The Transfer Window hasn't been hectic by any means in the Eircom League. Perhaps the clubs are showing the financial acuteness that was always needed or it could be that most of the top-half clubs already spent their budget scrambling for Shelbourne's 2006 league winning squad last November and December.
In saying this, there have been some surprising signings and the lower table and lower league clubs seem to have managed to get themselves some top players in the process. Here are some of the best:
Alan Reynolds Waterford United to Shamrock Rovers
The vastly experienced Reynolds will now join the young Rovers side in their title challenge after leaving struggling Waterford for the Hoops. Stints with Shelbourne along with his time at Waterford United should bridge the gap between the former Division One players and Reynolds's proven Premier Division credentials.
Robbie Doyle Macclesfield to Dundalk
Doyle seems to have been a crucial signing for John Gill. The former St Pats, Bohs and Bray striker has been around a lot for a 25-year-old player but his Premier Division experience could be a difference maker if Dundalk are to shake off the challenge of Cobh Ramblers and Limerick 37.
Glen Fitzpatrick Drogheda United to St Patrick's Athletic
Fitzpatrick joined St Pats on deadline day which brought an end to his Drogheda United tenure. A previous Shels player like Dave Rodgers, Garry O'Neill and Joseph Ndo, overcrowding in the squad seems to be a recurring problem for Fitzpatrick as he will now be fighting the title challenge from the opposite side.
Dave Rodgers Derry City to St Patrick's AthleticRodgers was one of the players who followed Pat Fenlon to Derry City from Shelbourne but seven months later he would be returning to Dublin to join St Pats in their title race. Rodgers departed not long after Fenlon and it was no surprise that a Dublin side would come knocking for Rodgers sooner or later in July.
Alan Keely Waterford United to Shelbourne
Father and son are reunited as Alan Keely becomes one of the ten new players at the new Tolka Park side under Dermot Keely. The now former Premier Division defender has experience vying for promotion with Dublin City under boss Dermot Keely and even more recent experience staying up by the skin of the teeth with Waterford United. However, his experience in the weekly grind of matched will be a huge asset to Shels as they rebuild on after the end of the season.
Greg O'Halloran Derry City to Galway United
O'Halloran has been on the move now three times in the last three years. League winners medals with Cork City and Shelbourne saw O'Halloran follow Pat Fenlon to Derry City with Dave Rodgers and Alan Moore. However, now that the Fenlon tenure at the Brandywell has been cut short, Galway pulled off a major coup in signing O'Halloran and is a further indication that Terryland Park wants to be a Premier Division ground beyond next season.
Robbie Kelleher Shamrock Rovers to Limerick 37
Kelleher gained some notoriety with his double against Longford Town at Tolka Park on the second week of the season. However, the partnership of Tadhg Purcell and Ger Rowe has left Kelleher in search of first-team action and his departure from Rovers looks to be the biggest signing for Limerick in their attempts at pulling off a miracle surge to the Premier Division.