New signing?

[pineapple stu]

Cover for left wing - what about Derek Doyle? He's done well enough when he's had a go in the first team.

Cover for right-back is Gannon. Granted, we need one or two more there maybe, which is why I'm surprised about Lynch. Though if what Poor Student says is true (and it sounds plausible), it's fair enough, I suppose.

I'd like to see McEniff keep his place in the team with Micko at left-wing - far more balanced look to it.

Agreed on the top 5 push. If we can start finishing teams off, who knows where we'd be? We'd have extra points from Bohs (2 extra twice), Rovers (2 extra), Harps (at least 1 extra, if not all 3), Bray (ditto) for starters - that's 10 points or so. That's us in joint third level with Shels. Don't see why it can't happen. Our defence is actually fairly good despite what it looks like - we've conceded nearly half (11/23) of our goals in three games! Just get a couple more the other end and a bit of belief and we're flying.

[Poor Student]

Though if what Poor Student says is true (and it sounds plausible), it's fair enough, I suppose.

Bald Student or Schumi told me that I think.

What's the story with Gannon? He seems to be highly rated yet is 20 now? He seems to barely get a look in at all. Is he strong enough for right back?

I think this squad has massive potential. If we can hang onto Quigley, McNally, Mahon, Kenna, Tony Mac, Hurley, Dicker, Murphy, Byrne, Martin, McWalter and Dupuy for next season and build on those with sorting out left back (either with McAniff or someone new) we should be looking to do somenthing next year. Does anyone see any potential judases emerging this year?

[Schumi]

Cover for left wing - what about Derek Doyle? He's done well enough when he's had a go in the first team.

True, hadn't thought of him. That would have been bottom of my list of positions anyway though.

Cover for right-back is Gannon.

Has Gannon played there for the first team at all this year? Kenna seemed to be used as right back cover when Mahon was out.

I'd like to see McEniff keep his place in the team with Micko at left-wing - far more balanced look to it.

Agreed.

We'd have extra points from Bohs (2 extra twice), Rovers (2 extra), Harps (at least 1 extra, if not all 3), Bray (ditto) for starters - that's 10 points or so. That's us in joint third level with Shels. Don't see why it can't happen. Our defence is actually fairly good despite what it looks like - we've conceded nearly half (11/23) of our goals in three games! Just get a couple more the other end and a bit of belief and we're flying.

It's all very well to look at points dropped but we were lucky to hold onto a point at home to Shels and beat Drogheda away with two late goals so a gain of 10 points is a bit optimistic!

[pineapple stu]

It's all very well to look at points dropped but we were lucky to hold onto a point at home to Shels and beat Drogheda away with two late goals so a gain of 10 points is a bit optimistic!

Maybe. Though I don't know how lucky we were to beat Drogheda really - thought we were the only team going to get a winner that game. Still, I think it's fair to say we've dropped more silly points than picked up lucky ones, so we should be higher.

Gannon is a right-back I think, but yeah, never seems to play there. Still, he's gotten more of a look-in lately - again at right-wing - which is good to see.

Does anyone see any potential judases emerging this year?

There's usually one or two, but I think if we finish strongly - say get into the top half - then most of the current squad will stay. Then we'd be in a very strong position for next year.

[Poor Student]

There's usually one or two, but I think if we finish strongly - say get into the top half - then most of the current squad will stay. Then we'd be in a very strong position for next year.

Hopefully Willie Doyle is coming back. The prodigal son can tell his story to all would be Judases. I hope this is the year top players wake up to the fact that maybe they should leave things be and stay at the club. If everyone stays we can progress from here.

[Schumi]

Hopefully Willie Doyle is coming back.

And he can continue to not score any goals.

[Poor Student]

And he can continue to not score any goals.

I wasn't insinuating he had to play. We can get him on a 10 year contract just to tell his version of the Prodigal Son to all who consider leaving us.

[student]

potential players to leave the club are fewer than normal, IMO.


Alan McNally would be the biggest name i can think of. Possible move to Drogheda perhaps.

After that i could see Dupuy heading back to Galway, and Gallagher and Adrian Murphy leaving as well in search of regular first team football.

[el tk]

And he can continue to not score any goals.

He scored plenty in the 1st division and not being a regular goal-scorer doesn't seem to harmm your chances of starting up front for UCD.

[Poor Student]

I have a feeling that Damo will leave too. I hope not as I think when he's fit he has a lot to offer us either on the left wing or up front. I'm sure Adrian will go but he's hardly had a look in anyway. Gallagher, you could be right. I hope not as Quigley will be snapped up someday and he could step in.

Why do you see McNally going? And why Drogs? De Doolo connection?

[Schumi]

He scored plenty in the 1st division

Not to state the obvious but...

not being a regular goal-scorer doesn't seem to harm your chances of starting up front for UCD.

True but I don't think he worked particularly hard or created a huge amount other than the goals which Robbie and McWalter do.

[student]

I have a feeling that Damo will leave too. I hope not as I think when he's fit he has a lot to offer us either on the left wing or up front. I'm sure Adrian will go but he's hardly had a look in anyway. Gallagher, you could be right. I hope not as Quigley will be snapped up someday and he could step in.

Why do you see McNally going? And why Drogs? De Doolo connection?

I can see McNally going because he must be nearly 23 now and would be entitled to a free transfer. Dorgheda would be the most liekly destination as they seem to be targeting good youg players (fahy, keegan, bradley, gartland, sullivan) and i'm sure the option of full time football would attract McNally. I'm just completley speculating here by the way.

Nearly all the other UCD players that could be linked with the top clubs such as Kenna, Dicker, Quigley, Hurley, McWalther wouldn't be entitiled to a Bosman and its hard to see the likes of cork or shels stumping up cash for them at the moment. i would imagine their priorities would lie elsewhere.

[CollegeTillIDie]

I can see McNally going because he must be nearly 23 now and would be entitled to a free transfer. Dorgheda would be the most liekly destination as they seem to be targeting good youg players (fahy, keegan, bradley, gartland, sullivan) and i'm sure the option of full time football would attract McNally. I'm just completley speculating here by the way.

Nearly all the other UCD players that could be linked with the top clubs such as Kenna, Dicker, Quigley, Hurley, McWalther wouldn't be entitiled to a Bosman and its hard to see the likes of cork or shels stumping up cash for them at the moment. i would imagine their priorities would lie elsewhere.

Well Alan McNally might take a long hard look at what happened to his brother Paul and stay at UCD. Paul is now out of football at the top level having been full-time two seasons ago.