PATRICK McELENEY COULD be playing in Major League Soccer in 2018 after he revealed interest from an unnamed club in the top tier of football in the USA.
McEleney, who has come to the end of a two-year contract with Dundalk, is also reportedly weighing up offers from several clubs in the UK, including Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic.
However, the 25-year-old playmaker has told the Derry Journal that he’s still “a couple of weeks away” from making a decision on his future. Dundalk are keen to keep McEleney at Oriel Park, while the possibility of returning to Derry City is also on the table.
“There are big clubs involved and I’ve met a few now,” he told Simon Collins. “The MLS is really appealing but everything has to be right. It’s not just about me, it’s about everyone.
“It’s dragging on a bit now but I expected that anyway. There has been interest from here and other places like America, England and Scotland. But I’m just going to take my time and try and make the right decision.”
McEleney — who has represented both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at underage level — enjoyed a stellar 2017 for a Dundalk side who finished second in the Premier Division, reached the FAI Cup final and won the EA Sports Cup. He scored 11 times in all competitions, including several goal-of-the-season contenders.
After moving to Oriel Park from Derry City, McEleney won a Premier Division medal in 2016. He has also been named in the PFAI Team of the Year in each of his two seasons with the Lilywhites, as well as being a Player of the Year nominee in 2017.
McEleney, whose older brother Shane currently plays for Ottawa Fury in the United Soccer League, added: “I wouldn’t say anyone is leading the race or anyone is coming last, it’s just a case of weighing everything up and there’s still a lot of thinking to be done.
“It’s always nice to have interest from everywhere because, to be honest, I’m undecided on where I’m going to go.”
It’s a just reward really. I’d have been calling for Fitzgerald, but my main conplaint about Earls has been defence and he’s shut that up to be honest. It’d be nice to know if he is an option for centre cover going forwards.
Yeah. Speaking as one of his vocal detractors he’s been very sound defensively in the first two games. hopefully he’ll make it three from three.
I’m mostly suprised he’s going for three matches in a row.
He can’t really intend to start him against France then considering if we win he could potentially have to go 7 weeks without a break between matches. That would be tough enough for even someone with notable stamina reserves like Heaslip.
Professional players playing 3 weekends in a row is not really a cause for concern. DTH Van Der Merwe was doing 3 games in 11 days!
Why can’t intend on starting him V France?
He’s been outstanding and the crap about his so called defensive frailties is just that, crap.
Barring injury he’s a shoe in for the France game.
Yeah the 3 matches isn’t really the big deal its more the potentially of having to play 5,6 or even 7.
Canada could have DTH in all their games because it would have been very optimisitic of them to expect to qualify ahead of us or France, so really they’re searching for any wins they can get.
I’m not arguing that he can’t play, I rate Earls highly, I’m arguing the logic of starting a guy with a long injury history for 4 international tests in a row.
wellan injury is healed or it’s not. when it’s not you have the protracted return to form we’ve seen…so let’s assume hes in the clear. If you ask him does he want to work at Bunratty Castle to avoid injury or potentially play in 8 games and get f3cked, which do you think he’d take?
Honestly, the thought of Bastereux running at him full pelt scares me. Earls has kicked on in a massive way but I’d much rather a certain stronger defensive pairing for that game.
Imagine the look on Basteraud’s face when He gets levelled by the smallest player on the pitch.
I agree with David. As I posted on the other article I’m surprised at Earls inclusion simply because I think he should start against France on the wing and in the (hopefully) subsequent matches. However, unlike most of the team he will have started every game if that’s the case.
Never really noticed Kieth until the Wales game in the Aviva his tackling and counter rucking was too class and since then really enjoy watching him do his business.
Sound.
Hes a good winger but not a centre especially against an elite team. Would have went with Fitzgerald at 13 and earls on wing instead of bowe.
Ireland’s weakness is the midfield where there is a lack of creativity and line breaks
Earls will shut up a lot of clowns on this site and so will Joe , ya Joe hasn’t a clue what he’s at , ya useless coach , ya who in their right mind would start a player that at 21 was picked to go on a loins tour , ya has no talent , Joe is chancing his arm , oh my god
So has he left Boyzone for good now?