2025 Arrivals and Departures

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Yeah, the situation with Palmer is a tricky one. Dan McDonnell suggested a deal was being worked on but you'd imagine he'll have more appealing options back in England given he's played well at Championship level previously and then impressed here last season. Probably a similar one to Jarvis with Shels where you're hoping the positive experience at the club already will do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Not a lot of work left for Pats to do which is encouraging, by my count that's 19 already signed up. Could do with another right back and midfielder at a minimum, nice-to-haves maybe an additional midfielder/general forward player and a replacement for Keeley were he to leave. Would have that sweet spot of 22-23 players but with a lot of continuity there.

Do you reckon we have anyone else ready to make the step up from our underage sides ?

[2 Year Contract]

Some transfer market info in the link below. In summary, Pats after Barry Baggley rather than Adam O'Reilly now, who will likely stay at Derry along with Maher. NI international Gavin Whyte is a Derry and Rovers target. Conor Keeley a Drogheda target and Luke Turner a Cork target. Alex Nolan turned down a longer contract offer from Sligo to go with Cork's offer

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/loi-transfer-updates-derry-city-hoping-to-see-off-shamrock-rovers-in-race-for-gavin-whyte/a1525095580.html

[Jack B]

Will be interesting to see how Elliott does. For what it's worth he seems to have been well-regarded in his brief time with Pats, was apparently even being considered for the job of the senior team before Kenny accepted it.

Do you reckon we have anyone else ready to make the step up from our underage sides ?

Hard to tell, we didn't have many academy lads pop up last season like we had the likes of Melia, Curtis, Murphy etc in recent years. I thought Anto Dodd would be one but he went quiet pretty early last season, Michael Noonan got a few minutes but he appears to be signing for Man City so who knows where that will leave him at this age. Jason Oyenuga and Rhys Bartley have gotten decent minutes with senior players in the LSC previously and have been on the fringes for a while so they could be shouts.

[joey B]

Darren Murphy back as Harps manager for next season,was talk of him considering his options in the offseason,signed on a long term deal….

[Jack B]

Some transfer market info in the link below. In summary, Pats after Barry Baggley rather than Adam O'Reilly now, who will likely stay at Derry along with Maher. NI international Gavin Whyte is a Derry and Rovers target. Conor Keeley a Drogheda target and Luke Turner a Cork target. Alex Nolan turned down a longer contract offer from Sligo to go with Cork's offer

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/loi-transfer-updates-derry-city-hoping-to-see-off-shamrock-rovers-in-race-for-gavin-whyte/a1525095580.html

O'Reilly is a good player but I'm evidently in a minority that thinks he's a bit overrated. Or at least that's how I felt when he was at Pats, he may well have kicked on since. Brilliant energy that almost no player in the league can match but he's below average on the ball for a player at a "top" side imo. Would obviously like to have him back at Pats but equally I wouldn't be gutted if we missed out and signed a player(s) more suited to how we're trying to play now.

Would be pleased enough with Keeley leaving and Hoare replacing him, but Luke Turner would be worth keeping for me as a good squad option. There's a player in there I think, though if Cork will continue to play with a back three he'd be absolutely perfect for them as on the left side of one is where he excelled at Cliftonville.

[2 Year Contract]

O'Reilly is a good player but I'm evidently in a minority that thinks he's a bit overrated. Or at least that's how I felt when he was at Pats, he may well have kicked on since. Brilliant energy that almost no player in the league can match but he's below average on the ball for a player at a "top" side imo. Would obviously like to have him back at Pats but equally I wouldn't be gutted if we missed out and signed a player(s) more suited to how we're trying to play now.

Would be pleased enough with Keeley leaving and Hoare replacing him, but Luke Turner would be worth keeping for me as a good squad option. There's a player in there I think, though if Cork will continue to play with a back three he'd be absolutely perfect for them as on the left side of one is where he excelled at Cliftonville.

Id tend to agree with all of that. There was justified excitement over the potential of bringing in O'Reilly as a Lennon replacement when it looked like he was heading to America but now that Lennon's staying I wouldn’t be overly worried about not getting O'Reilly, considering he’d be on too high a wage to sit on the bench every week and then you’d have the headache of fitting Lennon, Forrester, Kavanagh and O'Reilly into the team. Is there talk of Hoare coming back to Pats? I’ve always felt he’ll end up back before he retires for some reason

EDIT: I’ve just seen the Hoare rumour mentioned further down the link

[legendz]

Kelliher be a big loss for Kerry but if a Premier Division opportunity is there, few will begrudge Kelliher moving off. Kerry need to be gaining experienced players during the off-season if they are to improve on this season.

