(Very early) Transfer gossip/squad retention

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Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Hoban, Towell and Byrne all re-sign for Dundalk. This is the first time in a VERY long time we have been able to hold on to our better players. With the two Rovers, Derry and Limerick all likely to be stronger next season I think we will have to strengthen to remain competitive.

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I think you would have to go back to 1991 for the last time Dundalk have kept together the best players from a sucessful season. We won the league that year, and most stayed on.

What a change it will be to have the same quality players onboard for a second season, usually its a clear out with less than 5 staying. From 2012, only Cherrie was a starter, Mountney was the other one, he played about half.

I'm not so sure about Derry challenging, seem to be going through a transistion, as for Limerick, I think they'll be happy again to consolidate, but when they return to the Markets Field, I'd say it will be a different story.

Towell signing is a huge lift, looks like the main sponsors helped out, hopefully him alone with attract even better players.

Plus it will also give the shed boys another good year to sing about not selling him........

I'm hearing Derry have lost a lot of money this season due to awful attendances all year and will be cutting their budget massively next season. Players like Rafter, Houston, Griffin and a few more to be released.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Players like Rafter, Houston, Griffin and a few more to be released.

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Griffin to be released? They haven't paid for him yet.

Great to see, and great that the players are so enthusiastic about re-signing. The Kenny factor is a big thing at Oriel..

On Cherrie, we may struggle to keep him. Word on the street is that he's keen on a return to Scotland, almost went during the summer, hence the reason Conor Winn was signed after his release from Rovers, but Kenny convinced him to see out the season. Hopefully we can tie him down, but it may be beyond the club.

I have to say that I really am delighted that Dundalk have signed up most of the must keep players for next season!

Cherrie nxt please.

Talk of Kilduff to us (Pats) or Dundalk is ridiculous IMO. I like to bash Shamrocks, but i really cant see them being that stupid. It makes far far more sense to either keep him (most likely IMO) or loan him back to a mid/lower table team where he can take points of other teams and then wont be allowed play against them. letting us or Dundalk have him would be a massive clanger

Pats will keep most of the squad and 1/2 will head over to Tallaght. Same as last year

Could be a cracking league next year with Pats Rovers Sligo and Ourselves (Dundalk) sure to be as strong if not stronger than last season.I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly Dundalk have tied down key players and I am sure Kenny has a few new additions ear marked.

Shields and Gartland with Dundalk for 2014!

http://www.dundalkfc.com/shields-and...ree-new-deals/

We almost have a first XI signed up already for 2014, this is just incredible speed by the club.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Kilduff is signed until the end of 2014 so Dundalk would need to stump up to break the contract. Then again, I've seen more bizarre decisions by the powers that be in Tallaght this season.

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He could look for (very) early retirement :D

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Originally Posted by White Horse

Griffin to be released? They haven't paid for him yet.

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But we still have the receipt and he's been barely opened.

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

But we still have the receipt and he's been barely opened.

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You can keep him in fairness, Until his attitude on and off the pitch improves he will never make it even in the LOI

Roddy confirmed in todays star paper that he has got his p45 from athlone and he has instructed his solicitor to open talks about deals in other leagues. He said he wont rule out returning to athlone if the budget is right and he cheekily said hes not talking about his wages.

Bit annoying that we havent signed Roddy up already. As of now he is not our manager. Hearing alot of things going on. Rumoured to be in talks with Cork, Derry and Drogs. If he leaves, he leaves. I will, along with all other Athlone fans, be very ****ed off but what can you do. Once we dont end up with Matthews or the likes it will be grand. Only worrying thing is Roddy will more than likely take our few best players with him. Hopefully its all sorted out soon.

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Originally Posted by ATFC-1887

Bit annoying that we havent signed Roddy up already. As of now he is not our manager. Hearing alot of things going on. Rumoured to be in talks with Cork, Derry and Drogs. If he leaves, he leaves. I will, along with all other Athlone fans, be very ****ed off but what can you do. Once we dont end up with Matthews or the likes it will be grand. Only worrying thing is Roddy will more than likely take our few best players with him. Hopefully its all sorted out soon.

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At least if he does go it means you won't go bang! Always look on the bright side of life! :-)

Getting rid of Roddy now might be the best thing for Athlone, he got his job done by getting you promoted and if the board are saying he can't have the money he wants fair play to them because trey are obviously trying to run the club the right way. There are some very good experienced LOI managers out there who would do a decent job at Athlone in the Premier, Pete Mahon and Mick Cooke would be the first 2 that spring to mind.

As others are saying, Roddy has done the business getting Athlone promoted. If he choses to go elsewhere, Athlone should still be able to pick up a top manager.

Some years, available quality managers are thin on the ground. However, with Mick Cooke being turfed out of Drogheda, one of the top managers is available.

Mick Cooke being 'turfed' out of Drogheda would be a red flag for me if i was a prospective employer. Why would a successful manager be dropped? Mick Cooke is not being offered a new contract next year in Drogheda for similar reasons to those by which Athlone are not resigning Roddy. Athlone receive credit, whereas drogheda get lambasted. Go figure.