Kerry FC

[EatYerGreens]

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

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

"Daniel Okwute is special and he knows it. By joining Stockport County the 19-year-old Killarney native has managed to do what only a handful of Kerry players have done before him: sign a professional contract with a club in England’s Football League".

That opening line speaks volues to me about the perception issue we have in the LOI. Stockport County have a decent (old) ground and get good crowds. But if joining them is being presented as a measure of success for a Kerry lad 'living the drewm/being special' then our league still has a long way to go. I appreciate that they were talking in general tersm about signing as a pro for an English club, but Stockport are only back in the English League a few months after 11yrs as a non-league club

(Apologies - the quote won't un-bold unfortunately)

[culloty82]

True, but that would seen as just a starting point, and if he gets off to a decent start, then a club higher up the echelons might be tempted to take a punt. In any case, the general idea is that once the team joins the First Division, the more conventional pathway would be Premier Division and then abroad, unless of course Championship scouts decide to take an interest in the second tier, and US college scholarships will also be an alternative.

[culloty82]

Interesting thread by the Irish Football Blog on potential players (of varying probabilities!) and how to pitch the club to the general public:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1573953959030562816.html

[culloty82]

Interesting the point made about Karl O'Sullivan having played with the Kerry U17s - just having come through the academy system would fit in with the general ethos, the question being whether he'd want to leave a fairly thriving Premier club.

[sadloserkid]

Interesting thread by the Irish Football Blog on potential players (of varying probabilities!) and how to pitch the club to the general public:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1573953959030562816.html

Nice article though leaving Cobh off their list of Munster clubs is an interesting oversight. The first steps in creating a rivalry perhaps?

[culloty82]

TBF, it was one of the blog contributors who wrote the piece, and said he'd been typing at 3 in the morning!

[EatYerGreens]

It was a strange ommission to be fair. Especially as he then referenced Cobh a few times in the section about who people had previously played for.

You'd think the article would be amended online accordingly too.

[GUFCghost]

A strong first team manager could help sell the romantic notions of being a part of a brand new club, I imagine they won't have the cash for a big name though

[dansultheman]

A strong first team manager could help sell the romantic notions of being a part of a brand new club, I imagine they won't have the cash for a big name though

I agree. I think Kerry FC will look to appoint within on their maiden season. You bring in a well known manager he is going to want to bring in players too of his own. All cost $$$ and that time will come but not in their first year. Could be wrong!

[culloty82]

The U19s are having a reasonably strong season, having lost relatively few games in the second half of the year, so would imagine if Dennehy wants the job, he'll have first refusal.

[culloty82]

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

[dansultheman]

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

Great to see and looking forward to seeing more upgrades on a facility that needs this. The first home game of the season the place will be rocking.

With minimal sports being played on Friday's, you got to imagine Friday Nights League of Ireland football will be thriving in Tralee.

[listowelceltic]

Culloty82 thanks for pics. Is main stand being extended full length of pitch?

[EatYerGreens]

Really looking forward to taking in a game down there next seaosn (touch wood re the license).

[Philosophizer]

Culloty82 thanks for pics. Is main stand being extended full length of pitch?
What is it currently? Only half the pitch?

[listowelceltic]

last time i was there, which was some time ago, the stand went full length of one half and just past half way in other half

[nigel-harps1954]

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the pitch there. Is it just being brushed, or what work are they doing on it?

Good to see them being proactive with facilities though. One club you can hope to be a success in the LOI.

[culloty82]

I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the pitch there. Is it just being brushed, or what work are they doing on it?

Good to see them being proactive with facilities though. One club you can hope to be a success in the LOI.

They were told during the FAI visit that the astro they had on site wasn't up to the LoI standards, so they had to install a "Professional" quality pitch, as KDL clubs will still use the ground for fixtures the weekends that Kerry are away - as for the picture, there was literally torrential rain in Tralee yesterday, which would account for the rather damp appearance.

[nigel-harps1954]

They were told during the FAI visit that the astro they had on site wasn't up to the LoI standards, so they had to install a "Professional" quality pitch, as KDL clubs will still use the ground for fixtures the weekends that Kerry are away - as for the picture, there was literally torrential rain in Tralee yesterday, which would account for the rather damp appearance.

Are they just replacing with another astro or putting in a grass pitch?

[culloty82]

Another astro, because grass wouldn't be able to cope with the sheer number of junior league games it hosts over the course of a year.

[ger121]

Tidy little ground. Make a great away trip.

