View Full Version : 2025 Arrivals and Departures
2 Year Contract
21/03/2025, 8:58 AM
Kerry have signed Finnish forward Eemeli Honkola from SJK Seinäjoki, or more accurately, their reserves, but the latter are in the second tier:
https://kerryfc.com/finn-forward-eemeli-honkola-signs-for-kerry-fc/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJUchleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcRApliRB4PL dZUxCHWWW9EzCVcT8mI4eZd7Da3Kc40VQHUfSAAvsFMVrA_aem _QzTYiGQKuwg09FkXUwBYKQ
He's not finished, he’s only 20!
Is the window not closed to sign players from other clubs?
Yeah the window for signing players is closed. Strange one because he wasn’t a free agent either as he played a match for his most recent club this month
EalingGreen
24/03/2025, 12:43 PM
Dunno whether this is the right thread, but Harps manager Darren Murphy was reportedly spotted at both Glenavon and Loughgall's games on Saturday. (They're close enough that if you left Glenavon promptly at/before H-T, you could get to Loughgall handy enough to see at least a bit of the second half.)
And Loughgall are currently without a permanent manager (though they seem certain to get relegated to the Championship).
Or is this someone putting two and two together to make five?
joey B
24/03/2025, 12:55 PM
Dunno whether this is the right thread, but Harps manager Darren Murphy was reportedly spotted at both Glenavon and Loughgall's games on Saturday. (They're close enough that if you left Glenavon promptly at/before H-T, you could get to Loughgall handy enough to see at least a bit of the second half.)
And Loughgall are currently without a permanent manager (though they seem certain to get relegated to the Championship).
Or is this someone putting two and two together to make five?
There was a report about them being interested in the local news outlet a couple of weeks ago,havent heard anything since though,wouldnt really be suprised if he left either,its local for him and the travel he must being now is massive.....
He addressed it somewhere- can't recall exactly were and said there was nothing in it. Loughgall is right beside his house so speculation is natural.
nigel-harps1954
24/03/2025, 8:56 PM
Dunno whether this is the right thread, but Harps manager Darren Murphy was reportedly spotted at both Glenavon and Loughgall's games on Saturday. (They're close enough that if you left Glenavon promptly at/before H-T, you could get to Loughgall handy enough to see at least a bit of the second half.)
And Loughgall are currently without a permanent manager (though they seem certain to get relegated to the Championship).
Or is this someone putting two and two together to make five?
He is at Irish League games every weekend. Normally working at them for BBC.
He's not interested in leaving Harps.
Shearer
25/03/2025, 7:30 PM
He is at Irish League games every weekend. Normally working at them for BBC.
He's not interested in leaving Harps.
Just announced as gone.
https://x.com/finnharpsfc/status/1904631523547963522?s=46
joey B
25/03/2025, 7:51 PM
As I said above I wouldn’t be surprised if left and so it happens,who knows what we’ll come up with now…..
Nesta99
25/03/2025, 8:30 PM
As I said above I wouldn’t be surprised if left and so it happens,who knows what we’ll come up with now…..
Harps could do with an Ollie Horgan, pragmatic, enigmatic, dramatic (with the 4th offcials)! Well every other LoI fan wants it if not Harps or Ollie.
Its a role Hggins would thrive in beter than a big budget job. Developing a side over time rather than a Dundalk Galactico effort. Not suggesting he'd be interested so much as as a coach he'd be still highly rated and that could work for him and Harps in their stage of development. I think rebuilding a career and confidence in a less high profile head coach role is probably better than say O'Donnell taking up an assistant job.
nigel-harps1954
25/03/2025, 8:36 PM
Real kick in the stones that one.
Nesta99
25/03/2025, 8:42 PM
Real kick in the stones that one.
In LoI its always a never say never!
sbgawa
25/03/2025, 10:45 PM
Reading the Harps statement it reads like he has been pushed. Bit strange after a 5 nil.win.
nigel-harps1954
25/03/2025, 11:01 PM
Reading the Harps statement it reads like he has been pushed. Bit strange after a 5 nil.win.
He's taking the Loughgall job
sessylU
25/03/2025, 11:46 PM
Its a role Hggins would thrive in
He is responsible for Harps' only ever league victory over Derry at the Brandywell...
He addressed it somewhere- can't recall exactly were and said there was nothing in it. Loughgall is right beside his house so speculation is natural.
