Kerry FC

[pineapple stu]

Have they ever qualified for the FAI Cup? I don't remember them in it

[culloty82]

They did reach the Junior Cup semis in 2019-20, so presumably would have qualified for the 2020 edition had Covid not intervened.

[EatYerGreens]

When a team does the double four years on the trot you have to ask two questions
1. Are they that good?
Or
2. Is the opposition that bad.

In fairness, they can only beat whatever opposition is put in front of them.

Though if they were much good on a national level, they'd have made progress in the national cup tournaments as well.

[dansultheman]

In fairness, they can only beat whatever opposition is put in front of them.

Though if they were much good on a national level, they'd have made progress in the national cup tournaments as well.

Killarney Celtic are a decent Junior side. Having walked the Kerry League the past number of years I think it will come down to the players either wanting to A) Play at a much higher level every week or spend their best years chasing the FAI Junior Cup.

A player would go from 6-8 good games a year to 36. Each is to their own but any young ambitious player would surely try and get on the Kerry FC squad.

Matt Keane made the move to Treaty to play LOI and they will see that and want to follow, IMO. They could well follow him to Kerry FC should he decide to play LOI with his own County.

[passinginterest]

If it works out anything like Wexford Youths did, long term it'll probably make Killarney an even stronger junior side. North End United would have always been the big junior side in Wexford and had a few decent FAI junior runs, they probably suffered a bit when Youths was set up and took some players from them, but in recent years they've seen a lot pf players with League of Ireland experience coming back to them and they won the FAI Junior in 2018 and are consistently in the shakeup these days. The league of Ireland team brings players into the area as well as giving opportunities to locals and why they drop back to local leagues it raises standards there.

[EatYerGreens]

If it works out anything like Wexford Youths did, long term it'll probably make Killarney an even stronger junior side. North End United would have always been the big junior side in Wexford and had a few decent FAI junior runs, they probably suffered a bit when Youths was set up and took some players from them, but in recent years they've seen a lot pf players with League of Ireland experience coming back to them and they won the FAI Junior in 2018 and are consistently in the shakeup these days. The league of Ireland team brings players into the area as well as giving opportunities to locals and why they drop back to local leagues it raises standards there.

Wexford have bucked the trend as a completely new LOI entity that hasn't disappeared (yet ?).

How is the club funded these days ? Is Wallace no longer involved at all ? It's a shame the club hasn't managed to build up much of a support base in the town - but I guess always struggling near the bottom of the FD will do that to a club.

[nigel-harps1954]

Wexford have bucked the trend as a completely new LOI entity that hasn't disappeared (yet ?).

How is the club funded these days ? Is Wallace no longer involved at all ? It's a shame the club hasn't managed to build up much of a support base in the town - but I guess always struggling near the bottom of the FD will do that to a club.

I'd say Wexford are unfortunate, similar to Longford, in that where their ground is located goes against them. It must be a 10km run out from the town to Ferrycarrig Park, especially with the last 2km or so out through the back roads.

They've shown in the past that they can attract a steady crowd to games, and big crowds for one off games, but you can't help feeling the location kills any chance of a decent growth for them.

Stand to be corrected on this as well, but I think Wallace is still a fairly primary sponsor of the club as opposed to directly involved anymore.

[culloty82]

Wexford are largely run by their Supporters Trust, with local businesses and football clubs also asked recently to invest additional finances:

https://wexfordfc.ie/latest-news/1344-club-statement-14th-july-2022

Brian Ainscough is in charge of the administrative end of Kerry's bid, and has said that the financial backers will only be made public if/when a license is granted, which raises suspicions, but hopefully is only to avoid a repeat of the Irish Sea debacle.

[EatYerGreens]

Wexford are largely run by their Supporters Trust, with local businesses and football clubs also asked recently to invest additional finances:

https://wexfordfc.ie/latest-news/1344-club-statement-14th-july-2022

Brian Ainscough is in charge of the administrative end of Kerry's bid, and has said that the financial backers will only be made public if/when a license is granted, which raises suspicions, but hopefully is only to avoid a repeat of the Irish Sea debacle.

