Pre-Season Rumours Thread

**sligofan4ever** · 30/11/2009, 3:29 PM

Originally Posted by The Betting Man

SLIGO ROVERS star Raffael Cretaro is to leave the Showgrounds and join Shamrock Rovers, with former Ireland U21 cap P�draig Amond moving in the opposite direction.

Cretaro, 28, was one of the key strikers in the league last season, scoring 15 league goals for Sligo and he also helped them reach the FAI Cup final, and that form in front of goal -- only Gary Twigg and Jason Byrne scored more goals -- has attracted interest from other clubs.

Bohemians had made an effort to sign the Tubbercurry man but now it seems that Rovers boss Michael O'Neill has won the race to sign Cretaro.

Rovers will have a new-look squad next season as midfielder James Chambers has already signed from Drogheda United, Simon Madden, Darragh Maguire, Shane Robinson and Corey Tracey have been released, while keeper Barry Murphy is expected to officially sign for Bohemians tomorrow.

COMPETING

Sligo, who are set to lose defender Joe Kendrick to Finnish club FC Haka, are planning for next season and are expected to bring in striker Amond from Rovers, while they were also competing to sign Joseph Ndo from Bohemians, though Ndo is expected to either stay at Bohs or move to Sporting Fingal.

Meanwhile, keeper Shane Redmond says that his run of form with the Irish U21 side has helped him get ready for the demands of club football with League Two side Burton Albion.

Dubliner Redmond joined Burton on loan from Nottingham Forest in the summer but he made only his third appearance of the season on Saturday as Albion lost 1-0 to Gillingham in the FA Cup.

"Being able to go away with Ireland has done me good," said Redmond, who won his 15th cap at U21 level in the 4-1 defeat to Armenia in the European Championship qualifiers two weeks ago.

"Thankfully I have kept me place in their team and been the number one. I have played all the games in the qualifiers and it has done me the world of good.

"I have also been playing in the Albion reserve games and that has helped keep my confidence up," he said.

"It has been a tough wait for me. It was good to get back in on Saturday and show everyone what I can do."

Cretaro for Amond wouldn't be bad for a straight swap, on form Amond looks like a great striker. Would still be surprised to see N'Do score, and as for Kendrick he won't be a major loss IMO once Butler is fully fit again. There's talk of us signing Stephen Gray, might happen yet since we'd only have Butler for left back.

**micls** · 30/11/2009, 3:58 PM

Rumour on our forum that Doolin has resigned *fingers crossed*

**razor** · 30/11/2009, 3:58 PM

Rumour on our forum that Slaphead Doolin has resigned.

Happy Days if true - one down one to go.

**Mr A** · 30/11/2009, 4:03 PM

I know the football wasn't great but I thought Doolin did ok this year. 3rd place despite all the crap going on was not too bad.

**passinginterest** · 30/11/2009, 4:03 PM

Originally Posted by micls

Rumour on our forum that Doolin has resigned *fingers crossed*

Considering he's been tipped as the new Pat's manager for the last few weeks it'd make sense.

**micls** · 30/11/2009, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

I know the football wasn't great but I thought Doolin did ok this year. 3rd place despite all the crap going on was not too bad.

Yeah, but you didnt have to watch it.

This year was depressing enough without it being a chore to actually watch the football. A bit of decent ball even if wed finished 4th or 5th would have made it a lot easier to handle.

We also lost more games at home this season than in the last 3 seasons combined, and its the home games people tend to remember.

**blackholesun** · 30/11/2009, 4:25 PM

Sligo would be a great move for Podge. Like Doyle, if he is playing every week he will do well for Sligo.

bhs

**micls** · 30/11/2009, 4:29 PM

Seems he's gone alright *happy dance*

**sligofan4ever** · 30/11/2009, 4:45 PM

Doolin went to Drogheda and ruined them financially
Doolin went to Cork and ruined them financially
Coincidentally, anywhere Kudozvic goes the team suffers financial problems too!

So who now for Cork ? Sean Connor ? Jeff Kenna ? can hardly rule them out, but Cork fans would hardly want either ? especially if you want to avoid a season where you get more reds than you do goals!

On a related note, Dan Murray is beleived to be in talks with us. Hmm

Chris Turner confirmed
Gareth McGlynn strongly rumoured
Dan Murray strongly rumoured
Padraig Amond Strongly rumoured
Joey N'do rumoured
Stephen Gray rumoured

Last season you'd get slated for even sugesting these players for Rovers, now it shows signs of intent for next season.

**brianw82** · 30/11/2009, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by blackholesun

Sligo would be a great move for Podge. Like Doyle, if he is playing every week he will do well for Sligo.

bhs

I hope so. Amond looks to be more of a "fox in the box" type than Cretaro was, we need someone clinical to finish those chances off.

**micls** · 30/11/2009, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

So who now for Cork ? Sean Connor ? Jeff Kenna ? can hardly rule them out, but Cork fans would hardly want either ? especially if you want to avoid a season where you get more reds than you do goals!

Kenna was smart enough to see through Coughlan last year. Would Connor be desperate enough? I hope not.

**brianw82** · 30/11/2009, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

On a related note, Dan Murray is beleived to be in talks with us. Hmm

Chris Turner confirmed
Gareth McGlynn strongly rumoured
Dan Murray strongly rumoured
Padraig Amond Strongly rumoured
Joey N'do rumoured
Stephen Gray rumoured

Last season you'd get slated for even sugesting these players for Rovers, now it shows signs of intent for next season.

Indeed, but it also shows how much chaos there is among all the other clubs. McGlynn, Murray, N'do and Gray most likely would not be linked with us if it weren't for money problems at their current/last clubs.

