As the SSE Airtricity League resumes on Friday evening, we look at the transfer business done so far and show how squads are shaping up.
Bohemians
There is speculation Luke Wade Slater could be on his way out of Bohemians in search of more regular football.
Otherwise there has been little activity at Dalymount Park.
Keith Long has one of the strongest squads in the country in terms of numbers, and he has gradually improved the quality season-on-season.
Danny Mandroiu picked up an injury in last weekend's friendly against Linfield.
Dawson Devoy was introduced in his place, another significant talent in the Bohs academy, and a sign that Bohs are prepared for the next few months regardless of what is thrown at them.
In: None
Out: None
Cork City
Neale Fenn told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast that the restart was like pre-season all over again in terms of arranging friendlies and getting fitness again.
But there was also a juggling act in terms of his squad.
Kevin O’Connor is back at City after his Preston North End contract expired.
Graham Cummins has rejoined the club, as a centre-half rather than a striker.
Winger Deshane Dalling has extended his loan spell from QPR, as has Joseph Olowu from Arsenal. It remains unclear whether goalkeeper Liam Bossin is coming back to Turner's Cross. Joe Redmond and Kyron Stabana will not be returning.
Cork have been hit with injury blows as Charlie Fleming has suffered a cruciate ligament injury, and striker Conor Davis has had surgery on his hip, so both players will miss the rest of the season.
In: Graham Cummins, Deshane Dalling, Kevin O’Connor, Joseph Olowu
Out: Liam Bossin (TBC), Kyron Stabana, Joe Redmond
Derry City
The Candystripes have been busy in the market and with good reason. Danny Lupano and Adam Liddle looked bright prospects when arriving on loan at the start of the year but they have been unable to return after their situations changed at parent clubs.
Tim Nilsen, a big hope for Derry in attack at the beginning of the campaign, was released during this second 'pre-season’, with the Norwegian striker denying that was due to fitness reasons.
Jamie McDonagh will move to a Northern Irish Premiership side in the coming days.
Declan Devine has moved to bring in experienced Adam Hammill – a very interesting signing from Britain – and James Akintunde, who was a free agent after leaving Maidenhead.
In: Adam Hammill, James Akintunde
Out: Jamie McDonagh, Tim Nilsen, Danny Lupano, Adam Liddle
Dundalk
The Lilywhites finally completed the signing of Joshua Gatt in June. The 28-year-old American featured in a friendly in February but as Covid-19 struck, he had to bide his time. He has now become a Dundalk player.
Lido Lotefa (above) has joined Longford Town on loan, but a more significant departure is Georgie Kelly. He completed a loan switch to St Patrick's Athletic last night after becoming disillusioned with life at Oriel Park in the last 12 months.
With Champions League, FAI Cup and the league schedule to come, it will be a busy time for Vinny Perth’s men. Kelly is a loss at a time Dundalk will need every options available.
One recruitment to the backroom has been Alan Reynolds, becoming the new assistant boss at the champions, following Ruaidhri Higgins departing for the Republic of Ireland set-up.
In: Josh Gatt
Out: Lido Lotefa (loan to Longford Town), Georgie Kelly (loan to St Patrick's Athletic)
Finn Harps
There has been no activity for Finn Harps.
They made late moves in the market in February, adding striker Benny Igiehon and Cameron Saul.
But overall Ollie Horgan will stick with the same squad.
Harps have been spending funds on upgrading Finn Park to be ready for the restart, with Covid-19 restrictions in mind.
That includes new dressing-rooms, medical room and shower facilities.
In: None
Out: None
Shelbourne
Teenager Brian McManus has joined the club from Preston North End. Alex Cetiner has been promoted from the club's Under-19 side.
The Drumcondra outfit continued to pay their players when the league shutdown, an admirable stance for a newly-promoted side.
Shels made a bright start to the league, with no obvious signs they needed to strengthen. With six points on the board, further wins could see talk of European qualification in this unique season.
In: Brian McManus
Out: None
Sligo Rovers
Liam Buckley looked to be done for the season in terms of recruitment, particularly when signing Ryan De Vries from a Japanese side after the season started.
But a nightmare opening, coupled with injuries at the start of the year, has led to a rethink.
The capture of last year’s top scorer in the league, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, was a bolt from the blue, as Sligo were adamant they faced a big task to meet the financial gap to reach the end of the year with no crowds.
A GoFundMe page set up by supporters during lockdown raised €80,000 and has given Sligo the chance to strengthen.
There is speculation Stephen Folan could join the club after leaving Australia.
Four midfielders featured in defence for Sligo during the 90 minutes in a friendly against Galway, with Garry Buckley and Will Seymore playing at centre-half during the second half.
John Mahon and Danny Kane remain long-term absentees while Johnny Dunleavy and Lewis Banks are slowing making their way back into contention.
In: Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe
Out: None
Shamrock Rovers
Greg Bolger picked up a serious injury for the Hoops in a friendly last week, meaning he is likely to miss the rest of the season.
However, with such an array of talent, Stephen Bradley has not moved to bring in a replacement in midfield.
Rory Gaffney was a late addition to the Hoops squad, but both he and Graham Burke are rumoured to suffering from injuries.
However Bradley is unlikely to rush out to make any new additions.
In: None
Out: None
St Patrick’s Athletic
All had been pretty quiet at Richmond Park. That changed last night.
Republic of Ireland Under-19 international goalkeeper Brian Maher left the club by mutual consent, but they're well stocked in that position with Brendan Clarke and Conor Kearns the two established stoppers, and it was followed with the massive addition of Georgie Kelly.
The striker was second choice at Oriel Park and could really shine as the main man in Dublin 8. Kelly showed his goalscoring prowess when coming off the bench for the Lilywhites.
Stephen O’Donnell overhauled the Saints squad at the start of the year, and given he had just four games to assess them, he will wait to see what the likes of Martin Rennie and Billy King do in the league over a long period of time, before making a further investment.
In: Georgie Kelly (on loan from Dundalk)
Out: Brian Maher
Waterford
There is never a dull season at the RSC. Alan Reynolds departed the Blues during the shutdown as the club faced an uncertain. Reynolds feared they may not return to football this season.
However, they are back and with a big name replacement manager in John Sheridan.
Akin Odimayo and Andre Burley looked very good loan captures from Reading at the start of the season, but they are back with parent clubs.
Scott Allardice isn’t returning to the RSC, while Kevin O’Connor has joined Cork after his Preston deal expired. He was on loan at Waterford.
Michael O’Connor rejoined the Blues. However in a big blow to Sheridan, the talented striker has been injured in a friendly game and looks for a long spell out.
Daryl Murphy has not been confirmed as a Blues player, also due to injury.
The Irish Examiner is linking Kurtis Byrne with the Blues. Byrne was linked with Cork previously and has been in Ireland so should be available soon, once signed.
In: Michael O’Connor, Daryl Murphy (TBC), Kurtis Byrne (TBC), Charlie Lyons (TBC)
Out: Akin Odimayo, Andre Burley, Scott Allardice, Graham Cummins, Kevin O’Connor
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