Close Season/Pre-Season Rumours

**peterpan** · 08/01/2013, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Now, now. Our only Premier League has been has played pretty much every game. Very fit for his age.

And what about all the other 30 plus journey men in the squad last season.... Kirby, skelly, mcdonagh, need I go on!!!!!

**Longfordian** · 08/01/2013, 8:06 PM

Originally Posted by peterpan

And what about all the other 30 plus journey men in the squad last season.... Kirby, skelly, mcdonagh, need I go on!!!!!

Yes, yes I thought the initial post said "Premier League". Mea culpa. Though I will say that McDonagh was very good for us and Kirbs is a Town legend whom everybody was delighted to see back no matter how old he was. Finished the season well but it's a good time to call a halt.

**holidaysong** · 08/01/2013, 9:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Didn't Fingal pay 10k for Finn a few years ago.

Fingal beat us to the signing of Greg Bolger just before they went bust as they were willing to pay compensation. We were able to pick him up on a free then with no compensation a couple of weeks later.

**Longfordian** · 08/01/2013, 9:26 PM

I see Athlone's CEO, formerly of Cork City/FORAS and former (?) poster on here is moving to another club judging by his Twitter. The Roddy Collins of the boardroom?! A Premier Division club presumably as he talks about cheering Athlone on for promotion. Not Cork it seems. Who's in the market for a CEO then, Pats? Dundalk? Limerick maybe?

**Jofspring** · 08/01/2013, 9:30 PM

Michael O Sullivan was our club secretary but stepped down a month ago and barr that its Kieran Judge our General Manager and Pat O Sullivan Chairman.

Where exactly would the CEO come in in that case?

Wouldn't be surprised if he is coming to us to fill Michael O Sullivans position.

Edit: Had a look at his twitter and he says he is starting a new job this week. If it is us then I presume it will be announced at the press conference with the manager.

**thomas72** · 09/01/2013, 7:02 PM

limerick fc call press conferance for friday morning at thomond park

**longfordjames** · 09/01/2013, 9:46 PM

It appears hes going to Limerick. What do Athlone and Cork fans make of him? I'd love to see Limerick do well so I wish him well. http://www.live95fm.ie/News-Sport/Article/?ItemID=13634

**ATFC-1887** · 10/01/2013, 12:45 AM

Personally i believe this turnaround we seem to be having, alot of it is down to him.

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/01/2013, 2:50 AM

Little piece on the FIFPro tournament from the Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...328631640.html

FC Haka on the prowl again.

**El-Pietro** · 10/01/2013, 7:46 AM

Originally Posted by longfordjames

It appears hes going to Limerick. What do Athlone and Cork fans make of him? I'd love to see Limerick do well so I wish him well. http://www.live95fm.ie/News-Sport/Article/?ItemID=13634

Hes a great guy and we were sad to see him go. Was involved with FORAS from the very beginning and was instrumental in saving the club, we wouldn't be where we were today if it weren't for him.

**Dodge** · 10/01/2013, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Little piece on the FIFPro tournament from the Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...328631640.html

FC Haka on the prowl again.

Except Haka didn't sign anybody from these tournaments. In fact no player who's played for the irish team has signed for a non Irish club folllowing their appearance in the tournament

**Dillonman** · 10/01/2013, 9:57 AM

Dodge ciaran mcguigan who played for us under sean connor was signed by swedish side syrianska. im almost sure he went to that tournament that year. could be wrong though.

**Dodge** · 10/01/2013, 10:24 AM

Don't think he did. I haven't them to hand but fairly certain he wasn't listed on any of the 2 squads before this one

**A face** · 10/01/2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Don't think he did. I haven't them to hand but fairly certain he wasn't listed on any of the 2 squads before this one

Are we the only country to run something like this? Its just i dont hear of it anywhere else, obviously could very well be standard practice. I would think that it would always take a few years for something like this to get going. Or for some club to unearth a gem from it and then everyone else follows suit the next year.

**Longfordian** · 10/01/2013, 11:30 AM

Obviously not if there's a team from three other countries participating.

**Dodge** · 10/01/2013, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by A face

Are we the only country to run something like this? Its just i dont hear of it anywhere else, obviously could very well be standard practice. I would think that it would always take a few years for something like this to get going. Or for some club to unearth a gem from it and then everyone else follows suit the next year.

We don't run anything. The Norwegian PFA organise it and ourselves, Finland and Sweden participate. This is the 3rd year of the winter tournament. Apparently some of the summer leagues hold a simialr tournament

I'm not knocking the tournament BTW, I was just pointing out most of the players involved will want to stay at home so if they get an offer, they're more likely to do that.

**Spudulika** · 10/01/2013, 4:16 PM

In many east european leagues they run (organised by the league body) a triallists match. Last year the 3rd division (4th tier) Moscow Oblast league had one out in Scholkovo, a few young lads cut from big Moscow clubs lined out. Dalmatia had one (at least until 2009).

A LOI team could do wonders for our players and the league, not just for promoting the game in Ireland but also giving players an outlet. The experiment for the aviva was going to fail as you need a full selection of players. It would be great to see the LOI go up against Serie B or 2. Bundesliga.

If the FA's took it, in conjunction with the PFA's it would be great.

**Guinney** · 10/01/2013, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dillonman

Dodge ciaran mcguigan who played for us under sean connor was signed by swedish side syrianska. im almost sure he went to that tournament that year. could be wrong though.

I wonder what Ciaran McGuigan is at now. Is he still in Sweden?
Was Dundalk's youth captain for a while and then progressed onto the main team and done well for a young chap.

**bluewhitearmy** · 10/01/2013, 4:54 PM

Limerick supposedly talking to Davin O'Neill.

**El-Pietro** · 10/01/2013, 5:10 PM

Can't see that happening. He won't move far from Cork. He really likes his job working for the Navy. Turned down Ipswich when Roy Keane wanted to sign him.