 18,000, Wrexham and Notts County about 11,000 and Stockport 10,000 (clubs who are in the promotion race do get a major boost in attendance).

Each L2 club gets £20,000 for participating in the EFL Trophy and get the same for the last 32 round. In the last 16 when it jumps to £40,000, then £50,000 with the final winners getting £100K. If a game is televised each club receive £10K up to the last 16 and then £20K for subsequent rounds. Winning the EFL is worth upwards of £0.5m.

There is similar money for the Carabo Cup -

For the FA Cup - L2 clubs get £20K for first round with first round winners getting £41K, second round winners get £67K and third round winners get £105K. A TV game in the first and second round is worth £75K.

Even if you lost in the first round of all of these competitions the club will receive £60K.

Two other factors come into play - L2 clubs have a bigger pool of players released by clubs further up the food chain and the cost of living is lower in most of these towns than in Ireland.

So L2 clubs generate upwards of €1.5m more than LOI clubs in league and cup payments alone - and that is before matchday receipts are considered and ownership money included (e.g. Forest Green Rovers had one of the highest wage bills in L2 despite the fact that the club is based in the village of Nailsworth in Gloucestershire where the area has a population of about 5,000 people).

This results in the average wage bill per club in L2 range from £3m per year for the likes of Bradford down to £1.5m for the likes of Crewe and Newport - with reports that the average player salary in L2 coming in at about £85K a year (about €100K). Many of the L2 clubs are owned by high worth individuals or vulture funds - Carlisle United is owned by a company controlled by Palm Sports a fund with assets of $425m. Although there are a number of clubs owned by supporters trusts (e.g. AFC Wimbledon, Barrow, Chesterfield). The L2 clubs all have the possibility of promotion up the league pyramid with each step facilitating higher financial rewards - which as a consequence leads to more financial clout being available to those clubs (the average revenue of League One clubs is £10m per season).

In terms of a comparison with L2 clubs, LOI clubs are not on a level playing pitch. The financial clout of L2 clubs is far greater than LOI clubs in financial terms and they do have advantages in other areas as well.

[Jack B]

Pats and Bohs in for Dawson Devoy. Would expect him to move to the latter given previous links to both the club and Reynolds.

[Shinkicker]

Pats and Bohs in for Dawson Devoy. Would expect him to move to the latter given previous links to both the club and Reynolds.
Would love to see him back at Bohs

[2 Year Contract]

Most of the clubs in League Two come from towns similar in size between Limerick and Cork (closer to Limerick population wise). The LOI should be comparable to the top end of L2 - but there are reasons why it is not.

League Two clubs get about £0.5m per year from the EFL and a further £0.5m a year in 'solidarity' trickle down payments from the PL (there is a reason why the Hollywoods threw a massive amount of money into getting Wrexham out of the Conference). That is nearly €1.2m every year that LOI clubs do not have access to. The average attendance in L2 (with the exception of a couple of larger clubs) is in the 4,500 range - Bradford get about 18,000, Wrexham and Notts County about 11,000 and Stockport 10,000 (clubs who are in the promotion race do get a major boost in attendance).

Each L2 club gets £20,000 for participating in the EFL Trophy and get the same for the last 32 round. In the last 16 when it jumps to £40,000, then £50,000 with the final winners getting £100K. If a game is televised each club receive £10K up to the last 16 and then £20K for subsequent rounds. Winning the EFL is worth upwards of £0.5m.

There is similar money for the Carabo Cup -

For the FA Cup - L2 clubs get £20K for first round with first round winners getting £41K, second round winners get £67K and third round winners get £105K. A TV game in the first and second round is worth £75K.

Even if you lost in the first round of all of these competitions the club will receive £60K.

Two other factors come into play - L2 clubs have a bigger pool of players released by clubs further up the food chain and the cost of living is lower in most of these towns than in Ireland.

So L2 clubs generate upwards of €1.5m more than LOI clubs in league and cup payments alone - and that is before matchday receipts are considered and ownership money included (e.g. Forest Green Rovers had one of the highest wage bills in L2 despite the fact that the club is based in the village of Nailsworth in Gloucestershire where the area has a population of about 5,000 people).

This results in the average wage bill per club in L2 range from £3m per year for the likes of Bradford down to £1.5m for the likes of Crewe and Newport - with reports that the average player salary in L2 coming in at about £85K a year (about €100K). Many of the L2 clubs are owned by high worth individuals or vulture funds - Carlisle United is owned by a company controlled by Palm Sports a fund with assets of $425m. Although there are a number of clubs owned by supporters trusts (e.g. AFC Wimbledon, Barrow, Chesterfield). The L2 clubs all have the possibility of promotion up the league pyramid with each step facilitating higher financial rewards - which as a consequence leads to more financial clout being available to those clubs (the average revenue of League One clubs is £10m per season).

In terms of a comparison with L2 clubs, LOI clubs are not on a level playing pitch. The financial clout of L2 clubs is far greater than LOI clubs in financial terms and they do have advantages in other areas as well.

Really insightful post on the gap in finances. I think the LOI definitely punches above it’s weight in terms of on pitch standard/players developed versus financial resources available

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs linked to a Scottish RB as well.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/bohemians-line-up-move-ex-33204028

I must say the speed at which Bohs are getting moves done is a pleasant surprise. It looks like we have an answer as to why signings were so slow in the off season because only the manager has changed in the transfer side of things.

If Devoy does come back I think we may see one or more of Clarke, Flores & McDonnell leave in the off season.

[2 Year Contract]

If Devoy does come back I think we may see one or more of Clarke, Flores & McDonnell leave in the off season.

