2026 Predictions and early musings

[legendz]

UCD have been consistent enough the last two years amassing 56 and 59 points respectively. A strong 2025 saw 3 clubs finish above them.
All clubs who missed out on the playoffs will be looking at catching Treaty. Anyone finishing above UCD are likely to finish comfortably inside the playoffs places.

[Martinho II]

The riverside never closed. The main obvious reason to Shels budget next year being much bigger than 2025 is the circa €4.5 million they earned in Europe this year, plus the few million put in by investors on top of that

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?

[Shinkicker]

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?
The stand behind the goal at the Drumcondra end.

[total hoofball]

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?
Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

[ger121]

Does the new increased capacity in Tolka now bring it back into play for a Bohs move or is that door still firmly shut.

[Shinkicker]

Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

If this stand was to fill for each home game it would generate 300k - 400k assuming a price of between 20-25 euro. Certainly not to be sniffed at. There are clubs in the league would love that additional income.

[ontheotherhand]

If this stand was to fill for each home game it would generate 300k - 400k assuming a price of between 20-25 euro. Certainly not to be sniffed at. There are clubs in the league would love that additional income.

Can't see shels hitting 6k very often though. They didn't sell out the current capacity for a lot of home games. As total hoofball says above, they probably will for derbies but if they can't have everything open for European games that will be about it.

Not having a go at Shels here at all. It's great to see that stand back open. I have fond memories of being absolutely terrified of the Djurgardens ultras from that stand.

[Martinho II]

Can't see shels hitting 6k very often though. They didn't sell out the current capacity for a lot of home games. As total hoofball says above, they probably will for derbies but if they can't have everything open for European games that will be about it.

Not having a go at Shels here at all. It's great to see that stand back open. I have fond memories of being absolutely terrified of the Djurgardens ultras from that stand.

Im curious to know why that stand was ever closed in the first place?

[redarmyfaction]

Im curious to know why that stand was ever closed in the first place?

Safety reasons IIRC.

[EatYerGreens]

Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

It would also be very unwise to allocate any ticket money that's not yet earned from a stand that hasn't been opened for years to the playing budget. As that's money that's then committed and you have to be able to stump up.

Sensible accounting practise would be for clubs to use a fairly conservative estimate of gate money when setting their playing budget - probably based on the average of recent seasons, minus a heathy 10-20% (?). Because if things go wrong on the pitch, gate receipts soon take a dive. Yet the club would still be committed to whatever contracts they signed expecting that cash to still be there. They can always alocate more to the playing budget for mid-season transfers if they've been shown to be unduly conservative re gate receipts.

[sbgawa]

Opening a stand doesnt guarantee increased attendances.
How many matches were sold out in Shels in the season just gone??
Was there 4 or 5?
That being the case the incremental value of having a new stand will be zero bar in the 4 or 5 mathes that were sold out?
Lets say for arguements sake they could have got an extra 1000 in at 4 matchs at an average ticket price of €10, thats 40k in additional income.
I appreciate that it is building for the future etc etc but in terms of extra income in 2026 id wager the costs of opening the stand will ootweigh the extra income.

Yes they can try to sell more season tickets at a discount maybe and invite academy kids along to matches which might build "paying" crowds in the medium term but if they are increasing the playing budget based on a new stand and the "hope" that people will appear they are being optimistic at best.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Does the new increased capacity in Tolka now bring it back into play for a Bohs move or is that door still firmly shut.
To be honest I think it would be a good option for both clubs - growing the LOI overall is in the interest of every LOI club and this would benefit both during the Dalymount reconstruction. Isn't there also rumours of Bohs possibly using the RDS for the Dublin games?

[MoydowMonty]

Since it's difficult to find any info on, does anyone know if all the fixtures are out for the greatest competition in the world, the Leinster Senior Cup?

I see the group Athlone are in seem to have dates set for their games. Surely if one group of fixtures is set then all of them have too? But of course the magic of the Leinster Senior Cup is that it works in mysterious way

[kksaints]

Since it's difficult to find any info on, does anyone know if all the fixtures are out for the greatest competition in the world, the Leinster Senior Cup?

