Transfer Rumours

**holidaysong** · 07/01/2009, 11:26 AM

Sporting Fingal are after Gary O’Neill, Ger Rowe and Ross Gaynor.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/braywan...ws.asp?n=35416

**Dunny** · 07/01/2009, 6:04 PM

From The Dundalk Argus

Fabio signs up today

By Terry Conlon

Wednesday January 07 2009

Dundalk manager Sean Connor said he is to complete the signing of Drogheda striker Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien and 19-year-old full-back Sean Kelly from Scottish club Hearts today ( Wednesday) and tomorrow respectively. He has extended an invitation to 21 year-old striker Kyle Moran, who spent a number of seasons with Manchester United, to do pre-season with the squad, as well as another frontman, Dwight Barrett (23), a 6'2 Geordie, who has been based in America where he is attached to Crusaders.

Connor coached at the club, and the head coach recommended Barrett to him.

The manager plans to announce his coaching staff next week. He wants to speak with John Flanagan about a scouting role.

Connor revealed he he has been tracking Kelly for 18 months. From Donegal, he has been with Hearts since he was 16, where he was a regular with the reserves and made a couple of first team appearances.

He described the defender as the type of player he has been associated with over the last number of years. He is young with good technical ability, and thinks this is the opportunity for him to re-ignite his career.

Connor feels the acquisition of 29-year-old O'Brien, a winner of league and cup medals with Drogheda, offers the squad experience and leadership qualities.

He is a former captain of the Boynesiders.

Darren Mansaram, recruited from Bohemians also provides experience up front even though he is only 23, and he should help Tiarnan Mulvenna to improve, while the prospective arrival of Barrett, whose playing style is direct, and Moran offers a good mix.

The boss said that he wants to try to give local players an opportunity, and it would be up to Moran to prove himself.

Connor had him previously for pre-season at Bohs when the player opted to join Derry. If Moran obtained his release from Newry, he was more than welcome to take part in pre-season training, the manager said.

Connor watched the Linfield and Glentoran encounter on St Stephen's Day and Glenavon v Dungannon on New Year's Day.

'I have targets up North. Obviously there were players in the games who I have an interest in but I haven't made an approach. I'm keeping my options open.'

- Terry Conlon

**Terry** · 07/01/2009, 6:47 PM

what's dundalks playing budget for the up coming season? hope connor doesnt send them down the same trial that he ended up putting sligo and bohs in previous rolls !!

**Louth4sam** · 07/01/2009, 7:05 PM

I've heard it is around 12k which would leave us in the top half of spenders. Just hope we can get value for money on the pitch.

**Black and White** · 07/01/2009, 7:16 PM

The above extract from the Dundalk Argus is abit out as the player on trial is Dwight Barnett and hes Jamaican!Also as i was shown, Mansaram hasnt signed from Bohs, he was released by Leigh Genisis!

**Black and White** · 07/01/2009, 8:08 PM

Dundalk holing press conference tomorrow at 5 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel to unveil "1 or 2" signings and to reveal how 2009 season preparations are going!
www.dundalkfc.com

**Dunny** · 07/01/2009, 8:41 PM

From the Dundalk Democrat:

Connor hoping to have 14 full-time players at Oriel

By Gavin McLaughlin

DUNDALK manager Sean Connor has revealed that his first team squad for the 2009 season could consist of up to 14 full-time as the club aim to re-establish themselves in Irish football's elite. Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat on Tuesday, the Belfast man also confirmed that Darren Mansaram, ex-Hearts full-back Shaun Kelly and former Drogheda United captain Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien have all signed for Dundalk. The trio are set to be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday night and Connor stated that the players have all signed full-time deals at Oriel Park. "Mansaram, Fabio O'Brien and Shaun Kelly will be full-time" he said. "Along with Tiernan Mulvenna and Thomas Heary it means that five of the eight players here at this moment in time are full-time players. Fabio adds experience along with Heary while Kelly, Mulvenna and Mansaram are all young talented players so we have the right sort of blend." After watching recent events unfold at Drogheda United, many Dundalk fans have concerns about the implementation of full-time football at Oriel Park. Connor moved to allay those fears yesterday and insisted that the club would be in no way overstretched financially. "I can assure the supporters that every player I bring to the club will be within budget. I have spoken to two or three players that were over budget and I have no interest in players like that. "Dundalk is a massive club and we have to make sure that we give ourselves every chance of competing in the Premier Division in the future. We have an ambitious owner in Gerry Matthews and the infrastructure is in place to bring young, talented players in to play professional football." Connor also dismissed reports that Derry City's Kevin McHugh had turned down a move to Dundalk as he could not commit to training four times a week.. Last year's Player of the Year David Cassidy cited similar reasons before signing for Shelbourne last week but Connor quashed any notion that it would be hard to attract part-time players to Oriel. "I never spoke to Kevin McHugh and I don't think it will be hard to any part-time players to the club" he said. "Maybe people should read between the lines and see that I'm only really interested in full-time players. The only part-time players are Simon Kelly and Shane Grimes who are local and Chris Bennion who has been at the club for a number of years." Another local player who has been given a chance to impress Connor is former Manchester United forward Kyle Moran. The 21-year-old has been realeased from his contract at Newry City after a falling out with Showgrounds boss Gerry Flynn. Flynn was scathing in his assessment of Moran's attitude, stating in the Belfast Telegraph last Friday that "his (Moran's) attitude stinks and I don't want him anywhere near the club. Come Monday at the latest he won't be here because he's not the sort of player I want here. I would be surprised if another club come in for him, especially after they hear what I have to say. He was at Manchester United and he thinks he's Pele but I don't want him near the club. The Newry manager's comments have not perturbed Connor, however, and he confirmed that Moran has been given the chance to resurrect his career after being invited to pre-season training with Dundalk. "There has been no contract offered to Kyle." he explained. "It's up to him to take the chance that has been given to him. It maybe is his last chance to earn a professional playing contract. Since he came back from Manchester United he has made some bad decisions but now it's time for him to knuckle down. He has the ability and if he lets his football do the talking then we will see about offering him a deal." Connor also stated that a deal for Derry City goalkeeper Darren Quigley is expected to be resolved "one way or the other in the next 48 hours" and Dwight Barnett, a Jamaican striker based in Boston, would also be joining pre-season training which is due to commence at Hiney Park on January 17. It is also believed that the Dundalk boss is keeping close tabs on Dungannon Swifts' exciting young striker Mark McAllister who rejected a move to Celtic in May 2007 while Chris Turner, Harpal Singh and Liam Burns, who have all played under Connor before, are also attracting plenty of attention from the Belfast man.

