2020 season arrivals and departures

**pineapple stu** · 13/11/2019, 9:57 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Town have signed Rob Manley from Cabo. Joins up with his brother Joe. Cracking signing if he can repeat his form of last season.

That's an interesting one. Will there be a break-up at Cabo? Presume they're continuing in the league

**Nesta99** · 13/11/2019, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Drennan was excellent for us before his issues and I thought we had made a mistake when he banged in a few early for pats. He looked very out of condition in the matches I saw him. Couldn't see o Donnell putting up with that.
Saying that I hope he gets another club and another chance.

That's what I was thinking and O'Donnell could have sorted it out. Maybe he got away with it prior. Pats have been out of sorts for the last 2 seasons and it wasnt really to do with lack of quality. Seemed more lack of interest, coaching (though that would be a surprise under Buckley), and in some cases at least S&C. Considering he still has ability to be a decent LoI striker of which there are few as it is, then offering him a contract conditional on him meeting targets on fitness, might have been a way to go. Maybe he was given a chance and turned it down of course. He will get another club but its a shame if he is still being held back by mental health issues.

**joey B** · 13/11/2019, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Any word on Ollie Horgan extending his stay at Finn Park?

Discussion's held on Monday night,nothing agreed and to continue later on in the week,Horgan understandably wants extra funds to compete but equally understandably the board are probably telling him there isnt any,we scrapped by last season and there's nothing to suggest we'll be able to raise extra money from anywhere so I'd prefer the board not write cheques we can't cash rather than gamble and be caught out............

**Longfordian** · 13/11/2019, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

That's an interesting one. Will there be a break-up at Cabo? Presume they're continuing in the league

Yeah wasn't expecting that. Seemingly he had been expected by many to head to Cork, not that I'd been paying an awful lot of attention to any rumours about him really. Dean Byrne who was great for us last year has signed back now too. He had offers from Premier clubs too apparently. They could be a great partnership potentially.

**Nesta99** · 14/11/2019, 4:41 AM

Longford look to be getting back at it. Playoff experience this season, good workout in the cup, early work getting done with signings. Drogheda will be favoured as the team to beat but there is a buzz about Longford that has been missing in previous years. Could be a good value punt for automatic promotion!

**Dalymountrower** · 14/11/2019, 7:07 AM

Originally Posted by PartySaint

Pats are full time.

How is that sustainable next season without European football?

**Longfordian** · 14/11/2019, 8:17 AM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Longford look to be getting back at it. Playoff experience this season, good workout in the cup, early work getting done with signings. Drogheda will be favoured as the team to beat but there is a buzz about Longford that has been missing in previous years. Could be a good value punt for automatic promotion!

We were missing a reliable goalscorer so hopefully Manley can be that. We have lost Breslin though who was really good for us, and I'm not sure what Conor Kenna is doing so we might need to bring in a couple of defenders.

**Nesta99** · 14/11/2019, 8:26 AM

In the past (mid 2000s) the was argument often made that there wasnt a huge difference between PT and FT wages (only) when clubs were paying a players tax and other contributions on their combined PT + FT income. Say Benson is earning 80k for the day job and 20k from Pats. He could be on a deal where the full highest bracket income tax is payed on fooball earnings and some of his day job. A teacher on 40k + 15k in actual cost to a club for the player to take home all of the football wage wouldnt be miles off 25k. If things are the same now then it isnt massively more expensive relatively bar wages inflating like mid 00s (25k probably wouldbt be considered enough for FT football these day!?). Train in the evenings and a squad can be a mix of FT and PT players but still be putting in FT training hours. A big cost of training during the day aside from wages would be looking after the players eg training facilities and catering which you could get away with in evening training. If a club has a benefactor on top then it keeps the show on the road. I reckon Kelleher felt Pats had a squad and manager that would finish top 3/4 and qualify for Europe last season so pushed the boat out a bit. A quick answer though is it's not sustainable at all but not terminal either in short to medium term.

Getting in to Europe seriously inflates the wage bill - consider Dundalk's 2014 budget to 2016 and beyond especially with players who have been there for the whole haul - scary if there is a bad year down the line as even with regular European money its arguable on how sustainable things are without a run to the group stages. Next season is possibly the biggest for the top LoI sides with EL2 and the possibilities for the 2020 champions!

**Nesta99** · 14/11/2019, 8:29 AM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

We were missing a reliable goalscorer so hopefully Manley can be that. We have lost Breslin though who was really good for us, and I'm not sure what Conor Kenna is doing so we might need to bring in a couple of defenders.

A few former St Pats players are kicking their heels at the moment - get in ahead of Shels...

**marinobohs** · 14/11/2019, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

We were missing a reliable goalscorer so hopefully Manley can be that. We have lost Breslin though who was really good for us, and I'm not sure what Conor Kenna is doing so we might need to bring in a couple of defenders.

Rumoured to be signing for Shels but haven't heard it confirmed.

**outspoken** · 15/11/2019, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by marinobohs

Rumoured to be signing for Shels but haven't heard it confirmed.

Will be gutted if true, one of the best centre Half's we've ever had

**Martinho II** · 16/11/2019, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Will be gutted if true, one of the best centre Half's we've ever had

I was looking at Conor Kennas stats career wise when I had nothing on. It shows the longivity of Kennas career that he started with Shels in 03. I have no idea of if he had any first team appearances or not.

**Martinho II** · 16/11/2019, 4:22 PM

Confirmed online that Daniel OReilly has left Finn Harps to go to Shels.

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 16/11/2019, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Will be gutted if true, one of the best centre Half's we've ever had

Didn't know Kenna played for Dundalk

**joey B** · 16/11/2019, 6:01 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Confirmed online that Daniel OReilly has left Finn Harps to go to Shels.

Was a good signing for us and its a good move for Dan close to home,the season of premier division football will stand to him aswell.

**Ezeikial** · 16/11/2019, 6:27 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

I was looking at Conor Kennas stats career wise when I had nothing on.

Maybe the strangest fetish yet revealed on foot.ie?

**nigel-harps1954** · 16/11/2019, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Confirmed online that Daniel OReilly has left Finn Harps to go to Shels.

Gutted by that. Cracking signing for Shels.

Things looking pretty bleak for Harps already.

**marinobohs** · 17/11/2019, 2:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Maybe the strangest fetish yet revealed on foot.ie?

Sadly, not even close 😁

**Martinho II** · 17/11/2019, 2:04 PM

Heard that hugh douglas has left bray. would love it if he joined us! class player. As one of the other Section O lads said to me earlier hes the new Ginger Jesus love that!

**marinobohs** · 17/11/2019, 4:15 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Heard that hugh douglas has left bray. would love it if he joined us! class player. As one of the other Section O lads said to me earlier hes the new Ginger Jesus love that!

He announced himself he was leaving. Bray are his hometown club (think he still lives there) so must have a decent offer to leave.