2025 Arrivals and Departures

[joey B]

Higgins gone from Derry

Patrick McEleney leaves aswell and signed for Ballymena ….

[placid casual]

You'd have to wonder where do derry go from here.
They've lost their manager and are losing their best players, albeit players who didn't bother their bo11ix for significant part's of the season..

[ger121]

The exodus begins at Derry. Big rebuild job needed at the club.

[Another Bohemia]

Looks like the right choice to move on from Higgins. You'd have to imagine there is someone lined up to come in with the amount of players being released. As others have said big rebuild on the cards.

[D24Saint]

Higgins gone from Derry

Patrick McEleney leaves aswell and signed for Ballymena ….

Definitely the right decision for Derry. A squad and management team that are going to do anything in the future don’t play like that in a cup final , it was end of the road for Higgins and his team.

[joey B]

Interesting that according to local media it was Higgins decision to leave and that O’Doherty and the board wanted him to stay,wouldn’t fill me with confidence in the judgement of them if that was the case because it clearly looked finished from the outside looking in …..

[dcfc_legend9]

You'd have to wonder where do derry go from here.
They've lost their manager and are losing their best players, albeit players who didn't bother their bo11ix for significant part's of the season..

Colly Whelan currently is the only player to leave that I would be remotely worried about losing and granted he may not be same player he once was or could have been. Shane McEleney going to Glentoran I dont think will bother many fans either. Patrick McEleney whilst having all the talent and ability in the world is no good to us being carried.

Patrick McEleneys stats in the league over the last 3 years indicate that he is progressively getting less durable and we cant really carry him anymore.

League Stats:
23/24 - 14 games played - 1 full 90 mins (Even in that game he indicated he wanted to come off)
22/23 - 20 games played - 5 full games at the beginning of the season
21/22 - 27 games played - 12 full games all season


Only ones id be concerned about leaving now at this stage would be Adam Oreilly and Brian Maher. I would hope the board will have the sense to offer them decent deals.

[EalingGreen]

Are Glentoran full-time? I can't imagine it would be much of a paydayYes they are. And afaik they are big payers, at least by IL standards.

Sadly, however, not all of it has provided vfm.

[Kiki Balboa]

Derry want to be careful. If Drogheda stays up, that is 10 professional teams next year in the Premier.

Someone has to go down.

[pineapple stu]

Are Drogheda fully pro? I thought they were the only part-time team this year (or largely part-time at least)?

If Bohs are cutting their budget and incurring extra costs/loss in income from leaving Dalyer shortly, they would want to be careful too.

But yeah, "Someone has to go down" is right - if Cork get their act together (by no means a guarantee) then it just takes a couple of bad signings and/or an injury headache to be the difference between challenging for Europe and battling the drop.

[Buckett]

Drogheda were part time but Doherty moving to a full-time contract was the first step in their plans to go fully professional. I can't remember where I read about it so I don't have a link to back it up

[Kiki Balboa]

Are Drogheda fully pro? I thought they were the only part-time team this year (or largely part-time at least)?

If Bohs are cutting their budget and incurring extra costs/loss in income from leaving Dalyer shortly, they would want to be careful too.

But yeah, "Someone has to go down" is right - if Cork get their act together (by no means a guarantee) then it just takes a couple of bad signings and/or an injury headache to be the difference between challenging for Europe and battling the drop.

Drogheda is set to go fully-pro next year.

Setting up to be an even tighter league next year with little room for error at the bottom of the table.

At the moment, I would only be surprised if Pats and Rovers were in a relegation fight... And who knows about Rovers if they fail in this transfer window and don't replace Kenny (not saying they will at all... Just highlighting how competitive the league will be from outside challenging to relegation).

Time for a 12 team premier again?....

[sbgawa]

Drogheda is set to go fully-pro next year.

Setting up to be an even tighter league next year with little room for error at the bottom of the table.

At the moment, I would only be surprised if Pats and Rovers were in a relegation fight... And who knows about Rovers if they fail in this transfer window and don't replace Kenny (not saying they will at all... Just highlighting how competitive the league will be from outside challenging to relegation).

Time for a 12 team premier again?....
Can i come back to you on that after 8 or 9 games

[EalingGreen]

Time for a 12 team premier again?....Leaving an 8 team FD?

[DonegalHoop]

Looking at the attendance thread, only really Dundalk and Harps have the crowds to add to a 12 team prem but would either get a premier licence at the moment?

[D24Saint]

Drogheda were part time but Doherty moving to a full-time contract was the first step in their plans to go fully professional. I can't remember where I read about it so I don't have a link to back it up

He must be getting a hiatus from his job. He seemed reluctant in the past about going down the full time route.

[CorribsideSteve]

Re Higgins: Sacking him after the Gibraltar debacle would have been the best course of action, in hindsight.

[Acornvilla]

There was an interview with the Drogheda chairwoman on BTS during the week, I think she said they had 14 full time pro's this season, will be more next year, but guys who already have jobs who are already at the club are welcome to continue being part time, if they can't negotiate pro terms. They don't plan on rushing it, but it's getting there.

