Is nobody tipping Monaghan to do something similar to last year then?
I see Cork have changed their crest and everything back to being Cork City. It's hard to know what to expect from them but they should be part of a three way battle with Waterford and Shel's, Limerick despite their fans lack of belief, won't be too far off the top 3 as long as they pick up points like last season and as osarusan points out, they need to do better in the bigger games.
Is nobody tipping Monaghan to do something similar to last year then?
Why would Mons keep their signings quiet if they are already signed? Seems strange.
Also, interesting to see them let 2 of their brighter local lads from the 20's leave the club and join Dungannon.
Harps are only part way through signing a squad. We could be a very good side this season but alot depends on getting a centre mid and centre back. We're looking pretty good in most other departments.
What kind of side will Drogs muster up? If they get a middle of the road budget, there is alot of top 1st Div players in the Dublin area unattached. Im sure the manager is eyeing up and possibly speaking to some of those.
How good will Cork really be?
Until the majority of squads are confirmed it's really hard to guage how the division will pan out.
The bookies have always put the Youths too far back, they put us in second or third last for the past two years but we've always managed mid-table at least. We've signings still to come in too..
I haven't been following Monaghan's off season too closely, but I was under the impression they would have a significantly weakened squad this year with players leaving over the break? I think I'm basing it on a pretty pessimistic post by Magicme after the play-off and with the dust settling, maybe things didn't work out as badly? Would be nice to see them back in the Premier anyway.
We don't announce signings coz we learned the hard way a few years ago that players sign and sometimes change their minds so we only announce squads when registration has been complete.
As for the 2 lads, good and all as they are, they are not at the level we are require when aiming for promotion.
Yup I was pessimistic but I forgot how resilient mons are and that Mick Cooke is well respected by players in the league and that our consistency in paying players offers some extra leverage in signing players.
Sure I wish some of the players had stayed but the core of the team are staying and the rest are being replaced by better.
Dont think Barrett and Fabio are as good as what Monaghan had last year....Depends if Fabio is in the mood i suppose how many did he end up playing for Athlone?
Its all about the manager bluewhitearmy. Cooke is great at getting the best out of talented lads who may have lost their way so am very optimistic about them. They have both been at the very top of their game and I believe that they will do the business for us.....if they have indeed signed. ;-)
Athlone fans didn't take to him anyway. Though in his defence Brendan Place had a habit of alienating players so that might have had something to do with it. Barrett isn't the player he was either, injuries have taken a big toll. Philly Hughes is much more effective IMO.
Philly Hughes got most of his goals from penos. So 2010. So over him. Next.
And which one of Fabio and Barrett is going to replace Brian Gartland at centre half??![]()
You never were gone on him in the first place if memory serves. We'll see anyway I don't doubt ye'll have a pretty decent side anyway. I get what you're saying about players knowing they'll get paid too it's helped us get everybody we wanted to sign up again.
MagicMe.............. Fabio to be sent off in the game immediately preceding your game V Drogs !!!! Odds on that![]()
lads don,t overlook drogs
To be or not to be
Yeah they were surely our 2nd and 3rd highest scorers last season! Yes they're both definitely staying, they were both planning to go to America with scholarships but changed their minds about it. *relief*
I'm hoping Furlong and another one of our local youngsters, Robert Dempsey, make an improvement on last year as strikers to make up for our lack of Sheahano. If they do, I'm not really concerned at all. If not, then I hope to God one of our incoming players is a striker! I'd say any/all incoming signings will be announced tomorrow at the first training session...
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