There could be more Dundalk players leaving Oriel Park in the near future, according to a fairly pessimistic-sounding Stephen Kenny at a press conference today.
After an incredible season, Dundalk players could understandably be caught in a bit of a quandary regarding where to commit their futures. Undoubtedly the memories of the Europa League heroics are still fresh in their minds and they feel an attachment to the club, to Stephen Kenny and to the other players that remain. But ultimately, it's a short career in football and some will be keenly aware they only have a short window in which they can make as much money as possible from the game.
This is something Stephen Kenny is only too conscious of. Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle are off to taste Championship action with Preston North End and, in quotes carried in a report by Gavin McLaughlin of the 'Dundalk Democrat', Kenny today expressed his fear that further departures from Dundalk are imminent.
We're in negotiations with a few players but it's a very strong possibility that we'll lose players to other clubs, maybe in the UK and the League of Ireland. It's something we'll have to contend with.
And it seems that there was an element of resignation from Kenny, perhaps hinting at unsuccessful contract negotiations in recent times.
Success can change people...People start thinking about their jobs and their life outside of football and they start to look at other factors.
But despite the fact that Kenny seems certain they will lose more names - perhaps, one might speculate, the likes of Stephen O'Donnell and Ronan Finn, whose futures are still up in the air - he is determined that nothing will change how the club is run moving forward.
When I was in my first year at Dundalk we turned down players because they wouldn't come and train here. We might lose a few quality players but we won't compromise or change our way of thinking.
This year there might be a lot more changes and it won't happen overnight. We have until February 20 to finalise our squad but we will be strong regardless.
