Signings and Re-signings

**kingpin4** · 17/01/2013, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Ex Dundalk man Micheal Daly is the other. Mernagh would be a good signing imo he looked very very good last season and has the potential to get better, Gartland id also be very happy with for his experience and he is a good solid defender.
Id be less sure about Long as he never really stood out in the first maybe he would be good as a squad player because he can play a few positions. Id personally be disappointed if we signed Shannahan . Been too long since i seen Daly to have any opinion on him but as far as i know he was decent when he was at Dundalk.

Long isn't really a step up on Guthrie in my opinion. And I'd say the same about Shanahan and Behan. Gartland would be a good signing. I only saw Mernagh play twice last year and I couldn't see him getting in ahead of either full back. And I know nothing about Daly except from what a few have told me, that he was good at Dundalk.

Any word on pre season friendlies organised?

**bluewhitearmy** · 17/01/2013, 4:54 PM

Originally Posted by kingpin4

Long isn't really a step up on Guthrie in my opinion. And I'd say the same about Shanahan and Behan. Gartland would be a good signing. I only saw Mernagh play twice last year and I couldn't see him getting in ahead of either full back. And I know nothing about Daly except from what a few have told me, that he was good at Dundalk.

Any word on pre season friendlies organised?

I reckon Shannahan is definitely a step down from Behan.

Heard nothing about friendlies.

**Jofspring** · 17/01/2013, 5:00 PM

Originally Posted by kingpin4

Long isn't really a step up on Guthrie in my opinion.

I'd have to disagree with you on that. Long is younger, quicker and better in the air than Guthrie. Guthrie was a big let down for me after seeing him at the start of the season in pre-season. For a man of his size he was beaten in the air regularly and didn't use his strength enough. Long cleaned up everything we threw at him down in the RSC in the air. I'm not saying he is a fantastic player by any means but better than Guthrie.

I'm really surprised the club are letting Behan go without even letting Taylor see him in training. I would have thought Behans experience would have stood to us in the Premier. Hynes and Behan had similar roles with us and just look how well Hynes did for Drogheda last season. The only thing I'd say about Shanahan is is he better than Cian Collins, Barry Sheedy, Garbhan Coughlan, Daragh Rainsford, Sean Brosnan or even Val Feeney? From what I've seen of him (granted isn't much) i'd have to say no or at least not a huge improvement anyway.

**bluewhitearmy** · 17/01/2013, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

I'd have to disagree with you on that. Long is younger, quicker and better in the air than Guthrie. Guthrie was a big let down for me after seeing him at the start of the season in pre-season. For a man of his size he was beaten in the air regularly and didn't use his strength enough. Long cleaned up everything we threw at him down in the RSC in the air. I'm not saying he is a fantastic player by any means but better than Guthrie.

I'm really surprised the club are letting Behan go without even letting Taylor see him in training. I would have thought Behans experience would have stood to us in the Premier. Hynes and Behan had similar roles with us and just look how well Hynes did for Drogheda last season. The only thing I'd say about Shanahan is is he better than Cian Collins, Barry Sheedy, Garbhan Coughlan, Daragh Rainsford, Sean Brosnan or even Val Feeney? From what I've seen of him (granted isn't much) i'd have to say no.

I have to agree with that i saw him quite a few times with Dundalk and with the FAS course. Even on the FAS course he didn't stand out.

Agree about Long too.

**skybluelimk** · 17/01/2013, 8:43 PM

Very disappointed if shanahan signed ?? His only 19 and has already played in the prem picking up some great goals along the way..... It's all about mixing youth with older players together instead of your style of doing a man city on it... His def worth a year or 2 in the squad to see how he gets on ....

**Sea Bird** · 18/01/2013, 9:10 AM

I hope young shananhan isnt reading this comparing a young lad starting off his career with an experienced player like behan is a tad harsh imo..from what i can gather he is a quiet kid who needs an arm around the shoulder has experience in the premier division and scored a few goals thats more experience than any of the young lads we have and i dont think he would be looking for mad money could be no harm to take a chance on him and see what happens..i know everyone is entitled to an opinion but bare in mind the likes of behan gamble etc are used to getting a bit of stick but a young lad starting out it isnt very nice for him to hear people/fans posting that he is a poor signing and not good enough and that goes for all the young players that play for the club encourage them thats all im saying..

