2025 Arrivals and Departures

There are players with experience in the various squads that should be standout leaders but just dont or havent like Derry last season and I'd say Rovers since Finn left. To use old Dundalk examples of O'Donnell and Sheilds, on the front foot as players and in their expectations of others playing around them - just captain material that'd eek out results by sheer will. There's a lack of that in some expensive sides currently. When you see Galway and Drogs its not just leadership but every man motivated is that coach led purely?

John Coleman formerly of Sligo Rovers set to take over at Waterford,not the most inspired choice tbh �.

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Originally Posted by joey B

John Coleman formerly of Sligo Rovers set to take over at Waterford,not the most inspired choice tbh �.

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I�d say a few of the fans are rapidly falling out of love with football, they must just think what�s the point anymore ;)

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Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

I wonder how Higgins is viewed by Derry fans now given the pretty middling returns from the big off season expenditure and highly rated new manager in Lynch?

From the outside looking in it seems a lot of the same issues have persisted since Higgins departure.

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Lynch needs time, Higgins had plenty.
The bottle job last year was possibly unforgivable, though the players are to blame as well.
On top of that, we were so boring to watch.

Personally, I'd have been happy for Higgins to go at the end of the 2023 season. It was clear then it wasn't working.

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Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

I�d say a few of the fans are rapidly falling out of love with football, they must just think what�s the point anymore ;)

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Hahaha never twigged it was him that's brilliant

According to reports Pats have got a brand new bag.

https://youtu.be/QE5D2hJhacU?si=BPjfvsangQ4RoBgY

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Originally Posted by patsdad

According to reports Pats have got a brand new bag.

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Nice double entendre.

https://kerryfc.com/kerry-football-c...xilkXanRRahK2w

Colin Healy appointed new manager at Kerry FC,big appointment that�

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Originally Posted by joey B

https://kerryfc.com/kerry-football-c...xilkXanRRahK2w

Colin Healy appointed new manager at Kerry FC,big appointment that�

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I've been of the opinion that the Kerry management team needed experience. I wasn't sure how that could unfold with Conor McCarthy being retained but seems that has been all arranged!
Conor McCarthy's role changed from Head Coach to manager during the off season. I thought that closed the door on an agreeable arrangement for a more experienced manager but evidently not!

https://m.independent.ie/regionals/k...957422455.html

That�s a great appointment by Kerry. Makes sense for Healy given it�s relatively close to home and it�s not a high pressure job so there�s as good a level of job security as you can get in LOI management really

There weren't expectations, there are now!

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Originally Posted by Buckett

There weren't expectations, there are now!

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Yep - expectations definitely higher now. Not sure length of contract, but I�m assuming it�s more or less a full time role also?

Yep ambitious move by Kerry .Delighted for Healy what will happen to his action against the FAI?

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Originally Posted by Zico

Yep - expectations definitely higher now. Not sure length of contract, but I�m assuming it�s more or less a full time role also?

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Not a great amount of detail in the Kerryman article, but yes, you'd assume so. The top three apart, not a great deal separating Athlone and ourselves on 10 from UCD in 6th on 15, so plenty of potential for any club who can build some momentum - bit more of a gap to Treaty and Wexford, but you've to walk first before you can run!

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Originally Posted by Buckett

There weren't expectations, there are now!

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Expectations are definitely higher. The target, like many clubs, has got to be challenging for the playoffs. Kerry haven't hired John Caulfield or Keith Long though!!

John McGovern, who scored in the Irish Cup Final for Dungannon Swifts, has signed for Shamrock Rovers "for a six-figure sum":

https://archive.ph/8b1U5

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Originally Posted by culloty82

John McGovern, who scored in the Irish Cup Final for Dungannon Swifts, has signed for Shamrock Rovers "for a six-figure sum":

https://archive.ph/8b1U5

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Breaking the LOI record for an incoming transfer on a lad that scored 13 league goals up North this season seems a bit odd. He scored 1 league goal the season before and 5 the season before that

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Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Breaking the LOI record for an incoming transfer on a lad that scored 13 league goals up North this season seems a bit odd. He scored 1 league goal the season before and 5 the season before that

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On the other hand their other options are 2 players that are over the hill and a kid who may miss a game because he gets grounded for playing Fortnite too late on a school night. Desperation leads to strange choices but I think the 6 figure sum in unconfirmed for the minute so may not be too egregious.

The 'over-the-hill' lads are scoring goals and Noonan is going to be a superstar, love watching him play, but we are still a striker short and we've been after McGovern for a while - I first heard the rumours in January. Been watching him since then and he looks very good, albeit in a crappy league.

Rovers have money so shelling out on a young, very highly-rated striker with a high ceiling and resale value is a no brainer for me.

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Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

Rovers have money so shelling out on a young, very highly-rated striker with a high ceiling and resale value is a no brainer for me.

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Yep. Seems a lot of money, but there's no point having an advantage if you're not going to press it. I suppose it's part of being The Big Club that you can afford to overpay on punts and price others out of the market.

(I say that knowing nothing about the boy whether they've overpaid or if it's punt or a sure thing)

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Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

That�s a great appointment by Kerry. Makes sense for Healy given it�s relatively close to home and it�s not a high pressure job so there�s as good a level of job security as you can get in LOI management really

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We learn today that there had been contact between Healy and Kerry for "a number of months", which perhaps suggests the plan had been to bring him in for the start of the season, but personal circumstances got in the way?

https://archive.ph/CBmCt

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Originally Posted by sessylU

Yep. Seems a lot of money, but there's no point having an advantage if you're not going to press it. I suppose it's part of being The Big Club that you can afford to overpay on punts and price others out of the market.

