Finn Harps (H)

[culloty82]

The good news to start the season is that the stand appears to be sold out (bar a few restricted view seats), so all going well, there should be an excellent attendance on Friday. Of course, it's impossible to read all that much into preseason, but the very fact that the squad has had a virtually weekly programme of games eliminates rustiness or a lack of cohesion as excuses for underperformance, and it's the matches against Harps, Longford and Treaty in particular, where points and home wins will be essential. Thankfully, the issues of the second half of last season, where we struggled to even half fill our subs bench appear well and truly at an end, it merely remaining to be seen who will make a surprise breakthrough, and who will be the metaphorical chaff. Still, the performances while our strongest XI have been on the pitch have been promising, so will be optimistic and predict a 2-1 home win.

[Zico]

A massive game that we need to get something from given our next 2 are against Cobh and Dundalk, otherwise the pressure could be on early in the season. Harps were poor last year and probably even weaker this season so here’s hoping for a 2-1 win also.

Starting 11 and formation will be interesting, looking forward to seeing the new signings and also a bench with hopefully much more impact this season.

[culloty82]

https://i.imgur.com/hV7NDN5.jpeg

Generally, squad lists tend to be indicative of mindsets re the first XI, though one presumes Alabi, Brockwell and Brosnan will be in more than one team sheet, judging by preseason.

[listowelceltic]

I'm going for a 2 nil home win but not over confident. Hopefully the game sells out tomorrow. Looking forward to watching Alabi again. I'm guessing a flat back four with McQueen beside him and Sean o connell and Dunne in the full back positions. No idea how the midfield lines out but if Brookwell fit surely starts with Crowe, Brosnan and Gleeson maybe with Dan out. Seanie and Ryan for the other 2 spots?

[legendz]

My attempt at predicting the staring XI. Thinking Adams will come in for Okwute or Gleeson of the 11 that started v Rovers.

1. Tim-Oliver Hiemer
3. Sean O'Connell
20. Abel Alabi
5. Chris McqQueen
2. Alex Dunne
28. Niall Brookwell
8. Ronan Teahan
7. Sean McGrath (C)
10. Joe Adams
9. Ryan Kelliher
13. Nathan Gleeson or 11. Daniel Okwute

[culloty82]

Turns out you're on the money, legendz, with Gleeson in for Dan. Looks like it could be either 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 with that lineup.

[Zico]

Great result and so important to get off to a good start. LOITV was a joke so only saw about 30mins of the whole game - impossible to comment on player performances as a result. It sounds like all the new signings had a positive impact, which bodes well. No replays either tonight, which is disappointing as Kerry had these as part of the broadcast last year.

Hard to judge the Adam’s sending - it definitely looks like he got the ball (based on the balls trajectory after the tackle), sounds like he had a very good game too - assume it’s a 3 match ban for straight red??

[legendz]

Good result to start the season. The starting XI was along expected lines. Adams and Brookwell took their chances. Exactly what the squad needed.
Great to start with a clean sheet as well. Some going with a new keeper, two new centre backs and a new full back. Six new signings started. Two new signings came off the bench.

[culloty82]

Interesting statistical quirk - of the 73 league games we've played so far, there have only been eight clean sheets, but no fewer than four of those have been against Harps! Certainly last season, if we'd gone down to ten, there would have been a degree of panic, and quite possibly have thrown away two points, so the new arrivals, along with the greater experience of the regulars, seem to have added a great deal of composure and resilience.

[legendz]

Great game management to manage the game at 2 nil and a man down. It has got to instill confidence for the season ahead. Game management has been the key ingredient that the squad has needed. The current squad could be very capable of at least doubling last years points with the right game management.

[Zico]

Agree on game management, even the decision to make 2 tactical changes at half time when the temptation to resist changing with a 1-0 lead is much stronger - shows management is maturing and learning also.

Really controlled the majority of the game and limited harps to very few half chances.

[legendz]

Definitely good tactical changes at half time. Finn Harps were showing some signs that they could have threatened to equalise. Best to adapt before that equalising goal goes in. Goals change games as we know only too well. Hopefully something Kerry can be strong at over the course of the season. Recognizing when they are at risk, and making the right changes even if a goal or two to the good.

[legendz]

https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/statement-sse-airtricity-mens-first-division-fixtures/

"- Kerry FC fielded an ineligible player, Stevan Stanic-Floody, and Finn Harps FC fielded an ineligible player, Gavin Hodgins, in their fixture versus each other on 14 February 2025. In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, the result of this fixture is annulled, meaning that the result is void and neither team will receive any points."

"Stevan Stanic-Floody for R Teahan, 87"

An absolute disaster. Late substitution bringing on an ineligible player. No official word from the club as of yet.

[culloty82]

Will be curious to know the grounds of ineligibility - presumably his international clearance hadn't come through at the time?

[legendz]

Will be curious to know the grounds of ineligibility - presumably his international clearance hadn't come through at the time?
This is what I've read about it:

"... the issue surrounds the ITC (International Transfer Certificates) that are necessary for a player to resume his career in a different country.
... clubs pointed to the listing of the individuals on the FAI Connect app as evidence they could play, the ITCs come through the FAI’s Competitions Department.
... the central aspect of the ruling is that the participation agreement states that the onus is on the club to ensure that a player is properly registered."

[Zico]

Another twist in a crazy season that has barely got through one round of fixtures yet.

Apparently Harps and Wexford have confirmed they are appealing, but nothing yet from Kerry. Harps appealing is a strange one unless they feel they have a very strong case and Kerry don’t. It would compound it even more if they won appeal and Kerry don’t win - 3-0 to Harps then, having been well beaten on the day when an 88th minute substitution of an ineligible player had no impact whatsoever on the game!!!

[legendz]

https://kerryfc.com/kerry-fc-statement-03-04-25/

"Kerry Football Club will be appealing this unjust ruling.

Up the Kingdom!"