2025 Arrivals and Departures

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Originally Posted by RealJohn91

James McManus signed a new deal with Bohs till the end of 2027. He had a rough time with injuries over the last few seasons but he's a very talented player, happy to see the club tie him down to a long deal.

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Delighted for him after the injuries. I think he should start more games TBH as he's been really good in our recent run of good form but midfield is the only area where we have plenty of options.

I do read this as Bohs anticipating someone is coming in for him during the summer. If I remember correctly he signed a multi year extension to his 3 year contract in 2023 so I think he had a until the end of the 2026 season left. Good to see the club being proactive though.

Seen this posted on another forum. I cannot verify the reliability of the source of the article. But there is something happening as Cathal was over with Palace last week looking at the place and meeting club officials.
https://leagueofirelandtalk.wordpres...hal-osullivan/

Adam Wixted, JR Wilson, Bastien Hery, and Declan McDaid have all left Athlone Town.

Interim coach Danny Byrne has also left.

Are Athlone trying to solidify their league position? :D

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Originally Posted by sidewayspasser

Are Athlone trying to solidify their league position? :D

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Trying to save a few bob maybe???

I am curious about the Athlone story, so far no impact on their womens team that we are aware of - it seemed that Athlone were spending more on the womens team than the mens team, which is unusual.

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Originally Posted by joey B

Adam Wixted, JR Wilson, Bastien Hery, and Declan McDaid have all left Athlone Town.

Interim coach Danny Byrne has also left.

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A few premier division clubs could do worse than adding JR Wilson to their squad in July

Wilson’s a decent fullback, left bohs underage for shells, did well there then got released by duffer.
Better attitude than his brother anyhow, diving weak and moany ty- reeek

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Originally Posted by Onapointoforder

Trying to save a few bob maybe???

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Seems their mooted takeover fell through at the last minute.

would have taken wilson at city over the winter. not sure why he went to athlone but we should definitely be in for him now and we do need a right full.

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Originally Posted by Dermobohs

Wilson’s a decent fullback, left bohs underage for shells, did well there then got released by duffer.
Better attitude than his brother anyhow, diving weak and moany ty- reeek

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Whos Jrs Brother Dermobohs?

Ty- Reeeek

Greg Slogget released by Hartlepool United today. I’d say a few clubs here could take a look.

He had joined Boston on loan in March so that might be another option

Incredibly over rated in his time here. Is his missus still playing over there? Doubt he'll come home if she is.

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Originally Posted by outspoken

Incredibly over rated in his time here. Is his missus still playing over there? Doubt he'll come home if she is.

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Having watched him for plenty, he's solid without being spectacular. Good enough for any squad in the premier, but whether he is first choice would depend on if he was joining a title chasing squad or a mid table squad.

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Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Having watched him for plenty, he's solid without being spectacular. Good enough for any squad in the premier, but whether he is first choice would depend on if he was joining a title chasing squad or a mid table squad.

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He had a bit of athletcism about him, that's probably what got him so far, very ordinary player.

Jack Henry-Francis has been released by Arsenal at the end of his contract next month. Looked a good player on loan with Sligo last year and would be a good signing for any LOI squad

A bit mad when he was on the subs bench in their champions league semi finals. Great player for us once he got settled. Should have no problem getting a club in England.

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Originally Posted by outspoken

He had a bit of athletcism about him, that's probably what got him so far, very ordinary player.

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Its an odd one as he was a back up Sheilds initially and the next O'Donnell. Had the athleticism as mentioned, looked to have the ability, technique, shape to throw off opposition players, engine, spoiler if needed, if he didnt over complicate things could pick a handy pass, recycle pssession, all good yet he wasnt really that good in a good Dundalk side all the above considered. Often wondered if he was just adapting to new roles, asked to be a utility player so never made a position his own and undropable. But his progress just plateaued, didnt or couldnt make a mark when he moved on. That said i'd have him back at Oriel now and building for next season if promoted. He is probably as good as what we can aim for including experience with some milage left in the legs. He was too nice to be a Shields or O'Donnell if he had the attributes, hard to in it.