[culloty82]

Today is the last licensing deadline, for the submission of financial information, after which they just have to continue their own preparations, and wait for the final news at some point in November.

[nr637]

Culloty82 thanks for pics. Is main stand being extended full length of pitch?

By the by, if the main stand is being extended full length of pitch, what will its full seated capacity be?

Any images of Mounthawk Park, just curious to know what is opposite main stand and behind each goal as far as spectator capacity!

[legendz]

By the by, if the main stand is being extended full length of pitch, what will its full seated capacity be?

Any images of Mounthawk Park, just curious to know what is opposite main stand and behind each goal as far as spectator capacity!500 seating currently. Extending will probably double that to 1000.

[culloty82]

As the underage League of Ireland seasons winds down, all of the Kerry teams have played their final home games as of today - most impressively, the U19s haven't lost at home in the league since May.

[Philosophizer]

500 seating currently. Extending will probably double that to 1000.
And are there plans to extend it the full length of the pitch?

[legendz]

And are there plans to extend it the full length of the pitch?Not that I'm aware of. The pitch being upgraded from "quality" standard to "professional" for next February and the current seating being replaced are the only changes required for licencing.
Talk of extending the stand is hopeful thinking. Limerick were in Jackman Park for years. Mounthawk Park is comparable in capacity. The Markets Field stand is also just half a length. Just have to cut their cloth with what they have.

[nigel-harps1954]

Not that I'm aware of. The pitch being upgraded from "quality" standard to "professional" for next February and the current seating being replaced are the only changes required for licencing.
Talk of extending the stand is hopeful thinking. Limerick were in Jackman Park for years. Mounthawk Park is comparable in capacity. The Markets Field stand is also just half a length. Just have to cut their cloth with what they have.

Would presume they'll have to install some form of fencing in front of the stand too. From pictures it just seems like it's open from the seats onto the pitch?

[GUFCghost]

Why did they build it along only one side of the pitch in the first place? Looks very odd

[nr637]

Why did they build it along only one side of the pitch in the first place? Looks very odd

Is it time for the Joke thread!

Did you hear about the Kerry man that built the stand along only one side of the pitch................! :confused:

Anyone able to add a funny punch line? :rolleyes:

[nigel-harps1954]

Is it time for the Joke thread!

Did you hear about the Kerry man that built the stand along only one side of the pitch................! :confused:

Anyone able to add a funny punch line? :rolleyes:

Something, something, potholes, something, drink driving, Healy Rae..etc

[culloty82]

John O'Regan gave an interview in today's Kerry's Eye, ​where we learn that a decision is now "imminent" (which would tie in with the licensing reports), and that Walter O'Halloran of the FAI will visit Tralee next week to determine if the facilities are up to standard. On capacity, he is expecting attendances of 700-900 for League games, but aims to cater for up to 2,000 in the event of a Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers, for instance.

[nr637]

John O'Regan gave an interview in today's Kerry's Eye, ​where we learn that a decision is now "imminent" (which would tie in with the licensing reports), and that Walter O'Halloran of the FAI will visit Tralee next week to determine if the facilities are up to standard. On capacity, he is expecting attendances of 700-900 for League games, but aims to cater for up to 2,000 in the event of a Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers, for instance.

Why Shamrock Rovers, I would have thought Cork City would be a bigger attraction and any team from Munster after that! :o

[culloty82]

True that, now if you'll just hold off on that promotion for another 12 months! ;)

[EatYerGreens]

John O'Regan gave an interview in today's Kerry's Eye, ​where we learn that a decision is now "imminent" (which would tie in with the licensing reports), and that Walter O'Halloran of the FAI will visit Tralee next week to determine if the facilities are up to standard. On capacity, he is expecting attendances of 700-900 for League games, but aims to cater for up to 2,000 in the event of a Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers, for instance.

Those attendance figures should easily be achieved in the first few games, but will obviously depend on how well the team is doing. With no tradition of watching senior football week-in week-out in Kerry, if they have a bad first season they could see crowds go down to Wexford-type levels.

Still good that they're not being crazy in their expectations.

[Philosophizer]

Those attendance figures should easily be achieved in the first few games, but will obviously depend on how well the team is doing. With no tradition of watching senior football week-in week-out in Kerry, if they have a bad first season they could see crowds go down to Wexford-type levels.

Still good that they're not being crazy in their expectations.
Didn?t Cabo have about 1500 or more at their first game?
Pretty soon they couldn?t pay people to turn up and support the team.

