Your club's goals, ambitions for 2023

[culloty82]

Kerry will be looking no further than a respectable points tally in season one, and if they can overtake any First Division club in the process, all the better. More broadly, the aim will be to play entertaining football, unearth at least one potential breakthrough player, and record average attendances that can ensure a sustainable future.

[joey B]

I’d love to say challenge for promotion but I’d doubt it at the minute,still alot work to do in putting together a squad for us so I’ll reserve judgment until I see how we’re looking in April/May….

[sbgawa]

Good question.
Obvious ansewer is win 4 in a row and emulate the great team of the 80's but i would like to see a few of the young kids make a real push to be regular starters.
Noonan, Nugent and Gideon all could be really good for us this year.

[RealJohn91]

Cautiously optimistic about Bohs if we sign some decent defenders over the next few weeks. Wouldn't be expecting too much after such a big turnover in players but there's some decent attacking players like Afolabi to get excited about.

[SPXcyan]

I think my club Waterford FC have only one ambition, to win the First Division and avoid another play-off, we'd simply lose again no matter who we were to go up against.
I'm a little worried about the very small squad, however we are apparently to sign a few more soon, with one or two more coming over from Fleetwood.

On a side note, I'd be hoping for a decent season for Kerry, I've family from Killarney so I have a soft spot for anything Kerry related.

[ger121]

Be in the fight for a Top 4 spot. Simple as that really.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I suppose Treaty, given the resources to hand, can't really expect much more than what they have been able to do already, namely be good enough to grab a play-off place but that's about it.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Well Pats don't have the upheaval we had last year , Clancy has had a year in the job and we have most our best eleven from last year plus a few decent new additions, i'd be hopeful of top three and a cup run with a couple of good results in Europe too maybe ( relegation battle incoming )

[nigel-harps1954]

Get a playoff spot. Build for next year. Promotion isn't a realistic target when we're up against sides with massively bigger budgets. We've a small squad, a lot of young players, and lads new to the league. It'll take time to build.

[Jd2793]

finishing 7th or 8th would be good for us (city) cant see us bettering what shels did last year our squad isnt strong atm. could well strengthen in the summer but if we have a solid cushion between ourselves and play offs ill be happy.

[pineapple stu]

Signing a player or two wouldn't go amiss I think...

[Jack B]

I suppose finishing 3rd or at least being well in the mix for it as we were towards the end of last season, plus making more of a fist of the cup and hopefully a good European draw and/or run.

Not sure how well-equipped we are for it at this point though, it's been a weird off season in terms of incomings and knowing how the likes of us, Dundalk, Bohs and Sligo are shaping up against one another.

[outspoken]

First time in a long time I've ZERO expectations going into a new season. We've an entirely new squad and new coaching staff, it's a very very young squad, having watched us on Saturday I reckon we might unearth a few talents and will play on the front foot and go for it so it could be a fun season, not placing any pressure on us, just going to see where this year takes us.

[Neish]

Its a big rebuild job for Rodgers at Harps and he'll be on a tight budget, arguably a bigger job than Horgan ever faced.
If we are still in with a chance of the playoffs come the end of the season I'll be happy

[ForzaForth]

First season as a manager for James Keddy, so I'm relaxed enough re this season. If Wexford can keep three teams below them like last year, I'd be happy enough.

[Olander]

Win the title.

[EatYerGreens]

Get a playoff spot. Build for next year. Promotion isn't a realistic target when we're up against sides with massively bigger budgets. We've a small squad, a lot of young players, and lads new to the league. It'll take time to build.

When's the new stadium supposed to be ready - 2024 ? 2025 ?

[ontheotherhand]

Win 4 leagues in a row.
Qualify for the ECL or EL groups
Win the double
Get Jack Byrne back to his best.

In that order. Financially speaking it should be European progress on top but the 4 in a row would live longer in the memory and who knows who we will get in the European draws. Would almost have the double ahead of Europe but getting into a group stage in back to back seasons would be a nice achievement. Seeing Jack Byrne back to his best would increase the chances of the 3 above but is obviously not close to the others in terms of preference. Still think he could be a useful option for Ireland if he could get properly fit again.