I see the group Athlone are in seem to have dates set for their games. Surely if one group of fixtures is set then all of them have too? But of course the magic of the Leinster Senior Cup is that it works in mysterious way

There's some on FAI Connect for the group with Wexford, Bohemians, Bray and Fingal United but nothing else.

[pineapple stu]

Yep - and it's worth noting that both the first and last fixtures in that group are from the second round of matches. Only the LSC could manage that.

[ger121]

Since it's difficult to find any info on, does anyone know if all the fixtures are out for the greatest competition in the world, the Leinster Senior Cup?

I see the group Athlone are in seem to have dates set for their games. Surely if one group of fixtures is set then all of them have too? But of course the magic of the Leinster Senior Cup is that it works in mysterious way

They are indeed. Bohs are actually away to Bray on the opening night of the Premier Division. I assume that will still go ahead. 2 nice fixtures that weekend to help kick-off the season.

[pineapple stu]

I see UCD have friendlies confirmed now for 10/16/23/31 Jan, so hard to see how we're going to fit in three LSC games as well (unless we put out the 19s against the non-league suffers, which we did last year)

[MoydowMonty]

Since it's difficult to find any info on, does anyone know if all the fixtures are out for the greatest competition in the world, the Leinster Senior Cup?

I see the group Athlone are in seem to have dates set for their games. Surely if one group of fixtures is set then all of them have too? But of course the magic of the Leinster Senior Cup is that it works in mysterious way

The fixtures starting to trickle out with seeming randomness and lack of consistency, as if they read this thread and remembered they hadn't set the fixtures, so they scrambled to arrange it with the same energy of leaving all your homework till the night before. God bless the Leinster Senior Cup, under it's leadership we shall reach new heights

[2 Year Contract]

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/supercomputer-predicts-2026-league-ireland-36584499?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#
I’m not sure who exactly had the authority to give the BetVictor ‘supercomputer’ it’s name but it’s safe to say that’s the last name I’d be giving it after predicting Pats to finish 10 points ahead of Shels, 18 points ahead of Bohs, Galway to come 4th above those two sides also with Caulfield’s men to be second top goalscorers in the league :D not to mention Drogheda in 8th!

[total hoofball]

I requested ChatGPT to do it's own simulation of the final table and the result was looking realistic enough until I looked down to 9th and 10th spots




Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts


1
Shamrock Rovers
36
22
8
6
68
31
+37
74


2
Derry City
36
20
9
7
63
36
+27
69


3
St Patrick’s Athletic
36
18
10
8
55
33
+22
64


4
Shelbourne
36
16
11
9
50
36
+14
59


5
Bohemians
36
15
10
11
52
39
+13
55


6
Dundalk
36
12
11
13
46
45
+1
47


7
Sligo Rovers
36
11
10
15
39
50
-11
43


8
Drogheda United
36
10
10
16
37
52
-15
40


9
Cork City
36
7
9
20
31
61
-30
30


10
U.C.D.
36
4
6
26
21
71
-50
18

[nigel-harps1954]

Chat GPT data is largely from 2024, so it presumably takes the teams who finished the 2023 season.

[Roones26]

CoPilot has produced a fairly believable, interesting one. Though I suspect the First Division is way off

