The January transfer window is nigh upon us, and for clubs across all levels of the Irish League set-up, it is a difference-making opportunity.
Already the rumour mill swirls. Crusaders confirmed on Monday that 26-year-old attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy has been transfer-listed, piquing the interest of suitors both home and abroad as a mercurially gifted player is made available.
Cliftonville’s Chris Gallagher is set for a switch to Larne, per reports, but it is unclear whether that deal will happen in the winter or summer. At Glenavon, goalkeeper Rory Brown has also been put on the transfer list at his own request; a move to Derry City seems the most likely scenario.
As much as it may send heads scratching, there are opportunistic others eager to pounce.
Regarding Kennedy, who is an advanced lynchpin of the Crues’ system, Linfield and Glentoran have their eyes on the former Stevenage man but fellow full-timers Larne would appear to lead the chase at this juncture.
And in Gallagher’s case, boss Jim Magilton’s strategising skills may come to the fore.
The midfielder’s contract is up in the summer of 2024; do you, then, try and agree a fee or a player swap but still give up a key component to a title rival, or do you retain your star until the summer but potentially reap the rewards in the short term?
It’s a tough dilemma and a gamble, but fine margins are regularly decisive when it comes to the title conversation.
January, right in the middle of the campaign, is prime time to steal a march – particularly at the top of the table.
In 2022/23, Larne’s mid-season transfer activity proved an all-important factor behind their title glory.
Scottish line-leader Andy Ryan’s winter arrival from Hamilton Academical and his subsequent sustained goal-getting exploits proved pivotal; Joe Thomson, Micheál Glynn and Thomas Maguire further beefed up the depth.
A welcome boost it so proved and, come the end of the term, the champagne corks were popped and the celebrations began as the Inver Reds secured their first-ever Gibson Cup.
Could someone else take a chance this year? Well, as the holders appear to have a blueprint plotted for repeating that feat, there is cause for the other challengers to do likewise.
Linfield, for instance, were recently dealt a significant blow when midfield maestro Chris Shields sustained a long-term leg injury in the BetMcLean Cup penalty shoot-out success against Larne.
Impressive young guns like Rhys Annett, Aodhan Doherty, Darragh McBrien, Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill – the latter two both debuted in the Premiership at 15 and have Everton and Arsenal tracking them respectively – have been deployed by David Healy and impressed, but the Blues boss has confirmed he will be active in the market and likely eyeing up seasoned pros.
Cliftonville are set to prioritise depth should they be searching out reinforcements in their winter recruitment, but news surrounding Gallagher may force tweaks in other areas. Glentoran, who have experienced an uptick in form at the tail end of 2023, are not at any immediate risk of losing a star name but may also pursue options to light up their fire, while Crusaders must of course give thought to a post-Kennedy future.
The festive season is a time for giving and receiving, after all – even in the football sphere. And the post-Christmas wheel-and-deal could, just as it did a year earlier, shape the second half of the campaign.
Featured image from INPHO/Stephen Hamilton.
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