So good to see him back in a football environment. Hopefully gets some good senior minutes before the season is out.
A bit of news before kickoff this evening....
We are pleased to announce the signing of New Zealand U20 international winger Norman Garbett on a deal that runs to the end of the season. The 20-year-old will be eligible to play on July 1st, pending ITC.#CmonTheTown
Dundalk currently 9th of 10 in the League of Ireland - occupying the relegation play off spot, and six points off 8th in the table. Tough assignment coming up over the next few months.
So LOI it is...young Kiwis have done well there recently. Great move if he is targeting a subsequent move to England...after having a season off, hopefully he can hit the ground running. Another Kiwi getting a pro contract...good for him and NZ
So LOI it is...young Kiwis have done well there recently. Great move if he is targeting a subsequent move to England...after having a season off, hopefully he can hit the ground running. Another Kiwi getting a pro contract...good for him and NZ
The talent is there. He just needs the gametime now to push his development in the right direction.
Good chance to prove himself and push for a starting spot, especially in a team that's struggled for points (19) and goals (13 in 22 games) so far this season. Here's hoping he can make a positive impact.
Had been told that Paul Ifill was helping him try and secure a move as well. Very handy having someone with that kind of pull and reputation sitting in your corner and backing you.
Dundalk's a dodgy town. It's right on the border so that's where IRA guys used to lie low when the North got too hot for them, back in the day. The Corrs are from there, I know a guy who's brother dated one of them (not the batshark-crazy conspiracy theorist one)
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
Dundalk manager Jon Daly: “Norman was willing to come over and train and go on trial with the club, which helps because you get a look at him up close and personal. He’s very raw but he is very explosive and he can get out of the blocks very, very quickly and go either way, left or right. He’s a player that I think will excite people.”
Garbett was unveiled to the Dundalk fans, along with fellow new signing Scott McGill, before a 2-0 home defeat against Waterford. That result keeps them a mere three points clear of last place, six points adrift of the team above them (Bohemians, who have been linked with Alex Greive).
Last place goes down automatically, second to last gets to battle for their spot in a playoff with the second-placed team in the second tier. They are the lowest-scoring team in the division. They need the help. Garbett needs the opportunity. The contract may only be a short-term one (there are 14 LOI fixtures left) but there’s obviously scope to extend him if he settles in and if they can avoid relegation. Mr Daly had plenty more to say about him in the press release, offering some enlightening information...
“[Norman]’s got dual nationality and also holds a French passport and, after being in New Zealand, he was looking for an opportunity to play in Europe and went to Italy. Things went on in the background at the club and he found himself in a position where he didn’t get many minutes and unfortunately missed out on the Olympic squad, which is disappointing for him.
It’s going to take him a while to get up to speed but it’s one of those where we’ll give the kid an opportunity to come in and try and find himself a home until the end of the season and then we’ll look at it after that. He’s been on different trials in the UK but he doesn’t meet the criteria to go there yet and obviously with him having an EU passport, it opened it up for us to bring him in and have a look and hopefully he can have an impact from an attacking sense between now and the end of the season.”
That “doesn’t meet the criteria” stuff about UK clubs is likely one of those pesky post-Brexit things, where it’s trickier now to get a work permit. He is eligible for a British passport but obviously he went with a French one to help him out in the EU. He does at least have several options moving forward... but before anything else he’s gotta get on the pitch and create some goals for Dundalk.
Doesn't seem to have made any kind of impression. 1 sub appearance then nothing.
2nd sub apperances (1 in the FAI Cup), and apparently he made quite favourable impressions. I'm guessing he's injured which after over a year of not playing seemingly anywhere, was always a chance.
Team News Andy Boyle resumed training this week after recovering from the groin strain that has kept him out for the last five games but there are doubts over Norman Garbett while Dara Keane and Paul Doyle are injured.
Game postponed with St Pats having a big UEFA Conference League qualifier in Istanbul. Dundalk not happy, especially as they go 3 weeks now between games when the LOI often has congested fixtures (teams play each other 4 times in a season)
A statement released by the League of Ireland said: ‘The postponement comes as a result of the unique opportunity that now exists for two League of Ireland clubs to compete in the League Phase of UEFA Club competitions for the first time as St Patrick’s Athletic travel to Istanbul for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League Play-Off with İstanbul Başakşehir.
‘Having taken into consideration the exceptional circumstances that the fixtures between each leg for St Patrick Athletic is six days instead of the standard seven, the League of Ireland has postponed this Sunday’s fixture at Oriel Park and a new date will be announced in due course.’
The decision means that Dundalk’s next game, against Shelbourne on Friday, August 30th, will come 21 days after their last competitive outing against Derry City on August 9th.
“To call a game off, 46 hours before it is due to get underway, is farcical,” said Daly. “I think it shows that if you make enough noise and apply pressure in the right areas you can clearly get your way.
“The reasons that the FAI have outlined for postponing the game were as relevant last Thursday, when St Patrick’s Athletic qualified for the playoff round, as they are today. A decision could easily have been made at that point to postpone the game.
“From a football point of view, we will have gone 21 days without a competitive game. That is completely unacceptable at a stage of the season where we have just nine fixtures to play.
Must win for Dundalk if they are to avoid automatic relegation you feel, with only 5 LOI games left. To do that Dundalk need to catch Drogheda United (9th, 29 pts)
With 3 games left, Dundalk look doomed for relegation, with Drogheda United (33 pts) the only team they can mathematically catch.
Dundalk lose tonight, and yes that relegation is confirmed. Maybe a season in the Irish 2nd tier could help Garbett jnr. Didn't do Corban Piper any harm.