AND ON AND on scrolls Sky Sports’ News yellow ticker until 11pm tomorrow night, at which point the transfer window will slam shut. (The window never slips gently closed.)
Here are a few Irish players whose movements are worth tracking until the end of transfer deadline day.
Michael Obafemi (and Chiedozie Ogbene)
Obafemi finally put a run of games together last season at Swansea and the goals soon followed: 12 in all, followed by that thumping strike against Scotland for Ireland. Swansea have struggled in the early part of the season and multiple reports in England say Burnley want to sign Obafemi before the transfer window closes, though both clubs are far apart in their respective valuations: Swansea reportedly want up to £12 million for the Irish striker. If Obafemi does leave and Swansea are forced into finding a replacement, it may mean movement for Chiedozie Ogbene.
Ogbene has been relocated from wing-back to striker at Rotherham this season and has been sensational, scoring four goals in his first five games. Swansea boss Russell Martin expressed his admiration for Ogbene a few weeks ago, but Rotherham have yet to receive any bids for their Irish international. Should Swansea come into some money over the next day or so, that fact may change.
Callum Robinson
Robinson was linked with a return to Preston at the start of the window, but his old club wanted a loan move where West Brom would only countenance a permanent transfer. That transfer may yet happen, although it may not result in a return to Deepdale. Sky report that Robinson is in talks with fellow Championship side Cardiff City, having been left out of the squad for last night’s draw with Wigan. West Brom, meanwhile, are close to agreeing a deal for another forward, Brandon Thomas-Asante of Salford City.
Jason Knight
Knight was naturally tight-lipped on his future when he was in Ireland camp at the end of last season, but with Derby relegated to League One and Knight entering the final year of his contract, there was a widespread expectation that he would leave. He is still there, however, showcasing his versatility by playing most of the season thus far at right-back. At this stage, it looks most likely he’ll remain at Derby for the season, with reports circulating that he has been offered a new, two-year contract at the club. There have been persistent links with a Championship move, however, including to John Eustace’s Birmingham, so it may be a scenario to keep an eye on ahead of the deadline.
Hard to be much worse than last season, but it there merit on focusing entirely on youth when U21′s and minors have been so poor in recent years.
This years minor team lost by 5 points to all Ireland champions Tipperary. This was closer than any team got to tipp this year and Cork were 6 points up at one stage of the 2nd half.
Closer than the Waterford team that beat Tipp?
@Stephen Casey: that was u21
Both Sean.
http://munster.gaa.ie/fixtures/minor/
The Waterford team that were beaten by cork in the 1st round
Yes they were. Cork had a good minor team this year. But to say they came closer to Tipp than a team that beat Tipp is incorrect.
Surely brosnan and moylan will be involved when there involvement with the glen is finished
Not arguing that there aren’t some talented young hurlers in Cork, things can’t be that bad, but given the lack of success at underage for an extended period it seems unlikely there are bunch coming through to revive the senior team. Just seems like some managers do out of desperation and an easy answer, just bringing some young lads onto a sinking ship won’t do them any good.
So, basically he’s getting his young lad on the team!
His young lad who’s widely considered one of the best young hurlers in Cork….
His young lad I have seen since u 14. A very good talent
His young lad is a serious talent.
Pa Callaghan is the fella he should be after…
Ye a very good player and putting him senior can bring him on more look forward to seeing him in the league
@John S: @John S Truth the last thing we need now is nepotism further hurting our chances of becoming a side that can even be competitive with the likes of the top tier teams such as Wexford and Clare.
From what I seen of him last year I taught Cronin was a good player
@ John S. – to be fair to him, shane Kingston is a handy enough hurler; he hasn’t come out of nowhere & is there on merit. Plenty of younger players from the Dev squad – time will tell
Pa O’Callaghan should be in there…refusing the invite again, what his beef i wonder?
Pa callaghan is a good prospect
Pa callaghan much better