Eoin Sheahan

They're coming with a new heavy hitter this season in James McLean.

You'd have to say that makes them a bigger contender than they've been at any stage over the last number of years.

McLean is definitely a new element, but they're not an aspect of deja vu here where we kind of say they've got the quality in the squad now to contend.

And then after two months of the season, we're like, oh, actually, you can't just sign a heap of players and hope for them to be a cohesive unit within their first couple of games.

A couple of other bits on Derry City, Vinnie.

On the surface being relayed, I often thought the controversy around the surface or how much it's been spoken about over the last couple of years is

It was actually something that was in Derry's favour because they're playing on it more than anybody else.

In the long run, is this going to be a good thing for them?

eight day months and the one way of fixing that is getting back onto the grass They're going to play six games at Celtic Park which is right beside the Brandywale in fairness You can see the floodlights actually on one to the other yeah So that's going to be an interesting wrinkle to them this season Just one final question on them in terms of

you know the influence of McLean are we about to enter into an era where James McLean gets the sort of Damien Duff treatment I suppose he doesn't have to come out and do media after every game like a manager would so there is that wrinkle it's funny you're conflicted on a little bit aren't you because getting called

Talk to us about today's news then that Shelburne have managed to secure the signing of Will Jarvis.

This was a real race to get him.

How big a deal is this going to be in terms of not only Shelburne's season but in terms of what way you're looking at the entire league this year?

Vinny, you've described Shells as being there thereabouts.

You're making them a title contender?