2025 Arrivals and Departures

I think if Ed McCarthy is passing that test then Towell would be fine. I think purely as a footballer he's still more than capable of adding something to basically any side in the league, but as it stands there just isn't room in central midfield for the remaining Dublin teams so it'll be interesting to see where he ends up.

Seems like Adam O'Reilly will remain at Derry. Possibly a weird one for him as by all accounts he was set to leave, but it seems like Pats wanted Baggley over him and he didn't sufficiently impress Leyton Orient while over there, so staying put has ended up being his best option.

Gbemi Arubi to Dundalk. When we had a ball of oney we seemed to be scratching around for scraps making signings, now when we're on our knees we're getting good business done before Christmas.

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Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

Caulfield and Horgan have their own dressing room as a result of this policy

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Ah Horgan gets 5 minutes before a game, when he isnt banned...

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

Gbemi Arubi to Dundalk. When we had a ball of money we seemed to be scratching around for scraps making signings, now when we're on our knees we're getting good business done before Christmas.

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And 'targeting' the likes of striker Cami Elliot of the 1 goal fame in 18 months, from the Scot Highland League, where he is possibly now back with same club, or maybe tier 4 of Scot. Another classic recruitment by Gartland / SOD in early 2023, and there were many more. A fee was paid for a left full Walker, who played possibly 2 games, 3 max and wasn't injured.

Seems decent bit of business by Kilduff so far, and Enda Minogue possibly next, this is exactly what is needed, the better standard of the FD talent that know the division.

and we're not paying ridiculous money. 30k a week would have made a good chunk of Premier Division players within our budget last season, players that have won leagues before and did last season again among others, players that wanted to stay at the club reviously, players that would have returned - keepers that wouldnt chuck a ball in to the net. Players that knew the league and that we knew. No harm in a few wild punts from abroad but a squad full of them, + players on loan from clubs that never extend loans and buying lads from Scottish 4th tier. That we paid any transfer fees the last few season when there ar free agents overlooked, have just cleared outstanding debt to parent clubs for loanees?? The more the manner in which business is being done for the coming season the more the antics of the last few are mind boggling and drives up the old blood pressure! You couldnt make it up, just seemed like a transfer of money more than players. Apologies for that vent but.....

Dundalk heavy favourites for the First Division with the players they’ve retained and signings made so far ….

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Originally Posted by joey B

Dundalk heavy favourites for the First Division with the players they’ve retained and signings made so far ….

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Take it handy now, there should be no losing the run of things! There has been enough of that at Dundalk for the last few years to do a lifetime. Galway, by far the best funded and strongest 1st division squads in recent years, took until yr3 to get promoted so while we may end up being bookies favourites little should be taken for granted. Im not basing this on past experiences of the 1st Division either as it was arguably a much more level playing field across both divisions as all PT back then.

I think this 1st Division could well be the weakest, with respect, than it has for a while with no Cork, Waterford, Galway, Shels, Drogs type combo of clubs in the promotion hunt. UCD as ever will be the unknowns that could blow you away, the stock has risen in recent years for Athlone, Cobh as part of a multiclub ye never know if a bunch of unknowns in could be decent quality. Treaty will have hopes, Kerry will look to go better, maybe just one better than Longford though. Bray and Wexford ar no mugs if automatic promotion doesnt happen for Dundalk and thats yer lot. I dont see the play-offs being anywhere near a hope for promotion.

There is a definitely a kind of closed shop yoyo club or 2 going to develop between the 2 divisions where 12 or 13 clubs tops will cycle between the divisions and will be hard to break in to for smaller 1st division clubs without something special like a manager, crop of players, proper long term team development or cash injection. PT V FT will be a big part of it but finances are widening too. It is only going to get harder for promoted clubs to stay up. Last year imo will be an outlier where Galway maybe benefited from a stable squad and could tough it out, a return to building a permier division squad each year for promoted sides will resume ad Galway did have PD quality being promoted. There are questions about whether Dundalk could benefit from a number of season in the 1st to rebuild off field, the more I look at it I think getting back up straight away could be important or we will end up wishing we had favourite tags!

