2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

[ger121]

At this point I'm convinced Gerard Nash isn't a real person.

Think Clancy will do well for Cork. Obviously didn't quite do the business at Pats but Cork aren't exactly going to be competing at the top end of the PD for a while, and he's proven to be solid at the level below.

Was probably the standout choice for a recent LOI manager without a job. Hope he does well.

[Jd2793]

Boyle to Galway would probably be heavily influenced by Ollie Horgan who signed him twice when he was manager of Harps

I'd agree on Dobbs he didn't look up to Premier Division level at Shels but he was still young in a poor team and same with Longford the following season. 24 goals in 50 FD starts in two seasons he may well be worth another look for PD teams with the lack of goalscorers around

had a great scoring year this year by the looks. cant comment as i didnt see him this season but i was very impressed with him last season in the first division. Ryan seemed to use him as more of a 10 than a 9 ... assume that changed this year with the goal count rising. hes a very tidy technician IMO. Would love if City went in for him.

[joey B]

Niall Morahan rumoured to be off to Galway,would be a loss for Sligo that one…..

[Jack B]

Jay McClelland signed up for his 5th season at Pats, quite happy with that. Wasn't a fan of his initially but he's proved to be a very useful squad player over time, has played everywhere from both wings, attacking midfield, central midfield, and left of a back four and five over the course of his time at the club and probably had his best season last time out. Not many better penalty takers around either.

Will be interesting to see if the Coote signing still happens as some of the more informed in the media still expect it to, because we're quite well-stocked in attacking areas right now. If you take players that can play across the forward line and in attacking midfield you've got: Keating, Cian Kavanagh, Lonergan, Melia, Mulraney, Brandon Kavanagh, Nolan, Leavy, Forrester and now McClelland. Granted one or two such as Forrester can and possibly will also play elsewhere but you'd imagine that's that part of the squad done with if/when Coote is signed.

[TonyD]

Jay McClelland signed up for his 5th season at Pats, quite happy with that. Wasn't a fan of his initially but he's proved to be a very useful squad player over time, has played everywhere from both wings, attacking midfield, central midfield, and left of a back four and five over the course of his time at the club and probably had his best season last time out. Not many better penalty takers around either.

Will be interesting to see if the Coote signing still happens as some of the more informed in the media still expect it to, because we're quite well-stocked in attacking areas right now. If you take players that can play across the forward line and in attacking midfield you've got: Keating, Cian Kavanagh, Lonergan, Melia, Mulraney, Brandon Kavanagh, Nolan, Leavy, Forrester and now McClelland. Granted one or two such as Forrester can and possibly will also play elsewhere but you'd imagine that's that part of the squad done with if/when Coote is signed.

Agree with all that. We probably need a defensive midfielder as cover for Jamie Lennon, a left back, another centre half if Norman goes, and possibly a right back if Sjoberg isn’t staying. Like you I’m glad to see McClelland staying. Forced his way into the team last season and deservedly so.

[culloty82]

Sam Aladesanusi re-signs at Kerry:

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/sport/soccer/kerry-fc-defender-samuel-aladesanusi-re-signs-for-the-2024-league-of-ireland-campaign/a230299295.html

[culloty82]

Rather unsurprisingly, being reported that Cork are in talks to sign Jack Doherty:

1729463914578989327

[Longfordian]

€200k bid made by Belgian side Kortrijk for Afolabi as per the Indo. Bohs holding out for €300k apparently.

[yurt]

Hard to know what to make of that move for Afolabi. Decent move for him personally if he plays week in week out and I'd they manage to survive in the top flight.

But if he's a bit part player in a team that goes down and he finds himself in the Belgian second tier next season it's hard to see him getting another call up any time soon.

Shame that the league is going to lose Afolabi but at least it looks like it'll be 250k+ instead of some poxy 20k release clause.

[Longfordian]

If he's not good enough to get beyond that level in due course then he doesn't deserve to be called up anyway.
.

[ger121]

Hard to know what to make of that move for Afolabi. Decent move for him personally if he plays week in week out and I'd they manage to survive in the top flight.

But if he's a bit part player in a team that goes down and he finds himself in the Belgian second tier next season it's hard to see him getting another call up any time soon.

Shame that the league is going to lose Afolabi but at least it looks like it'll be 250k+ instead of some poxy 20k release clause.

