2022 Season, Arrivals and Departures

**Calcio Jack** · 23/12/2021, 4:42 PM

Originally Posted by patsdad

If you want a good laugh have a look at the bluster here: http://www.orielweb.com/dundalktalk/...0533&start=735

A contract dispute doesn�t get into the High Court unless the claim is for over �75,000. Add the exhorbitant legal costs that go with a High Court case and you�re looking at a potential exposure of upwards of �200,000 for O�Donnell and/or Dundalk if the Court upholds the claim.

The facts in the public domain (and not denied by O�Donnell even though some Dundalk fans seem to believe that he was out of contract) are that he had two years to run on a contract that had been validly extended and was advised by someone that he only had to give a week�s notice to get out of it. If that was really true, why do you think compensation is paid all the time to businesses in Ireland and elsewhere when people under contract are headhunted by other companies. Unless the Court decides to set a new legal precedent (which will mean there�d be no point in having fixed-term contracts any more in Ireland as they couldn�t be enforced) St Pats are going to win this and the personal implications for O�Donnell will be very severe. So I hope the people now advising him are a bit more knowledgeable than the bluster brigade on Orielweb.

If it�s true that he was contracted for 2 years but the contract stipulated that he could give 1 weeks notice and leave - then SOD is in the clear.

However that would be the most one sided contract in favour of the employee that I�ve ever heard of.

I hope SOD got professional advice from a solicitor rather than some barfly expert - it never ceases to amaze me as to how many and often people take legal advice from barfly experts and live to regret it -

Ps - just read the comments on the Dundalk forum - seems they have no shortage of barfly experts- anyway let�s hope this goes to court so we get to hear the facts ( somehow I doubt it will go that far) - I�m betting on a joint statement from both parties that contains a grovelling apology from SOD

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 4:55 PM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

If it�s true that he was contracted for 2 years but the contract stipulated that he could give 1 weeks notice and leave - then SOD is in the clear.

However that would be the most one sided contract in favour of the employee that I�ve ever heard of.

I hope SOD got professional advice from a solicitor rather than some barfly expert - it never ceases to amaze me as to how many and often people take legal advice from barfly experts and live to regret it -

Ps - just read the comments on the Dundalk forum - seems they have no shortage of barfly experts- anyway let�s hope this goes to court so we get to hear the facts ( somehow I doubt it will go that far) - I�m betting on a joint statement from both parties that contains a grovelling apology from SOD

Nah Mr K is a born again Christian if proved correct he will insist on a cross and a few nails as punishment.

**Louth4sam** · 23/12/2021, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by patsdad

The facts in the public domain (and not denied by O�Donnell even though some Dundalk fans seem to believe that he was out of contract) are that he had two years to run on a contract that had been validly extended and was advised by someone that he only had to give a week�s notice to get out of it.

Can you link me to where this is in the public domain please as I am unable to find anything definitive apart from a few butt hurt Pats fans.

Also are you saying that Pats contracts are like a free subscription to Netflix, if you forget to cancel in time it automatically renews?

**Calcio Jack** · 23/12/2021, 5:11 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Nah Mr K is a born again Christian if proved correct he will insist on a cross and a few nails as punishment.

Sounds more like a born again Isis follower

**patsdad** · 23/12/2021, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Can you link me to where this is in the public domain please as I am unable to find anything definitive apart from a few butt hurt Pats fans.

Also are you saying that Pats contracts are like a free subscription to Netflix, if you forget to cancel in time it automatically renews?

But at his unveiling yesterday, O’Donnell said: “I handed in my notice and with the agreement I signed originally with St Patrick’s Athletic, that’s my legal right.
“I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of contracts but that’s my legal right and I wouldn't have done it otherwise.

Stephen O'Donnell insists Dundalk will be a 'very big club again' - Irish Mirror Online

As I said, it's not disputed by O'Donnell that he was under contract.

What this is about is whether or not he could walk on a week's notice.

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 5:23 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Can you link me to where this is in the public domain please as I am unable to find anything definitive apart from a few butt hurt Pats fans.

Also are you saying that Pats contracts are like a free subscription to Netflix, if you forget to cancel in time it automatically renews?

Sounds like pure guff from Dundalk fans who previously I�ve had no quarrels with. Let the wigs decide and us mere mortals to argue over referees etc

**Louth4sam** · 23/12/2021, 5:23 PM

Thanks for that but where did he say he actually signed a two year contract like you are claiming? He said he handed in his notice in line with the requirement in his original contract?

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 5:24 PM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

Sounds more like a born again Isis follower

It was only a tongue n cheek observation.

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Thanks for that but where did he say he actually signed a two year contract like you are claiming? He said he handed in his notice in line with the requirement in his original contract?

