Before posting on this thread I'd like to lay down a few ground-rules for you to undoubtedly ignore.
1. Keep it realistic - the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo and Raul are unlikely to see the appeal of Pike Field on a wet Sunday afternoon. While we're at it so are Kevin Hunt and John O'Flynn.
2. Prospective signings are going to be different depending on whether or not we go up so keep that in mind too!
Now, the slk shopping list! :D
1. A goalkeeper
We badly need a goalkeeper. As things stand, Healy is far too inconsistent and Fyffe is nowhere near playing. There's actually not a lot of options around the first division to be honest. If we go up I think we should try and get back Noel Mooney. If Cork don't want to release him then a loan deal should suit both clubs as Pat Dolan doesn't name a goalkeeper amongst his subs so it would give Mooney regular football. Failing Mooney it might be worth looking at the lad who was with us a few years ago (and was crap) but was having a super season with Dundalk until he got injured up there. I think he's called Anthony Fennelly. He's from Cork so Limerick would be a much better option location-wise. The only stumblingblock would be money as he's on a lot of cash with Dundalk. At a push it might be worth looking at David O'Neill with Kilkenny or even trying to take Graham Loughman back. More unlikely options would include Ciaran Kelly of Sligo or (if they miss out and we go up) Chris O'Connor of Bray. There's not a lot of top class keepers in the First Division to be honest and not a lot of classy reserves to choose from in the Premier.
2. Defence
I think we need a couple of players here, a natural left-back and another player to provide cover. this time I have two players very much in mind. Mark Hutchison (ex Dundee, Shels, Sligo, Harps and Kildare) is currently without a club. He's a very good defender, usually used at left-full and I think he'd bring some experience and a lot of ability to our team. Paul Leahy has fallen out of favour with Waterford this year. He can play anywhere accross the back four or midfield and would give a lot of options. He's still young enough too. Other players I'd consider would be young Rossiter with Sligo or again if Bray failed to go up what about Wes Charles?
3. Midfield
In Heffernan, Cosgrove, Sugrue and O'Donoghue we have plenty of options on the wings. Sweeney and Hughes provide a good fulcrum in the middle too though John Whyte is getting on and we need another option there. I liked what I saw of David Dunphy for Kilkenny this year and wouldn't be too upset if I saw him in a Limerick shirt again (JoeSoap will disagree :D) Otherwise I'd have a look at some of Cork's fringe players - Hedderman surely won't want to stay with Derry now, Colin O'Brien maybe an option there too.
4. Attackers
We need another striker to back up Derek and Steven. I'm open to suggestions on this. if we do go up though what about a cheeky bid for Alan Murphy? Waterford must have a couple of experienced players not getting their game too with Vinny Sullivan and Neale Fenn ruling the roost in the RSC.
So people, your thoughts?