I think he holds out for the UK.

[Shinkicker]

I think he holds out for the UK.
If he takes the belgian offer and saves them from the drop, he'll be a hero and make a name for himself. In the UK he'll be another irish player going through the motions. I've believed for a long time Europe is the best way to progress for most LOI players. ATM he's not international material and only got his call up as recognition from Kenny, he was never going to play any part in the run in.

[Another Bohemia]

If he takes the belgian offer and saves them from the drop, he'll be a hero and make a name for himself. In the UK he'll be another irish player going through the motions. I've believed for a long time Europe is the best way to progress for most LOI players. ATM he's not international material and only got his call up as recognition from Kenny, he was never going to play any part in the run in.

Yeah but how many Irish managers are going to be looking at Belgium when calling up players? They might look at you if your at Anderlecht or one of the big teams but I think if he wants to progress his international career top end of L1 is a better option. There's probably also more money in a contract from L1 than a club in Belgium fighting relegation. However I do agree that players from the LoI should be looking at Europe instead of the UK. Places like the Netherlands and Belgium especially since they export a lot of players to other bigger leagues including the PL but I would say that's a better option for 18,19 & 20 year Olds. If you're 23 going on 24 you're looking to make a big move now and not potentially in 3-5 years. Its not impossible to do that just it seems more and more unlikely each year.

[total hoofball]

Lets face it if was a LOI player in my early 20s like Afolabi I would follow the money initially that will usually be in the UK, hoping to cement yourself as star in a struggling club in the Belgian league and then to become a regular Irish international is hoping to win the lottery type of stuff

[pineapple stu]

Yeah but how many Irish managers are going to be looking at Belgium when calling up players?
Is it all that different to Troy Parrott being at a smaller Dutch side and still getting called up?

If he's good enough - especially given our desperate options up front - he'll be called up. Right now he's had one good half season in a poor league; I'm not sure he should be thinking that his next move is one to put him in contention for a senior call-up tbh.

[Another Bohemia]

Is it all that different to Troy Parrott being at a smaller Dutch side and still getting called up?

If he's good enough - especially given our desperate options up front - he'll be called up. Right now he's had one good half season in a poor league; I'm not sure he should be thinking that his next move is one to put him in contention for a senior call-up tbh.

Well Parrott is on loan from a PL club and has a significant history with the squad, how much he has earned that call up is up for debate imo it's a familiar face who knows how Kenny wants to play. Afolabi will be looking to break through and will likely be overlooked for Emakhu or Sinclair Armstrong who are starting to get first team minutes with their clubs in the UK. Only a great goalscoring season in Belgium would get a call up and doing that at a team who are fighting relegation is easier said than done.

[pineapple stu]

Fair point, but then if Afolabi is that far off the senior panel at the moment (and I think he is; his one call-up was in an injury crisis in a position we already have bugger all options for, and even then he didn't make the matchday squad) then I don't think he needs be too worried about where the Ireland manager is looking. He's not really on the radar. The move would be a step up, and if it's the best offer knocking around, then go for it I guess.

[Another Bohemia]

Fair point, but then if Afolabi is that far off the senior panel at the moment (and I think he is; his one call-up was in an injury crisis in a position we already have bugger all options for, and even then he didn't make the matchday squad) then I don't think he needs be too worried about where the Ireland manager is looking. He's not really on the radar. The move would be a step up, and if it's the best offer knocking around, then go for it I guess.

But the thing is he wants to be as close to the senior panel as he can and being in the UK makes him more visible and likely has a better financial upside as well. I think long term he would have a better career in Belgium or the Netherlands but I understand someone his age being realistic and saying if I want to play for Ireland I need to play well in the UK where it will be noticed.

[pineapple stu]

I think you can move up in your career either way. The move to L1 hasn't put Mandroiu any closer to a call-up for example. He was also a squad member a couple of years ago when having a decent LoI campaign.

And of course we don't know if he's interested in the Belgian offer or if he has any L1 offers.

[ger121]

I think you can move up in your career either way. The move to L1 hasn't put Mandroiu any closer to a call-up for example. He was also a squad member a couple of years ago when having a decent LoI campaign.

And of course we don't know if he's interested in the Belgian offer or if he has any L1 offers.