Have Dundalk folk just gone down the road where that just because they do something it right.

**patsdad** · 23/12/2021, 5:28 PM

It's well known that he was under contract to end 2023. I'm not trawling to find a link for you but he hasn't denied it. And I'm not going through all the arguments again as to why a fixed-term contract would never allow for walking on a week's notice - you'll find them earlier on this thread not just from me but from supporters of other clubs too.

Bottom line - believe what you want to believe, all that matters now is what emerges in Court.

**Louth4sam** · 23/12/2021, 5:36 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Have Dundalk folk just gone down the road where that just because they do something it right.

Sorry wasn't responding to you, I clicked reply instead of quote.

On your question, depends what you mean by right. Hiring someone that is out of contract isn't wrong. If O'Donnell was in fact in contract, we'll end up paying compo. Kelleher's nose being put out of joint and the emotion of the whole thing has lead to this.

**Louth4sam** · 23/12/2021, 5:39 PM

Originally Posted by patsdad

It's well known that he was under contract to end 2023. I'm not trawling to find a link for you but he hasn't denied it. And I'm not going through all the arguments again as to why a fixed-term contract would never allow for walking on a week's notice - you'll find them earlier on this thread not just from me but from supporters of other clubs too.

Bottom line - believe what you want to believe, all that matters now is what emerges in Court.

It is well known that hurt football fans make things up and post it on internet forums and social media. I tell you what if you can provide any evidence that O'Donnell signed a contract until 2023 over the next couple of days I'll donate €20 to a charity of your choice. Trawl away

**patsdad** · 23/12/2021, 5:57 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

It is well known that hurt football fans make things up and post it on internet forums and social media. I tell you what if you can provide any evidence that O'Donnell signed a contract until 2023 over the next couple of days I'll donate €20 to a charity of your choice. Trawl away

That's in the hands of the lawyers now. Let's see who's proven right.

**2 Year Contract** · 23/12/2021, 7:08 PM

Paddy Barrett signs a long term contract with pats. Not the best day in the word for the O'Donnell household

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 7:15 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Paddy Barrett signs a long term contract with pats. Not the best day in the word for the O'Donnell household

Happy with that , it’s a pity that Lee Desmond has moved on but Paddy is a good lad.

**TonyD** · 23/12/2021, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

It is well known that hurt football fans make things up and post it on internet forums and social media. I tell you what if you can provide any evidence that O'Donnell signed a contract until 2023 over the next couple of days I'll donate �20 to a charity of your choice. Trawl away

You seem very very sure of your facts there. Do you really think Pats are serving legal papers because Garrett Kelleher is �butthurt� ? That would be incredibly silly of him if he hasn�t a legal basis to bring a case, wouldn�t you think ? He is effectively putting his money where his mouth is.

**patsdad** · 23/12/2021, 7:24 PM

Anyone who has been following the O’Donnell saga will understand the significance of Paddy Barrett weighing up the Dundalk “project” and deciding the future is brighter in Inchicore.

“I loved my first year at Pat’s, it’s the club where I’ve been at my happiest from a personal point of view, both on the field and off the field.

I really enjoyed last year, and it’s not something I wanted to move away from.

It’s really exciting times ahead with the new Manager Tim Clancy who I’ve had good conversations with, I know Jon Daly from my time in Scotland along with Alan Mathews and the staff already at the club, we can’t wait to hit the ground running next week.”

**oriel** · 23/12/2021, 7:35 PM

Maybe he got a much better deal than last year, and Pats needed to act quickly with Desmond leaving. A lot of players will do that using leverage of another interested club to get a better deal, and absolutely nothing wrong with that in my book.

LOI is not the PL, any player that gets a good deal, good luck to him.

**D24Saint** · 23/12/2021, 7:43 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

It is well known that hurt football fans make things up and post it on internet forums and social media. I tell you what if you can provide any evidence that O'Donnell signed a contract until 2023 over the next couple of days I'll donate �20 to a charity of your choice. Trawl away

The evidence is in a well educated multi millionaire going to the high court. I could be wrong but if he is I�ll eat my hat. I�m reading between the lines. It�s safe to assume the same legal people wrote the contract and filed the lawsuit. It�s not rocket science that one. Their reputation is on the line in their own trade.

**oriel** · 23/12/2021, 8:07 PM

In respect of the contract, surely these were the options?

1/ Dundalk get confirm that one was signed for 2 years after cup final and agree compensation (correct thing to do).

2/ Verbal agreement on contract extension only - no case.

3/ Pats annoyed he advised he was going to leave his position 48 hours after cup final win, and 1 week later formal notice to leave, can obviously see the annoyance, but is that it?