2025 Arrivals and Departures

[Jack B]

Conor Carty returning to Pats on loan looks imminent. Likeable player that gives you a lot of what you want apart from not being a natural goalscorer at all which, is always going to hinder his progress as a striker. As far as squad options go though I'm quite happy to have him back, will be interesting to see how he's recovered from the ACL injury he had.

[Neish]

Always been a huge fan of Robbie Benson, and, taken in isolation, I'd be happy to have him. .

Robbie is my first cousin, so I'm not sure about him playing for Derry . Top lad though and will give you his all, has been unfortunate with injuries for basically all his career. Always had the talent though, I remember having a kick about when he was only 7 or 8 and you could just tell he had a bit more than the rest of us (not that that is saying much)

[patsdad]

Conor Carty returning to Pats on loan looks imminent. Likeable player that gives you a lot of what you want apart from not being a natural goalscorer at all which, is always going to hinder his progress as a striker. As far as squad options go though I'm quite happy to have him back, will be interesting to see how he's recovered from the ACL injury he had.

According to the Sun it’s a permanent deal, not a loan. Very happy with that, looking ahead to Melia’s big money transfer in the Autumn. Keena and Carty are two excellent options to have up front.

[2 Year Contract]

Ex Cork and Ireland 21s midfielder Matt Healy due to join rovers from Belgian second tier club Francs Borains on a 3 year contract for an undisclosed fee. Good signing, he’s a nice tidy footballer

[pateen]

That's quite a coup. A very tidy player. Got man of match in a good few Ireland u21s games.
Was he out of contract?

[2 Year Contract]

That's quite a coup. A very tidy player. Got man of match in a good few Ireland u21s games.
Was he out of contract?
No, they paid an undisclosed fee for him, same with McGinty

[joey B]

Cian Coleman heading to Cobh,no real surprise there …..

[nr637]

Cian Coleman heading to Cobh,no real surprise there …..

And your source please, heard he was on €7/800 p/k in his last year with Cork City and turned down Cobh's €500 p/w offer!

[2 Year Contract]

And your source please, heard he was on €7/800 p/k in his last year with Cork City and turned down Cobh's €500 p/w offer!
https://x.com/cobhramblersfc/status/1879179377361158388?s=46

[Shearer]

https://x.com/cobhramblersfc/status/1879179377361158388?s=46
Looking forward to the announcement of Colman Kennedy :D

[nr637]

Looking forward to the announcement of Colman Kennedy :D

Typical news of players going places, well it is that time of the season I suppose..................?

[nr637]

Well joey B, you were right.Cian Coleman has signed for Cobh as it has been announced on their website. Well sourced there by you. That's Cobh R., 7th signing! COYR ?

[Nesta99]

Relying on Ealing Greens assessment of the manager!!

[MU1889]

Keith Ward has left Glenavon and is set to link up with Dundalk for a fourth time.

Was outstanding in his first few games for us, but his influence dipped when we went into a bad run of form that saw the manager that signed him (Stephen McDonnell) sacked. Paddy McLaughlin has come in and is playing 4-4-2, so he doesn't suit playing in a midfield two, particularly as he doesn't have the legs for a full 90 minutes.

A superb player technically, but maybe not the player you need in a relegation battle, which we've been in for most of the season. Would expect him to add experience and class to a promotion-challenging Dundalk side, though.

[Another Bohemia]

I was having a quick look at the transfer tracker on Extratime.ie today and it looks like most teams have more outgoings than incomings? I wonder if we are starting to see the summer window becoming more important and the main place teams are spending more money to improve their squads. The better players in the league don't seem to be hitting the market and if they do they are going across to the UK. So during the summer there is a bigger pool of players available. Drogs and Pats certainly took advantage last summer

[2 Year Contract]

I was having a quick look at the transfer tracker on Extratime.ie today and it looks like most teams have more outgoings than incomings? I wonder if we are starting to see the summer window becoming more important and the main place teams are spending more money to improve their squads. The better players in the league don't seem to be hitting the market and if they do they are going across to the UK. So during the summer there is a bigger pool of players available. Drogs and Pats certainly took advantage last summer

I don’t think that was deliberate in either case to be honest. For Pats it was a case of Kenny getting rid of 5 of the players Daly had just signed and bringing in 4 replacements. Drogs found themselves bottom of the table and needed to bring in the likes of James-Taylor and Ahui to save them.

For the European teams (who have I think 2 games brought forward) 24 of the 36 games in the season are played before the window even opens, so leaving empty spots in a squad for lads to come in for the second 'half' of the season would be a strange risk to take.

