With 5 weeks to go before the start of the new season, the close season news over here could best be described as "Two managers and a merger "
First of all to Shelbourne, who having won the first division be a mile, decided to dismiss manager Ian Morris, and install Damien Duff as new boss. Yes, the Duffer, having walked away from his last three jobs, is keen to dip his toes into the treacherous world of first team management. And he made an immediate impact, saying the facilities in the League are a joke, demanding that Shelbourne give him a massive budget and insisting that,while Shels will be part time, they'll train every day at 10am. So far his signings have been underwhelming, but there's time yet.
Across the river Liffey, st Patrick's Athletic fans were still nursing their hangovers following the Cup final victory, when manager Stephen O'Donnell jumped ship to Dundalk, taking several out of contract players with him.As can be imagined, Pat's are not happy, and are taking legal action, so I won't say too much at the moment. So far, his signings have a look of the film cliche of " getting the old gang back together ", and the game in March at Richmond Park will be worth watching.
I touched on the Bray Wanderers/ Cabinteely merger last year, and in the end it went through fairly painlessly. Cabinteely were only in the league for the benefit of their youth section, something that Bray never had, so the league team will still be Bray Wanderers, with Cabinteely withdrawing. This leaves a lopsided 1st division, with Shamrock Rovers rebuffed in their request to play a B side.
As usual, there's been plenty of comings and goings, with some young players to watch out for next year. I'll update the state of the squads closer to the big kick-off.
First of all to Shelbourne, who having won the first division be a mile, decided to dismiss manager Ian Morris, and install Damien Duff as new boss. Yes, the Duffer, having walked away from his last three jobs, is keen to dip his toes into the treacherous world of first team management. And he made an immediate impact, saying the facilities in the League are a joke, demanding that Shelbourne give him a massive budget and insisting that,while Shels will be part time, they'll train every day at 10am. So far his signings have been underwhelming, but there's time yet.
Across the river Liffey, st Patrick's Athletic fans were still nursing their hangovers following the Cup final victory, when manager Stephen O'Donnell jumped ship to Dundalk, taking several out of contract players with him.As can be imagined, Pat's are not happy, and are taking legal action, so I won't say too much at the moment. So far, his signings have a look of the film cliche of " getting the old gang back together ", and the game in March at Richmond Park will be worth watching.
I touched on the Bray Wanderers/ Cabinteely merger last year, and in the end it went through fairly painlessly. Cabinteely were only in the league for the benefit of their youth section, something that Bray never had, so the league team will still be Bray Wanderers, with Cabinteely withdrawing. This leaves a lopsided 1st division, with Shamrock Rovers rebuffed in their request to play a B side.
As usual, there's been plenty of comings and goings, with some young players to watch out for next year. I'll update the state of the squads closer to the big kick-off.
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