Sam: "He played for Finn Harps last year and was one of the top strikers in the League of Ireland First Division. I wrote a previous article on who I considered statistically to be some of the best semi-professional strikers in the UK and Ireland and the data came up with him. He had 17 goal contributions, was in a percentile rank of 91 for duels won and completed the most dribbles in the division. He can create things out of nothing and at over six foot, he's strong, dribbles by players with ease and he's someone I'm really excited to see playing in the Premiership."placeholder image
Sam: "He played for Finn Harps last year and was one of the top strikers in the League of Ireland First Division. I wrote a previous article on who I considered statistically to be some of the best semi-professional strikers in the UK and Ireland and the data came up with him. He had 17 goal contributions, was in a percentile rank of 91 for duels won and completed the most dribbles in the division. He can create things out of nothing and at over six foot, he's strong, dribbles by players with ease and he's someone I'm really excited to see playing in the Premiership."

RANKED: The 10 most underrated January transfers that could make a big impact in the Irish League

Johnny Morton
By Johnny Morton

Sports Journalist

Published 6th Feb 2025, 10:55 GMT
Updated 7th Feb 2025, 18:58 GMT

After more than 50 deals were completed by Premiership clubs throughout January, the window has now slammed shut.

There were some statement signings, including the likes of Kieran Offord and Callumn Morrison to Linfield while Tiarnan O’Connor (Larne), Joe Thomson (Glentoran), Declan McManus and Levi Ives (both Coleraine) were also on the move.

Those players stole most of the headlines, but we asked analyst Sam Hutchinson to find 10 transfers which he feels went under the radar and could make a big impact throughout the rest of this season and beyond.

Here’s what he said:

Sam: "I don't know if you would call this underrated, but it's a really smart piece of business. To an extent Coleraine's business has looked like getting the best players out there, but this is smart because yes he's bringing quality - he played 30 games in the 2022/23 season in the Scottish Premiership - but having played a lot of games at a high level, Dunne is going to be someone who can provide great leadership to those young guys and be a rock at the back as Coleraine look to build a solid spine."

9. Charles Dunne (St Mirren to Coleraine)

Sam: "I don't know if you would call this underrated, but it's a really smart piece of business. To an extent Coleraine's business has looked like getting the best players out there, but this is smart because yes he's bringing quality - he played 30 games in the 2022/23 season in the Scottish Premiership - but having played a lot of games at a high level, Dunne is going to be someone who can provide great leadership to those young guys and be a rock at the back as Coleraine look to build a solid spine." Photo: Coleraine FC

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Sam: "Glentoran signed Ciaran Coll from Derry City and he has already made an impact, making eight interceptions and five blocks in his first league game as the Glens defeated Loughgall at Lakeview Park last month. He also started in their Irish Cup win over Linfield."

10. Ciaran Coll (Derry City to Glentoran)

Sam: "Glentoran signed Ciaran Coll from Derry City and he has already made an impact, making eight interceptions and five blocks in his first league game as the Glens defeated Loughgall at Lakeview Park last month. He also started in their Irish Cup win over Linfield." Photo: RICHARD TRAINOR PHOTOGRAPHY

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Related topics:Sam HutchinsonPremiershipLinfieldLarneGlentoran
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