Premier Division

Pos
Club
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts


1
Shamrock Rovers
36
21
8
7
62
30
+32
71


2
Derry City
36
20
7
9
57
34
+23
67


3
Shelbourne
36
16
12
8
48
35
+13
60


4
St Pat's Ath.
36
15
11
10
46
36
+10
56


5
Bohemians
36
14
10
12
47
43
+4
52


6
Drogheda United
36
12
11
13
39
44
-5
47


7
Sligo Rovers
36
11
10
15
41
51
-10
43


8
Galway United
36
10
9
17
36
50
-14
39


9
Waterford
36
9
10
17
38
55
-17
37


10
Dundalk
36
6
8
22
29
61
-32
26


First Division

Pos
Club
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts


1
Cork City
36
23
8
5
68
24
+44
77


2
UCD
36
17
11
8
54
36
+18
62


3
Bray Wanderers
36
16
10
10
58
44
+14
58


4
Athlone Town
36
15
10
11
53
48
+5
55


5
Finn Harps
36
13
11
12
46
45
+1
50


6
Wexford
36
12
12
12
49
51
-2
48


7
Treaty United
36
11
11
14
43
48
-5
44


8
Cobh Ramblers
36
10
10
16
41
57
-16
40


9
Longford Town
36
7
10
19
38
62
-24
31


10
Kerry FC
36
6
9
21
36
62
-26
27

[legendz]

CoPilot has produced a fairly believable, interesting one.
Premier Division

Pos
Club
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts


1
Shamrock Rovers
36
21
8
7
62
30
+32
71


2
Derry City
36
20
7
9
57
34
+23
67


3
Shelbourne
36
16
12
8
48
35
+13
60


4
St Pat's Ath.
36
15
11
10
46
36
+10
56


5
Bohemians
36
14
10
12
47
43
+4
52


6
Drogheda United
36
12
11
13
39
44
-5
47


7
Sligo Rovers
36
11
10
15
41
51
-10
43


8
Galway United
36
10
9
17
36
50
-14
39


9
Waterford
36
9
10
17
38
55
-17
37


10
Dundalk
36
6
8
22
29
61
-32
26



Two weeks to go. Will give final predictions before each division starts I think the PD top 5 will be the same, not sure on the order. Tempted to give Dundalk a vote of confidence to finish 9th at least. Going against the grain, Drogheda might be my prediction for 10th. Sligo usually do enough. Galway and Waterford need to be careful.

[ontheotherhand]

Two weeks to go. Will give final predictions before each division starts I think the PD top 5 will be the same, not sure on the order. Tempted to give Dundalk a vote of confidence to finish 9th at least. Going against the grain, Drogheda might be my prediction for 10th. Sligo usually do enough. Galway and Waterford need to be careful.

Waterford have signed fairly well I think. Galway maybe not as well. Think both will be clear of Dundalk though with Dundalk to go down by a decent margin.

Shels will be closer to the top imop. Shootout between us, Derry and them for the league. If Derry keep Duffy and McLean fit they could do it but if they don't I could see them slipping. We are a bit light up top as it stands, but the next few weeks could change everything.

Will give it a go anyway:

1. Rovers
2. Shels
3. Derry
4. Bohs
5. Pats
6. Drogheda
7. Sligo
8. Waterford
9. Galway
10. Dundalk

1-3 and 6-9 the hardest to pick. Won't be many points between those groups.

[dansultheman]

I made some predictions a few week ago, with the signings starting to come to a close with just two weeks from the start of the season, here is my latest predictions.

Premier Division

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Shelbourne
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Sligo
7. Drogheda
8. Waterford
9. Galway
10. Dundalk

First Division

1. Cork City
2. Cobh
3. Kerry
4. Wexford
5. Bray
6. UCD
7. Finn Harps
8. Athlone
9. Treaty
10. Longford

[desaintsno.12]

Pats certainly won't be breaking into the top 3. 4th maybe, but feel we skipping back to 5th.
Very much feels like the wheels are going to come off this season.

[oriel]

Took me a while to think of this and if you had asked me pre xmas, we were 10th all day long, happy with a good bit of PD exp, so we have a chance now.

Premier Division

1. Shamrock Rovers / Derry City) I just can't split them - will re-post after first few game
3. Shelbourne
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Drogs
7. Sligo
8. Waterford
9. Dundalk
10.Galway

First Division

1. Cork City
2. Cobh

[TonyD]

Pats certainly won't be breaking into the top 3. 4th maybe, but feel we skipping back to 5th.
Very much feels like the wheels are going to come off this season.

I wouldn't necessarily be quite that pessimistic. We still have the bones of a good squad and I feel we're capable of doing a lot better than last season.

