2024 Season, Arrivals and Departures

**Martinho II** · 13/12/2023, 9:26 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

We�re well in truly into the silly season now folks! Athlone have announced that they�ve signed Dylan Hand for 2024. The same Dylan Hand that Longford announced 2 days ago had signed a new contract with them for 2024

Longford have now deleted their announcement tweet too

Im fuming over this. I just dont trust anything out of the clubs mouths these days. Bet you Stephen Henderson is going mad over that tweet being announced.

**Nesta99** · 13/12/2023, 9:57 PM

Sounds like Longford havea media officer that is desperate to make their mark and;or over enthusiastic.

**total hoofball** · 13/12/2023, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

We�re well in truly into the silly season now folks! Athlone have announced that they�ve signed Dylan Hand for 2024. The same Dylan Hand that Longford announced 2 days ago had signed a new contract with them for 2024

Longford have now deleted their announcement tweet too

I'm surprised this type of nonsense doesn't happen more in the LOI with so many 'announcements' before any official registration forms are completed. Shels got sort of stung like this last season on the WNL team with Abbie Larkin but that was about 10 days later before the change of mind announcement and then the signing for Rovers

With Hand I'm taking a guess Longford jumped the gun without any solid commitment from the player and he gave the biggest FU back signing for their biggest rivals who he probably already had an offer from or Athlone just threw a better wage at him after his Longford accouchement? I hope the full story comes out!

**Jack B** · 13/12/2023, 10:20 PM

Quite pleased with the Bolger signing. Appreciate what some Cork fans are saying to the contrary but I feel like even he's not a top player he's the kind of profile we needed to better balance the squad. Lennon was the only player who is a natural sitting midfielder in the squad, so having someone who could play with or instead of him was important which Bolger can do. He's also quite tidy on the ball which along with Brandon Kavanagh will be an improvement for us on that front as for all the good Daly did we could be quite rushed and loose in possession at times.

Assuming Murphy leaves I would still like another body in that area of the pitch though. Could potentially do with a bit more general physicality in the squad right now but otherwise looking pretty good this early into the off-season.

**nr637** · 14/12/2023, 8:16 AM

Gary Hunt appointed as the new manager of Cobh Ramblers.

**MU1889** · 14/12/2023, 9:08 AM

Glenavon have again dipped into the League of Ireland transfer market with a trio of signings, announced yesterday - Mark Byrne from Dundalk, Darren Clarke from Galway United, and Gavin Hodgins on loan from Shelbourne.

It looks like Byrne will be replacing Rory Brown as no.1 goalkeeper, as he has submitted a transfer request. Derry City look to be the likely suitors, especially if Brian Maher is attracting interest elsewhere.

**Town Legend** · 14/12/2023, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Im fuming over this. I just dont trust anything out of the clubs mouths these days. Bet you Stephen Henderson is going mad over that tweet being announced.

I thought I was going mad there yesterday. I was just going through our squad for next season and was wondering where the tweet about Dylan Hand re-signing was. I then seen the Oisin Hand re-signing and thought I had mixed the lads up. The lad running our social media is making a show of the club for the last year or two. He should give it up and go all in on the politics where his bulls*it will be accepted by his cronies!!

**gufct** · 14/12/2023, 5:40 PM

https://galwayunitedfc.ie/ed-mccarthy-re-signs-for-2024
Brilliant news.

**culloty82** · 14/12/2023, 6:37 PM

Andy Spain now official:

https://kerryfc.com/andy-spain-makes...treaty-united/

**Martinho II** · 14/12/2023, 7:45 PM

Originally Posted by Town Legend

I thought I was going mad there yesterday. I was just going through our squad for next season and was wondering where the tweet about Dylan Hand re-signing was. I then seen the Oisin Hand re-signing and thought I had mixed the lads up. The lad running our social media is making a show of the club for the last year or two. He should give it up and go all in on the politics where his bulls*it will be accepted by his cronies!!

Thats exactly my thoughts. If they arent careful a lot of my pals are not going to renew their season tickets either at this fiasco or at my mistreatment. I even have an ex RTE correspondent whos son whos a big town fan supporting me in my stance against the club. They may take they are winning the battle for now but its more long term this. They are messing with the wrong person here! Outspoken is turning into misspoken now hes gone quiet!

**TonyD** · 14/12/2023, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jack B

Quite pleased with the Bolger signing. Appreciate what some Cork fans are saying to the contrary but I feel like even he's not a top player he's the kind of profile we needed to better balance the squad. Lennon was the only player who is a natural sitting midfielder in the squad, so having someone who could play with or instead of him was important which Bolger can do. He's also quite tidy on the ball which along with Brandon Kavanagh will be an improvement for us on that front as for all the good Daly did we could be quite rushed and loose in possession at times.

Assuming Murphy leaves I would still like another body in that area of the pitch though. Could potentially do with a bit more general physicality in the squad right now but otherwise looking pretty good this early into the off-season.

Forrestor, Lennon, Leavy, Bolger, McClelland is not too bad (assuming McCormack and Murphy go) but I agree, a strong physical player would be a good addition. I would have put Bolger as more of a ball playing centre mid. If we can get Dean Lyness to stay I think that would be massive for us. Probably need cover at left back too. Maybe there are some more kids to come through from the under 19�s. All in all I think our squad is looking pretty decent. Enough to push for the title, probably not (though you never know.) I�d be expecting Europe again though Am getting quite used to these cup wins too.

**joey B** · 15/12/2023, 1:07 PM

Evan McLaughlin signed for Cork City,even at this early stage you�d feel everyone else is playing for second place,McLaughlin is too good for the First division imo �..

**El-Pietro** · 15/12/2023, 1:22 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

Evan McLaughlin signed for Cork City,even at this early stage you�d feel everyone else is playing for second place,McLaughlin is too good for the First division imo �..

We have 6 players, one of whom is recovering from an ACL and may not be ready to start the season. Lets see how the squad fills out before making these kind of statements.

**joey B** · 15/12/2023, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

We have 6 players, one of whom is recovering from an ACL and may not be ready to start the season. Lets see how the squad fills out before making these kind of statements.

Nope ,if you don�t win it by at least 20 points it�s a failure!!!!!

**pineapple stu** · 15/12/2023, 1:33 PM

Ronan Finn on his own would win the First Division by 20 points

**The Bowler** · 15/12/2023, 3:05 PM

Evan Osam to Bray from UCD. Very injury prone, solid 1st Div player

**Jack B** · 15/12/2023, 3:37 PM

Originally Posted by TonyD

Forrestor, Lennon, Leavy, Bolger, McClelland is not too bad (assuming McCormack and Murphy go) but I agree, a strong physical player would be a good addition. I would have put Bolger as more of a ball playing centre mid. If we can get Dean Lyness to stay I think that would be massive for us. Probably need cover at left back too. Maybe there are some more kids to come through from the under 19�s. All in all I think our squad is looking pretty decent. Enough to push for the title, probably not (though you never know.) I�d be expecting Europe again though Am getting quite used to these cup wins too.

Yeah Bolger's strengths are definitely in possession, but he at least plays deeper in midfield which of the existing squad only Lennon really does naturally, so it was definitely needed to get at least another in that position. This is basically a direct replacement for Timmermans and I think we're the better for it, but assuming Murphy leaves it wouldn't hurt to have another in, though as you say if we're talking squad-fillers then the 19s have done an able job of that so who knows. Outside of that I'd say we're a starting keeper, possible starting centre back and further cover at CB/LB away from being done which is quite encouraging. Would still fancy Rovers and Derry to be stronger mind.