Don't trust this guy he hasn't a notion
Statement for the Finn Harps FC regarding Darren Murphy's departure which was emailed to members this evening
FHFC was contacted by Loughall through the proper channels over the weekend where they asked for permission to speak with Darren about their vacancy.
A meeting took place with Darren on Sunday evening and he expressed his wish to hear the offer. He explained his ties to Loughgall, the proximity to his family home and where he grew up, where he worked previously as a development officer and where he is a season ticket holder.
Whilst travel was never used as an excuse, we are aware of Darren’s daily commute of over 200kms on training days alone. An agreement was reached and the club would like to thank Darren for his efforts over the past two years.
I'm saddened by the news of Murphy's departure, he is a really down to earth and practical guy and was more than willing to give the club's young player a chance at first team football. But I don't blame him for this , its the area he grew up in and Lakeview Park is just up the road for him. There won't be much more than and hour travel to any IL ground for him, and if you compare that to Harps nearest away fixture being over twice that and a handful of 10-12 hour round trips it really puts it into perspective. He'll have a lot more time for both concentrating on football matters and his own private life.
I wish him all the best and hope to see him back in Finn Park during the I.L. off season
Any April Fools signings! :confused:
Bohtastic
01/04/2025, 6:23 PM
Any April Fools signings! :confused:
Lys Mousset renewed his vows to Bohs?
ger121
01/04/2025, 6:24 PM
Any April Fools signings! :confused:
Continuity Cork had one.
Continuity Cork had one.
Yep, saw that one on Facebook. Norwegian international, with years of experience, despite being listed as 18. Coming straight in as captain. The clue was in his name, Loof Lirpa ;). I’ll admit, it got me. Thought the 18 must have been a typo ;)
Alan Reynolds pens new five year deal at Bohs was another one I saw. Even I didn’t fall for that one :D
2 Year Contract
02/04/2025, 2:27 PM
Daniel Stynes, the Australian who for Galway from Newcastle Jets in the A League in January has left them to sign for a team in the Finnish 2nd tier. On the face of it, it looks like he lost patience with waiting for his debut, being an unused substitute 7 times out of 7 this season
TVFBLOCKF
02/04/2025, 2:54 PM
Daniel Stynes, the Australian who for Galway from Newcastle Jets in the A League in January has left them to sign for a team in the Finnish 2nd tier. On the face of it, it looks like he lost patience with waiting for his debut, being an unused substitute 7 times out of 7 this season
He looked way off it in the pre-season games, was surprised we offered him a contract. Never looked like a John Caulfield player.
joey B
02/04/2025, 3:55 PM
Kevin McHugh appointed Finn Harps manager ,was always a matter of when Kevin would give the job ago and he must feel now is the right time….
Nesta99
02/04/2025, 4:25 PM
Has he been overlooked before or refused the head position? Makes sense at this point in a season. Obviously dont know much about him as a manager so are Harps fans hapy about that or preferred to go outside the club again.
Has he been overlooked before or refused the head position? Makes sense at this point in a season. Obviously don't know much about him as a manager so are Harps fans hapy about that or preferred to go outside the club again.
He was assistant to Darren Murphy last year & was heavily involved with the youth setups at the club since retiring as a player in 2016. Not aware if he had put his name forward for the first team manager role previously. Personally I'm delighted, Kevin knows the club inside and out and is arguably the player who has contributed most to the club in my 30 or so years following the club
CorribsideSteve
03/04/2025, 12:38 AM
Daniel Stynes, the Australian who for Galway from Newcastle Jets in the A League in January has left them to sign for a team in the Finnish 2nd tier. On the face of it, it looks like he lost patience with waiting for his debut, being an unused substitute 7 times out of 7 this season
Still, stay and have some patience. A long lot of football still to be played. You'd wonder what goes through player's head's sometimes
Nesta99
03/04/2025, 9:32 AM
He was assistant to Darren Murphy last year & was heavily involved with the youth setups at the club since retiring as a player in 2016. Not aware if he had put his name forward for the first team manager role previously. Personally I'm delighted, Kevin knows the club inside and out and is arguably the player who has contributed most to the club in my 30 or so years following the club
He certainly ticks a lot of boxes, I was just curious on whether he didnt take past offers or whether he was over looked. If he was he is a true club man stepping in. and degloving a finger while taking training is nasty enough to deserve the top job!!