[D24Saint]

Higgins linked to a coaching role at Pats. His bright smile and cheery outlook will give all in Richmond a lift.

[Jack B]

Few bits from Dan McDonnell:

Clubs often kindly refer to a sacking as "mutual consent" but there was apparently an element of that with Higgins leaving. Expected to lead to the continuation of the exodus that has already started.

Pats in for Adam O'Reilly, also have an eye on Barry Baggley. Aaron Bolger will likely be off in case they're signed. Also trying to tie down Grivosti, Sjoberg and Palmer with the former two further down the line than the latter.

Rovers with most of their important players sorted, though Farrugia and Sean Hoare keeping options open.

[Acornvilla]

Higgins linked to a coaching role at Pats. His bright smile and cheery outlook will give all in Richmond a lift.
If ever a man looks like he needs a break, hope he's alright honestly, public failures like that are tough. You her a lot that's he's a good man and a good coach, you'd like to think he'll get another go at some point and it'll work out, but maybe some time coaching with Pat's would be good for him.

[D24Saint]

If ever a man looks like he needs a break, hope he's alright honestly, public failures like that are tough. You her a lot that's he's a good man and a good coach, you'd like to think he'll get another go at some point and it'll work out, but maybe some time coaching with Pat's would be good for him.

Perhaps a year or two away from the limelight would be good for him. I’d say such failure at your hometown club must be a very bitter pill to swallow. If SK reckons he can add something to his coaching staff then fair enough.

[joey B]

Gary Hunt departs Cobh Ramblers,pushed it seems rather than of his own volition…..

[joey B]

Matty Smith departs Shels

[ger121]

Matty Smith departs Shels

Was that expected or is it somewhat of a surprise?

[joey B]

Was that expected or is it somewhat of a surprise?

I guess the fact he had more yellows and reds than goals and assists would point to it being not that much of a surprise….

[Another Bohemia]

I guess the fact he had more yellows and reds than goals and assists would point to it being not that much of a surprise….

You say that but LOI fans can build an undying loyalty to decidedly mediocre players. James Talbot still has Bohs fans who believe he should start over Chorazka even though Chorazka is the better keeper. Some Bohs fans were shocked when Dylan Connolly was released even though he had as many red cards as goals, but he did do a lot of running. I'm sure every team has examples like this.

[joey B]

Shane Griffin departs Shelbourne,could be an obvious destination for him….

[pineapple stu]

You say that but LOI fans can build an undying loyalty to decidedly mediocre players.
Dammit to hell Another - if you take that away from us, what have we got left?! :p

[Another Bohemia]

Dammit to hell Another - if you take that away from us, what have we got left?! :p

Very true! Retracted :P

[Jack B]

Smith has Bohs written all over him.

If he's to stay in Ireland anyway.

[TonyD]

Drogheda is set to go fully-pro next year.

Setting up to be an even tighter league next year with little room for error at the bottom of the table.

At the moment, I would only be surprised if Pats and Rovers were in a relegation fight... And who knows about Rovers if they fail in this transfer window and don't replace Kenny (not saying they will at all... Just highlighting how competitive the league will be from outside challenging to relegation).

Time for a 12 team premier again?....

Was actually thinking similar myself. The league definitely seems to have gotten stronger overall, so an increase in teams might be a good thing. Only downside I can see with a 12 team league is the lop sided number of of games. Playing each other 3 times is not satisfactory at all, and 44 games (4 times each) just seems too many.

[pineapple stu]

Only downside I can see with a 12 team league is the lop sided number of of games.
Well, there's the 8-team First Division as well.

[legendz]

Would the majority of Premier Division clubs want an expansion to 12? More teams to divide out the UEFA solidarity payments.
Looking at Galway last year. Cork this year narrowly losing out to Derry. It's not beyond a top First Division club to win the FAI Cup, especially if they have a gap and aren't looking over their shoulder.

[D24Saint]

Would the majority of Premier Division clubs want an expansion to 12? More teams to divide out the UEFA solidarity payments.
Looking at Galway last year. Cork this year narrowly losing out to Derry. It's not beyond a top First Division club to win the FAI Cup, especially if they have a gap and aren't looking over their shoulder.

It adds a bit more variety imo. It gets a bit monotonous playing teams four times a year. It could be argued that the ten team division brings more big games and crowds. Either way id imagine money talks and the ten team format is going nowhere anytime soon.

[joey B]

Would the majority of Premier Division clubs want an expansion to 12? More teams to divide out the UEFA solidarity payments.
Looking at Galway last year. Cork this year narrowly losing out to Derry. It's not beyond a top First Division club to win the FAI Cup, especially if they have a gap and aren't looking over their shoulder.

I’d imagine this season has cemented the 10 team league for the foreseeable future,I also think the way the European money is being distributed will only widen the gap in the 2 leagues unless a club in the First Division can get some serious investment……

[ger121]

Smith has Bohs written all over him.

If he's to stay in Ireland anyway.

I’ll take him.

[oriel]

Drogheda is set to go fully-pro next year.

Setting up to be an even tighter league next year with little room for error at the bottom of the table.

