I think he holds out for the UK.Originally Posted by yurt
If he takes the belgian offer and saves them from the drop, he'll be a hero and make a name for himself. In the UK he'll be another irish player going through the motions. I've believed for a long time Europe is the best way to progress for most LOI players. ATM he's not international material and only got his call up as recognition from Kenny, he was never going to play any part in the run in.
Yeah but how many Irish managers are going to be looking at Belgium when calling up players? They might look at you if your at Anderlecht or one of the big teams but I think if he wants to progress his international career top end of L1 is a better option. There's probably also more money in a contract from L1 than a club in Belgium fighting relegation. However I do agree that players from the LoI should be looking at Europe instead of the UK. Places like the Netherlands and Belgium especially since they export a lot of players to other bigger leagues including the PL but I would say that's a better option for 18,19 & 20 year Olds. If you're 23 going on 24 you're looking to make a big move now and not potentially in 3-5 years. Its not impossible to do that just it seems more and more unlikely each year.
Lets face it if was a LOI player in my early 20s like Afolabi I would follow the money initially that will usually be in the UK, hoping to cement yourself as star in a struggling club in the Belgian league and then to become a regular Irish international is hoping to win the lottery type of stuff
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
Is it all that different to Troy Parrott being at a smaller Dutch side and still getting called up?
If he's good enough - especially given our desperate options up front - he'll be called up. Right now he's had one good half season in a poor league; I'm not sure he should be thinking that his next move is one to put him in contention for a senior call-up tbh.
Well Parrott is on loan from a PL club and has a significant history with the squad, how much he has earned that call up is up for debate imo it's a familiar face who knows how Kenny wants to play. Afolabi will be looking to break through and will likely be overlooked for Emakhu or Sinclair Armstrong who are starting to get first team minutes with their clubs in the UK. Only a great goalscoring season in Belgium would get a call up and doing that at a team who are fighting relegation is easier said than done.
Fair point, but then if Afolabi is that far off the senior panel at the moment (and I think he is; his one call-up was in an injury crisis in a position we already have bugger all options for, and even then he didn't make the matchday squad) then I don't think he needs be too worried about where the Ireland manager is looking. He's not really on the radar. The move would be a step up, and if it's the best offer knocking around, then go for it I guess.
But the thing is he wants to be as close to the senior panel as he can and being in the UK makes him more visible and likely has a better financial upside as well. I think long term he would have a better career in Belgium or the Netherlands but I understand someone his age being realistic and saying if I want to play for Ireland I need to play well in the UK where it will be noticed.
I think you can move up in your career either way. The move to L1 hasn't put Mandroiu any closer to a call-up for example. He was also a squad member a couple of years ago when having a decent LoI campaign.
And of course we don't know if he's interested in the Belgian offer or if he has any L1 offers.
He was riddled with injuries and it is really only now he getting some form and a run in the side. We also seemed to have moved away from L1 players getting call-ups to the Senior side.
Dean Williams has left Bohs bench to join Shels bench
Paaatrick's Agletic
I didn't see that Dean Williams signing coming, not surprising with the Rovers connection with Duff/O'Brien when he was there, but more that he signed for Bohs last year on the famous LOI "multi-year deal" of 2 years, transfermarkt indicting he was contracted until end of 2024, did Bohs cancel his contract? If Shels paid any compensation for him I would be scratching my head
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
Those contracts are usually 1 or 2 years with an option. Williams probably had the 1 year version.
Lorcan Healy signs for shels from UCD. Wouldn’t have had a high opinion of him from what I’ve seen of him but he’s undoubtedly better than the second choice they had that came in from Hull in the second half of this year after their previous second choice signed for Love Island. Probably won’t play at all anyways but it’s a risk if Kearns gets injured
Paaatrick's Agletic
Kian Moore always looked quite shaky in the games against Shels I would be wondering why Healy was mostly the 2nd choice there to him. But then again with goalkeepers you just don't know, many Galway fans were warning Shels fans 12 months ago over how dodgy Kearns was for them in the 1st Division and then he became our player of the season
The Leinster Senior League needs a strong Bohemians
Kearns was by and large very good for us.
During his two year spell, he made a few bad clangers, the biggest and most costly was when he let a weak shot fall through his hands against Waterford in the play-off final. His head was gone after that and it cost us hugely. Overall, he was an excellent keeper for us, bar 1 or 2 poor errors where he lost concentration. I wouldn't have said he was dodgy, he's probably unlucky that his tenure with us will be remembered for his last action in a United jersey. I thought he was a good commanding keeper. The move this season worked out well for both clubs with Clarke and Kearns swapping.
roddy collins you're a flanker you're a flanker!
Healy had a couple of howlers early in the season (see 1:55 here for example) and shared the keeper's role with Moore for the second half of the season. I think Moore is the better keeper; not sure if Healy is all that great a signing for Shels.
Healy couldn't unseat a poor enough Moore this year at UCD, he also has no physical presence being one of the smaller keepers I've seen in the league the last 10 years. Good shot stopper but prone to absolute howlers and poor under a high ball. Won't kick a ball at Shels unless Kearns gets injured. Surprising signing.
Dave Hurley resigned for gufc . Brilliant news for Galway supporters.
Waterford announced this evening Niall O’Keefe and Conor Parsons have resigned for 2024.
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