Some musings on transfer activity needed mixed with predictions in the PD then.....
Galway are actually the squad that I think needs most significant freshening up, age profile needs improving, need to add goals, old tactics wont stay the new new and will be countered. 2024 could be a high tide mark for them without a very healthy winter transfer dealings. Sligo surprised us all, some depth to squad and they'll be an intersting group to watch and see if Russell is the real deal and it was genius to gamble and stick, if they keep Malley with others circling it will be a sign of things. Same old tune for Rovers, was this a transition year or will 2025 also be, latter European games show they have the players already to win the league but they do need to trim the fat. Shels need to be cute with their signings but I dont think they will repeat this season. St Pats, well SK's transfer business is never done, he is always adding lads, believes in 2 players in every position which limits game time to a problem, will jump at an opportunity if a no brainer become available even if not a pressing need but a lot of work already done. Drogs with the switch to FT training dont need a whole lot, Deegan and Brennan wont have much left in the legs but keep the front men and a few additions and they're the surprise side. F..k it though, Im going with Derry bringing in a bunch of players that will show the super hunger needed and will win the league so thats they will finish in 5th position, cause really St Pats and a reinvigorated Rovers will slug it out and St Pats shading it. Can Rovers replicate European group performances domestically next season - it should never have been a problem in the 1st place really, maybe some fresh faces on the coaching side is as key as a few players. Im still intrigued by the Towell situation if he stays in LoI.

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Originally Posted by joey B

Dundalk heavy favourites for the First Division with the players they’ve retained and signings made so far ….

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Are you making them favourites or is that real bookies odds? If the best players don't play as a team it could take years to get promoted. Shels and Galway are examples of this.

The difference is Galway were in a division with at least one other full time team. While there are some "hybrid" or watered down full time set ups in the division Dundalk will be the only true FT that's worth a lock of points on its own.

Dundalk are going part time themselves, no? Almost certain I read an article with quotes from Kilduff stating as such.

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Originally Posted by Shinkicker

Are you making them favourites or is that real bookies odds? If the best players don't play as a team it could take years to get promoted. Shels and Galway are examples of this.

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Just an opinion,Horgan will make hay in the First division and they signed last year’s top scorer in the league aswell,a lot of goals already in the team…..

Seems like we have signed Luke Henney from Drogheda

An excellent signing

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Originally Posted by Jack B

Dundalk are going part time themselves, no? Almost certain I read an article with quotes from Kilduff stating as such.

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Staying full time but moving training to the evenings instead of mornings due to lads studying etc

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Originally Posted by dundalkfc10

Seems like we have signed Luke Henney from Drogheda

An excellent signing

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surprised at that one. Seemed a useful/versatile player for Drogheda. Local lad too.

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Originally Posted by joey B

Just an opinion,Horgan will make hay in the First division and they signed last year’s top scorer in the league aswell,a lot of goals already in the team…..

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I was only asking the question.

I, too would consider Dundalk heavy favorites, there's a huge resource gap between 1st and PD, they'll have home crowds probably twice maybe triple, the next best team. Already have a couple of players far too good for the level with half a squad, they'll have no problem picking off the best of the rest, there's no 2nd strong Full Time team to compete.

In the strangest turn of the transfer window so far it seems Carrick Rangers are raiding Wexford’s squad, Reece Webb the second player to move after Ethan Boyle …..

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Originally Posted by joey B

Dundalk heavy favourites for the First Division with the players they’ve retained and signings made so far ….

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A big gamble IMO, if they don't go straight back up they could end up being in as bad if no worse a situation come the end of the 2025 season. Looking like they will have the biggest wage budget by a significant margin

Sure we were persecuted on the budget for licencing so the must be the real deal and all will be grand regardless! We're starting off -€1.5m, restructured or not thats a leveller. Gamble, ambition, need to have PD income, shrewd dealings, madness, all of the above but sure whats new at Dundalk FC

Welcome to the Donegal accountants forum Est 2010 Nesta…

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Originally Posted by joey B

In the strangest turn of the transfer window so far it seems Carrick Rangers are raiding Wexford’s squad, Reece Webb the second player to move after Ethan Boyle …..

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And Cian O'Malley becomes the third.

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Originally Posted by DCSIL

Welcome to the Donegal accountants forum Est 2010 Nesta…

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Established to look in to DCFC budgets submitted for licencing? It's nice to see such concern for our future wellbeing in fairness, keeps us honest!

Shane Ferguson signed for Derry City,has nearly 60 international caps and decent pedigree in England….

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Originally Posted by joey B

Shane Ferguson signed for Derry City,has nearly 60 international caps and decent pedigree in England….