[sessylU]

I sometimes wonder if Pats might be brilliant this season. They disappointed last year, but still a very good squad, still a very capable manager. I'm not predicting anything, but it wouldn't be outrageous for them to be in the running for the title.

[desaintsno.12]

I wouldn't necessarily be quite that pessimistic. We still have the bones of a good squad and I feel we're capable of doing a lot better than last season.

Last season would suggest we do not have a good squad though - which would definitely be my view, we were poison imo. Too many bang average players.
Worried/disappointed that Kenny didn't change the backroom team at all.
We need 3-4 players that will improve the squad. From what I hear, that won't be happening.

[Nesta99]

Derry champions obviously, hould jut be given the trophy now uch i the formality! Bray promoted. Bohs win the cup. Waterford Relegated. Dundalk beat Cork in the play-off.

The first round nd how Dundalk cope with lack of home games is going to be a significant indicator of our season imo. If we are cut loose and chasing its already a tough league to claw back unless you hit championship winning form for a round. If we are on the board and in touch with a bunch of games weighted toward the latter part of the season then we'll kick on. Any side in the bottom 5 or 6 that hits a rut cn quickly get in to trouble. Nothing will be resolved until the last round I think where automatic relegation is done in the summer like this year.

[trevy]

Waterford won't be relegated. Squad is a lot stronger with a lot of signings from within the league. We got rid of some sub standard players. I'd expect us to finish around 6th or so.

[Neish]

Derry champions obviously, hould jut be given the trophy now .

With the amount they have spent the last few season they need top be taking the title or at the very least pushing a challenge to the last week of the season

[legendz]

Is there a summary somewhere of Premier Division transfers incoming and outgoings to gauge where clubs are ahead of the new season?

[ontheotherhand]

Is there a summary somewhere of Premier Division transfers incoming and outgoings to gauge where clubs are ahead of the new season?

Check chippie on twitter. He keeps a spreadsheet fairly up to date.

[nigel-harps1954]

A week out, worth attempting some crap predictions again.

Premier Division:

Top five will be fairly well sewn up. Anyones game from 6-10 really.

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Bohemians
4. Shelbourne
5. St Pat's
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Drogheda
8. Galway United
9. Dundalk
10. Waterford

First Division:

Cork should win the league, although I don't think it'll be as straightforward as their last stint. 2-10 could be anyone at this point.

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Finn Harps
4. UCD
5. Wexford
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Kerry
8. Athlone Town
9. Treaty
10. Longford

FAI Cup: Bohemians

[Bohtastic]

A week out, worth attempting some crap predictions again.

Premier Division:

Top five will be fairly well sewn up. Anyones game from 6-10 really.

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Bohemians
4. Shelbourne
5. St Pat's
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Drogheda
8. Galway United
9. Dundalk
10. Waterford

First Division:

Cork should win the league, although I don't think it'll be as straightforward as their last stint. 2-10 could be anyone at this point.

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Finn Harps
4. UCD
5. Wexford
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Kerry
8. Athlone Town
9. Treaty
10. Longford

FAI Cup: Bohemians

3rd and the cup for Bohs? I'd take that.

[nigel-harps1954]

3rd and the cup for Bohs? I'd take that.

I did say they would likely be crap predictions.

[thebronze14]

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Shels
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Waterford
7. Drogheda
8. Dundalk
9. Sligo
10. Galway

First Division:

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Wexford
4. UCD
5. Bray
6. Harps
7. Kerry
8. Treaty
9. Athlone
10. Longford

Be very close in Premier title race I think. Cork should win Div 1 at a canter. If Cobh have kept much the same group as last year they will do well. Wexford dark horses. Think we'll do alright but not sure we have many goals in us after losing Mpongo

[Jack B]

Have found it quite striking just how miserable the mood of the Pats fan base is heading into this season. The glass half full in me wonders if lower expectations going into a new season (for once) is actually what we need, but if I'm being honest I can't say I don't feel similarly to most.