**sligofan4ever** · 30/11/2009, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by brianw82

I hope so. Amond looks to be more of a "fox in the box" type than Cretaro was, we need someone clinical to finish those chances off.

I remember in 2008 he was scoring goals easily, scored in 2 matches that season I think, and again at The Showgrounds in May

Originally Posted by brianw82

Indeed, but it also shows how much chaos there is among all the other clubs. McGlynn, Murray, N'do and Gray most likely would not be linked with us if it weren't for money problems at their current/last clubs.

McGlynn and Gray are free anyways, any club could sign them, but us signing McGlynn can only mean better things, McGlynn would fit into any team, Rovers,Bohs,Shams. While Gray would only be a left back cover for us, hasn't totally convinced me he's good enough. Whereas I Murray is out of the blue, hope this dosent mean Peers is on his way out! or maybe Boco is off and Keane moving to right back ?

**Dillonman** · 30/11/2009, 5:12 PM

Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

Doolin went to Drogheda and ruined them financially
Doolin went to Cork and ruined them financially
Coincidentally, anywhere Kudozvic goes the team suffers financial problems too!

So who now for Cork ? Sean Connor ? Jeff Kenna ? can hardly rule them out, but Cork fans would hardly want either ? especially if you want to avoid a season where you get more reds than you do goals!

On a related note, Dan Murray is beleived to be in talks with us. Hmm

Chris Turner confirmed
Gareth McGlynn strongly rumoured
Dan Murray strongly rumoured
Padraig Amond Strongly rumoured
Joey N'do rumoured
Stephen Gray rumoured

Last season you'd get slated for even sugesting these players for Rovers, now it shows signs of intent for next season.

Kenna joined Birminham last week for some PM job or sumit like that.

Dude Chris Turner deal is off for the moment as the contract doesnt meet FAI regulations so re-negotiations are needed!

**sligoman** · 30/11/2009, 6:05 PM

And N'do won't be coming to us...

**dong** · 30/11/2009, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers fan

Doolin didn't "ruin" any team financially. A manager only spends what he's given ffs. He didn't put a gun to the owner/board's head and tell them to give him a bigger budget. Plus, the FAI approved Cork's budget last year. I suppose that was his fault too? Jesus, I get sick of the bull you post.

Yeah, everybody knows Paul Cook is the only manager ever to pull that one off!

**ndrog** · 30/11/2009, 7:39 PM

Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

Doolin went to Drogheda and ruined them financially
Doolin went to Cork and ruined them financially
Coincidentally, anywhere Kudozvic goes the team suffers financial problems too!

So who now for Cork ? Sean Connor ? Jeff Kenna ? can hardly rule them out, but Cork fans would hardly want either ? especially if you want to avoid a season where you get more reds than you do goals!

On a related note, Dan Murray is beleived to be in talks with us. Hmm

Chris Turner confirmed
Gareth McGlynn strongly rumoured
Dan Murray strongly rumoured
Padraig Amond Strongly rumoured
Joey N'do rumoured
Stephen Gray rumoured

Last season you'd get slated for even sugesting these players for Rovers, now it shows signs of intent for next season.

Absolute nonsense ! Doolin didnt ruin Drogheda or cork . He worked with a budget that was approved by the respective boards of each club . He stood by us when the crap hit the fan and will be respected for it by all right minded Drogheda fans .I was never a big fan of the man tbh , and at times his football left alot to be desired . But he did his job well and was professional in his approach , he won us the leauge which is what he was brought here to do .

**galwayjames** · 30/11/2009, 8:02 PM

I think it's sad to see how delusioned Cork fans have become. So you only finished third and had a squad that could've won the title? The two most influential players (Healy, Behan and Sullivan) left in the summer and it is incredible ye finished in a Europa League spot with the squad that finished that season. Ye seem to forget this was yer most successful league campaign since winning the title back in 2005.

And sorry for ranting, but I find it unbelieveable how ye treated him so badly despite being quite effective on the field.

**Dillonman** · 30/11/2009, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by galwayjames

I think it's sad to see how delusioned Cork fans have become. So you only finished third and had a squad that could've won the title? The two most influential players (Healy, Behan and Sullivan) left in the summer and it is incredible ye finished in a Europa League spot with the squad that finished that season. Ye seem to forget this was yer most successful league campaign since winning the title back in 2005.

And sorry for ranting, but I find it unbelieveable how ye treated him so badly despite being quite effective on the field.

I think you need to learn how to count!

**micls** · 30/11/2009, 9:24 PM

Originally Posted by galwayjames

I think it's sad to see how delusioned Cork fans have become. So you only finished third and had a squad that could've won the title? The two most influential players (Healy, Behan and Sullivan) left in the summer and it is incredible ye finished in a Europa League spot with the squad that finished that season. Ye seem to forget this was yer most successful league campaign since winning the title back in 2005.

And sorry for ranting, but I find it unbelieveable how ye treated him so badly despite being quite effective on the field.

Who said we couldve won the title? I dont know a single City fan who thought it. Please read before ranting.

No-one wants him gone because of the league standing, we want him gone because going to games was about as fun as having teeth pulled with a rusty pliers.

It was a chore going to games, we lost a huge amount of games at home and it drove away fans.

Ive already said, Id have taken 5th and some half decent football ahead of this, given that we probably wont get a European license anyway.

A crap year, with worse football that did nothing to raise the spirits.

And a man who felt it was appropriate to say 'there's a stupidness down here, they expect attractive football'.

Its fine being all defensive of Doolins league position when you didnt have to sit through it.