At the moment, I would only be surprised if Pats and Rovers were in a relegation fight... And who knows about Rovers if they fail in this transfer window and don't replace Kenny (not saying they will at all... Just highlighting how competitive the league will be from outside challenging to relegation).

Time for a 12 team premier again?....

I fully expect Drogs to beat Bray tomorrow, but if the unlikely happens and it has a few seasons but not often, I wonder would that thought be revised?

Either way if Drogs win, this is going to be some fun next year as one club obv has to finish 10th, and its going to be one hell of a season to avoid it for any club that starts off bad or has a mid season wobble.

The bar has been raised and with few weak clubs now lurking about in the PD, its survival of the fittest more than ever.

A 12 club PD may work but that's back to the b/s 33 games, and you can have bad luck with likes of Shels / Rovers / Pats away twice with only one home game in return in any season, and you may not auto get it switched the following season, then what happens relegation, is it still 1 down, 1 play off, and finally will need two more clubs for the FD to make it up to 22.

Not sure that will work, plus if a club in say 8th or 9th is safe by Sept, are they really going to extend themselves to make that much of an effort v dog eat dog currently, when almost every game in a 10 club div counts.

My own preference would be a 16 club PD, 30 decent games, the classic home and away twice, then extend or re-launch actually the League Cup to make up for missing weekends, but again its the FD that needs tweaking, then we need at least 6 more clubs to take it to 26 teams, would that work? Not sure.

[cláirseach]

Smith has Bohs written all over him.

If he's to stay in Ireland anyway.

I got the impression that he's the profile that they were looking to move away from. He would fill a positional need though.

[Another Bohemia]

I got the impression that he's the profile that they were looking to move away from. He would fill a positional need though.

Agree with you there. I think Nolan from Pats would make a bit more sense as a signing. That general area of the pitch though is a massive need for Bohs

[total hoofball]

Matty is hard working technically decent but he suffers from inconsistency and a lack of end of product in the final third, I thought he would have got another season at Shels looks like those 2 goals he scored late in the season came too late I don't think that red card against Pats would have helped him either. I could see any of Bohs, Sligo, Waterford, Galway, Cork looking at signing him if he stays in LOI

Griffin is the one we have released I would miss the most, he has been quietly an assured dependable centre-back for Shels but with hitting 30 with durability question marks as he picks up injuries if he had an offer to go back to Cork it would be inevitable he would move on

[Jack B]

Was putting two and two together and maybe getting five with Smith and Bohs, just feel like it's one that makes sense given Reynolds has worked with him at two different clubs already (I think) and they could do with a player like him anyway.

Alex Nolan has had a couple of bright spots with Pats but they've mostly been isolated moments in a great cameo in the cup final and a couple of big goals off the bench this season. Could be wrong but I've not seen enough from him yet that makes me think he could go to a Shels, Bohs etc as he's been linked to and make much more of a difference than he has for us.

[joey B]

Glenavon appointed Paddy McLaughlin as manager this evening,thought he might have been in with a shout of the Derry job but not this time…

[nr637]

Cobh Ramblers FC have announced the release of head coach Gary Hunt over the weekend.

[Another Bohemia]

Cobh Ramblers FC have announced the release of head coach Gary Hunt over the weekend.

Was this an expected move? Is he in frame for the Derry role? Will Derry or Cobh be a more enticing job for a head coach?

[EalingGreen]

Glenavon appointed Paddy McLaughlin as manager this evening,thought he might have been in with a shout of the Derry job but not this time…Looks like it could be Tiernan Lynch (Larne FC)?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9qld0jr1r9o

[cláirseach]

Yeah the Derry Journal have Sean Barrett narrowing it down to two - both of whom are currently in jobs (one being Lynch).

[EalingGreen]

Yeah the Derry Journal have Sean Barrett narrowing it down to two - both of whom are currently in jobs (one being Lynch).Thanks for that tip:
https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/leading-candidate-tiernan-lynch-says-derry-city-has-potential-to-be-biggest-club-on-island-of-ireland-4871998

From the way TL is talking, it's looking like the job's his for the asking, though maybe just maybe he's dangling this bait in the hope of squeezing more money out of Kenny Bruce to stay at Larne? I know KB can't compete with Derry's owner financially, but Lynch is in a good spot with Larne, even if results this season have been poor.

If so, Derry would be wise in keeping the other candidate in reserve should they not get him - wonder who it might be?

P.S. Interesting mention of Ian Baraclough - he could do a good job for some other LOI club, or maybe even replace TL at Larne: his record at Sligo was v.good, he did ok with NI's U-21's and even if the Senior job didn't work out, the timing was at least as much to blame as the appointee (imo). While in his most recent job as Asst.Mgr to Darrell Clarke at Cheltenham, they damned nearly pulled off the Great Escape after things had seemed entirely hopeless. Good bloke personally, too.

[joey B]

Looks like it could be Tiernan Lynch (Larne FC)?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9qld0jr1r9o

Done deal apparently

[Nesta99]

The allure of LoI over IL remains, from Champions and Europe to also rans and no Europe. Just in case there is a missed opportunity to set EalingGreen and Eatyourgreens off!!