Kerry FC

[culloty82]

Would imagine rather than Castlebar themselves, it would eventually be the Mayo League launching a senior team, not just to get support from Ballina, Westport, etc, but also such a set-up would best be able to financially scale-up.

[CorribsideSteve]

Would imagine rather than Castlebar themselves, it would eventually be the Mayo League launching a senior team, not just to get support from Ballina, Westport, etc, but also such a set-up would best be able to financially scale-up.
That does make more sense re Castelbar as Kerry have done.

[nr637]

I hope Kerry can extend that stand before the new season, as it looks like unfinished work!

Maybe the Healy-Rae could sort something out!

[EatYerGreens]

Initial capacity will be 1,150 - as for merchandise, no replica jerseys planned yet, rather oddly, but everything else will be on sale shortly:

http://traleetoday.ie/kerry-fc-season-tickets-and-merchandise-to-go-on-sal-in-coming-weeks/

You'd imagine that will sell out easily for their first home game - expecially if it's against Waterford.

With some good local marketing/PR and a few favourable early results, they could well sell out quite a few games, as that's not a big capacity at all. Surely smallest in the league?

[EatYerGreens]

I hope Kerry can extend that stand before the new season, as it looks like unfinished work!

Maybe the Healy-Rae could sort something out!

A round of hang sangwiches and a cup of tay is about all those clowns could sort.

[legendz]

That's a decent capacity for a stand, for a club starting out. I'm excited by this. Hopefully it works out. Of course initially they will only be concerned about their own survival and consolidation in the 1st Division but over time, I hope they're successful to the extent that they can be a template for a pathway to the LOI for the likes of Mullingar, Castlebar, Cavan/Monaghan, Carlow, Kilkenny etc.The stand has 500 seats. 1150 will be the capacity.
Kerry have built up through the youth leagues. If they can become established, it would be a good template for others.

[CorribsideSteve]

A round of hang sangwiches and a cup of tay is about all those clowns could sort.
They represent the "vote for me, I got the council to fix your potholes" type of Irish political person perfectly. That Pierse Morgan-style nauseating love-in for John Delaney ... Kerry would do well to stay 1,000 miles from them.

[culloty82]

The website has updated from "Coming Soon", with the box for subscribing to the newsletter, to "Currently Under Development", which suggests work is ongoing for it to go live before long:

https://kerryfc.com/

[culloty82]

And it has just gone live today - hopefully won't be long before the senior manager is announced, along with a First Division squad.

[EatYerGreens]

And it has just gone live today - hopefully won't be long before the senior manager is announced

Please let it be Roddy....

[Shearer]

Does Brian Spillane have the qualifications?

[culloty82]

He had applied for the U19 job (which also couldn't be announced before the senior licence was awarded, and has yet TBC), but appears to be working with the new management at Killarney Celtic for the moment.

[pateen]

Not a good start there lads

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/new-league-of-ireland-side-kerry-fc-criticised-for-season-ticket-prices-42199039.html

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Not a good start there lads

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/new-league-of-ireland-side-kerry-fc-criticised-for-season-ticket-prices-42199039.html

It's getting them plenty of publicity all the same

[EatYerGreens]

It's getting them plenty of publicity all the same

For the wrong reasons though.

It's a myth that 'all publicity is good publicity'. Just ask Harvey Weinstein :D

[culloty82]

Similarly with sponsorship - ground, matchday and player rates seem unremarkable, but unlikely (to put it mildly) they'll get what they're requesting for jerseys and shorts:

https://kerryfc.com/sponsorship-pack/

[Neish]

Just show a lack of research from Kerry, like how hard would it of been to look at prices the other first division clubs set for season tickets and go similar

[culloty82]

Especially when the League itself published such a page only the week before. The more serious issues at play are that there is still no manager appointed yet, no players officially under contract as far as is known (presumably the U19s could technically play, but do they revert to KDL clubs once their season ends?), and almost certainly no merchandise released now in time for Christmas, all of which suggest a lack of preparedness behind the scenes.

[legendz]

Especially when the League itself published such a page only the week before. The more serious issues at play are that there is still no manager appointed yet, no players officially under contract as far as is known (presumably the U19s could technically play, but do they revert to KDL clubs once their season ends?), and almost certainly no merchandise released now in time for Christmas, all of which suggest a lack of preparedness behind the scenes.The tickets is madness. A complete own goal. As you say, price comparisons were readily available.
With the late licence approval, the delay in merchandise is more understandable.

