Rice will kick his way, and mouth his way, through that division.
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Rice will kick his way, and mouth his way, through that division.
Ricer will give Longford a very good chance of winning a trophy at Longford , cos thats what he done at Rovers.
Webster has already re-signed for Bray.
Fair enough. Was just mentioned in our local paper that Cooke expected him to sign with us
as far as i know webster signed for bray last week
Was it announced or is it just rumour do you know?
bray dont announce signings until the bulk of the squad is signed, but appearently he was the first to sign when devlin leftQuote:
Originally Posted by ATFC-1887
The paper didn't say he was signing, just that Cooke had talked to him.
EX-Derry City midfielder Ruaidhrí Higgins is believed to be signing for Dundalk tomorrow (Tuesday).The talented 29-year-old, who wasn’t offered a new contract with City, has thought to have turned down a number of clubs to join the Oriel Park men.
Former Candystripes boss Stephen Kenny held talks with Higgins last week and while the Limavady man also held talks with Linfield, Glentoran and Coleraine, he is believed to have opted to sign for Dundalk.
http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk...dalk-1-5804150
Meanwhile, Tiernan Mulvena has signed for Glenavon.
Its going to be the usual second season syndrome for Kenny if he is relying on the likes of that waster HiggingQuote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalymountrower
If Ruaidhrí Higgins did not set the league on fire with his performances for Bohs in 2010, he was not alone among Fenlon's signings that season, including Mark Quigley, Stephen Gray, Gareth McGlynn, and Chris O'Connor
Higgins has proven his quality consistently over the years with Derry and will need to reproduce his best form to get a place in the Dundalk midfield that is established from last season.
I would agree, think he is a useful player and will have good exp, but I wont expect him get a starting slot with DLK.
He will have to work very hard for that, and this is something we lacked last year, decent options from the bench.
We could start the first league game with Higgins, McMillan, Meenan, Mountney, Gannon, possibly Ward (if he gets a contract) and Sava all on the bench.
Pete Mahon has taken over Malahide Utd:
http://thejuniorsoccerportal.info/pe...united-reigns/
Ward is signing as has Simon Kelly before Christmas which hasnt been announced (assume he is on amatuer terms as he has a full time job in the town)Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Id have a midfield of
O Donnell, Towell, Ward/Mountney
Meenan Byrne
Hoban
Very harsh on Shields but I cant see him getting a regular position in the middle
is this the same Simon Kelly that was with you previously and us for a short spell?Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Did you forget about Daryl Horgan? He is sure to get the wide spot, leaving probably only one slot left assuming O'Donnell continues with Towell in the centre. Anyone of Shields, Higgins, Mountney & Meenan will be challenging to start. (Ward also if he joins)Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Then I'd say McMillan will run Kurtis Byrne close to see who plays behind Hoban, unless he goes with 5 in MF.
O'Donnell will have to be careful with backchat this season, if somone loses a spot in the midfield because of suspension it could be tough getting back in again.
Whats dundalk fans expectation of their team's finishing position next season ?
1st ?
2nd ?
3rd ?
lower
and what will be deemed unacceptable ?
8th?
7th?
6th ?
higher/lower
Should be achieving minimum top four. Not challenging for top four would be unacceptable.Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
Going to be very tough to go one better than last season, but I think the squad esp the MF is now a lot stronger than 2013. This was a an area we fell short in last season, outside of Towell and O'Donnell it was just ok in MF, now we have a lot of quality and better options. Retaining the first choice defence will stand to us also. It's going to very challenging that's for sure, but no reason we can't have confidence in having another good season, but for me I think we need to win a trophy.
Top 3 would be my expectation, if we are in a good position by end the summer, we might have a chance of the title, but its too early to predict, need to see the strengths of other clubs first, and need to play each first to judge that.
Pats must be overwhelming favorites given the amount of money they're spending.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Hopefully, ourselves and Sligo will give them a good race. Hard to know what is happening with Shams, they may be in the mix yet.
That's a very perceptive question.Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
In general, there is a hope to do better then last season (i.e. win a major trophy), and an expectation to qualify Europe and a top four finish.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bd-RxMrCEAEKeT0.jpg:large
Good article in the Democrat on Dundalk's return to training. Kenny is not worried about Pat's decision to sign "Galacticos".
I'd be pretty worried if Pats were signing the likes of Ronaldo and Isco.
Galacticos.
Sometimes I love this league.
Dundalk the only team dishing out 52 week contracts and paying transfer fees/compensation. Does that make them supergalacticos?
Hilarious stuff by Kenny
I think you will find that there is ONE player on a 52 week contract and our main sponsors are paying him over 3 of the months.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
"Galacticos", "52 week contracts", and "transfer fees" are great soundbites.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Which team, Pats or Dundalk, do you reckon have the highest budget?
Id say it is a case of which is the more sustainable in the long term.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Prince this is the League of Ireland, How dare you speak of Long Term Sustainablity hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by prince20
I'd say Pats. I don't think we'll be the highest though. I expect both Rovers to be above us again.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Dundalk have been quite open about increasing the playing budget so for Kenny to play poor mouth is pretty laughable IMO
From interviews I've read, I think Kenny is happy with his budget.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
The "Galacticos" comment is a dig at Pats decision to put big money into signing experienced players. In addition, the comment is aimed at a local audience, with a view to talking up his transfer activity during a crucial period of season ticket sales.
It could come back to haunt him if the so called Galacticos propel Pats to an even higher level than last season.
Let the banter and the new season begin.
Oh I'm fully aware of his aims, I just think they're misplaced.
He can't sign a player like Higgins and think others are going for experience either.
The only signing for Pats that hasn't been run of the mill is Fahey. Everyone else has been released by their club (I say else, of course Fahey was doing nothing either). Same as 95% of all LOI moves
Dundalk would still have the fourth biggest budget in the league but would have caught up a bit with Rovers, Sligo and possibly Pats. I'd say the "Galacticos" tag came from local media rather than Kenny himself.
Higgins, Horgan and McMillan would be signings for upper end of premier league and wont have come cheap so I don't think there are any doubts Dundalk's wage budget has increased. Apparently though, we are still under the wage budget and there will be one more signing.
We've cut ours by 20%. I would genuinely expect Pat's budget to be just above ours. Not by much mind you. We'd probably be just on par with Dundalk and way behind Shams.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
God forbid a League of Ireland club would actually strengthen their title winning squad rather than sell on their players.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Mick Cooke today said we are still talking to Marc Griffin, but him signing or not will depend on what money he wants as he was full time last season. Jordan Keegan will be doing pre season with Athlone.
The siege mentality is an indispensable component of Kenny's survival mechanism, which is why he tends to thrive outside of Dublin. Pat's have one quality player, one really good player, one or two very promising players, and the rest are above-average LOI journeymen. They wouldn't have been near the top three during the full-time era. Nor would Dundalk, of course.
Town have signed Pat Sullivan
Any rumblings over money in Cork?