Derry City's loss appears to be Finn Harps' gain if the movement of Gavin Dykes and Tom Mohan are anything to go by. And making matters even worse for the Foylseside club comes the news that midfield general, Paul Hegarty, also wishes to defect to the Northern club's bitter cross-Border rivals.
Dykes was released by Derry boss, Felix Healy, at the end of last season and Finn Harps' manager, Charlie McGeever, was quick to take advantage, signing the Sligo man on a two-year contract.
But Mohan, who had spent three seasons at the Brandywell, will sign for Harps later this week, having agreed a three-year deal. The 24year-old right winger moves to Finn Park under the Bosman ruling, having completed his Derry contract.
And Healy's woes have been compounded with news that Hegarty wishes to move on. That switch, however, will not be as straightforward as the Donegal man recently signed a new three-year contract. "Paul Hegarty is not going anywhere," confirmed Healy last night. "He remains under contract and I would expect him to honour the deal he signed two months ago," he added.
Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers are understood to have made a bid of £5,000 to sign James Keddy but Derry have dismissed the offer, claiming the figure is "nowhere near" their estimation of the Dubliner.
Keddy, who has one year of his contract remaining, has spoken to a number of National League clubs but it appears his future lies between newly promoted Waterford United and Shamrock Rovers. While Healy appears to be rebuilding the side which flopped during last season's campaign, Omagh Town's prolific goal-scorer, Michael McHugh, will join the "Candy Stripes" on July 1st.
And Omagh team-mate, defender Michael Kelly, has also agreed to sign for his hometown club. That move, however, will not materialise until August 1st, when his contract expires. Both players will arrive at the Brandywell for free.
The FAI have announced plans for their coaching courses, clinics, and soccer academies which will provide a range of opportunities for coaching and training throughout the country this summer.
The soccer coaching clinics for boys and girls aged nine to 16 years run for one week each from June 29th to July 31st at 18 venues. National coaching courses will be held during August in Dublin and Cork for levels one to three during week-long and weekend sessions
In addition, the FAI/FAS Soccer Academies are now available for enrolment. They will run from September to May of next year and are open to 16 to 18 year-olds who currently play for a soccer club. There will also be a women's academy which will be based in Dublin and open to women aged between 18 to 25.
Details of all these courses are available by contacting the FAI at 8900 700
