2025 Arrivals and Departures

[TonyD]

Big time, shooting up the league from 8th to 3rd did the image no good ;)

I think that’s the kind of shooting up we could all get behind:cool:

What’s the story with Axel I wonder ? Out of the team the last couple of games when I thought he’d been really terrific since Kenny came in. I think I read somewhere that he’s off, which would be a pity in my view.

[2 Year Contract]

I think that’s the kind of shooting up we could all get behind:cool:

What’s the story with Axel I wonder ? Out of the team the last couple of games when I thought he’d been really terrific since Kenny came in. I think I read somewhere that he’s off, which would be a pity in my view.

He took a knock away to Bohs and came off at half time, McLaughlin did well in his absence to be fair and seemed to keep his place for that reason for the following couple of games

[total hoofball]

Surprised to see that Ben McCormack was only on a one year deal considering they paid Pats a fee for him as confirmed in their signing announcement for him last winter
I remember discussing that one on here last year Waterford on their announcement stated they paid a transfer fee for McCormack when he was actually out of contract at Pats so it actually would have been an Under 23 development fee which was almost certainly small like 10k, no LOI club is going to be paying any substantial fee for a player and then signing them up to a standard one year contract

Waterford's latest announcement on their squad is probably the most detailed update I have seen from a LOI club, probably too detailed a bit odd announcing which players you have offered contract extensions to who are sitting on the offer

[pineapple stu]

I think those sort of end-of-season announcements are increasingly common with English clubs, so probably the Fleetwood connection is behind that Waterford post too.

[dundalkfc10]

Andy Boyle has confirms he will be leaving Dundalk

[2 Year Contract]

Andy Boyle has confirms he will be leaving Dundalk
Just been announced by Waterford

[Jack B]

Additionally Waterford's "offered contracts" section on their retained list seemed to put the pressure on Darragh Leahy and Ben McCormack to sign them as they've also been announced. Some solid stuff from them albeit nothing too major in terms of potentially launching them up the table as a result.

Will be interesting to see what happens with Darragh Power. Could be wrong but he seemed to have a great season, certainly a strong start anyway, and there could be a few sides around the league with a spot to fill at right back.

[Another Bohemia]

Just been announced by Waterford

Not sure about that signing. Didn't seem up to his best last year with a bad Dundalk team. I believe he was also captain and I always felt the side lacked a bit of leadership. At least from the bits and pieces I saw of them.

[2 Year Contract]

Not sure about that signing. Didn't seem up to his best last year with a bad Dundalk team. I believe he was also captain and I always felt the side lacked a bit of leadership. At least from the bits and pieces I saw of them.
Yeah I agree, in recent years he’s looked a shadow of the player he once was. He’s had some proper stinking performances when I’ve watched him. Still a lot of experience there and maybe the change of scenery could see some better performances. At 34 in March though his best days are certainly behind him

[Another Bohemia]

Yeah I agree, in recent years he’s looked a shadow of the player he once was. He’s had some proper stinking performances when I’ve watched him. Still a lot of experience there and maybe the change of scenery could see some better performances. At 34 in March though his best days are certainly behind him

Absolutely, I've seen worse players improve with a change of scenery. There's also the general nonsense that surrounded Dundalk last year that may have impacted on field performances as well.

[Kiki Balboa]

Boyle was immense last year for Dundalk. Anybody that watched Dundalk would say the same. Out of all the 'senior' players, he was by far the most constantly good.

I have no idea what Another Bohemia is talking about.

Dundalk players worked their socks off till the last game, hence the crowd stayed behind them. Problem was goals and a dodgy goalkeeper(s). Leadership on the pitch was far from the issue.

Just remember, Dundalk broke their consecutive home clean sheet record this year, and Boyle was a huge part of that.

Great signing for Waterford. Shels, Derry and Bohs (and actually every team in the league) should be kicking themselves frankly.

Wouldn't be surprised if he had another top top season or two in him.

[Martinho II]

Surprised to see that Ben McCormack was only on a one year deal considering they paid Pats a fee for him as confirmed in their signing announcement for him last winter

Very surprised that Conor Parsons has left Waterford. Wonder has someone come in for him already?

[Another Bohemia]

Boyle was immense last year for Dundalk. Anybody that watched Dundalk would say the same. Out of all the 'senior' players, he was by far the most constantly good.

I have no idea what Another Bohemia is talking about.

Dundalk players worked their socks off till the last game, hence the crowd stayed behind them. Problem was goals and a dodgy goalkeeper(s). Leadership on the pitch was far from the issue.

