Derry City: Derry have made a strong push to sign Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte who is a free agent after his recent departure from Portsmouth, writes Daniel McDonnell.
The 28-year-old has interest from clubs on both sides of the border as he considers the next move with a weekend interview indicating that the 30-times capped attacking midfielder is open to playing his football on this island.
New Derry boss Tiernan Lynch is looking to make a splash in the transfer market after the departure of key players from the dressing room – including skipper Patrick McEleney – and the Candystripes are willing to make the Belfast native a high earner.
But they face strong competition for his signature from multiple Irish League clubs with Shamrock Rovers also monitoring the situation.
Whyte had a long association with Crusaders in his youth before earning a move to Oxford United. Cardiff paid a seven figure fee for his services, but it didn’t quite work out with loan spells at Hull and back at Oxford functioning as the bridge to a move to Portsmouth last summer. He departed the club by mutual consent in August, citing family reasons.
Lynch needs fresh bodies as he presides over a dressing room overhaul but there remains confidence around the club that goalkeeper Brian Maher and midfielder Adam O’Reilly can be persuaded to stick around.
Derry sources believe that Maher will stay put unless an overseas option emerges, while midfielder O’Reilly has long standing interest from his former club St Patrick’s Athletic but it’s understood that Stephen Kenny is exploring other options in that position. Fleetwood midfielder Barry Baggley is a Saints target after impressing on loan with Waterford and it’s possible that remaining with Derry will be the best option on the table for O’Reilly.
St Pat’s: Pat’s confirmed on Monday night that centre half Tom Grivosti has signed a new two year deal with the club. His partnership with Joe Redmond was central to the resurgence under Kenny in the second half of the season. The Saints are still keen on the versatile Sean Hoare, who is out of contract with Shamrock Rovers and taking time to consider his options. He started his senior career with the Saints before Kenny brought him to Dundalk.
Saints have the under-contract Conor Keeley and Luke Turner as defensive back-up but Drogheda want to bring Keeley back to Weaver’s Park, while Cork City are one of a number of clubs tracking Turner’s situation. City confirmed the capture of Alex Nolan from the Saints yesterday; he had a longer-term deal on the table from Sligo Rovers but opted for the Leesiders. The First Division champions are also believed to be close to bringing in a goalkeeper from Europe.
The retirement of Dave Webster has made the recruitment of a centre half a high priority for Drogheda who are also admirers of Dundalk’s Mayowa Animasahun. Dundalk captain John Mountney is expected to sign for Bohemians after confirming the end of his stay with the Oriel Park club as they enter a new era under Ciaran Kilduff.
Monday, November 25
St Patrick’s Athletic: The Saints have confirmed that defender Tom Grivosti has penned a new two-year deal with the Inchicore club.
“Tom has shown immense character having been a full calendar year out injured, to have the fortitude to go through that and come back into the team and play at a very high level is exceptional,” said Saints boss Stephen Kenny.
“Tom defends with real intelligence and his decision making is excellent. He is extremely calm and decisive in possession so we’re really pleased that he has signed a new contract.” – SOC
Cork City: The Rebels have bolstered their squad ahead of their return to the top-flight next season, with 21-year-old winger Alex Nolan arriving from St Pat’s.
“Alex is a very exciting young winger who has been in high demand, so we’re delighted to get this deal done,” said City boss Tim Clancy.
“Although he is still a very young player, he has been a part of a Cup winning side and has featured in a European campaign, so he knows the standards that are expected as we return to the Premier Division.” – SOC
Waterford FC: The Blues have announced the signing of midfielder Sam Glenfield on a multi-year deal this evening.
The 19-year-old joined the Blues on loan from sister club Fleetwood Town last summer and having impressed during that stint at the RSC, the Belfast native has now joined the Premier Division club on a permanent basis as Keith Long continues to build his squad for the 2025 campaign.
Sam Glenfield of Waterford
“Sam is a player who is an extremely important member of our squad – a player who we really only saw a snapshot of what he can really be last year,” said Long of Glenfield, who has been capped at Under-19 level for Northern Ireland. – SOC
Friday November 22
St Patrick’s Athletic: Axel Sjoberg has signed a new deal with the Saints.
The Swedish full-back enjoyed a successful end to last season under manager Stephen Kenny after overcoming a series of injuries.
The 24-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new deal in what will be his third season at Richmond Park.
The defender has played 33 times for St Pat’s and is excited to get going again next season.
He said: “It’s great news, I’ve signed a new deal with St Pat’s and I’m really looking forward to the new season as we hope to continue on from how we finished last season.
“We have built a great team and a strong environment for all the players and the connection with the fans too. We had a good European campaign in 2024 and I hope we will next year as well, we want to keep going and have a great year together.” – AF
Shelbourne: The Reds have also shored up their defence for the 2025 season with a new deal for full-back Seán Gannon.