[oriel]

To be competitive and have a chance of re-qualifying for europe would be nice. Also with a high coefficient of 8.5 that will be enough for 2 rounds seeded in conference league, possibly 3, a good run in that would be nice, but sometimes even seeded can go against you.

Almost sure we were the seeded side in 2021 v Vitesee Arnhem, probably should have beaten them away mind (2-2) then we forgot we had Abibi and Sonny still at the club for the second leg and lost.

[legendz]

Entering as the 10th team with a young team and inexperienced team, challenging 9th and 8th is the ambitious target.

[DCSIL]

Get through a round or two in Europe, have a good go at a league challenge, Retain the FAI Cup.

[total hoofball]

I expect some progression from Shels with Duff and our early twenty-something players now having a full season of full-time Premier Division football under their belt. Otherwise we haven't strengthened enough to push for top four probably expectation to push for 5th/6th but Sligo and Bohs don't look any weaker so it could well be another 7th place finish for us this season

[placid casual]

A lot of teams can win a league.
Good teams win 2 in a row
Great teams with 3 in a row
Only the best teams win 4 in a Row.

[nigel-harps1954]

When's the new stadium supposed to be ready - 2024 ? 2025 ?

Either June or July 2024. Can't remember which, but summer of 2024 either way. This will be our last full season in Finn Park, barring any hiccups along the way with building.

Builders due on site in March.

[thebronze14]

Hopefully sneak the last PO space. Don't think we'll be challenging any higher than that. Would be great to hit the ground running but it's going to be a totally new squad so patience will be needed. A few of our blowhard fans won't grant that though so I expect complaints early on. I expect to see a more expansive style of football and a more positive outlook from the management

[kksaints]

Ideally a title challenge but realistically 3rd should be our target with progression to the 3rd round of the Conference League playoffs depending on the draw. A good cup run should also be a target.

[culloty82]

Hopefully sneak the last PO space. Don't think we'll be challenging any higher than that. Would be great to hit the ground running but it's going to be a totally new squad so patience will be needed. A few of our blowhard fans won't grant that though so I expect complaints early on. I expect to see a more expansive style of football and a more positive outlook from the management

Waterford should win the division fairly handily, but wouldn't think there'd be much between yourselves, Galway and Bray, even with all the squad turnover?

[brendy_éire]

Get through a round or two in Europe, have a good go at a league challenge, Retain the FAI Cup.

Pretty much the same.

I've been fairly unimpressed with our signings over the off-season. Combined with players we've lost, I'm not too convinced we can even close the gap much. We'll need a proper improvement in home form to achieve that.

A lot depends on your draw, but I'd really be hoping to get through at least one round of the ECL this year.

[joey B]

Waterford should win the division fairly handily, but wouldn't think there'd be much between yourselves, Galway and Bray, even with all the squad turnover?

Looks a big gap between ourselves and Galway atm in my opinion anyway,hard to call though after the top 2 ,loads of time left for squad to be finished ….

[nigel-harps1954]

Waterford should win the division fairly handily, but wouldn't think there'd be much between yourselves, Galway and Bray, even with all the squad turnover?

Lot more experience in the likes of Bray, Wexford and Treaty. We have a totally new squad, a lot of which has little or no LOI experience, and it's a building from the group up sort of start.

That being said, a playoff spot is the least we should hope for, we have a budget that is definitely in the top five, and that should be reflected in the end.

[WexCar.]

First season as a manager for James Keddy, so I'm relaxed enough re this season. If Wexford can keep three teams below them like last year, I'd be happy enough.

I'd expect better than a 7th place personally, I think Wexford need to be getting a Play off spot, a 5th place would be a mark of progress.

[timothydec77]

For Cork ambition is avoid the drop.

Anything else is a bonus.