[culloty82]

Interesting to read in Kerry's Eye that a dozen KDL clubs use Mounthawk Park as their home ground - as you'd expect, a number of Tralee teams, but some surprises such as Abbeydorney, Ballymac, Cloghane (Dingle Peninsula) and Lixnaw, where you would imagine they might be able to rent a field from a local landowner, as happens in many cases in the county. That said, now that the full First Division fixtures calendar is out, the KDL should be able to maximise the local schedules for the weeks when Kerry are away, as far as underage games will allow.

[legendz]

Mounthawk has been like a county ground. All clubs are familiar with it.

[culloty82]

Worth keeping tabs on - Kerry FC's first annual returns were due on November 26th, and it seems under Irish company law, the final deadline for publishing such documents is January 21st (8 weeks later):

https://core.cro.ie/e-commerce/company/4897226

https://www.cro.ie/Annual-Return/Annual-Return-Date

[culloty82]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkF5e22X0AA4SqQ?format=jpg&name=small

[nigel-harps1954]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkF5e22X0AA4SqQ?format=jpg&name=small

This is pretty dreadful without home/away clarification.

[culloty82]

TBF, those details and weekdays have now been added on their website, so perhaps they read this thread! Will be interesting to see when the friendlies are announced - presume Cork will be first in the list to target for a visit, and they should be able to swing Rovers also, given the various local connections.

[legendz]

Cork and Shamrock Rovers would be welcome preseason visitors.

[culloty82]

1604552079992754177

Presumably either confirmation of Dennehy as manager, or the release of the new jersey, if it can be announced on a schedule at the start of a working week.

[culloty82]

As expected, Billy Dennehy becomes the inaugural Kerry FC senior manager.

[legendz]

As expected, Billy Dennehy becomes the inaugural Kerry FC senior manager.

No surprise at all. The FAI Cup alluded him has a player. Hopefully he can win it as manager of Kerry! ?

[culloty82]

Seán O'Keeffe wisely not setting expectations too high, recognising that Waterford, Galway and Harps will be the big beasts in the division:

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/sport/soccer/kerry-fc-general-manager-sean-okeeffe-we-are-heading-into-uncharted-waters-and-we-have-to-be-patient-42234710.html

[legendz]

Should be matching Longford and Treaty is optimistic. Kerry enter the First Division as the 10th team. Kerry will be doing well to challenge Cobh and Athlone.
The youth teams were able to progress without scrutiny. The first year in the youth leagues was a difficult campaign. While there will be a bit of a honeymoon phase for the senior team at the beginning, it will soon give way for serious scrutiny.

[culloty82]

Yes, avoiding the wooden spoon has to be the main target for this season, and based on last year, it would seem Cobh are the biggest rivals in that regard. That said, given the sheer number of players Longford have lost in the last month, it wouldn't be a surprise if they were at the lower end of the table this time, which appears far from the case for either Treaty or Athlone.

[outspoken]

Should be matching Longford and Treaty is optimistic. Kerry enter the First Division as the 10th team. Kerry will be doing well to challenge Cobh and Athlone.
The youth teams were able to progress without scrutiny. The first year in the youth leagues was a difficult campaign. While there will be a bit of a honeymoon phase for the senior team at the beginning, it will soon give way for serious scrutiny.

At this moment in time, i'd expect treaty to be ahead of longford.

[dansultheman]

I heard that there are a few more players to be signed up from Kerry with LOI experience.

Sean Kennedy - Ex Sunderland + Cork City
Rian O Sullivan - Ex Brighton Hove & Albion Player, played underage for Ireland for many age groups
Paudie Quinn - Ex Fulham, Waterford and Limerick man from listowel has been rumored to be joining too. We all know Paudie is a fantastic footballer. If he has the right attitude, a serious addition. Bags of quality and playing for your home County makes a difference for these players.

[legendz]

I heard that there are a few more players to be signed up from Kerry with LOI experience.

Sean Kennedy - Ex Sunderland + Cork City
Rian O Sullivan - Ex Brighton Hove & Albion Player, played underage for Ireland for many age groups
Paudie Quinn - Ex Fulham, Waterford and Limerick man from listowel has been rumored to be joining too. We all know Paudie is a fantastic footballer. If he has the right attitude, a serious addition. Bags of quality and playing for your home County makes a difference for these players. There is a clear understanding that LoI experience is important. The final composition of the first team squad will be interesting to see. LoI experience, promotion from the district league ranks and players breaking through from the U19s.