**Jofspring** · 18/01/2013, 9:38 AM

Originally Posted by Sea Bird

I hope young shananhan isnt reading this comparing a young lad starting off his career with an experienced player like behan is a tad harsh imo..from what i can gather he is a quiet kid who needs an arm around the shoulder has experience in the premier division and scored a few goals thats more experience than any of the young lads we have and i dont think he would be looking for mad money could be no harm to take a chance on him and see what happens..i know everyone is entitled to an opinion but bare in mind the likes of behan gamble etc are used to getting a bit of stick but a young lad starting out it isnt very nice for him to hear people/fans posting that he is a poor signing and not good enough and that goes for all the young players that play for the club encourage them thats all im saying..

That's fair enough but it was asked would the players be an improvement on what we have and honest answers were given. He could turn in to a fantastic player over the next few years but I think it's fair to ask is he better than the young players we already have trying to make it in similar positions. He could very well impress in training and Taylor may want to sign him.

There is no two ways about it though, we need to sign 4 or 5 that will improve the squad to hold our own. Dundalk and Bray look ok, Shels nothing amazing but are looking at a second season back which could stand to them and UCD are holding onto the majority of last seasons squad which will also stand to them with a lot of young players having a year of premier experience under their belts.

**kingpin4** · 18/01/2013, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

That's fair enough but it was asked would the players be an improvement on what we have and honest answers were given. He could turn in to a fantastic player over the next few years but I think it's fair to ask is he better than the young players we already have trying to make it in similar positions. He could very well impress in training and Taylor may want to sign him.

There is no two ways about it though, we need to sign 4 or 5 that will improve the squad to hold our own. Dundalk and Bray look ok, Shels nothing amazing but are looking at a second season back which could stand to them and UCD are holding onto the majority of last seasons squad which will also stand to them with a lot of young players having a year of premier experience under their belts.

That's the thing, not actually comparing Shanahan to Behan as players, just saying losing Behan and bringing in Shanahan isn't improving the squad. He could very well be a good signing and grow to be a star, but at this moment in time, this years squad is CURRENTLY weaker than last years.

Hypothetically, lets say the season started tomorrow, you'd be looking at a team something like

B. Ryan/ Cusack (have they even trained?)

S. Kelly
P. Purcell
S. Long/ Gartland
S.Tracy/ Mernagh

Brosnan/ McGrath
J. Gamble/ O'Leary
S. Bradley/ Judge
D. O'Brien ??? (Have we a left winger?)

R. Gaffney
Coughlan/ C.Collins/ Shanahan

(I realise not all of them are signed up, and some may even have been released which we don't know about yet, but going from rumours of people linked and training, that's the strongest I can think of in my opinion. We're lucky there's still 6 weeks to go) any thoughts?

**bluewhitearmy** · 18/01/2013, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by skybluelimk

Very disappointed if shanahan signed ?? His only 19 and has already played in the prem picking up some great goals along the way..... It's all about mixing youth with older players together instead of your style of doing a man city on it... His def worth a year or 2 in the squad to see how he gets on ....

The fact he played in the prem means nothing he was with the worse team up there by miles they had a way weaker squad then we had last season even. Who wants to do a Man City not once have i said we should only sign top players or anything but because i don't want a player you like all of a sudden thats my style? I want a mix of youth and experience but i want a mix of good youth and experience. We have young lads there already that are better then him imo so they should be the ones given the chance.

Originally Posted by Sea Bird

I hope young shananhan isnt reading this comparing a young lad starting off his career with an experienced player like behan is a tad harsh imo..from what i can gather he is a quiet kid who needs an arm around the shoulder has experience in the premier division and scored a few goals thats more experience than any of the young lads we have and i dont think he would be looking for mad money could be no harm to take a chance on him and see what happens..i know everyone is entitled to an opinion but bare in mind the likes of behan gamble etc are used to getting a bit of stick but a young lad starting out it isnt very nice for him to hear people/fans posting that he is a poor signing and not good enough and that goes for all the young players that play for the club encourage them thats all im saying..

Im not comparing them really i just feel that Behan will offer us more then Shannahan would.

**Sea Bird** · 18/01/2013, 2:06 PM

No one is doubhting behan is a better option than shanahan at the moment but to be fair he played in a dundalk side that played in the premier league for a whole season he has that under his belt and dundalk cant be that bad they beat waterford in waterford in the playoff something we have failed to do for a long time and as another scribe pointed out we are now as it stands weaker than last season..as for the young lads that are better than him 3 times this season they could not beat athlone in the 19,s and premier is a huge step up this lad has a season under his belt at that level..nothing to lose taking a chance on him..again its all about opinions

**bluewhitearmy** · 18/01/2013, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by Sea Bird

No one is doubhting behan is a better option than shanahan at the moment but to be fair he played in a dundalk side that played in the premier league for a whole season he has that under his belt and dundalk cant be that bad they beat waterford in waterford in the playoff something we have failed to do for a long time and as another scribe pointed out we are now as it stands weaker than last season..as for the young lads that are better than him 3 times this season they could not beat athlone in the 19,s and premier is a huge step up this lad has a season under his belt at that level..nothing to lose taking a chance on him..again its all about opinions

He wouldn't have gotten into our team last season. I cant see how having a year in premier makes any difference at all.