[Dermobohs]

For us, a team actually trying will be nice, I’d expect (if we add a bit of defensive quality) fourth or fifth and a cup run.
Delighted to see the rear of a big bunch of absolute wage thieves, I place as much blame on them as Keith long, who just proved not strong enough.
Cautiously optimistic depending on another four to five signings of football players who can actually back up the talk.

[EatYerGreens]

Get through a round or two in Europe, have a good go at a league challenge, Retain the FAI Cup.

Apart from Europe, that's just a repeat performance of last year. Amd with the lottery of the cup it could easily end up being a poorer year.

Surely there'll be pressure for Higgins to deliver a title either this year or next ?

[EatYerGreens]

For Cork ambition is avoid the drop.

Anything else is a bonus.

I'll be stunned if you don't finish above at least UCD, and probably also Drogheda, anyway

[Jd2793]

For Cork ambition is avoid the drop.

Anything else is a bonus.


really? usher came in and told us he wanted a midtable finish, finishing 8th would have been the goal under FORAS imo. our squad is short of PD quality in a good few areas i think, usher will get a rude awakening if he thinks whats been assembled so far is mid table worthy.

[TonyD]

Ideally a title challenge but realistically 3rd should be our target with progression to the 3rd round of the Conference League playoffs depending on the draw. A good cup run should also be a target.

Pah. Treble or Clancy out !!

(Yes, of course I’m kidding. Top 3 and another cup final would be nice.)

[Louth4sam]

Can't see us finishing ahead of Rovers, Derry or Pats and the majority of our signings seem to be gambles. Together with the injury records for some of our better players we need a lot to go in our favour. If three or four of the new signings work out we will challenge for third or better but can't see it happening.

[gufct]

Promotion as league winners preferably.

[2 Year Contract]

Can't see us finishing ahead of Rovers, Derry or Pats and the majority of our signings seem to be gambles. Together with the injury records for some of our better players we need a lot to go in our favour. If three or four of the new signings work out we will challenge for third or better but can't see it happening.

Did John Mountney ever sign a new contract for this season? I saw on twitter that he picked up another long term injury during pre season but didn’t see anything about him signing back so I wonder was he just training while waiting for an offer?

[A N Mouse]

Broadly as others have said. Improved home form, closing out games. Progress at least one round in europe. Some kind of title challenge, and retain the cup.


Apart from Europe, that's just a repeat performance of last year. Amd with the lottery of the cup it could easily end up being a poorer year.

Surely there'll be pressure for Higgins to deliver a title either this year or next ?


I mean finishing outside the top two probably wouldn't go down well, but expectaions are tempered somewhat, this year, as we're still seen as playing catch up.

The signings are slightly underwhelming, but they're not upsetting the apple cart, go some way to having proper competition for every position and it's encouraging that we're signing players that rovers were in for.

In truth both teams had problems last year, but Derry should have been able to take advantage and lead the title race going into the run in, but there were too many dropped points. Nip that in the bud and we'll see how things stand going into October this time.

[Stiof]

Broadly as others have said. Improved home form, closing out games. Progress at least one round in europe. Some kind of title challenge, and retain the cup.




I mean finishing outside the top two probably wouldn't go down well, but expectaions are tempered somewhat, this year, as we're still seen as playing catch up.

The signings are slightly underwhelming, but they're not upsetting the apple cart, go some way to having proper competition for every position and it's encouraging that we're signing players that rovers were in for.

In truth both teams had problems last year, but Derry should have been able to take advantage and lead the title race going into the run in, but there were too many dropped points. Nip that in the bud and we'll see how things stand going into October this time.

Also, we'll have Connolly, Duffy and Diallo available for the full year this year.

[oriel]

Did John Mountney ever sign a new contract for this season? I saw on twitter that he picked up another long term injury during pre season but didn’t see anything about him signing back so I wonder was he just training while waiting for an offer?

He was contracted to end of 2023, although he was abs solid from summer onwards when asked to play right full, I would not have gone near him with his injuries, or would have at max given him 1 year.

Latest injury still being assessed.