I think it's reasonable to respect their privacy if it doesn't come off. Otherwise any organisation in the town looking a few bob for something will know that there was a group of people prepared to invest in something for the area that didn't come off, and who therefore have available money kicking around (so cue the begging bowls). It's their money, so their right to stay private about it all. I'd be slightly more concerned if they wished to remain in the shadows even if the license bid succeeds (but again - it's their money).

[Martinho II]

Wexfords sponsors Wallace we were talking about it at the game the other nite think its MWs Co that is in Temple Bar that is sponsoring them!

[dansultheman]

I'd say Wexford are unfortunate, similar to Longford, in that where their ground is located goes against them. It must be a 10km run out from the town to Ferrycarrig Park, especially with the last 2km or so out through the back roads.

They've shown in the past that they can attract a steady crowd to games, and big crowds for one off games, but you can't help feeling the location kills any chance of a decent growth for them.

Stand to be corrected on this as well, but I think Wallace is still a fairly primary sponsor of the club as opposed to directly involved anymore.

Fortunately for Kerry FC, their home ground is no more than 2 Km from the Centre of the town of Tralee. A new walkway from the town that can take you to a seaside area goes right by the grounds which is roughly a 15-20min walk for most in the town. Add to that is no more than a 5-7 min drive, it’s a huge plus for getting bigger consistent crowds.

[culloty82]

The Killarney Celtic manager, Brian Spillane, has confirmed he has been offered the Kerry U19 managerial position for next year, but has yet to decide either way.

[culloty82]

Kerry FC deny the Kerryman report, saying that the hiring of management is ongoing, and TBF, they generally issue tweets whenever official announcements are made:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1562407825501978624

[culloty82]

Chris Hegarty appointed Club Community Officer, which will require significant travelling across the county:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1563131318031958016

[legendz]

Chris Hegarty appointed Club Community Officer, which will require significant travelling across the county:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1563131318031958016
Another positive step.

[culloty82]

Ivan Hurley, who will be familiar locally from his sports reports on Radio Kerry, is the Kerry FC Media Officer.

[EatYerGreens]

Honestly - if Kerry aren't a shoe-in for a league license at this stage, then who the hell would be ? I don't recall any other club being so organised or professional in the run up to a league application.

[culloty82]

Radio Kerry's flagship sports programme, Terrace Talk, had a 30-minute piece on Kerry FC last night (begins about 5 minutes into the link below), talking to all the principal figures involved - largely concentrates on the work that has been done to date, and also hopes for a women's team further down the line:

https://www.radiokerry.ie/podcasts/terrace-talk-podcast/terrace-talk-august-29th-2022-295073

[CraftyToePoke]

Honestly - if Kerry aren't a shoe-in for a league license at this stage, then who the hell would be ? I don't recall any other club being so organised or professional in the run up to a league application.

Never mind a licence, they are probably worth a tenner for promotion ;)

[culloty82]

With the FAI Cup Final fixed for Nov 13th and the promotion/relegation playoff final also down for that weekend, it would make sense for licensing announcements to happen the following week, although given the real possibility of a play-off team reaching the Cup final, that could further extend the playing season.

[culloty82]

Kerry's Eye confirms that the completed application was duly submitted on schedule yesterday - there'll be virtually nothing to report for the next two months, given that'll presumably largely consist of e-mail correspondence and visits to Tralee.

[legendz]

Kerry's Eye confirms that the completed application was duly submitted on schedule yesterday - there'll be virtually nothing to report for the next two months, given that'll presumably largely consist of e-mail correspondence and visits to Tralee.


Now that it's August, a look at the timetable that Kerry will have to meet:

August 31st: Completed licence application submitted to FAI.

September 15th: Receive preliminary report stating that all necessary information has been received.

September 30th: All financial documentation must be submitted to the FAI.

September/October: Application is reviewed according to the five licencing categories.

November (Date TBD): Licensing Day.