(I say that knowing nothing about the boy whether they've overpaid or if it's punt or a sure thing)

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If he helps Rovers win the league he'll be worth it, cos at present I don't see us finishing top with our current striking options

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Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

Rovers have money so shelling out on a young, very highly-rated striker with a high ceiling and resale value is a no brainer for me.

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I get that, but it seems really expensive. McGovern has done well with Dungannon, but didn't with Newry. Granted, it was a team getting relegated, but he only scored one goal in 22 in the 23/24 season.

Serious business by Dungannon for a lad they signed less than a year ago.

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Originally Posted by placid casual

If he helps Rovers win the league he'll be worth it, cos at present I don't see us finishing top with our current striking options

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Scoring goals not the problem, holding onto leads is the issue.

Would like defensive reinforcements and a proper holding midfielder although Matthews and Nugent did very well last night in those respective positions.

Bottom line is that if we could hold onto leads we�d be well clear on top.

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Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

Scoring goals not the problem, holding onto leads is the issue.

Would like defensive reinforcements and a proper holding midfielder although Matthews and Nugent did very well last night in those respective positions.

Bottom line is that if we could hold onto leads we�d be well clear on top.

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Some drunken sailor spending then, if you don�t require goals but shell out what?
100,150k on an unproven inexperienced lad from a lesser league??

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Originally Posted by culloty82

John McGovern, who scored in the Irish Cup Final for Dungannon Swifts, has signed for Shamrock Rovers "for a six-figure sum":

https://archive.ph/8b1U5

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Does that include a decimal point and the number of cents?

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Originally Posted by culloty82

John McGovern, who scored in the Irish Cup Final for Dungannon Swifts, has signed for Shamrock Rovers "for a six-figure sum":

https://archive.ph/8b1U5

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Apparently he's just completed a degree, so he's now ready for f-t football. With his GAA exploits, his studies and playing p-t for Swifts, he must have been a busy boy.

I don't know anything about him, but now he's able to concentrate exclusively on his football Shams may hope for a big improvement in his game?

Wasn't he linked with dundalk last year?

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Originally Posted by WeAreRovers

The 'over-the-hill' lads are scoring goals and Noonan is going to be a superstar, love watching him play, but we are still a striker short and we've been after McGovern for a while - I first heard the rumours in January. Been watching him since then and he looks very good, albeit in a crappy league.

Rovers have money so shelling out on a young, very highly-rated striker with a high ceiling and resale value is a no brainer for me.

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At the sort of money mentined, the net surely was or could have been cast far and wide and with a reaonable chance of getting good striker in from abroad as Im sure Rovers would actually physically scout a player and use real football contacts. This guy could be fine but higher calibre players in higher leagues, Scandanavia even, proerly scouted sure could have thrown up a more ready player with no questions on IL quality?

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Originally Posted by outspoken

Wasn't he linked with dundalk last year?

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Yes he def was when he was with Newry and it was mentioned at the time, he couldn't go FT as he was at university in Belfast

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Originally Posted by Dermobohs

Some drunken sailor spending then, if you don�t require goals but shell out what?
100,150k on an unproven inexperienced lad from a lesser league??

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Perhaps also a case of future planning as both Greene and Gaffney are now aged 35

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

At the sort of money mentined, the net surely was or could have been cast far and wide and with a reaonable chance of getting good striker in from abroad as Im sure Rovers would actually physically scout a player and use real football contacts. This guy could be fine but higher calibre players in higher leagues, Scandanavia even, proerly scouted sure could have thrown up a more ready player with no questions on IL quality?

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Bradley has previously spoken about trying to recruit players from those leagues but wages and providing them with accommodation has proved prohibitive

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

At the sort of money mentined, the net surely was or could have been cast far and wide and with a reaonable chance of getting good striker in from abroad as Im sure Rovers would actually physically scout a player and use real football contacts. This guy could be fine but higher calibre players in higher leagues, Scandanavia even, proerly scouted sure could have thrown up a more ready player with no questions on IL quality?

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Never mind the transfer fee Shams are able to pay, even the wages, but when signing a player from abroad, you have to consider it from the player's pov.

In truth, anyone who is interested, esp if from continental Europe rather than GB, isn't likely to have too many alternative options. But he is likely to want compensating for the cost of relocating to ROI (esp housing), all the more so when joining one of the lower profile leagues.

While presumably McGovern could continue to live in Newry and commute down to training/matches handy enough, into an environment which is familiar and a style of football not too dissimilar from what he's used to. All of which should make him more attractive than a foreign signing of the same playing ability and potential.

Though the language barrier could be a bit of a problem, what with the way them Dubs go on... :)

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Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

Perhaps also a case of future planning as both Greene and Gaffney are now aged 35

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Now that makes more sense.

Tim Clancy gone from Cork City,strange timing but something must have been brewing….

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Originally Posted by joey B

Tim Clancy gone from Cork City,strange timing but something must have been brewing….

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The lack of spending money I'd say. City entering Yoyo territory

Dan McDonnell saying it’s genuinely a Clancy decision and not just the usual “mutual consent” line that gets peddled with a lot of sackings these days. With that in mind it seems a rash enough decision to spring it on the club after the game tonight, surely even if you think you’ll leave then you’d be better off sleeping on it for the night at the very least rather than in the immediate aftermath of a late defeat when emotions are still running high

Usher even says in his statement it was Clancys decision I’d doubt last nights game made any difference to his decision.

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Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

Usher even says in his statement it was Clancys decision I’d doubt last nights game made any difference to his decision.

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I thought that too but if that’s the case then why take the game if you know you’re leaving straight after it?