sligoman
02/01/2006, 5:00 PM
Transfer news:
The eircom League pre-season transfer merry go round is in full swing and chances are your club has bought, sold or released at least one player since the end of the 2005 campaign.
Some clubs have been busier than others.
New appointees John Gill (Dundalk) and Michael O'Connor (Athlone Town) along with Dermot Keely at Dublin City have been particularly active in recent weeks as they shape their sides for the respective challenges ahead.
Shamrock Rovers will have a new look side in the First Division in 2006 with Pat Scully having taken several players from former side Kilkenny City and releasing many of last season's side.
There has been comings and goings at UCD also.
Damien Dupuy and Mick O'Donnell have departed Belfield Park but Darragh Ryan has returned.
The big talking point during this off season has been the interest shown in our league by foreign teams.
Not only were Swedish side Djurgardens IF interested in Jason Byrne but reportedly showed an interest in John O'Flynn.
The Corkman nearly went to England but surprised and delighted all eircom League fans, not just The Rebel Army, with his dramatic u-turn. His decision to stay at Turner's Cross was influenced not only by his friends and family, but also by City fans.
A move to anything less than the English Championship would be a step down for any eircom League player, especially a player of O'Flynn's quality.
One man who has made a step up is Wesley Hoolahan.
Hoolahan says that he hopes that his move to Scotland will help him gain a full international cap.
He deserves that but it's sad that he should have to leave the eircom League to achieve it.
The eircom League pre-season transfer merry go round is in full swing and chances are your club has bought, sold or released at least one player since the end of the 2005 campaign.
Some clubs have been busier than others.
New appointees John Gill (Dundalk) and Michael O'Connor (Athlone Town) along with Dermot Keely at Dublin City have been particularly active in recent weeks as they shape their sides for the respective challenges ahead.
Shamrock Rovers will have a new look side in the First Division in 2006 with Pat Scully having taken several players from former side Kilkenny City and releasing many of last season's side.
There has been comings and goings at UCD also.
Damien Dupuy and Mick O'Donnell have departed Belfield Park but Darragh Ryan has returned.
The big talking point during this off season has been the interest shown in our league by foreign teams.
Not only were Swedish side Djurgardens IF interested in Jason Byrne but reportedly showed an interest in John O'Flynn.
The Corkman nearly went to England but surprised and delighted all eircom League fans, not just The Rebel Army, with his dramatic u-turn. His decision to stay at Turner's Cross was influenced not only by his friends and family, but also by City fans.
A move to anything less than the English Championship would be a step down for any eircom League player, especially a player of O'Flynn's quality.
One man who has made a step up is Wesley Hoolahan.
Hoolahan says that he hopes that his move to Scotland will help him gain a full international cap.
He deserves that but it's sad that he should have to leave the eircom League to achieve it.