The reality of that extra time list is a combination of incorrect info (not including youth team players that have been given pro deals with the first team etc.), and clubs waiting until this month to sign lads available from UK clubs

[nigel-harps1954]

There'll be quite a few players waiting to see if they get UK moves before committing to LOI season, I would guess.

[joey B]

Kian Corbally moved to Ballymena Utd from Wexford….

[Martinho II]

https://ltfc.ie/2025/01/manny-milongo-signs-for-2025/

Our first new signing. About time!

[Shearer]

There'll be quite a few players waiting to see if they get UK moves before committing to LOI season, I would guess.


Example A :D

Kian Corbally moved to Ballymena Utd from Wexford….

[culloty82]

Kerry club statement on James Sugrue's departure talks about "helping him achieve the required coaching badges to manage at League of Ireland level", so presumably he must have been granted a one-off exemption last season:

https://kerryfc.com/first-team-manager-conor-mccarthy-confirms-his-2025-management-team/?fbclid=IwY2xjawH05VtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTKPwqB1_fuQ WMoxGvgjCLssfLlNLA_Lsx0yaQ57wy9JZlZdN9L0XAQGjg_aem _tusI93CVTeFuvLjJnWkFUw

[culloty82]

Kerry sign Connal Doran as their keeper for 2025 - has been in the States last year, and are around the Galway U19 set-up before that:

https://kerryfc.com/goalkeeper-connal-doran-signs-for-kerry-fc/

[ger121]

We are looking at Hoban and Afolabi. I’d be happy with either. Both would be an incredible bit of business. Knowing us they’ll both sign for whoever else offers them a deal.

https://x.com/markmccadden/status/1879854492730183961?s=48

[Nesta99]

So much for Hoban's talk of going out on a high with another medal when leaving Dundalk so! Thought he might have had another chance if his advisor could spin some turmoil and get him a 1 year deal at Rovers or the like.

[RealJohn91]

We are looking at Hoban and Afolabi. I’d be happy with either. Both would be an incredible bit of business. Knowing us they’ll both sign for whoever else offers them a deal.

https://x.com/markmccadden/status/1879854492730183961?s=48
I think Hoban is the more realistic option between the two. There was rumours going around that Rovers were interested in Afolabi earlier in the week.

[dundalkfc10]

I think Hoban is the more realistic option between the two. There was rumours going around that Rovers were interested in Afolabi earlier in the week.

Hoban to Bohs with Stephen O Donnell at Bohs be very interesting
It's well known the reason he left Dundalk, is because he fell out with O Donnell and Gartland

[outspoken]

Kian Corbally moved to Ballymena Utd from Wexford….

So much hype about this lad im recent seasons he's a nothing player

[outspoken]

We are looking at Hoban and Afolabi. I’d be happy with either. Both would be an incredible bit of business. Knowing us they’ll both sign for whoever else offers them a deal.

https://x.com/markmccadden/status/1879854492730183961?s=48

There has been constant talk in Dundalk from early on that Hoban isn't happy in Derry, always thought it was just Dundalk fans trying to ease their pain but maybe there's something in it.

[ger121]

There was rumours going around that Rovers were interested in Afolabi earlier in the week.

Heard those too. I’m sure he is on a decent wedge, so if he was to come back to the league it might be to a club with deeper pockets than ours.

[ger121]

There has been constant talk in Dundalk from early on that Hoban isn't happy in Derry, always thought it was just Dundalk fans trying to ease their pain but maybe there's something in it.

Hopefully, this is true.

[Dermobohs]

I’d be happy with either, but we can’t possibly afford both?
Anyhow if pats, shels, rovers, or indeed Derry want someone as well as bohs no way are we paying more cash, and that’s the only consideration for many players.
They will happily play maybe 15 starts in a whole season instead of every week, sad but money talks.

[2 Year Contract]

I’d be happy with either, but we can’t possibly afford both?
Anyhow if pats, shels, rovers, or indeed Derry want someone as well as bohs no way are we paying more cash, and that’s the only consideration for many players.
They will happily play maybe 15 starts in a whole season instead of every week, sad but money talks.

Pats and Shels look fully stocked up front. If Hoban's available then it's likely Rovers or Galway that Bohs would be competing with for his signature. In the case of Afolabi I agree, if Rovers come in for him they’ll be able to offer him a deal Bohs can’t get close to matching but if they don’t look to sign him then Bohs would probably be his most likely destination

[oriel]

Hopefully, this is true.

Would Hoban want to work with SOD again though, there was a clear fall out there end of 2023. He's also 34 in the summer, still could do a job mind, not too many better at holding it up, or heading !

[oriel]

Meanwhile Keith Ward back for a 4th stint at Dundalk. I think this is a good move, he'd be perfect for that division.