Failed to beat Waterford in Waterford for a long time? We did it the season before the one just gone.

The under 19s not being able to beat Athlone have nothing to do with it James McGrath,Sean Brosnan, Garbhan Coughlan and Cian Collins don't play for the 19s. Val Feeney too is a lovely lovely player with the 19s but he cant beat Athlone by himself. They were cheated out of a win in Athlone recently too btw.

I've nothing against the lad. If he signs ill support him as much as i support any of our lads but imo he is not a better option then Behan who has been released or then the young lads i have mentioned above who i think deserve a chance. Id have no problem if he signed just as a squad player i suppose but id much rather see the young lads already there get the chance especially the likes of McGrath,Coughlan and Brossie who played their part in getting us up. If he does sign i hope he turns into a fantastic player and makes me look stupid of course.

**Sea Bird** · 18/01/2013, 3:45 PM

Players go on loan for experience and to be fair he has learnt more than all our young players by playing in the league above so if he has nothing else he has that he will know what to expect every week wher as our current crop it will be a learning process for them each time they get on the pitch..im not saying he is going to set the world alight or saying our current crop are not good enough ther is some fantastic young players in the club all my point was put yourself in their young shoes if you wer reading people saying your not a good addition or a poor signing it would knock your confidence and i think everyone need to get behind each other this season because as it stands it could be a long one..

**bluewhitearmy** · 18/01/2013, 4:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sea Bird

Players go on loan for experience and to be fair he has learnt more than all our young players by playing in the league above so if he has nothing else he has that he will know what to expect every week wher as our current crop it will be a learning process for them each time they get on the pitch..im not saying he is going to set the world alight or saying our current crop are not good enough ther is some fantastic young players in the club all my point was put yourself in their young shoes if you wer reading people saying your not a good addition or a poor signing it would knock your confidence and i think everyone need to get behind each other this season because as it stands it could be a long one..

Anyone that signs i will be fully behind, but i will give my honest opinion on things too when questions are asked.

Im not too sure about the long season thing i think its very early to be saying that seen as we only have 8 players signed.

**Daydreamer** · 18/01/2013, 9:35 PM

I cant see any point comparing shanahan with any of the lads in the 19s team as he has proven himself at a higher level even if only one season and to say that he would not get in to last years team is also , he scored 8 goals in prem , gaffney was the only limerick front player to score more in a very weak division 1 , i think shanchan will do fine and looking forward to first game in T park , i also will back who ever signs and will get to see more games now as i can bring my kids unlike jack man which was not very family friendly

**bluewhitearmy** · 18/01/2013, 9:55 PM

Originally Posted by Daydreamer

I cant see any point comparing shanahan with any of the lads in the 19s team as he has proven himself at a higher level even if only one season and to say that he would not get in to last years team is also , he scored 8 goals in prem , gaffney was the only limerick front player to score more in a very weak division 1 , i think shanchan will do fine and looking forward to first game in T park , i also will back who ever signs and will get to see more games now as i can bring my kids unlike jack man which was not very family friendly

I wont say anymore about the lad because it will look like i'm out to get him when really i just wanted to give my opinion about the lads that were out training.

Excellent that you will get to bring your kids this season though hopefully they enjoy it and get hooked.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 18/01/2013, 9:59 PM

Jackman, when it came to kids, just seemed like a creche for youngsters who wanted to run around and not even watch the game. Being in Thomond will change that. (I know, waaaaay off-topic)

**CraftyToePoke** · 19/01/2013, 3:57 AM

I was delighted to hear Shanahan was training with us as I think he fits the profile of lad we should be looking at, from the region with improvement still to come from him. He also has a bit of pace I believe which would be a welcome addition to our attack. Not a replacement for Behan, or even a guy who would be expected to start each game as yet even but he did get goals last season in his first season at that level and in a poor side. He also competed with Rafter for the spot there who has been deemed worth a punt by Derry.

Definitely worth a look anyway.