[culloty82]

Yes, that would be achievable simply by promoting the team within the various underage clubs across the county, but as you say, will be rather a harder task to attract casual sports fans - up until May should be somewhat easier, as even Kerry GAA fans can be rather lukewarm about the league, but Championship fervour between then and July would challenge any attendance expectations, to say the least!

[EatYerGreens]

Why did they build it along only one side of the pitch in the first place? Looks very odd

Half a stand is better than none ?

[dansultheman]

Yes, that would be achievable simply by promoting the team within the various underage clubs across the county, but as you say, will be rather a harder task to attract casual sports fans - up until May should be somewhat easier, as even Kerry GAA fans can be rather lukewarm about the league, but Championship fervour between then and July would challenge any attendance expectations, to say the least!

Considering Kerry Gaa (County and Club teams) play mostly on Saturdays or Sundays, I do not see how that would significantly impact attendances. Kerry are talking averaging 1,000 people a home game. Is there any other sports in the county who play at National level on Friday nights? I know the basketball team is there but they can only host 400 - 500 people.

During the summer, I would imagine supporters from away teams would see it as a great weekend away in the Kingdom which will add to the attendance. I think the attendance numbers will surprise a lot of people. When Kerry U-21's first started, they had decent crowds which ranged from 500 - 800 people and that was U21's.

[culloty82]

No, Friday would be completely free for them sports-wise, Tralee Warriors generally play home matches on Saturdays, and even then, the basketball season runs Oct-Mar, so little overlap with the LoI.

[Martinho II]

Didn?t Cabo have about 1500 or more at their first game?
Pretty soon they couldn?t pay people to turn up and support the team.

Yeah I think you are right as I do remember reading Cabo having a huge crowd for their first game!

[outspoken]

Didn?t Cabo have about 1500 or more at their first game?
Pretty soon they couldn?t pay people to turn up and support the team.

Think the vast majority of that was Cabo schoolboy players and their parents but yep, huge crowd, there was pyro and everything. No reason Kerry can't do the same and get all the local teams invited for the first game

[nr637]

I reckon there is a big enough sports public in Tralee and the surrounds to support Kerry FC for their first year and if they are competitive and play a reasonable attractive game they will keep the interest. The days of only GAA is now a myth. There is so much sports interest and media coverage of sports available that Kerry and places like Tralee are typical areas that people are aware and want different sports to follow. I reckon there are a lot of soccer supporters, who would be delighted to have the option of being able to go to a League of Ireland game on a Friday night and now Tralee will be able to offer this entertainment choice.

[Martinho II]

My knowledge of football in Co Kerry is rather limited which of Killarney or Tralee would best suit Kerry FC?

[culloty82]

If you mean for hosting matches, the KDL have spent the last two decades working on developing facilities, so whether it was a county application (as had been mooted before following the U21s success in the 2000s) or a club team, Tralee was always the likely venue.

[CraftyToePoke]

It will be interesting to see where attendances are ten games in or so, if the side is making up the numbers in Div1 mid table or below.
Irish people like to support success & Kerry people particularly are used to supporting success. LOI core support Vs support when good times come are two very different sets of numbers.

In your opinion, culloty82, where are the club aiming, financially, in their opening season ? Is there a promotion budget possibility here ? It seems very well orchestrated, and I wouldn't be surprised if they meant business from the off.

[culloty82]

Treaty are arguably the financial template they'll follow for the first few years, given you're proving that having a well-coached, well-motivated squad of largely local players isn't incompatible with success on the pitch. From what is known so far, the investors have a background in US college soccer and will be prepared to scale up the budget if necessary, but are content to let everything be organised from Kerry - in any case, Dennehy has been talking about a ten-year plan, which must be the first time a new club has wanted to dampen down expectations!

[ger121]

Is it time for the Joke thread!

Did you hear about the Kerry man that built the stand along only one side of the pitch................! :confused:

Anyone able to add a funny punch line? :rolleyes:

He said there was already plenty of places to stand on the other side.

[EatYerGreens]

My knowledge of football in Co Kerry is rather limited which of Killarney or Tralee would best suit Kerry FC?

Tralee has a significantly larger population than Killarney (24,000 vs 14,000 in 2016, and probably a bigger gap since), so for that reason alone would make the most sense.

[legendz]

Tralee has a significantly larger population than Killarney (24,000 vs 14,000 in 2016, and probably a bigger gap since), so for that reason alone would make the most sense.
Tralee is more accessible from North, South, East and West. Most clubs around the county are familiar with travelling to Mounthawk Park.