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I remember when he burst onto the scene with Newcastle he looked an absolute superstar with his tricky footwork and set piece ability. Without a club since May and now 33, a lot of Derry fans felt Higgins squad was too ageing as it was. Be interesting to see how he does

Is Ben Doherty on the way out or what’s the story there? 2 high profile left backs to have in the same squad

Shels interested in Mipo Odubeko, according to the examiner.

Ferguson has to have signed either as cover or for rotation with Doherty, I wouldn't be expecting any 33 year old in that position with very few games under their belt in the past 18 months on that particular pitch to be starting 40+ games per season

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Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Is Ben Doherty on the way out or what’s the story there? 2 high profile left backs to have in the same squad

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Just replacing Coll I’d say…..

Danny Grant signed for Shamrock Rovers

A lot of room for Grant to Rovers to turn out absolutely hilariously.

Or even more so than it already is, because playing for Rovers with a Bohs tattoo on his arm is already quite funny.

As funny as Brandon Kavanagh playing for pats with a Rovers tattoo?

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Originally Posted by placid casual

As funny as Brandon Kavanagh playing for pats with a Rovers tattoo?

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I certainly laughed when he scored a 95th minute winner against them in May.

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Originally Posted by placid casual

As funny as Brandon Kavanagh playing for pats with a Rovers tattoo?

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He hasn’t got one but even if he did, to answer your question yes it absolutely would’ve made his 20 goal contributions this year including an injury time winner against rovers that took the title away from them ten times funnier :)

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Originally Posted by Acornvilla

I, too would consider Dundalk heavy favorites, there's a huge resource gap between 1st and PD, they'll have home crowds probably twice maybe triple, the next best team. Already have a couple of players far too good for the level with half a squad, they'll have no problem picking off the best of the rest, there's no 2nd strong Full Time team to compete.

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Maybe, but still have to win games, CK first year in senior (mens) football, a squad that will be 3/4 new, almost a brand new defence, plus club and fans wont be used to a lot of the long travel and away grounds.

A lot of things there, and prob need to see 3 or 4 more come in to see the shape, but we should have a good chance of winning it but won't be taking anything for granted, most games will still be tough.

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Originally Posted by TonyD

In fairness, I’d say we’re third highest :D

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Was thinking of this earlier, Pats budget must be close to pushing 40-50k a week at this stage when you take into account SK wages, and at least 3 or 4 on the staff, some squad they are building to be fair, and SK back to his fav trick of 2 players for every position.

Would seem very unfair casting Shels aside after they won it last term, and I don't see Derry making the leap from 4th to 1st anytime soon, their pitch is actually worse than Dundalk's (I hate them all to be fair), but for me its going to be a 50/50 battle between Rovers and Pats for the title, on budgets Rovers have to be 50k p/w at this stage?

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/socc...EIOZQN6YUW6O4/

Fats coming back to Derry as a coach? Curious....

Still think has something to offer as a player. He's had terrible luck with injuries this last year, and he's not getting younger, but he's a smart and technical player. Even half fit, You'd think he'd be able to contribute.

Pure speculation, but some sort of player/coach role could be a goer.

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Originally Posted by sessylU

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/socc...EIOZQN6YUW6O4/

Fats coming back to Derry as a coach? Curious....

Still think has something to offer as a player. He's had terrible luck with injuries this last year, and he's not getting younger, but he's a smart and technical player. Even half fit, You'd think he'd be able to contribute.

Pure speculation, but some sort of player/coach role could be a goer.

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Player at Ballymena, coach at Derry. I'd be happy with that, as he's apparently a great person to have around the club and wants to get into coaching.
Can't say I'd be happy with it if I was a Ballymena fan, mind.

I'd heard that over on one of the Facebook groups.

It does feel like Ballymena are getting the wrong side of that deal. It looks a lot like a rubbish wee side job to pay the bills whilst doing the important passion-project during the day.

Its odd not to have added a few quid and have him registered for Derry, if he's fit he's fit but not relying on him. Youd assume the pitch was his problem with playing and moving but Ballymen also have an artificial surface dont they. Odd setup regardless and I wouldnt be happy if someone was coaching at Drogheda during the day next season and then training/playing for us in the evening.

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

Its odd not to have added a few quid and have him registered for Derry, if he's fit he's fit but not relying on him. Youd assume the pitch was his problem with playing and moving but Ballymen also have an artificial surface dont they. Odd setup regardless and I wouldnt be happy if someone was coaching at Drogheda during the day next season and then training/playing for us in the evening.

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Ballymena have a grass pitch. They have an astro training pitch beside the main pitch