Just remember, Dundalk broke their consecutive home clean sheet record this year, and Boyle was a huge part of that.

Great signing for Waterford. Shels, Derry and Bohs (and actually every team in the league) should be kicking themselves frankly.

Wouldn't be surprised if he had another top top season or two in him.

You may have broken your home clean sheet record but you still conceded 50 goals in the season. What does that say about the games that you did concede in? Scoring goals was certainly an issue but your defence was worse than Bohs and we had a terrible defence for a lot of last year. Him being the best senior player in a team of underperforming players, in the worst team in the league isn't much of a compliment either? And if there is a team of underperforming players it's on the management but also the on the pitch leadership which Boyle was part of. He could well turn it around but I won't lose any sleep that he hasn't signed for Bohs.

[RealJohn91]

Bohs confirm the signing of Colm Whelan

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs confirm the signing of Colm Whelan

Happy with that. Will defo need to invest in a back up with his injury record, but a very good signing to make. I'd also like to see how Ryan Kelleher would do in the premier division. Scored a decent number of goals (including against Bohs) in a relatively weak Kerry team. Could be a reasonably priced back up option .

[Shinkicker]

Happy with that. Will defo need to invest in a back up with his injury record, but a very good signing to make. I'd also like to see how Ryan Kelleher would do in the premier division. Scored a decent number of goals (including against Bohs) in a relatively weak Kerry team. Could be a reasonably priced back up option .
I'm not too sure, only played 10 games and only 1 goal in a league with 36 games and a cup run to the final.???? Hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

[2 Year Contract]

I'm not too sure, only played 10 games and only 1 goal in a league with 36 games and a cup run to the final.???? Hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

He was injured/being eased back in after 2 ACL injuries, I wouldn’t hold his goal record against him, specially considering only 2 of those appearances were starts. If he’s shook all the bad luck with injuries he should do well at Bohs. I said it on here at the time a few weeks ago but he was easily Derry’s best player in Inchicore in the second last game of the season after coming on at half time

[Another Bohemia]

I'm not too sure, only played 10 games and only 1 goal in a league with 36 games and a cup run to the final.???? Hopefully I'll be proved wrong.

Only came back from injury in July and had limited minutes(300ish minutes or slightly more than 3 full games) to get him back to fitness when he did come back. Hence my belief we still need another striker as a back up. Injury history is concerning but he had a very good goal record at UCD before he moved to Derry

[Shinkicker]

Only came back from injury in July and had limited minutes(300ish minutes or slightly more than 3 full games) to get him back to fitness when he did come back. Hence my belief we still need another striker as a back up. Injury history is concerning but he had a very good goal record at UCD before he moved to Derry
As I said above, I hope I'm proved wrong.

[brendy_éire]

Only came back from injury in July and had limited minutes(300ish minutes or slightly more than 3 full games) to get him back to fitness when he did come back. Hence my belief we still need another striker as a back up. Injury history is concerning but he had a very good goal record at UCD before he moved to Derry

That would be my view too. He'd a horrid time at the Brandywell, but I'm fed up with injury prone players at this stage.
He did look good at times when he got minutes, but they were few and far between. There's obviously a reason for that.

[Longfordian]

Didn't he say he's not willing to or at least doesn't want to, play on an artificial pitch? I imagine that would have limited his opportunities too. Even if he didn't refuse to play outright he's clearly not going to be at his best when he does play on it.

[2 Year Contract]

Didn't he say he's not willing to or at least doesn't want to, play on an artificial pitch? I imagine that would have limited his opportunities too. Even if he didn't refuse to play outright he's clearly not going to be at his best when he does play on it.

I assume he meant he didn’t want to play for a club that plays home games on an artificial pitch, meaning he wouldn’t be limiting any premier division opportunities as he leaves Derry. I’d say he’ll probably play the 2 games away to Derry for bohs

[Longfordian]

Sorry yes, reading that back I wasn't very clear. I was assuming he told Derry he was reluctant to play on their pitch so Higgins may not have wanted to use him even if he was fit.

[The Bowler]

That's a brilliant signing by Bohs with Colm Whelan. I watched every game that fella played for UCD and can say he's easily the best finisher I've seen in the last 15 years at The Bowl. Awful luck with 2 x ACL, but was never injury prone before that. Could easy see him getting 15+ goals for Bohs next season. I'd ignore recent form for Derry, he got limited starts after coming back from latest injury, in a team that were tailing off badly on general form, on a pitch he definitley didnt want to play on. Top quality lad with a brilliant attitude to go with it.