Cobh Ramblers FC confirm that the club and George Nunn (forward), have mutually agreed to terminate his contract to allow the player return home while welcoming back Matthew Whelan for the remainder of the 2025 season

John McGowan signed by Rovers. Looks a decent young striker, almost in the Johnny Kenny mould

Leigh Kavanagh is the latest Bohs player to sign a new deal till the end of 2027. Haven't been that convinced by him so far. He only a young to be fair but he's not the best under a high ball and is prone to a mistake. Once Grehan goes back to Palace he'll have to step up and justify this faith the club has put in him.

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Originally Posted by DonegalHoop

John McGowan signed by Rovers. Looks a decent young striker, almost in the Johnny Kenny mould

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Where was McGowan signed from DonegalHoop?

Dungannon Swifts.
Was playing part time with them while he completed his studies ( in Queens, I think).
Wants to give playing full time a go and see if it sticks. 22 yrs old, so a good age and we'll see what happens with him.

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Originally Posted by placid casual

Dungannon Swifts.
Was playing part time with them while he completed his studies ( in Queens, I think).
Wants to give playing full time a go and see if it sticks. 22 yrs old, so a good age and we'll see what happens with him.

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Makes sense previous poster had a mistype as a John McGowan instead of a John McGovern!

What's going on with Harp's transfer ban? There's not a whole lot of detail here.

https://www.donegallive.ie/news/socc...ion-claim.html

Alot of talk around Dundalk that Pat Hoban will be coming back next month on loan

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Originally Posted by dundalkfc10

Alot of talk around Dundalk that Pat Hoban will be coming back next month on loan

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Interesting one that. Dont think hes getting a look in at Derry at all while being on what you would imagine are decent wages so it certainly makes sense to send him on loan but I cant imagine Dundalk having the spare funds to pay Hobans wages and I don't think he will take a pay cut this late into his career so are Derry going to be paying the majority of his wages just to get him out of the squad? If he's available on loan I would hope Bohs are enquiring, we need someone to get on the end of the chances we are currently creating. Plenty of players around the CF are doing the dog work at the minute but we arent putting the chances away and I think in this late stage of his career if you can get Hoban to stay forward and get on the end of moves he will still get goals at this level.

I can’t see Derry letting Hoban go to Bohs this summer, considering they’re one of the sides above them in the table

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Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

I can’t see Derry letting Hoban go to Bohs this summer, considering they’re one of the sides above them in the table

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Fair point but if it means they can bring in Gareth Mcauley on a 6 month deal they might just have to do it! Jokes aside its just an area that I can see Bohs trying to target in the summer window and Reynolds has already said he wants to try to bring in players from within the league so they are game fit right away. I think fullback & winger are a bigger area of concern and we need to give one striker a run for a couple of months to try and get on a run of form, adding another striker to the mix may be counter productive.

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Originally Posted by Buckett

What's going on with Harp's transfer ban? There's not a whole lot of detail here.

https://www.donegallive.ie/news/socc...ion-claim.html

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Harry Nicolson is the only player I can make out signed by Finn Harps in 2022 who may have met the criteria for Under 23 training compensation, he made two cup appearances for Inverness and only 7 appearances for Harps

Details are indeed vague in the article but the quote on the sum being 'not insignificant' suggests a very tricky dispute for Harps to deal with at all angles

I'd be gutted if Hoban left Derry, but it would be the correct end to what has been a pretty miserable time. I was so excited when he signed, he was going to be the missing link and fire Derry to the league. Probably a double. Probably a treble, because they'd bring back the league cup on account of how unbelievably good we'd be.

But it hasn't worked out like that. Brilliant player, still reckon he's the best forward at the club.

Would Galway be an option? Less likely to trouble Derry in the league, but good enough that Hoban could do favours for Derry against their rivals?