[culloty82]

The new Mounthawk Park seats have arrived:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fk6Ms8bWQAArpTy?format=jpg&name=small

With the rest of the squad set to be announced in the New Year, the home jersey is the major outstanding item on the agenda (sponsorship discussions appearing to be ongoing).

[Martinho II]

The new Mounthawk Park seats have arrived:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fk6Ms8bWQAArpTy?format=jpg&name=small

With the rest of the squad set to be announced in the New Year, the home jersey is the major outstanding item on the agenda (sponsorship discussions appearing to be ongoing).

Maybe I overlooked it but what is Kerry FCs home colours can I ask?

[culloty82]

At underage level, they mostly played in an all-green strip, admittedly that was because those were the KDL colours, but would imagine the new club won't radically change things:

https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00002ksAzDaFPlE/s/750/12-S-Kerry-v-Wexford-9033.jpg

[EatYerGreens]

At underage level, they mostly played in an all-green strip, admittedly that was because those were the KDL colours, but would imagine the new club won't radically change things:

https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00002ksAzDaFPlE/s/750/12-S-Kerry-v-Wexford-9033.jpg

I'd guess their crest provides a strong indication as to the likely colours of the club?

[Martinho II]

thanks lads strongly tempted to head down to a game in Tralee when we play there in 2023. Where in Tralee is it? I havent being there since 1994 so place has probably changed loads!

[EatYerGreens]

The new Mounthawk Park seats have arrived:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fk6Ms8bWQAArpTy?format=jpg&name=small

With the rest of the squad set to be announced in the New Year, the home jersey is the major outstanding item on the agenda (sponsorship discussions appearing to be ongoing).

Are they the two grey ones on the left, or the stacked pile of dirty-looking red ones on the right? ;)

[culloty82]

thanks lads strongly tempted to head down to a game in Tralee when we play there in 2023. Where in Tralee is it? I havent being there since 1994 so place has probably changed loads!

Mounthawk is at the very western end of the town, so you can either go straight through the town, and drive out the Caherslee road, or else continue up Rock Street to Monavalley, taking a left at the roundabout. Yeah, two of the biggest secondary schools in Tralee merged around 20 years ago, and the new school is also near the ground!

[culloty82]

But basically, the most straightforward route is to follow Rock St/Monavalley onto the Bracker O'Regan Road, but turning off just before reaching O'Donnell's Restaurant.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mounthawk+Park,+128+Spa+Rd,+Cahermoneen,+Tralee,+C o.+Kerry/@52.2819472,-9.7049056,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4845355e490c2729:0x6a1192d0128f0 991!8m2!3d52.2833207!4d-9.7149156!16s%2Fg%2F119vd5tv9

[EatYerGreens]

But basically, the most straightforward route is to follow Rock St/Monavalley onto the Bracker O'Regan Road, but turning off just before reaching O'Donnell's Restaurant.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mounthawk+Park,+128+Spa+Rd,+Cahermoneen,+Tralee,+C o.+Kerry/@52.2819472,-9.7049056,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4845355e490c2729:0x6a1192d0128f0 991!8m2!3d52.2833207!4d-9.7149156!16s%2Fg%2F119vd5tv9

'Bracker O'Regan Road' is possibly the most Kerry thing I've ever heard :D

Have the Healy-Raes been similarly immortalised yet ?

[culloty82]

When they win a few All-Irelands, perhaps!

[Dermobohs]

Are they the two grey ones on the left, or the stacked pile of dirty-looking red ones on the right? ;)

Seats you can throw. And they want to invite shams????

[culloty82]

In all seriousness:

https://daplast.com/en/

[EatYerGreens]

In all seriousness:

https://daplast.com/en/

Can't be them. They'd clash with either of the red or black chairs in the photo above :p

[EatYerGreens]

Any word on how Season Ticket sales are going for Kerry? You'd hope a few people found one under the tree over Christmas.

[culloty82]

In a word, not really going at all, outside of the family tickets and possibly the terrace - they certainly can't complain about a lack of local media support, so will have to go all-in for receipts on the day:

https://kerryfc.com/season-tickets/