He was riddled with injuries and it is really only now he getting some form and a run in the side. We also seemed to have moved away from L1 players getting call-ups to the Senior side.

[2 Year Contract]

Dean Williams has left Bohs bench to join Shels bench

[total hoofball]

I didn't see that Dean Williams signing coming, not surprising with the Rovers connection with Duff/O'Brien when he was there, but more that he signed for Bohs last year on the famous LOI "multi-year deal" of 2 years, transfermarkt indicting he was contracted until end of 2024, did Bohs cancel his contract? If Shels paid any compensation for him I would be scratching my head

[RealJohn91]

I didn't see that Dean Williams signing coming, not surprising with the Rovers connection with Duff/O'Brien when he was there, but more that he signed for Bohs last year on the famous LOI "multi-year deal" of 2 years, transfermarkt indicting he was contracted until end of 2024, did Bohs cancel his contract? If Shels paid any compensation for him I would be scratching my head
Those contracts are usually 1 or 2 years with an option. Williams probably had the 1 year version.

[2 Year Contract]

Lorcan Healy signs for shels from UCD. Wouldn’t have had a high opinion of him from what I’ve seen of him but he’s undoubtedly better than the second choice they had that came in from Hull in the second half of this year after their previous second choice signed for Love Island. Probably won’t play at all anyways but it’s a risk if Kearns gets injured

[total hoofball]

Lorcan Healy signs for shels from UCD. Wouldn’t have had a high opinion of him from what I’ve seen of him but he’s undoubtedly better than the second choice they had that came in from Hull in the second half of this year after their previous second choice signed for Love Island. Probably won’t play at all anyways but it’s a risk if Kearns gets injured
Kian Moore always looked quite shaky in the games against Shels I would be wondering why Healy was mostly the 2nd choice there to him. But then again with goalkeepers you just don't know, many Galway fans were warning Shels fans 12 months ago over how dodgy Kearns was for them in the 1st Division and then he became our player of the season

[Olander]

Kian Moore always looked quite shaky in the games against Shels I would be wondering why Healy was mostly the 2nd choice there to him. But then again with goalkeepers you just don't know, many Galway fans were warning Shels fans 12 months ago over how dodgy Kearns was for them in the 1st Division and then he became our player of the season
Kearns was by and large very good for us.

During his two year spell, he made a few bad clangers, the biggest and most costly was when he let a weak shot fall through his hands against Waterford in the play-off final. His head was gone after that and it cost us hugely. Overall, he was an excellent keeper for us, bar 1 or 2 poor errors where he lost concentration. I wouldn't have said he was dodgy, he's probably unlucky that his tenure with us will be remembered for his last action in a United jersey. I thought he was a good commanding keeper. The move this season worked out well for both clubs with Clarke and Kearns swapping.

[pineapple stu]

Healy had a couple of howlers early in the season (see 1:55 here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxXRrzzqCKk) for example) and shared the keeper's role with Moore for the second half of the season. I think Moore is the better keeper; not sure if Healy is all that great a signing for Shels.

[The Bowler]

Healy couldn't unseat a poor enough Moore this year at UCD, he also has no physical presence being one of the smaller keepers I've seen in the league the last 10 years. Good shot stopper but prone to absolute howlers and poor under a high ball. Won't kick a ball at Shels unless Kearns gets injured. Surprising signing.

[gufct]

Dave Hurley resigned for gufc . Brilliant news for Galway supporters.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford announced this evening Niall O’Keefe and Conor Parsons have resigned for 2024.

[2 Year Contract]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year

[joey B]

Jack Keaney heading to Drogheda according to Dan McDonnell….

[kksaints]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year

I'd rather keep Lonergan tbh. He had a poor start to the season but he improved as the season went on and I'd be wary of him improving considerably with another team in the league as there's potential there. Kavanagh hasn't a great scoring record and I wouldn't want him as our main striker if Keating got injured.

[Jack B]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year

It's a weird one with Lonergan. You can see the talent there but it just didn't happen enough for him last season. Some great finishes but mostly surprisingly underwhelming overall play in terms of his first touch, etc.

Still and all agree with the above that I'd rather we kept him. If and when it clicks for him there's a serious goalscorer in there I think, certainly more so than Kavanagh who probably offers more along the lines of what Conor Carty did.

