However, speculation is mounting on Leeside that Hall is to sign for them. City's current run in Europe clearly puts them in a better light at present than Dundalk, whose Championship-winning exploits two years ago have more recently been swopped for relegation troubles and controversial signings. Another point which the Corkonians are banking on is the fact that Cork is almost 100 miles nearer to Waterford than Dundalk, so should Hall decide to stay living in Waterford, it would only take him an hour and a half to travel to training.

There is no prospect now of Hall staying with Waterford United, no matter how many people want him to stay. This follows Tommy Lynch's comments in The Examiner that both Hall and Trond Debes were "costing us a pretty penny, what with travelling home a few times a year, accomodation and meal costs and then their wages thrown in."

He continues: "We were paying out several hundred quid a week and we just had to cut back. I was sorry to see Trond Debes and Tony Hall go, but it was all down to finance. Tony has been linked with a possible move to Dundalk, but I think Trond will stay at home in Norway to play his club football there. I was hoping to get him a start at my old club Shrewsbury Town, but that fell through".

Though cruelly released by Waterford United, the club with which the towering defender is idoled by the local following, a number of his coleagues at the club want him to re-sign for the club. According to sources very close to the player, Hall has not yet signed for anybody, but will be playing in the South-East next season.

Though fans and team-mates alike are resigned to seeing Hall being left go, it is believed that some of his friends are trying to talk Hall into staying at Waterford United.

All this begs a number of interesting questions for Waterford United fans... What they will want to know is if Hall can re-sign for the club, would it be for less wages than he is presently receiving? As the Blues' best and most-loved star, is he not worth what he is being paid already? Or was his fortnightly trip back home one burden too many? Why would Kilkenny City offer him the same deal that he has been enjoying at the RSC?

Should Hall re-sign for the Blues, that would also cause more questions to arise, such as why tell the player he wasn't wanted, only to take him back again? Many fans could be forgiven for thinking this was all a cost-cutting exercise.

It's now off to Iceland for Whittle and two others from the Malaysian squad, Paul Whelan and Damien Duff, as part of a group of 16 representing Ireland at the European U-18 Championships.

Ireland's campaign begins with a 6pm start on Monday, July 21st against France, with the following Saturday seeing them in action versus Switzerland, at 2pm. The last of the Group B matches sees them face Israel on Monday the 28th at 4pm.

The greatest opposition in the group would appear to be France, with the Very Young Boys in Green more than capable of finishing second in the group, if not better.

• Having had the Irish soccer scene refreshed thanks to the exploits of Brian Kerr's lads in Malaysia, it would also be refreshing to see coverage of the Championships on RTE, along with Cork City's excellent exploits so far in the Inter-Toto Cup.

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Following the departure of Joe Lawless, another player from Dublin possibly on his way to Waterford is Shamrock Rovers striker Sean Francis - that's according to rumours circulating on the Irish soccer mailing list.

The squad have begun pre-season training, so beginning the countdown until the start of the season.

Season ticket sales are doing briskly, so if you want to be guaranteed a seat for every match next season, contact the agents at Patrick Street. Adult prices are £150, with junior tickets retailing at £80.

The opening matches will be on the weekend of August 15th, in the League Cup. At the moment, no friendlies have been arranged.

Kilkenny City have arranged friendlies though. The fixture list at Buckley Park reads: July 19th v Burnley, July 21st v Fulham, July 24th v Tranmere Rovers.

Despite being one of the three nominees short-listed for the FAI National League First Division Player of the Year, and his place alongside former goalkeeping supremo Scott Garlick in the hearts of Blues fans, Hall has not been offered a new contract, and has become a free agent.

There are conflicting reports as to the circumstances of Hall's impending departure, but what seems most likely is that he was costing the club too much (see July 1st). As it happens, finding a ready-made replacement for him will probably cost more. Unfortunately, it looks as if there will be comeback from this as different sources more or less say the same thing, though for different reasons.

Kilkenny City have been interested in the player for some time, as have a number of other clubs. While the Cats are favourites to snap him up, they may face opposition, particularly as Hall could easily slot into any Premier Division side in Ireland, and is good enough to play in the First Division in England if not the top flight.

Hall's departure will be a massive blow to the hopes of the Suirside club, particularly as Kilkenny have virtually coaxed the signature of Alan Reynolds. His appearance in the amber and black next season would double the Tramore contingent at Buckley Park to two, alongside Reynolds' friend and GAA team-mate Brian Arrigan, another former Blues player.

A number of players are on their way into Waterford as part of Tommy Lynch's summer spending spree, with the five signing mentioned in late May still firmly in focus.

After an audacious move for Ashley Stephenson, a bid of £15,000 has been put in for Cobh Ramblers goalkeeper Michael Devine, with £8,000 being offered for Paul Carr, the Limerick midfielder.

At present, Hall returns home to England every fortnight to see his family, and it was thought that his regular flights home were costing too much. Despite this, he was almost certain to be a starter for Waterford United in the coming season.

But with the Cats destined to be involved in top flight action for the next two seasons, the lure of playing against the best players in Ireland will be too much for him, no matter how much he loves Waterford and the club. It is thought he will continue to live in Waterford.

It's another major coup for Alfie Hale and Jimmy Rhatigan, who could now easily field a full team made up of former Waterford United players. Thier preperations for the coming season include building new terracing along the length of the pitch opposite their stand. They expect crowds of at least 2,000 each week next season.

Anybody watching the World Youths Cup on television at the moment may have noticed a few rule changes which are being implemented in the tournament. The new statutes come into operation on July 1st. They are...

• An indirect free kick is awarded when a goalkeeper handles the ball after a direct throw-in by a teammate.
• The goalkeeper is allowed to move on his goalline but not forward before a penalty is taken.
• A goal can be scored direct from the kick off or from a goal kick.
• Goalkeepers can be penalised if the referee deems that the ball has been held longer than five or six seconds from the time he has total control of it. In this case, an indirect free kick is awarded against him for time wasting.

Lynch says he's loking forward to the new season with even more signings due to be made - but one thing he's not looking forward to is the six week break in the season due to take place around Christmas. This is to facilitate the completion of the League Cup competition. Lynch says he's totally against the move, and cannot see the logic in it.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny City have announced a number of pre-season friendlies which will take place next month. Among the clubs to be tempted over are Burnley and Fulham. More details on this tomorrow.