Sligo Rovers sign New Zealander Oskar van Hattum….
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Sligo Rovers sign New Zealander Oskar van Hattum….
Patrick Ferry re-signs for Harps ..
Alex Dunne signs for Kerry - plenty of minutes for UCD last season, and also for Rovers in 2022, so certainly looks somewhat of a coup on paper, at least. Daniel Okwute has also re-signed.
These guys must not be very good at economics, have family in Newry, anyone with sense would look to work in Dundalk (15 mins drive) and earn 30-40% more, same as folk in Derry/ Donegal if opportunities. Was a story a few years ago, an entire hospital ward moved from Derry NHS to Letterkenny HSE, got 30% min 'rise' and most had very little change to their commute. A huge amount who live in Newry work in Dub / DLK, far better wages.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Back to LOI, not sure I can see Towell back to Dundalk, seemingly he has 2 better offers from PD clubs, assuming none of the top 4, that would leave Waterford or Galway and not sure Bohs interested, can't see him going to Sligo, but maybe wild card in Cork C ? Has he one last year in PD or does he want to go out all guns blazing where it all started in LOI?
As always will all depend on $$$$, if I was a player of his age I'd probably be looking at one last decent contract, then move into coaching.
Was he injured this season, or just not getting on at Ballymena? Always thought he looked decent enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
I'd generally agree with that. Happy that Whyte has signed a three year contract especially.Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
Also, and maybe it's fine, but are we paying a clean fortune for these lads? Rumours that Coleraine were offering £3k a week to Whyte, which sounds utterly preposterous, yes, but probably still less than was he was getting across the water. Maybe we outbid them?
Slightly aside, but Coleraine, with Henry Ross and his backers, seem to be throwing the money around these days.
Could be useful in the First division with his pace and scored a few for us there a few seasons ago,hasn’t seemed to have been up to Premier division level in the north looking at his goal return for Ballymena …..Quote:
Originally Posted by brendy_éire
They travelled over and stay with family that were already in Dundalk, Newry just happened to be where they got work. It could make economic sense to live in the North and work in the South but is it allowed if not 'native' and new to either jursdidction?Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Yeah i think as far as safe bets go Whyte is up there and looks a great signing, not arguing there.Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
Just not yet convinced by what Derry are doing generally though. Coming from someone that expected them to challenge/win in in previous seasons and has been underwhelmed by them (as I'd obviously rather them do so than Rovers/Shels). Maybe for the reasons you say Boyce will be a good signing, but there's still question marks and even in the case that he's a success that presumably writes off Hoban because I can't see how they play together, in which case that's their previous marquee signing chalked up as a disappointment because he's suddenly exchanging minutes with another striker of similar profile.
Ferguson is a wing back, a position that lends itself to athleticism, but is relatively old and lacking in minutes considering this, plus they already have a top player in the position there in Doherty. They were already underperforming relative to their position but given what was expected of them I'd be especially surprised that Derry have gone down the route they have if they also sign Benson.
Dunne was at UCD in 2022 also, not rovers. He came through rovers academy but didn’t feature for the first teamQuote:
Originally Posted by culloty82
Best of luck to Michael Noonan. He’s certainly a very hot prospect but at this stage of his career he’d have been unlikely to even be on the bench at St Pats with Melia and Keena covering the sole striker position. It’s being reported that Rocers have guaranteed him first team football to get his signature. That’s surprising to be honest.
Been used as a right back at Ballymena. Only a handful of games and just wasn't fancied by the look of things. Should be a useful addition at Harps and versatility will be key with a small squad and a lot of young players.Quote:
Originally Posted by brendy_éire
The only players guaranteed 1st team football at Rovers next season would be Pico and Watts.Quote:
Originally Posted by patsdad
Everyone else would need to fight for their place.
Noonan is a prospect and nothing more,but we'll see if he does enough at Rovers to further his career
Yes, that's exactly what I'd have thought but according to the Examiner it's the reason being given by his family for him going to Rovers. Apparently the same money was available to him from Pats.Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
I read somewhere that his family are big Rovers fans, so that may be a factor. I’d also be very surprised if Rovers are offering a 16 year old (or has he turned 17 ?) guaranteed first team football. Given that Man City are allegedly interested it looks like only a matter of time before he goes across the water anyway. I’m hoping we’ll have Mason Melia for the season, and would be happy enough to see Conor Carthy return as rumoured.Quote:
Originally Posted by patsdad
Jack Doherty rupturing his Achilles Tendon is terrible luck for the player and Cobh…..
delighted to hear that about Lopes.Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
Derry apparently on the verge of signing a 4th ex NI international of the window in Carl Winchester from Shrewsbury Town. Turns 32 in April so continues the age profile of the other signings too
Seems clear that Doherty is going for it this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
Which probably suits Tiernan too, since while an owner can afford to think long-term, managers cannot, they're inevitably under pressure to produce within a year or two or they'll get the chop anyhow.
Derry linked with 32 year old Danny Devine too who's a defender with Inverness.