Gannon won the 11th league title of his career last season with Shels but he has opted for another push for honours next term as he follows the lead of teammates like Mark Coyle and Seán Boyd by extending his contract. – AF
Thursday November 21
Shelbourne: Shels defender Tyreke Wilson has committed his future to the club, signing a multi-year deal after appearing in all but two games across their title-winning campaign last term.
And midfielder JJ Lunney has today signed a new deal to keep him at Tolka Park until 2027. “It means the world to sign back with Shels. Tolka is home for me and I’m thrilled to sign back for 2025,” he said.
Two more of Damien Duff’s men have also committed their futures to the club with Harry Wood and Paddy Barrett penning new deals this evening, the latter signing a multi-year contract.
This evening, Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle also penned a new long-term deal with the champions while forward Evan Caffrey has signed for the 2025 campaign too. – SOC
Wednesday November 20
Shelbourne: Shelbourne striker Sean Boyd insists the club’s 2024 league triumph should be the standard, as he penned a new deal at Tolka Park today.
The 26-year-old played a crucial role in the Reds’ title run-in with three goals in their final three games to help Damien Duff’s men clinch a first Premier Division title since 2006.
The Dubliner enjoyed a purple patch in May too, hitting five goals in six games, while he also picked up the Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award for October.
“Thrilled to be at this club for another year,” said Boyd this evening.
“It’s been an amazing journey from when the gaffer took over three years ago to now. Last year was special but that should be the standard for the club. See you all in Tolka next season. Up the Reds.”
Goalkeeper Conor Kearns has also committed his future to Tolka Park this evening, having helped the club to the best defensive record last season.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time at Shels since coming here and continuing that journey was a no-brainer,” said the 26-year-old, who won the joint golden glove (along with Galway’s Brendan Clarke) last term keeping 16 clean sheets in 36 games.
“Last year was a special one that will live long in the memory of everyone involved at the club. But there’s plenty more work to be done to continue the rise that has taken place over the last couple of years.” – SOC
Friday November 15
Shelbourne: The Reds have announced the exit of three members of their title winning squad, including long serving defender Shane Griffin and Scottish striker Matty Smith, a keynote signing in Damien Duff’s first season in charge.
Dean Williams has also left Tolka Park after his contract expired, a well-travelled striker who made minimal impact this term. Griffin was one of Duff’s first signing at Shels, but the left-sided defender made just 12 league appearances this term.
Smith was signed on loan from Derry in 2022 before the move was made permanent, and he was involved in some big moments this year, playing a starring role in a 2-0 win away to Shamrock Rovers in May.
However, he did struggle for goals, scoring just twice in 30 appearances with 12 of those outings coming off the bench.
His final outing for Shels showcased the good and the bad with Smith scoring a brilliant equaliser in the thrilling Tolka Park derby with St Patrick’s Athletic only to get sent off for a petulant stamp in the aftermath of the Saints bagging a late winner.
Duff made no excuses for it and Smith played no part in the rest of the season, serving a three-game ban before he was an unused sub in the decider in Derry. – DMcD
Galway United: The Tribesmen have confirmed that Greg Cunningham is sticking around for the 2025 season.
The former Irish international impressed upon his return home in the summer before his campaign was cut short by a late tackle in the costly 1-1 draw with Dundalk. Garry Buckley, Jimmy Keohane and Bobby Burns have also extended their contracts.
Sligo Rovers: The Bit O’ Red have suffered with departures in the off-season but local centre-half John Mahon has penned a new two-year deal.
Mahon has thanked the club for showing faith in him with a new contract even though he missed most of the 2024 season through injury.
“It feels great to get the deal across the line”, Mahon says. “John (Russell) has shown huge faith in me in offering me a deal for next season and I want to repay that faith.”
Cobh Ramblers: The Cork side are looking for a new manager after announcing the departure of Gary Hunt. The club have recently been taken over by USA-based group FC32.
Wednesday November 13
Waterford FC: Former Ireland international Andy Boyle admits it was a tough decision to leave crisis club Dundalk as he completed his move to Waterford which guarantees him top flight football for next season.
The 33-year-old won eight major trophies in his two spells with Dundalk, but with that club condemned to an uncertain future due to their financial situation and have been relegated, he needed to move on and Waterford boss Keith Long has swooped for the Dubliner, adding to his squad in a week when the Blues released eight members of the 2024 squad. – AF
Monday November 11
St Patrick’s Athletic: New Saints signing Simon Power admits the chance to work under his former Ireland Under-21 boss Stephen Kenny was a major factor in his decision to sign a two-year contract at Richmond Park.
The 26-year-old winger arrives in Inchicore from Sligo Rovers where he scored four times in 19 appearances across an injury-hit campaign. – SOC