2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

**TonyD** · 23/11/2023, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Great to see us doing our business so quick. It looks like Daly is eager to hit the ground running next season. The next big signing will be a RB to replace Curtis and I’d love Daly to bring in a backup LB to help Breslin out. At CB & CM we are looking solid.

We have Sjoberg and McLaughlin to cover right back. Light on cover at lb alright, though Jay McLelland can cover at a push. Squad looking good to me. Might need another midfielder if Adam Murphy goes.

**Jack B** · 23/11/2023, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by Another Bohemia

It kind of strikes me as similar to when you signed Dinny. Bit of a gamble but one worth taking in a league where goal scorers are few and far between. The only difference is you don't have that established goal scorer that you had with Fagan when you signed Dinny. But looking around the league who has great options at striker? Rovers with Gaffney and Johnny Kenny would be up there but I assume Kenny is on the way back to Celtic, Bohs with Afolabi and Dean Williams maybe as well but it's very likely that Afolabi will be Championship bound in the new year. Shels had to move Moylan to striker, Dundalk had Hoban but he's on the market now. I actually couldn't name Derry's main striker and I'd say it's somewhere they'll look to improve in the off season. Keating is probably the free agent with the most upside in a pretty bare market.

Agreed on all that. I don't think he necessarily guarantees a title push like a lot of other team's fans on social media seem to, but in the grand scheme of things given the state of the market and the striker position in general in the league I don't think the club could have done much better. He's certainly a big upgrade on what were young and talented but inconsistent lads in Carty and Lonergan last season, with the latter and Kavanagh still being decent back-ups compared to the rest of the league. You'd imagine it'll be a trigger event for other moves within the league, as you say there's limited options around and Keating is an obvious one off the table. Would imagine there's a serious scramble about to occur for Hoban.

Originally Posted by TonyD

We have Sjoberg and McLaughlin to cover right back. Light on cover at lb alright, though Jay McLelland can cover at a push. Squad looking good to me. Might need another midfielder if Adam Murphy goes.

Agree on McLaughlin, don't even know if he's signed for next season but if he is and can stay fit I think he's of a good enough pedigree to come in. Axel just can't get fit though which has been a shame as he's looked handy on the rare occasions he's played. I think whether Murphy stays or not we really need someone that can cover Lennon/play a similar role because we don't really have that DM position covered elsewhere in the squad and were fortunate he was available for most of the season. Think that's an important one to get sorted as well as the squad bits like left back that you mention. In terms of the definite starting XI though I'd say the current priority is either convincing Lyness to stay on or finding an able replacement.

**Yossarian** · 23/11/2023, 1:08 PM

I didn’t realise Keating was 28. Just assumed he was much younger. Be interesting to see how he gets on with Pats on the back on one good season.

**sbgawa** · 23/11/2023, 1:27 PM

Afolabi has had one decent season if i was Bohs id cash in, Kenny had a good season with Sligo and did nothing at Celtic before coming home and doing nothing for Rovers. Young players can be built up quickly but dont often follow through. Its a risky business.
Keating at least has scored goals over a couple of seasons for Glaway and then Cork so might have a bit more of a chance.

Interesting to see where Hooooban shows up. Maybe if Kenny heads back to Celtic the budget mioght be there at Rovers but ive never seen him as a Bradley type of forward, doesnt do enough off the ball.....plan B maybe

**Another Bohemia** · 23/11/2023, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Afolabi has had one decent season if i was Bohs id cash in, Kenny had a good season with Sligo and did nothing at Celtic before coming home and doing nothing for Rovers. Young players can be built up quickly but dont often follow through. Its a risky business.
Keating at least has scored goals over a couple of seasons for Glaway and then Cork so might have a bit more of a chance.

Interesting to see where Hooooban shows up. Maybe if Kenny heads back to Celtic the budget mioght be there at Rovers but ive never seen him as a Bradley type of forward, doesnt do enough off the ball.....plan B maybe

On Afolabi he scored 20 goals in all competitions for Bohs this season and had 7 assists. It's more than a decent season. If he stays I believe he would put up similar if not better numbers next year but he has eyes on playing at as high a level as he can. If we had have secured European football I could see him staying to gain that experience but as it stands I fully expect him to be gone. I hope Bohs do look at Hoban as a replacement because any time I've seen him play he does plenty of work off the ball and would add some leadership that is sorely missing within the squad.

**Calcio Jack** · 23/11/2023, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Afolabi has had one decent season if i was Bohs id cash in, Kenny had a good season with Sligo and did nothing at Celtic before coming home and doing nothing for Rovers. Young players can be built up quickly but dont often follow through. Its a risky business.
Keating at least has scored goals over a couple of seasons for Glaway and then Cork so might have a bit more of a chance.

