The Airtricity League transfer window shut yesterday and there was quite a lot of activity.
It may have not had the pzazz of the Premier League transfer window deadline day with Jim White getting tonsillitis in front of our very eyes, but there was a plehtora of activity on deadline day in the Airtricity League.
The most active clubs in the market were Sligo Rovers, Cork City and Limerick. League of Ireland legend, Joseph Ndo, arguably the greatest player to grace the league was the biggest name to move as he went on loan from Sligo Rovers to Limerick. This caused an outcry from a lot of the Bit o’ Red faithful, but he leaves the club alongside Kieran Djilali.
Sligo weren’t finished there as another of their big players, Ross Gaynor left for Cork City whereas Aaron Greene joined champions, St Patrick’s Athletic. Two players arriving at the Showgrounds are Eamonn Zayed (pic above) from Shamrock Rovers and Iarfhlaith Davoren from Cork City.
Cork City are battling for the league title this year and it’s no surprise to see John Caulfield attempt to freshen up his squad with some new acquisitions. Joining Gaynor on Leeside is Waterford’s Gavin Kavanagh, Michael McSweeney and Josh O’Shea has come in from UCC. They had already acquired the legendary John O’Flynn from Exeter City earlier in the window.
With regards to departures, as previously mentioned, Davoren has joined Sligo and also departing was Ian Turner and Matt Gledhill who joined Limerick and Boston United respectively.
Limerick face a real battle against relegation, but they are preparing to meet the challenge head on judging by their transfer activity over the past couple of days. Ndo and Djilali will bring real quality to Thomond Park and they’ll be joined by Lee Lynch from St Pat’s, Jack Doherty from Ipswich Town, Shane O’Connor from Portadown and the previously mentioned Turner from Cork. Leaving Limerick we have Shaun Kelly who has headed north to join Derry City whereas Danny Galbraith and Barry Sheedy have both been released.
Bray Wanderers are in the dogfight for survival too and they’ve brought in the very experienced Philly Hughes from Drogheda, Michael Barker from UCD and Joe Gorman has joined from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