November: ​Unsuccessful clubs have 5 days within which to appeal.Will Licensing Day be a new public holiday?!
Ideally the application result will be announced as early as possible in November. December then based on last year for the fixtures announcement. Interesting months ahead.

[culloty82]

Any shortcomings won't be down to the lack of backroom staff, at any rate!

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1565384297636405248

[CraftyToePoke]

Kerry's Eye confirms that the completed application was duly submitted on schedule yesterday - there'll be virtually nothing to report for the next two months, given that'll presumably largely consist of e-mail correspondence and visits to Tralee.

If Carlsberg did LOI Div 1 licencing applications ha ..... :D

[Longfordian]

Oh the innocence of a new applicant. There are the "ah come on lads", "that's what you told us last year", and "you were supposed to have this sorted months ago" stages that they don't like to broadcast.

[dansultheman]

Boxes continue to get ticked, surely at this point the club will have to announce the manager soon. November is leaving it late to get some decent players (Kerry born) on who have been with neighboring clubs the past few seasons. You'd imagine Billy Dennehy would be a shoe in, but Kerry FC also have Brendan Maloney coaching their U17's. Former Nottingham Forest Defender who played in the Championship may would be a contender also.

[legendz]

Treaty United were left with a very late application approval. November is fair enough for approving a licence. Fixtures then to be announced in December.

[culloty82]

Boxes continue to get ticked, surely at this point the club will have to announce the manager soon. November is leaving it late to get some decent players (Kerry born) on who have been with neighboring clubs the past few seasons. You'd imagine Billy Dennehy would be a shoe in, but Kerry FC also have Brendan Maloney coaching their U17's. Former Nottingham Forest Defender who played in the Championship may would be a contender also.

Seán O'Keeffe quoted in Kerry's Eye saying that managerial announcements will be made when the process is over, but given the story above about the U19s, candidates for the senior post are also presumably being interviewed. As for players, the Terrace Talk interview mentioned they'd interest about trials from Kerry-born LoI players - Matt Keane would seem the most likely, as Treaty fans here have suggested before.

[nigel-harps1954]

Boxes continue to get ticked, surely at this point the club will have to announce the manager soon. November is leaving it late to get some decent players (Kerry born) on who have been with neighboring clubs the past few seasons. You'd imagine Billy Dennehy would be a shoe in, but Kerry FC also have Brendan Maloney coaching their U17's. Former Nottingham Forest Defender who played in the Championship may would be a contender also.

Does Billy Dennehy have his A Licence for the First Division?

You'd also presume they're working in the background on this sort of thing without announcing it publicly anyway.

[culloty82]

I'd have thought he'd need a UEFA A Licence to be coaching the U19 team?

[EatYerGreens]

It's a shame Cork are likely to get promoted, as Kerry vs Cork for the first game in Tralee would have been epic

[dansultheman]

One would assume he would need to have that to coach Kerry U-19's.

It is looking like Cork City and Galway Utd and going in two different directions. Certainly would have bumper crowds in Tralee for those Derby games, but never say never in football.

[culloty82]

https://twitter.com/StockportCounty/status/1565716185093754887

Obviously, you don't want to deny him an opportunity in England, but fair to say Okwute would have been the linchpin of the attack next season.

[legendz]

It's a shame Cork are likely to get promoted, as Kerry vs Cork for the first game in Tralee would have been epicIt is. If Cork and Waterford would kindly forgo promotion for a year, it would be great.
Shamrock Rovers on qualifying for the First Division one time called it the Discover Ireland league, or something like that. It would be great to enjoy a tour of Munster while following Kerry FC!

[nr637]

Any details about transfer fee for Daniel Okwuto!

[culloty82]

Any site that has mentioned it all just say "undisclosed", but if established LoI stars are only making £30k in the market, even £10k would seem unlikely! Even U19 provincial players have agents nowadays, it transpires:

https://twitter.com/quorum_sports/status/1565719243370422272

[nigel-harps1954]

Would have only been on an amateur form there, it would presumably be a development fee received rather than a transfer fee.