[Another Bohemia]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year

Bohs certainly need another striker in with Williams gone (don't understand that move from Bohs side tbh) and Afolabi more than likely heading abroad soon. Can't say I've seen enough of Lonergan to have formed an opinion on him but we have a good recent record with strikers so I'll trust the process there. Still desperately need defenders and a keeper imo. I'm hoping they have some lined up when the winter window opens across Europe.

[culloty82]

Reading appear to be taking a keen interest in Kennedy Amechi:

1730558138753925262

[oriel]

New Dundalk owner saying Hoban will be staying.

Now unless his agent forces a move, I don't see Dundalk just letting him leave and for free with one year left on his contract, but still the whole thing is just bizarre, unless it was the old regime due to cost cutting who came out with this in the first place.

[joey B]

https://www.pfai.ie/transfer-list

PFAI transfer list there,Rob Cornwall an interesting name on it ….

[brendy_éire]

New Dundalk owner saying Hoban will be staying.... unless it was the old regime due to cost cutting who came out with this in the first place.

Presumed that was exactly what it was. If there's now finance, can't see him leaving.

[Jack B]

Just makes the whole situation with Hoban even more bizarre. If they were actively seeking new investment and they knew that in an ideal world they'd be moving the club on quickly, why were they telling Hoban before the season even concluded that he needed to find a new club? I could understand it if finding new ownership/investment was looking unlikely and we were into December/January, but they went fairly early with it and only served to make his situation terribly messy despite still being under contract.

[Thewhitepele]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year

€60k Dan can take Sligo Rovers off his list. We might be able to give a bag of balls and some loose change from down the side of the sofa.

[2 Year Contract]

It's a weird one with Lonergan. You can see the talent there but it just didn't happen enough for him last season. Some great finishes but mostly surprisingly underwhelming overall play in terms of his first touch, etc.

Still and all agree with the above that I'd rather we kept him. If and when it clicks for him there's a serious goalscorer in there I think, certainly more so than Kavanagh who probably offers more along the lines of what Conor Carty did.

I’m assuming Lonergan will be third in the pecking order behind Kavanagh (and obviously Keating) just based on Kavanagh only coming in the door but who knows, pre-season form and fitness might dictate the pecking order a bit. I do agree though I’d rather keep Lonergan as I always feel having just 2 main strikers over a year is always a bit of a risk, if you pick up an injury you’re a bit goosed. And with Lonergan the potential is defo still there for it to click for him. He only got 10 league starts last season so it can be hard to find a rhythm from the bench most weeks in fairness to him

[ger121]

Shels sign the goalkeeper Healy from UCD. They really are very active in the transfer market.

[brendy_éire]

Ollie Horgan wearing a Bohs top on a flight this morning. New signing, or just Ollie being Ollie? :)
https://twitter.com/bodgek/status/1730879519534289037?t=NRpZR98GmEIjrrPSnhKjNA&s=08

[Buckett]

I don't think that's Ollie

[total hoofball]

I see Bohs, shels, Dundalk and Sligo are interested in buying Tommy Lonergan from Pats as per Dan McDonnell’s newsletter. He’s still in contract and Pats are looking for €60k for him. Based on his performances this year he wouldn’t be worth anywhere near that but there’s definitely a lot of potential there and if he was to leave and become a regular starter somewhere he could easily hit the ground running and be sold on for a profit on that. As it stands he won’t get many starts at all with Keating and Kavanagh coming in the door so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s happy to stay with that substitute role he had this year
Another bizarre modern day LOI first for a club to be looking for €60k compensation for a player they are prepared to let go for the 2nd time in 2 years...

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't think that's Ollie

It's definitely Ollie, and it's definitely an Ollie thing to do.

[pineapple stu]

Can you imagine a world where there's an Ollie lookalike?!

[Buckett]

Ya, my mistake. I bet he robs a football and a tracksuit top every time his team plays an away game

[mcgonigle]

Just makes the whole situation with Hoban even more bizarre. If they were actively seeking new investment and they knew that in an ideal world they'd be moving the club on quickly, why were they telling Hoban before the season even concluded that he needed to find a new club? I could understand it if finding new ownership/investment was looking unlikely and we were into December/January, but they went fairly early with it and only served to make his situation terribly messy despite still being under contract.

If that's what happened at all.... But you're right it makes no sense