Michael Duffy could easily decide to have another crack at it in the UK and could well get worthwhile offers in lower Championship or League 1
While it does not necessarily follow that players in contract will automatically be retained (Will Patching for example is at risk) some of the out-of-contract players are likely to be resigned
These players are out of contract
Michael Duffy,
Brian Gartland,
Gary Rogers,
Jordan Flores,
Sean Murray,
Sean Hoare,
Georgie Kelly,
Aaron McCarey,
Daniel Kelly,
Lido Lotefa,
Dane Massey
John Mountney.
Josh Gatt
Nathan Oduwa
Out of the 14 players listed Michael Duffy is probably the only one that every Dundalk fan would be eager to see resigned.
Personally I would also like to see Brian Gartland, Gary Rogers, Sean Hoare, & Daniel Kelly resign, although obvious that view could change depending on the quality of potential replacements
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), first Irish club to win points in a group stage in Europe (2016).
What's the story with McCarey? He was in the extended Ireland squad a couple of years ago.
It was an oversight to omit Sean Gannon from that list. If he has the hunger and does not need a kitchen sink I would also like to see him stay. He has been the top right full back in the country by some distance over the last number of years, but there are young guns emerging that will challenge that status - Andy Lyons and Tunmise Sobowale being the most obvious.
In order to rebuild the squad there will need to be more than six players released - but few would argue about those you highlighted
He officially signed up Jan 2019 after Stephen Kenny brokered an arrangement for him to play with Warrenpoint for the early part of their 2018/2019 season. He was called into the senior squad lhe previou March by Martin O’Neill for a friendly against Turkey.
Most would have expected him to claim the No 1 jersey from Gary Rogers, but a combination of fine performances by Rogers and his own form meant that he did not manage to achieve this. Perhaps a lack of game time hit is confidence and has left it doubly difficult to take his chances when presented.
It is probably in the interests of club and player that he gets a fresh start next season. He is 29 years in January - time is still on his side
There appears to me to be a very thin line between what you term 'marginal call' and 'unwanted' players. Of course it often happens that a particular player is not the managers first choice signing - where he can't sign the player he wants.
But the notion of signing someone you don't want, in order to keep that player 'happy' sounds pretty madcap and straight out of the Sean Connor school of management
Its not that hard to imagine , i would say Duffy , Hoare and Murrey are the only players on that list + Gannon that would be Automatic 1st choices.
Several more if resigned at the moment are blocking potential better players coming in but expediency might be to resign players who are "good enough".
FG never having had to manage a professional team with the pressures that come with that (Players concerned about paying their mortgages in January with a contract running out and talking to other clubs) will not help either.
It might not happen but it is tempting to resign players rather than risk dressing room unrest when you are trying to keep players motivated and engaged.
If Dundalk were to go for another keeper, would it be Talbot? I've not a notion who the top strikers are but there must be someone in the first division or Irish league worth a punt for the current LoI champs? Looking at Daniel Kelly I'd say bring in a rugby coach to build up his upper body strength - that or have him train at GAA county level for Dublin.
Brian Murphy at Waterford is the best keeper in the league...... excluding Alan Manus naturally
If i was running DFC that's where i would be looking.
Agree that Daniel Kelly needs a bit of GAA training. If he gets that, there is something definitely about him that indicates he can play at higher level than LoI.
I know Sloggett was at UCD, I take it he is from Dublin.
It's shocking how skinny and lightweight Kelly is. But it's not just him. Several players throughout the League are spindly stick insects. The lack of upper body strength among different players, even the top sides, plays a role in how easily they are knocked off the ball in Euro games.
I find it impossible to take Sloggett seriously with his pouncy hair. Gives the impression that he is above his station. (And that is mild - I give out to my son all the time about his 'gob****e' hair too. It is a pet peeve of mine.)
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
The best way to explain average age differences, is by taking the general career of a senior player, I think given injuries and form and other things 22-32 creates a 10 year player lifecycle. If you base it off 10 years then you can say that the average age from 27.8 t0 26.8 is about 10%, that's quite significant especially if its two players contributing mainly to that number.
Last edited by paul_oshea; 05/10/2020 at 3:54 PM.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Was thinking the exact same thing, and then thinking thats why Colovic ended up there. Its a bit of a concern for byrne as well. Plenty of time in the off season, to go and sort yourself, with or without a PT/S&C coach.
And as ive said many times before no excuses in this day and age. It's mad to think that the GAA were well ahead of the LOI in getting this right 15 years ago or so.
Last edited by paul_oshea; 05/10/2020 at 3:56 PM.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Marginal (unwanted) Player: Hey boss, do you intend to offer me a new contact?
Boss: No you are not in my plans for next season
Marginal (unwanted) Player: That's going to make me very unhappy 'cause I have a mortgage to pay. Micky and Paddy will also be ****ed off
Boss: OK so, will a 2 year deal keep you happy?
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