2 Year Contract
03/04/2025, 9:39 AM
Still, stay and have some patience. A long lot of football still to be played. You'd wonder what goes through player's head's sometimes
Agree with you there, he probably should’ve stuck around until the summer window at least
JC_GUFC
04/04/2025, 10:38 AM
Still, stay and have some patience. A long lot of football still to be played. You'd wonder what goes through player's head's sometimes
Who knows. The club he's joined is the club Jeannot Esua played for, so presumably he was in contact with his agent, otherwise it was incredibly random to end up at that club.
The lower Finnish leagues haven't started their season yet - so his option was either to sit on the bench or else move to a different country and have a chance of playing within a couple of weeks
.I wouldn't blame him for leaving at all. It must have been frustrating coming across the world to try your hand in a European league and then not to be playing at all.
Buckett
04/04/2025, 12:36 PM
We've changed formation since signing him and don't really use wingers anymore. Maybe he just couldn't adapt. Unfortunate situation for him, I hope the Finnish move works out for him
2 Year Contract
06/04/2025, 7:48 AM
Cork City youngster David Dunne is set to sign for Monaco
https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41607256.html
Nesta99
06/04/2025, 3:16 PM
Cork City youngster David Dunne is set to sign for Monaco
https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41607256.html
Just as we fear the joie de vivre around the league could be peaking!
culloty82
12/04/2025, 7:03 PM
Dario Castelo leaves Athlone:
https://athlonetownafc.ie/club-statement-dario-castelo/
WoodquayBoy
19/04/2025, 9:40 AM
Keith Long gets the bullet
https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/04/19/club-statement-keith-long/
ger121
19/04/2025, 10:07 AM
Reading comments under the club’s statement, a lot of fans seem to be pointing the finger at the club or players for their bad form. I’ve no idea who is to blame.
There are plenty of Bohs fans who would be happy to have Long back at the helm. He is definitely a level above the 2 spoofers who came after him.
total hoofball
19/04/2025, 5:08 PM
Waterford had a poor 2nd half of last season aswell so it was inevitable Long was going to get the bullet if there was no change in form this season. I expect they will revert to a UK manager which you just can't see improving the situation
I'm not really sure what the Fleetwood crew are expecting when Waterford are used as some hybrid feeder club with a core LOI panel mixed with constant turnover of young Fleetwood loanees, random UK/foreign imports who look to be trialled and then Fleetwood picking off for themselves the few of Waterford's best performing players like Patterson, Coughlan etc. that setup at best is only going to result in a bottom half of the table Premier Division club permanently looking over their shoulders
Nesta99
19/04/2025, 5:32 PM
Waterford had a poor 2nd half of last season aswell so it was inevitable Long was going to get the bullet if there was no change in form this season. I expect they will revert to a UK manager which you just can't see improving the situation
I'm not really sure what the Fleetwood crew are expecting when Waterford are used as some hybrid feeder club with a core LOI panel mixed with constant turnover of young Fleetwood loanees, random UK/foreign imports who look to be trialled and then Fleetwood picking off for themselves the few of Waterford's best performing players like Patterson, Coughlan etc. that setup at best is only going to result in a bottom half of the table Premier Division club permanently looking over their shoulders
It wouldnt be unusual to undeestimate how competative the LoI Premer Divisions is. That a small run, good or bad, changes the complexion of a season. Prior to last season there wa always the P/T relegation fodder, but last year people had to be on their game and/or spend. Its harder again this season where bigger clubs will get relegated. It hasnt fully gotten through to Pilley, it has at Drogheda. Quick fix half season loans, constant turnover of players, subpar youngsters that a Fleetwood are trying to build value to offload by sending to LoI, its only one direction when on that path and its seems to be Fleetwoods model.
Strongbow10
21/04/2025, 11:53 AM
Dan McDonnell reporting some Canadian businessesman is taking full control at Athlone and they want Ruairi Higgins in charge of the first team
Battery Rover
21/04/2025, 12:19 PM
Dan McDonnell reporting some Canadian businessesman is taking full control at Athlone and they want Ruairi Higgins in charge of the first team
Yeah his name is Eric Perez and has close ties with a company called Argyle Green LLC.
