Busy week for Kildare County
THE Damien Brennan affair has barely died down but the bad blood between Derry City and Kildare County continues.
The latest controversy surrounds goalkeeper Wayne Russell, who could well be making a return to Station Road.
The Welsh custodian was signed from Waterford United by Dermot Keely last April, but left with his manager as both moved north to Derry. Unfortunately for one of the domestic game's best goalies, he was ruled out for all of last season after damaging his cruciate ligament.
Derry are now reported to be claiming, however, that Russell should never have been allowed to make the move as under Eircom League rules, a player may only transfer once during a season and he had already made the move from Waterford United to Station Road.
The Candystripes are said to be seeking a return of the transfer fee paid by them, with Russell returning to Station Road, but at the time of going to press, had not yet been in contact with the Eircom League about the matter.
County are awaiting notification on the matter from the PFAI but as of now, consider Russell a Derry player and are not expecting any change in that status. Supporters will await any developments with interest, particularly as last season's sustitute 'keeper, Tadhg Murphy has left the club, having decided not to sign a new contract.
The young Portlaoise man has been signed on a full-time contract by last season's Premier Division runners-up Bohemians and will relish the prospect of having the opportunity to operate at the top level in 2004.
Meanwhile, as the transfer merry-fo-round continues at Station Road, Ger O'Brien has been brought in to strengthen County's defensive options. The 20-year-old visited the Newbridge venue on a number of occasions last season with Athlone Town, where he spent the year on loan from St. Patrick's Athletic.
Manager, Eric Hannigan hopes to use Brien as a replacement for Player of the Year and former right back, Damien Brennan, who was recruited by Derry amid some controversy.
According to director, Michael Casey, the club has now signed "the backbone" of its squad for the coming season, although it hopes to have about 30 players in the senior panel by the start of pre-season training in February.
Another high profile signing is expected during the week.
In other news, speculation about Gareth Cronin's future has been ended with confirmation that he has signed a one-year deal with the club. It had been rumoured that the former Cork City legend was considering retirement following a series of niggling injuries.
Another interesting development in what has been a busy week is the announcement that Thomas Donnolly will replace Eddie Moen as manager of the club's U-21 side for the coming season.
Recruitment is expected to begin immediately, a process that will be viewed with some wariness by Kildare and District Football League clubs, as Donnolly is Director of Football of the KDFL and manager of its highly promising Development Squad.
A local man, Donnolly has played for Kildare Town and Glenmore Celtic - a club also associated with senior manager, Eric Hannigan - and was in charge of Newbridge Town when they gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Leinster Senior League.
He has been highly praised for his work with the county's best young footballers and is currently preparing for his UEFA level 2 coaching qualification, as a holder of preliminary and level 1FAI badges.
And finally, County may yet find themselves in the Premier Division even sooner than hoped for.
Whilst still recovering from heartbreak in Limerick, it isn't inconceivable that visits to Dalymount and Tolka could soon be the norm for the Thoroughbreds if a motion tabled by fellow Division One side, Bray Wanderers, is adopted by the Eircom League.
The Wicklow club has put forward the idea of merging the two divisions for a trial season in 2004. This would see all 22 teams playing each other twice over the duration of the nine-month season. The motion is due to be voted upon at the end of the month.