Can't see him starting every game, but a good addition for where we are at.

[Dermobohs]

Meanwhile Keith Ward back for a 4th stint at Dundalk. I think this is a good move, he'd be perfect for that division.

Can't see him starting every game, but a good addition for where we are at.

Wardy is an absolute loi legend, lovely fella too, I’d say the dressing room at oriel will be lively with him in it, he never stops with the banter

[joey B]

Kailin Barlow signed for Athlone after departing Sligo…

[joey B]

Jack Keaney has signed for Cliftonville.

[Shearer]

Reported online that Shane Elworthy (Longford) and Darren Craven (Bray) have signed for Malahide United.

The proof is in the FAI Connect.

[outspoken]

Reported online that Shane Elworthy (Longford) and Darren Craven (Bray) have signed for Malahide United.

The proof is in the FAI Connect.

Not surprised RE Elworthy work commitments had been an issue

[2 Year Contract]

Cork had two Trialists play today, 22 year old French centre back Milan Mbeng who was most recently with the reserve team of Belgian club Sporting Charleroi until being released last summer. He’s yet to make a senior appearance in his career.

The other was Paul Fosu-Mensah, 21 year old Dutch centre back most recently playing in Norway’s third tier

[Another Bohemia]

Cork had two Trialists play today, 22 year old French centre back Milan Mbeng who was most recently with the reserve team of Belgian club Sporting Charleroi until being released last summer. He’s yet to make a senior appearance in his career.

The other was Paul Fosu-Mensah, 21 year old Dutch centre back most recently playing in Norway’s third tier

I know you're not a cork fan but do they have many defenders signed? They let a few of last year's players go and don't seem to have replaced them? I know there's a jump in standard from FD to pd but you also need bodies especially early in the season

[RealJohn91]

Clancy didn't give them a ringing endorsement in his interview after the game either. Could be a long aul season for Cork.

[Bohtastic]

So, maybe late to the party, but Shane Flynn lined out for Bohs at left back. Signing o n the way? Waterford fans, would you miss him?

[2 Year Contract]

I know you're not a cork fan but do they have many defenders signed? They let a few of last year's players go and don't seem to have replaced them? I know there's a jump in standard from FD to pd but you also need bodies especially early in the season

I might be missing some, but from what I can see their currently signed defence is 2 or 3 that were there last year and a new left back signed from the 7th tier in England, supplemented by u20s lads. Looking at their squad at present they’re standing out as my favourites for 10th place. Maguire and Keating up top are obviously good options, but accommodating both into the team will leave the midfield and defence even more open IMO, so a few reliable defensive players are an absolute necessity for them now

[Jack B]

Seen the below posted as the most recent state of play (some of the positions are listed incorrectly but a good resource otherwise). Would also be unconvinced to say the least about Cork this season going off of things right now.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhhDqqMXgAEpvVn?format=png&name=900x900

[Another Bohemia]

Yeah a risky strategy having limited defensive options and an unproven GK new to the league. Shels showed the value of having a great defence last year. In the end they scored 1 more goal than Bohs for the season but they won the league and Bohs just about beat having to have a relegation playoff.

[MoydowMonty]

Gilly Priosti looks to have signed for Sligo from Longford Town, as he appeared in their friendly against Athlone. Disappointing from a Longford POV, I don't feel he got much of a chance last season. Hope he pushes on at Sligo

[outspoken]

Gilly Priosti looks to have signed for Sligo from Longford Town, as he appeared in their friendly against Athlone. Disappointing from a Longford POV, I don't feel he got much of a chance last season. Hope he pushes on at Sligo

Surprised at that, definitely some talent there but wouldn't have him down as a PD player just yet. Work rate could have been better at times when he played for us but training in a FT environment will only kick him on ten fold, Sligo very well could end up unearthing a gem. Why Longford haven't been able to retain him is bizarre unless he had this kind of move lined up a while ago.

[2 Year Contract]

Surprised at that, definitely some talent there but wouldn't have him down as a PD player just yet. Work rate could have been better at times when he played for us but training in a FT environment will only kick him on ten fold, Sligo very well could end up unearthing a gem. Why Longford haven't been able to retain him is bizarre unless he had this kind of move lined up a while ago.

He’s signed for Sligo's under 20s apparently, going by the below article. Sligo also have Barnsley player Matty Wolfe on trial

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/sport/soccer/jad-hakiki-scores-twice-as-sligo-rovers-beat-athlone-5-0-in-first-pre-season-friendly/a1402838434.html

[placid casual]

I see derry have now signed benson.
The "old ba$tards" moniker attached to Rovers a couple of years ago is now very much residing in the brandywell