I think the first division would be a bit of a waste of his talents (but then, so is the bench at Derry) and Dundalk probably don't need him to walk to that title, surely?

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Originally Posted by sessylU

I'd be gutted if Hoban left Derry, but it would be the correct end to what has been a pretty miserable time. I was so excited when he signed, he was going to be the missing link and fire Derry to the league. Probably a double. Probably a treble, because they'd bring back the league cup on account of how unbelievably good we'd be.

But it hasn't worked out like that. Brilliant player, still reckon he's the best forward at the club.

Would Galway be an option? Less likely to trouble Derry in the league, but good enough that Hoban could do favours for Derry against their rivals?

I think the first division would be a bit of a waste of his talents (but then, so is the bench at Derry) and Dundalk probably don't need him to walk to that title, surely?

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He has a house in Dundalk. I've been told by someone well in the know that he's coming to Dundalk on loan and will be signing permanent at the end of the season

Was ridiculous that O Donnell let him go in the first place

Is it Hoobin or Hoban! :confused:

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Originally Posted by sessylU

I'd be gutted if Hoban left Derry, but it would be the correct end to what has been a pretty miserable time. I was so excited when he signed, he was going to be the missing link and fire Derry to the league. Probably a double. Probably a treble, because they'd bring back the league cup on account of how unbelievably good we'd be.

But it hasn't worked out like that. Brilliant player, still reckon he's the best forward at the club.

Would Galway be an option? Less likely to trouble Derry in the league, but good enough that Hoban could do favours for Derry against their rivals?

I think the first division would be a bit of a waste of his talents (but then, so is the bench at Derry) and Dundalk probably don't need him to walk to that title, surely?

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He's not coming to Galway. He turned us down a couple of seasons ago so JC won't be going back for him and we have another striker from abroad lined up. Also not sure why you think we are less likely to trouble Derry in the league given their form? We're three points behind them with almost the same goal difference.

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Originally Posted by TVFBLOCKF

Also not sure why you think we are less likely to trouble Derry in the league given their form?

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I said "less likely" and not "unlikely" for a reason. I was comparing Bohs to Galway as a possible PL destination following on from the discussion upthread.

To be honest, outside of Cork and Sligo, there's no-one that I would confidently say won't trouble Derry. I still haven't really got a handle on this team, nor have I got a handle on the league this year, it all seems a bit up for grabs from 2nd to 8th. I wouldn't be surprised if Galway finished above Derry.

Having said that, I hope that Derry kick on in the second half, bolster their problem positions and either challenge Shams or finish top of the rest. I'd imagine Bohs, Shels and Pats share that aspiration. Giving one of the most dangerous strikers in the country to either of those three teams would be a mistake.

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Originally Posted by TVFBLOCKF

Also not sure why you think we are less likely to trouble Derry in the league given their form? We're three points behind them with almost the same goal difference.

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You're spot on there. If Derry can still overtake Bohs then equally Galway can overtake Derry. Neither of those scenarios happening would surprise me. I think Galway also have a more defined style of play (not necessarily the prettiest mind) but I get the feeling they will come out of their slump sooner rather than later. I think they can still trouble the European places if they can get the defence even half way back towards what they showed last season.

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Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

You're spot on there. If Derry can still overtake Bohs then equally Galway can overtake Derry. Neither of those scenarios happening would surprise me. I think Galway also have a more defined style of play (not necessarily the prettiest mind) but I get the feeling they will come out of their slump sooner rather than later. I think they can still trouble the European places if they can get the defence even half way back towards what they showed last season.

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We went back to a back four again. After four defeats in a row, we then beat Cork and followed that up with a point and a clean sheet in Tallaght. We have a couple of players lined up to come in so I'm hoping we can push on in the second half of the season. Byrne going back to Bohs is a big loss to us though

Kilduff has said there's no chance of Hoban being back at Oriel this Summer. You tend to take managers denying such rumours with a pinch of salt but ye dont really get that messing with Kilduff, O'Kane loan ruled out too if it was ever ever even a rumour.