[culloty82]

Unsurprisingly, he has been immediately loaned back to Kerry to see out the remainder of the U19 season, which ends in late October, or perhaps November if they go on a run in the Enda McGuill Cup, by which stage he'll know what plans Challinor has in mind for him at Stockport.

[culloty82]

I suspect Ballymac native Tony Leen, who's the Sports Editor with "de paper", may have had a chat with the editorial team! ��

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/ourview/arid-40955450.html

[dansultheman]

Would anyone be able to share the list of Kerry players playing with League of Ireland clubs other than Matt Keane and Gary O Neill??

Inside the county you have these ex players still at a good age to potentially get back to playing LOI football with Kerry. Surely this would be a very motivational factor!

Paudie Quinn (Ex Fulham, Waterford Utd & Limerick player)
Bryan Murphy (Ex Cobh Rambles)
Kevin Williams (Ex Cobh Ramblers)
Shane Lowth (Ex Limerck & Cobh)
Sean Kennedy (Ex Sunderland & Cork City)
Rian O'Sullivan (Ex Brighton Hove & Albion)
Shane Guthrie (Won Division 1 titles (Cobh, Limerick, Rovers)
Darren Dennehy (Ex Everton, Bury, Cork City, St Pats)


Factor in Matt Keane at Treaty and the others who are currently playing in Munster, along with the current U19 lads and you could have a very competitive side out for Kerry FC.

[nigel-harps1954]

Isn't Will Fitzgerald from Kerry?

Karl O'Sullivan is from Glin, so not a million miles from Tralee either if he wanted a handy commute.

[brendy_éire]

Isn't Will Fitzgerald from Kerry?

Karl O'Sullivan is from Glin, so not a million miles from Tralee either if he wanted a handy commute.

Fitzgerald is from Limerick, I think.

I couldn't imagine the likes of Fitzgerald and O'Sullivan leaving Sligo for the wages Kerry could offer though (I presume), never mind the step down from the PD. Maybe longer term thinking that they may go there when they're a bit older?

[nigel-harps1954]

Fitzgerald is from Limerick, I think.

I couldn't imagine the likes of Fitzgerald and O'Sullivan leaving Sligo for the wages Kerry could offer though (I presume), never mind the step down from the PD. Maybe longer term thinking that they may go there when they're a bit older?

Ah yeah, not suggesting they'll jump ship next year. Perhaps if Kerry have a successful couple of years, possibly earn promotion, or get themselves in a position to be able to offer competitive wages to those sort of players.

[culloty82]

One name that came up in a search is Seán Kelly, he's 35 now, and the head coach of Lansdowne Yonkers in the US - could surely be coaxed back for a season in some capacity?

[Martinho II]

One name that came up in a search is Seán Kelly, he's 35 now, and the head coach of Lansdowne Yonkers in the US - could surely be coaxed back for a season in some capacity?

Wonder is this the same Sean Kelly that played with us on loan from Shamrock Rovers in the 07 season?

[culloty82]

No, this one played 110 league games for Cork, Limerick and Galway, so even if he seems to be retired now, that kind of LoI experience would be invaluable to any club, especially if he has managerial aspirations.

[culloty82]

Today, the FAI will formally acknowledge receipt of Kerry FC's application, while simultaneously stating which, if any, parts of the documentation are incomplete.

[EatYerGreens]

Today, the FAI will formally acknowledge receipt of Kerry FC's application, while simultaneously stating which, if any, parts of the documentation are incomplete.

Any update ?

[culloty82]

That'll all be in-house, so very much a case of where you don't want a public update! As Longfordian says on the last page, this'll probably be the stage where parts A, B, C are OK, more details will be wanted on D and E, and F is missing altogether, but provided everything's in order by November, we'll be none the wiser about such things.

[culloty82]

Interview with Daniel Okwute about growing up in Killarney and settling in at Stockport:

https://killarneyadvertiser.ie/sport/daniel-okwute-has-high-hopes/