(Very early) Transfer gossip/squad retention

**Sheridan** · 13/02/2014, 8:46 PM

I take it McPhail is now The Best Player In The League by default?

**SwanVsDalton** · 14/02/2014, 8:29 AM

Doubtful anyone in the FAI is hearing the *marketing opportunity klaxon* blaring over McPhail and Fahey. Good opportunity to use the pair, with the likes of Finn, Towell and Forrester, before things kick off.

**Yossarian** · 14/02/2014, 8:35 AM

Has McPhail received international clearance yet? I remember we signed Mickey Collins from Newry in Feb 2009 after his contract ended but he didn't get the clearance and had to wait till July to play as he wasn't a free agent at the end if their window. Seems a similar situation here.

**Jofspring** · 14/02/2014, 9:09 AM

Great to see another ex-Irish International signing for a LOI club. As mentioned above this should be pounced on by the FAI and RTE when it comes to advertising the league. I know the guy is 34 but it would be fantastic if even just for publicity to see a few more internationals finishing out the last few years of their careers here if feasible.

**Ezeikial** · 14/02/2014, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

Has McPhail received international clearance yet? I remember we signed Mickey Collins from Newry in Feb 2009 after his contract ended but he didn't get the clearance and had to wait till July to play as he wasn't a free agent at the end if their window. Seems a similar situation here.

Why? In what way do you think McPhail's situation is similar?

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/02/2014, 5:51 PM

It does seem to be different alright. The Irish international window is open until February 19 so as long as his registration has been transferred by then he's eligible.

**Yossarian** · 14/02/2014, 5:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Why? In what way do you think McPhail's situation is similar?

Well I thought Collins' contract with Newry ended in Feb outside their window and that's why he didn't get the clearance with us until July. I see McPhail's contract with Sheff Weds ends next week, outside their window, so that's where I was drawing similarities. Maybe the reason for the delay in Collins' clearance wasn't this though, but I can't recall if it was.

**Yossarian** · 14/02/2014, 5:56 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

It does seem to be different alright. The Irish international window is open until February 19 so as long as his registration has been transferred by then he's eligible.

Fair enough then. I wasn't sure of the dates involved for these types of deals.

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/02/2014, 6:13 PM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

Well I thought Collins' contract with Newry ended in Feb outside their window and that's why he didn't get the clearance with us until July. I see McPhail's contract with Sheff Weds ends next week, outside their window, so that's where I was drawing similarities. Maybe the reason for the delay in Collins' clearance wasn't this though, but I can't recall if it was.

The only deadline that matters is the new club's. Andrei Arshavin returned to Zenit a couple of years back at the end of February, a month after the close of the English transfer window. I don't think the full details of the Collins debacle ever came out but it certainly wasn't because Dundalk failed to meet the deadline - seems to be some nonsense on the Newry/IFA end.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 14/02/2014, 8:44 PM

Shams fan has just compared McPhail to Arshavin.........

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/02/2014, 8:52 PM

They're probably about equal in terms of pace

**nigel-harps1954** · 15/02/2014, 12:05 AM

Roy O'Donovan has had his contract terminated by Northampton. Set for a return to Ireland?

**bluewhitearmy** · 15/02/2014, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Roy O'Donovan has had his contract terminated by Northampton. Set for a return to Ireland?

Off to Brunei with Joe Gamble.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/02/2014, 12:28 AM

You'd have to assume he's terminated his contract now so he can keep his options open. Probably off to Brunei though.

**gufcfan** · 15/02/2014, 5:40 AM

O'Donovan signed for DPMM a few days ago.

**Mr A** · 17/02/2014, 10:38 AM

Derry reported to be on the verge of signing Akanni-Sunday Wasiu.

Which is just about the best name for a player in Northern Ireland there's ever been.