[patsdad]

Do you reckon we have anyone else ready to make the step up from our underage sides ?

Sean McHale who was on loan to Wexford last season and played throughout is still under contract with Pats. He’s a centre-half, aged 19, u-18 international. Could replace Keeley in the squad.

[niallsparky]

John Mountney confirmed to Bohs.

[Bohtastic]

John Mountney signed by bohs. Not sure how to feel about that. Another midfielder- although he plays in a few positions I guess.

https://x.com/bfcdublin/status/18614..._mZQxWWkw&s=19

[2 Year Contract]

Mountney must have some serious blackmail on O'Donnell to get a multi year contract there!

[Another Bohemia]

John Mountney confirmed to Bohs.

Not sure how I feel about this one. Injuries and age( as a result of the injuries) is my concern. From what Reynolds is saying he'll be the replacement for Paddy Kirk. One thing is for sure this is Reynolds squad now. The question marks over what was happening when Devine was in charge have been answered for me he was obviously the issue with getting signings done. Not sold on Reynolds or Fenlon but the transfer dealings since Reynolds has come in have been much more focused and completed reasonably quickly.

[Dermobohs]

Devine absolutely was the issue, turned down 9 or ten recommendations from Fenlon, and then was left having to agree players not up to it. Still would’ve kept miller over Flores mind…

[RealJohn91]

Not sure how I feel about this one. Injuries and age( as a result of the injuries) is my concern. From what Reynolds is saying he'll be the replacement for Paddy Kirk. One thing is for sure this is Reynolds squad now. The question marks over what was happening when Devine was in charge have been answered for me he was obviously the issue with getting signings done. Not sold on Reynolds or Fenlon but the transfer dealings since Reynolds has come in have been much more focused and completed reasonably quickly.

Not sure how he's replacing Kirk when he's played the last few seasons at right back

[sessylU]

O'Reilly is a good player but I'm evidently in a minority that thinks he's a bit overrated. Or at least that's how I felt when he was at Pats, he may well have kicked on since. Brilliant energy that almost no player in the league can match but he's below average on the ball for a player at a "top" side imo. Would obviously like to have him back at Pats but equally I wouldn't be gutted if we missed out and signed a player(s) more suited to how we're trying to play now.

I sort of agree. He's been exciting to have at Derry, especially this year when his urgency stood out in a pretty placid team. But I've always wondered if this hard work was masking something else. He always seems to be fighting for the ball, digging his way out of tricky spots. I always wonder if this wouldn't be necessary if he was a bit better situated when picking the ball up in the first place. Great midfielders look unfussy. He often looks fussy.

Still though, having said that, Derry can't currently afford to lose him and would have been a lot worse off without him this year.

[Another Bohemia]

Not sure how he's replacing Kirk when he's played the last few seasons at right back

Jaysis could've sworn he was a left back for some reason. Well then less concerned about the injuries then because Smith is a good player and I believe he's signed up for this season

[2 Year Contract]

Jaysis could've sworn he was a left back for some reason. Well then less concerned about the injuries then because Smith is a good player and I believe he's signed up for this season

He’s right footed and has played more at right back than left back, but he did feature at left back a bit last season as well so I can see why you’d think that

[Jack B]

I sort of agree. He's been exciting to have at Derry, especially this year when his urgency stood out in a pretty placid team. But I've always wondered if this hard work was masking something else. He always seems to be fighting for the ball, digging his way out of tricky spots. I always wonder if this wouldn't be necessary if he was a bit better situated when picking the ball up in the first place. Great midfielders look unfussy. He often looks fussy.

Still though, having said that, Derry can't currently afford to lose him and would have been a lot worse off without him this year.

This is essentially where I'm at with him too. He plays at 100mph but that sometimes comes with a lack of composure in possession. He's still fine for the most part on the ball but in his time with us it still directly cost us a couple of goals, it was just outweighed by all the positives he brings, of which there are a lot of. Still and all though it's something that would stop me getting too bothered either way whether we signed him or not.

[2 Year Contract]

Cian Kavanagh leaves Pats by mutual consent. I had hoped for more from him when he signed. Too slow, poor first touch and not that good in the air for a big man, not good enough for a top 3 side, can see why Derry let him go too

[2 Year Contract]

Cian Kavanagh leaves Pats by mutual consent. I had hoped for more from him when he signed. Too slow, poor first touch and not that good in the air for a big man, not good enough for a top 3 side, can see why Derry let him go too

He’s just been announced by Sligo on a 2 year deal