[patsdad]

That's a brilliant signing by Bohs with Colm Whelan. I watched every game that fella played for UCD and can say he's easily the best finisher I've seen in the last 15 years at The Bowl. Awful luck with 2 x ACL, but was never injury prone before that. Could easy see him getting 15+ goals for Bohs next season. I'd ignore recent form for Derry, he got limited starts after coming back from latest injury, in a team that were tailing off badly on general form, on a pitch he definitley didnt want to play on. Top quality lad with a brilliant attitude to go with it.

in fairness, he’s a great credit to yourself and Mrs Whelan!

[DonegalHoop]

I saw him play an U20's game during the summer. He scored a worldy and then went off injured after 30 odd minutes. Seemed to sum up his time at Derry. Hopefully he gets a good run of games and gets some form and fitness back.

[gufct]

Rob Slevin the latest of last years squad to sign up.

[Another Bohemia]

Is there a summary for ins and outs for each club anywhere? I know it's still early but there is a lot of re-signings and releases happening.

For Bohs

Ins

Colm Whelan - Derry
Christopher Conlon - Bohs u17

Outs

Danny Grant
Paddy Kirk
Declan McDaid
Martin Miller
Brian McManus
James Akintunde
Philip Piszcech
Jevon Mills (end of loan)

[Jack B]

I saw extratime had a list up but just at a glance I spotted some errors. Don't think the general lack of clarity from the clubs themselves helps with having any kind of good league-wide resource.

My understanding of where Pats are at currently is:

In:
Power

Under contract:
Anang
Rogers

Redmond
Turner
Keeley
Breslin
Kazeem

Lennon
Bolger
Forrester
B. Kavanagh
Leavy

Mulraney
Elbouzedi
Melia
Keena

Out of contract/unconfirmed/end of loan:
Sjoberg
McLaughlin
Grisvosti
Palmer
McClelland
Nolan
C. Kavanagh


The seemingly unlikely event of all of Sjoberg, Grivosti and Palmer staying would be wonderful. The rest are varying degrees of take it or leave it.

[RealJohn91]

Niall Morahan signed for Bohs. Didn't see that one coming at all. That midfield is something else now.

[ger121]

Niall Morahan signed for Bohs. Didn't see that one coming at all. That midfield is something else now.

I don’t think anyone did. Lot of options in midfield. Need some defenders next. Particularly LB.

[Jack B]

I rate Morahan but that feels more like a devastating loss to Sligo than it is a big addition for Bohs, just given the respective squads.

[Bohtastic]

Too many in midfield to get games imo- Tierney, Clarke, Devoy, Rooney, Morahan, Buckley, McDonnell, McManus and perhaps Flores- although you've got to assume that Flores is in doubt.
McManus would also be a surprising release, might be loaned out.

Would Reynolds keep him on for LB? Hasn't been convincing there. Also not sure if there's a place for Buckley- unless he might cover @RB.
You'd imagine Morahan will play given that signing. Would Clarke be back up for Whelan, not a striker though.

[RealJohn91]

I can see Flores being kept just because he can play in so many positions. Now it's another story if he actually plays well in any of them but I can see a managers thinking with someone like him.

I thought Clarke grew into the striker role decently towards the end of the season, his link up play especially was coming on a lot but you'd really only want to be playing him there again in an emergency.

Bucko is a difficult one, love the fella but he's not a young lad anymore and his game was all about energy and running. Who knows if he's close to the same player after the ACL. Hasn't really happened for McManus either with his injuries, still only young mind but he needs a full season of football under his belt and I don't see that happening with us. I'd extend his deal if possible and send him out of loan.

[Another Bohemia]

Too many in midfield to get games imo- Tierney, Clarke, Devoy, Rooney, Morahan, Buckley, McDonnell, McManus and perhaps Flores- although you've got to assume that Flores is in doubt.
McManus would also be a surprising release, might be loaned out.

Would Reynolds keep him on for LB? Hasn't been convincing there. Also not sure if there's a place for Buckley- unless he might cover @RB.
You'd imagine Morahan will play given that signing. Would Clarke be back up for Whelan, not a striker though.

I think this signing means McDonnell and Flores are gone, pretty sure both are out of contract at the end of November. Reynolds has been pretty ruthless in his squad building so wouldn't be surprised if Bucko moves on come July. Much like Grant he hasn't been the same since his return, is likely on a big wage and you can add to this his age and suffering a pretty significant injury and I think his place in the squad, never mind the team isn't a nailed on certainty. Rooneys a winger so him playing wouldn't impact the other lads. So I see it as 5 players for 3 spots in Morahan, McManus, Devoy, Tierney, Clarke

[Bohtastic]

Flores has been played by Reynolds more often than not- irrespective of fans' antipathy towards him. Wouldn't be surprised if he was kept on. I'd move him on though. McDonnell was also one of the few players who performed consistently last year. Bucko seems the most obvious casualty, but a big decision to move him on. It will definitely be Reynolds' team now. No excuses.