Talks being held for weeks now but I haven't heard anything with regards to a deal yet
They are involved in a few sports clubs probably the most known being Plymouth Argyle.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5z5z67n5no
redobit
21/04/2025, 1:29 PM
It wouldnt be unusual to undeestimate how competative the LoI Premer Divisions is. That a small run, good or bad, changes the complexion of a season. Prior to last season there wa always the P/T relegation fodder, but last year people had to be on their game and/or spend. Its harder again this season where bigger clubs will get relegated. It hasnt fully gotten through to Pilley, it has at Drogheda. Quick fix half season loans, constant turnover of players, subpar youngsters that a Fleetwood are trying to build value to offload by sending to LoI, its only one direction when on that path and its seems to be Fleetwoods model.
Really hard to know what the Fleetwood owner(s) are thinking or hoping to get out of the Waterford connection. Although they may have very little interest in LOI given they have accumulated losses of over 40 million sterling. Interesting they were reported as losses as opposed to debts, dunno if there is a difference. The new owner finances basically the old fraudster owners finances ... it's asterisk territory.
Nesta99
21/04/2025, 5:41 PM
The only thing that makes sense is blooding kids in the senior game to boost their ale value. Maybe access to the European market, UEFA prizemoney for a quick, underestimated easy cashflow. There is something particularly distasteful about the Pilley family wealth and that saying something considering some large ownerships. Losses could be covered by cash reserves I presume so not debt, but thoe losses will become debt as the ability to pay stops. Not sure post Brexit but loss making subsidiaries allowed tax deductions so would might have had some benefit to having a LoI not self suffcient, Stu might be someone who'd know better but surely its a drop in the ocean of 40m losses. Is Waterford an asset that could be overpriced to keep a balance sheet looking a bit healthier? For a while now it looks like a potential asterick things and Id wonder again where are all the 'careful now' naysayers of investment groups or multiclub owners in LoI ala early P6 days??
Eminence Grise
21/04/2025, 9:47 PM
The only thing that makes sense is blooding kids in the senior game to boost their ale value.
Everything helps - LoI transfers have been small beer for far too long.:D
legendz
23/04/2025, 8:12 PM
What club would most likely hire Keith Long next? I think he joined Waterford after a few games into the 2023 First Division campaign. Are there any First Division clubs who would fit the profile of where he might go next?
RealJohn91
23/04/2025, 9:07 PM
What club would most likely hire Keith Long next? I think he joined Waterford after a few games into the 2023 First Division campaign. Are there any First Division clubs who would fit the profile of where he might go next?
He has history with Athlone, Bray and Dundalk.
2 Year Contract
27/04/2025, 11:52 AM
Waterford still talking to Higgins who appears to be their first choice, with Stephen Rice the apparent second option now
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/stephen-rice-enters-frame-for-waterford-job-as-talks-remain-ongoing-with-ruaidhri-higgins/a291535386.html (https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/stephen-rice-enters-frame-for-waterford-job-as-talks-remain-ongoing-with-ruaidhri-higgins/a291535386.html)
2 Year Contract
30/04/2025, 4:15 PM
Liam Burt joins Glentoran. A move that tees himself up nicely for the inevitable Linfield move, followed by Cliftonville
2 Year Contract
30/04/2025, 4:33 PM
Looks like Higgins will be taking the Coleraine job and Ian Ryan the Athlone one
Dermobohs
30/04/2025, 6:58 PM
Liam Burt joins Glentoran. A move that tees himself up nicely for the inevitable Linfield move, followed by Cliftonville
I hope they realise why he’s known as tampon.
In for one out for 3, absolute headless when he does show up
Nesta99
30/04/2025, 9:00 PM
I hope they realise why he’s known as tampon.
In for one out for 3, absolute headless when he does show up
Yeah and he's used to hanging out of c....cant say it out loud even if chanelling Billy Butcher!
EalingGreen
02/05/2025, 12:42 PM
Looks like Higgins will be taking the Coleraine job and Ian Ryan the Athlone oneHiggins now confirmed at Coleraine:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdxg84rzxd5o
Another Bohemia
02/05/2025, 1:47 PM
Higgins now confirmed at Coleraine:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdxg84rzxd5o
I wonder how Higgins is viewed by Derry fans now given the pretty middling returns from the big off season expenditure and highly rated new manager in Lynch?
From the outside looking in it seems a lot of the same issues have persisted since Higgins departure.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.