If he was to sign for Bohs surely a midfielder would be offloaded this month rather than the end of the season no? It would leave midfield options of Devoy, Flores, McDonnell, Clarke, J.McManus, B.McManus, Tierney and Buckley assuming he returns towards the back end of the season. 8 players going for 3 positions

[Another Bohemia]

If he was to sign for Bohs surely a midfielder would be offloaded this month rather than the end of the season no? It would leave midfield options of Devoy, Flores, McDonnell, Clarke, J.McManus, B.McManus, Tierney and Buckley assuming he returns towards the back end of the season. 8 players going for 3 positions

It's down to fitness of those players though. At the moment only Clarke, Flores, Tierney & McDonnell are fit. Even Tierney probably isn't fit for a full 90 yet. Bucko might be back if we make it to the cup final again. James McManus has been battling a foot injury all season. Brian McManus was injured at the start of June and I'm not sure what the prognosis is there but it's seems a bad knock anyway. It makes more sense to keep the lads that are fit and playing to the end of the season based on our current injury list than letting them go now even if we do bring in Devoy.

[osarusan]

Bohs sign Alex Greive, a New Zealand International forward who was last at St Mirren.
Wow, I've seen him play a good few times for St Mirren, and expected him to find another SPL club.

He should be an excellent signing.

[Shearer]

Early days but thought there'd be more movement in the First Division.

Treaty, Longford and Athlone have all added.

City need to start building for next year now.

Wexford's activity in the window got them into the playoffs and they could do with same now.

[nigel-harps1954]

Early days but thought there'd be more movement in the First Division.

Treaty, Longford and Athlone have all added.

City need to start building for next year now.

Wexford's activity in the window got them into the playoffs and they could do with same now.

Harps added Sean Patton on loan too and got rid of several others. Lotefa and Walsh loans finished, O'Donnell away on scholarship, Mbuli released and McMonagle gone back to junior football.

Murphy has said he won't be adding anyone new unless they're better than what we already have and is more than comfortable putting the faith in the young lads. We have a current panel of 21 players and 11 of those are under the age of 21, 7 of those 11 are under 18.

[total hoofball]

Early days but thought there'd be more movement in the First Division.

Treaty, Longford and Athlone have all added.

City need to start building for next year now.

Wexford's activity in the window got them into the playoffs and they could do with same now.
Unless Usher was pumping in serious money ahead of next season I wouldn't see any need for Cork to be signing up players on 18 month Premier Division level contracts now when they are walking the division at a canter with a 15 point lead

I also think with half of the division guaranteed at worst a play-off spot most of the teams 2nd to 7th have little reason to push the boat out so to speak with either doing a radical mid-season turnover with their current squads or expanding their budgets mid-season to make a push up the table. Treaty and Longford have had such poor seasons so far adrift it was inevitable squad personnel changes would be made

[Martinho II]

In a blow one of our better players Vasyl Tropanets have left us. No idea where!

[2 Year Contract]

Waterford have signed left back Shane Flynn for Leicester’s academy. An odd one unless one of Darragh Leahy or Ryan Burke are leaving

[2 Year Contract]

Rayhaan Tulloch signs for Shels. Was on loan at Dundalk in the first half of last season. Again, they’ve vast options on the wings now with Tulloch, Smith, Jarvis, Burt, Wood, Coote and others that have played there also. Serious squad depth there now but might not be the easiest thing in the world keeping them all happy

[Shearer]

Unless Usher was pumping in serious money ahead of next season I wouldn't see any need for Cork to be signing up players on 18 month Premier Division level contracts now when they are walking the division at a canter with a 15 point lead
Should be trying to build for next season now the same way Galway did last year signing Aodh Dervin and Wassim (the latter didn't work out but anyway).

[wonder88]

According to John O Connor on twitter, Bohemians have a 1st team squad now of 28 players. With a short enough season in the league of Ireland, and no league cup, are squads of nearly 30 players too much. Aside from the cost issue, another problem is that it is very difficult for young Irish players to get a game/experience.

[Nesta99]

SK seemed to want almost 2 11s fo training and of coure where every positions has a reserve. I thought it was more wastefu than anything. The 2nd IX played League Cup and were often caught on poor fitness issues. Their quality wasnt bad but you couldnt say that the 1st IX were not weakened something briging in a second string player. No need in LoI, maybe with group stage football and a cup run it has its merits.

[Another Bohemia]

According to John O Connor on twitter, Bohemians have a 1st team squad now of 28 players. With a short enough season in the league of Ireland, and no league cup, are squads of nearly 30 players too much. Aside from the cost issue, another problem is that it is very difficult for young Irish players to get a game/experience.

Bohs have signed 4 players so far in the window and let 4 go. So the squad is the same size it has been all season. I agree it's too big but it's not a new situation and with lots of the players out of contract at the end of the season should be remedied in the near future.

[joey B]

In a blow one of our better players Vasyl Tropanets have left us. No idea where!

He’s played a total of 66 minutes all season :confused:

[2 Year Contract]

The 2nd IX played League Cup and were often caught on poor fitness issues. Their quality wasnt bad but you couldnt say that the 1st IX were not weakened something briging in a second string player.

Sounds like he needed more players in the squad if he was having to start games with only 9 players! ;)

[RealJohn91]

Divin Isamala gone on loan to Wexford till the end of the season. Didn't get a kick at Bohs but I always thought he might be one for the future. Looks like our third choice keeper Luke Dennison is on the move to Drogheda too.

[Another Bohemia]

Divin Isamala gone on loan to Wexford till the end of the season. Didn't get a kick at Bohs but I always thought he might be one for the future. Looks like our third choice keeper Luke Dennison is on the move to Drogheda too.

2 out, clearing the way for Devoy to return and the RB were linked with :D