Interesting to see where Hooooban shows up. Maybe if Kenny heads back to Celtic the budget mioght be there at Rovers but ive never seen him as a Bradley type of forward, doesnt do enough off the ball.....plan B maybe

If Kenny is returning to Celtic then Hoban would be a great signing for us - and if nothing else getting to hear him say “…. I’ve always wanted to sign for Rovers the biggest and best club in Ireland…” would be a laugh

**sbgawa** · 23/11/2023, 2:21 PM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

If Kenny is returning to Celtic then Hoban would be a great signing for us - and if nothing else getting to hear him say “…. I’ve always wanted to sign for Rovers the biggest and best club in Ireland…” would be a laugh

Childhood dream to play for Rovers

**oriel** · 23/11/2023, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by Calcio Jack

If Kenny is returning to Celtic then Hoban would be a great signing for us - and if nothing else getting to hear him say “…. I’ve always wanted to sign for Rovers the biggest and best club in Ireland…” would be a laugh

And not forgetting the scarf held aloft while sitting in the stands !

Anyway you won't be getting him, the Arabs are coming to Dundalk with bags and bags of money............................

https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status...05301384581313

**joey B** · 23/11/2023, 5:14 PM

Luke Byrne retired….

**total hoofball** · 23/11/2023, 5:55 PM

I remember Keating looking really bad dumped out on the wing against Shels in an empty Tolka in the First Division for Galway during covid 2 years ago and now the hottest signing in the LOI funny times. Good for him though he a had great season in 2023 even more impressive with all he had to deal with personally

**total hoofball** · 23/11/2023, 5:59 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

Luke Byrne retired….

Not surprising, a big loss on an off the pitch a truly great bloke and leader but happy for him that he is no longer pushing his body through the pain barrier. He will have a great career in coaching if he wants to continue on with his badges

https://shelbournefc.ie/luke-byrne-r...onal-football/

**pineapple stu** · 23/11/2023, 6:58 PM

Well I presume he's still coming on board as UCD's (non-playing) coach for next season, so I guess he is going down that route.

**Calcio Jack** · 23/11/2023, 7:07 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

And not forgetting the scarf held aloft while sitting in the stands !

Anyway you won't be getting him, the Arabs are coming to Dundalk with bags and bags of money............................

https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status...05301384581313

Sure it will be different this time ….

**thebronze14** · 24/11/2023, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by joey B

Noe Baba signed back at Harps.

Our best player near the end of the season. No idea why the Scouse Bluffer dropped him for so long.

**thebronze14** · 24/11/2023, 8:09 AM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

I didn’t realise Keating was 28. Just assumed he was much younger. Be interesting to see how he gets on with Pats on the back on one good season.

Feels like he played for Harps a lifetime ago!

**Bunny Kelly** · 24/11/2023, 8:52 AM

Keating to Pats reminds me of when Pats got Ronan Coughlin from Sligo, he was the top available forward that off season but ultimately wasnt able to make the step up in level. Keating's age I think is a positive, CF more than most positions I think you need that experience

**Burnsie** · 24/11/2023, 9:31 AM

Gerard Nash in advanced talks to be new Cork City manager. currently over Aston Villa under 18s

**2 Year Contract** · 24/11/2023, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Gerard Nash in advanced talks to be new Cork City manager. currently over Aston Villa under 18s

He went for the pats job several times since it came up as far back as when Liam Buckley went in 2018, he was interviewed a few times for it but was always beaten to the job.

**RealJohn91** · 24/11/2023, 1:31 PM

According to Dan McDonnell in his newsletter today Hoban is keen on a move to Derry but everything is on hold at the moment with investment maybe coming into Dundalk.

Bohs and Galway are interested in Franz Pierrot from Athlone. Leo Gaxha has agreed to move to Galway and Caulfield wants Arron Dobbs and Ethan Boyle from Wexford too.

Shels are trying to sign Ali Coote but it looks more likely he'll go to Pat's like expected. There might be interest in Tommy Lonergan from other teams in the league as well.

**Shearer** · 24/11/2023, 3:39 PM

Originally Posted by RealJohn91

According to Dan McDonnell in his newsletter today Hoban is keen on a move to Derry but everything is on hold at the moment with investment maybe coming into Dundalk.

Bohs and Galway are interested in Franz Pierrot from Athlone. Leo Gaxha has agreed to move to Galway and Caulfield wants Arron Dobbs and Ethan Boyle from Wexford too.

Shels are trying to sign Ali Coote but it looks more likely he'll go to Pat's like expected. There might be interest in Tommy Lonergan from other teams in the league as well.

Aaron Dobbs is lethal at First Division level but remains to be seen if he can do it at top flight. Didn't do anything for Shels, managed 3 goals for Longford which isn't bad considering.

Ethan Boyle is a headscratcher.