**skipper_12** · 07/01/2009, 9:02 PM

Good Lord I dont believe what im reading here!!! Has nothing been learned from the events of last season. What do Dundalk hope to achieve?? Possibly to buy their way to a trophy before realising they have spent way beyond their means and everything crumbles around them

WAKE UP!!

**sligofan4ever** · 07/01/2009, 9:04 PM

Originally Posted by skipper_12

Good Lord I dont believe what im reading here!!! Has nothing been learned from the events of last season. What do Dundalk hope to achieve?? Possibly to buy their way to a trophy before realising they have spent way beyond their means and everything crumbles around them

WAKE UP!!

I agree with you there, I tought managers would've copped on after the whole thing with Drogheda, signed far too many players, and now look at the situation there in.

**holidaysong** · 07/01/2009, 9:12 PM

I don't see a €12k budget as being too crazy.. I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'buying a trophy'.

**Inside Man** · 07/01/2009, 9:17 PM

Originally Posted by skipper_12

Good Lord I dont believe what im reading here!!! Has nothing been learned from the events of last season. What do Dundalk hope to achieve?? Possibly to buy their way to a trophy before realising they have spent way beyond their means and everything crumbles around them

WAKE UP!!

Too right mate.
Some people in this country are so stupid. When will they ever learn.

**skipper_12** · 07/01/2009, 9:18 PM

I would believe the 12K budget if I saw the breakdown...And I really hope to God that someone is gonna double check finances in EVERY club. Sure Fabio alone would be around the 2k mark per week from word on the grapevine...now add 13 more full timers onto that and put in management and then bonuses and then...... easily adds up as all the other clubs have now learned (or not

)

**holidaysong** · 07/01/2009, 9:25 PM

Originally Posted by skipper_12

I would believe the 12K budget if I saw the breakdown...And I really hope to God that someone is gonna double check finances in EVERY club. Sure Fabio alone would be around the 2k mark per week from word on the grapevine...now add 13 more full timers onto that and put in management and then bonuses and then...... easily adds up as all the other clubs have now learned (or not

)

There is no way O'Brien will be getting �2,000 a week from Dundalk FC. Are you for real?

**MariborKev** · 07/01/2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

I don't see a �12k budget as being too crazy.. I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'buying a trophy'.

It is more than we are spending at Derry.

**LeixlipRed** · 07/01/2009, 10:33 PM

12k a week sounds fine. However, 14 full time players plus the rest indicates that it'll be tough to keep to such a budget. But sure, we've all learned our lesson right?

**Flawless** · 07/01/2009, 10:56 PM

David Crawley is going back to Shels...Not sure if thats been mentioned here already or not!

And with regards Fabio, not a hope he'll be on 2k a week!..
Would love to know what Mansaram is getting, hes not coming back over from England for the good of his health in fairness...

**Rovers Maniac** · 07/01/2009, 11:24 PM

Connor already working the magic i see, i think he said at the start 6 or 7 full timers and the rest part, fast forward 3 weeks or so and it is now 14. I think Turner will be one of the next in the door at Oriel.

**celticV3** · 08/01/2009, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

I don't see a �12k budget as being too crazy.. I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'buying a trophy'.

Well where will that money be coming from each week?

**Black and White** · 08/01/2009, 7:43 AM

I read in one of those local paper articles that Connor spoke to 2 players that where looking for over �2000 a week and he told them to go where the sun doesnt shine!..Fabio is just about on �1000 a week according to a source of mine...all players signed so far have had to reduce their wages to join us so!But both are full time contracts that Connor is handing our! I do believe that we can live within the 12k budget,we have a massive fan base both home and abroad, we have alot of good sponsorships, Lillywhite lounge rakes in money at the weekend, the pitch normally gives us an extra few bob with the factt hat we can rent it out(at the momoent its being renevated, theres also a bit of TV money for the coming season, we got the best part of �50,000 for the 1st Division last year, Patron Scheme is ongoing as well as fundraising events which take place regularly, the list is endless...one thing is for sure people....we nearly went out of business a number of years ago...and there are alot of fans who will not let this ever happen again...Gerry Matthews being one!which is why he bailed us out in the first place!