[Nesta99]

Flores, like Patching, is an interesting footballing character, bags of ability that always seemed to be considered more as potential. Neither really grafted, moments of class meant they werent overly criticised for going missing in games, the sort of player that LoI fans tend to be most impatient with. Both should be playing at higher levels than LoI, or top of every LoI fans wishlist, tearing the league up. Both have or are letting their football careers drift past them, for the sake of some real drive, give either of these midfielders the work ethic of say a Conor McCormack and they'd have had super careers in the top 2 tiers in England imo. I think its telling that neither Bohs or Derry fans care that they are moving on. Dundalk fans were disapointed previously so yeah they showed moments but plateaued and is meh.

[placid casual]

How do boez afford these signings, given as they wont be in Europe next season, and weren't this season either?
is it purely down to merch or do boez have a financial backer now?

[RealJohn91]

We don't have a backer

[Buckett]

Everyone's going to have a lot more money next season

[Dermobohs]

How do boez afford these signings, given as they wont be in Europe next season, and weren't this season either?
is it purely down to merch or do boez have a financial backer now?
We’ve actually cut the budget next season pc.
Down 20% on last season so it’ll be a smaller amount of senior lads with four or five young lads and a couple of loan returnees.
No harm imo, there were at least six or seven of last seasons squad bad value for wages

[Another Bohemia]

Flores has been played by Reynolds more often than not- irrespective of fans' antipathy towards him. Wouldn't be surprised if he was kept on. I'd move him on though. McDonnell was also one of the few players who performed consistently last year. Bucko seems the most obvious casualty, but a big decision to move him on. It will definitely be Reynolds' team now. No excuses.

On Flores yeah he got plenty of game time, he was also captain for a significant number of games. I just don't see what benefit he brings to the squad. He has played a number of positions as you say but he was at fault for a few goals when he was played at left back. With Cornwall, Kavanagh, Byrne, Ishmala and hopefully Carroll coming back I think we're covered for CB and he'd be the worst CM in the squad. Have to wait and see I suppose but I think come the end of the month there will be another round of releases and Flores will be among them.

It's 100% Reynolds team now. I know Fenlon got a lot of flack last year over lack of signings, late signings etc but it seems it was the manager who was the problem. By all accounts budget has gone down from last year but the quality of signing has certainly gone up so far imo. Slightly more confident going into the season but still a lot of holes in the squad particularly our wide with the wingers and full backs but still time to get players in there.

[Another Bohemia]

We’ve actually cut the budget next season pc.
Down 20% on last season so it’ll be a smaller amount of senior lads with four or five young lads and a couple of loan returnees.
No harm imo, there were at least six or seven of last seasons squad bad value for wages

Not only was there some bad value for wages there was a giant and badly balanced squad considering we didn't qualify for europe. 3 senior Keepers (Granted w/ the Talbot situation at the start of the season this is understandable), 3 rbs (Bart Kukulovic, Lilander and Matheson which doesn't include Smith who came in July), 1 LB, 7 center mids to start the season. There were only 2 CBs signed for the first game of the season with 2 more brought in on loan on deadline day after a season ending injury for Cornwall. It was a disaster in more than just on field results last year. Devine should not have come back after the cup final. The squad looks like it's being righted now. Not sold on Reynolds but he inherited a disaster of a squad that looks like it's heading the right way since July.

[sbgawa]

Given Whelans injury history i would have seen him as an obvious Rovers target, maybe Johny kenny is staying?

[joey B]

Shane McEleney left Derry for Glentoran …..

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I rate Morahan but that feels more like a devastating loss to Sligo than it is a big addition for Bohs, just given the respective squads.

Huge blow for us. Was offered a decent rise by us but assume Bohs blew it out of the water.

[EalingGreen]

Shane McEleney left Derry for Glentoran …..Is he any good?

Still do a job, or just looking for a last payday?

[holidaysong]

Last payday.

[brendy_éire]

Is he any good?

Still do a job, or just looking for a last payday?

He's still a useful player, and would likely suit the IL well.
I'd have been happy enough to keep him on at Derry for another year, as a reserve defender.

[Buckett]

Are Glentoran full-time? I can't imagine it would be much of a payday