We've had a bit of a clear-out which is what many wanted, but there's still a few hanging about on contracts the club were too generous with and the incomings - while on an individual basis bringing varying degrees of quality - have been limited in numbers. Added to that we've also got a few out injured before a ball has even been kicked in anger, and the likes of Palmer are ticking time bombs even when "fit". Do expects us to add maybe a couple of more now that the UK market is closed, but main targets will have been missed out on and you basically have to cross your fingers and hope whoever you can pick up now will be of sufficient standard.

As of right now I can't see us finishing higher than 5th. Kenny said some of the right things recently in that he put too much trust in the group that went on that winning run at the end of 2024 and has been looking to add some athleticism we've desperately lacked to the squad, but we were a side that often struggled to create last season and I don't see how that's been addressed much. Melia has left, not much has been added in the way of creativity and it seems we're toying with the idea of a back 5 going off of pre-season. Maybe playing two up top and having an extra centre half will see the glorious return of St. Piece Athletic...

[kksaints]

Premier Division

1 Derry City- I think they've got their transfers right with Clarke and Markey and the two McLeans.

2 Shamrock Rovers- Defence could be a weakpoint with Grace, Lopes and Cleary all aging and Honohan gone. Lopes imo was certainly showing signs of slowing down last season at times. Still a huge threat with the forwards they have and won't give up the title without a fight.

3 Shelbourne- A lot depends on how Casey slots into their backline as they don't have much cover if Barrett gets injured. Title contenders if the new analytics signings work out but there's a few too many question marks to have them in the top two.

4 St Patricks Athletic- Probably over optimistic but I think we won't be as bad as the mood music in the fanbase is currently. Boyce and Mata are good signings with good LOI experience. Yes, we've let a lot of players go but bar Melia and the two right backs none of them were regular starters. Palmer could be crucial if he can stay fit for an extended spell, unlikely to happen unfortunately.

5 Bohemians- Some good signings but I don't think they'll be any stronger this year particularly upfront and they'll draw too many matches to challenge for the top two.

6 Waterford- Very good forward options and Heeney plus Mahon could be really good players for their backs. Dark horses for European spots but I think they fall short. SHould be at no risk of relegation this year.

7 Drogheda- Markey is a big loss but they should still be fairly comfortable albeit a bit off the top four.

8 Sligo Rovers- Losing Elding is a big blow and they could struggle for goals. Backline looks stronger than last year and that should be enough to avoid the bottom two spots.

9 Dundalk- Mullen at his best is a very good signing and Cornwall could be enough to provide defensive stabilty with Leonard in the 1st half of the season to avoid last place. Should survive playoff

10 Galway- Have lost too many players with Hickey in particular crucial to the survival last year, too many random unknown signings to have any faith in.

[Nesta99]

Nobody wants to be in the 1st Division ever but this season would have been an awful one to be in. There are a lot of unknowns, even Athlone could surprise in a few games. Cobh blew their chance with their bigger neighbours going to outsihine as usual. Longford could be on an improvment curve, Wexford, Kerry too. Not sure about Treaty. Ill bow to PSs thoughts on UCD but they are never to be written off. Bray will push Cork and could have learned a lot about just getting out of the division. Thats the lot!

[2 Year Contract]

Premier Division
1. shams
2. Derry
3. shels
4. bohs
5. Waterford
6. Pats
7. Drogheda
8. Sligo
9. Dundalk
10. Galway

First Division
1. Cork
2. Cobh
3. Bray
4. UCD
5. Kerry
6. Harps
7. Athlone
8. Wexford
9. Longford
10. Treaty

FAI Cup: shels to beat bohs in the final

Looking forward to the season: no :(

[nigel-harps1954]

Nobody wants to be in the 1st Division ever but this season would have been an awful one to be in. There are a lot of unknowns, even Athlone could surprise in a few games. Cobh blew their chance with their bigger neighbours going to outsihine as usual. Longford could be on an improvment curve, Wexford, Kerry too. Not sure about Treaty. Ill bow to PSs thoughts on UCD but they are never to be written off. Bray will push Cork and could have learned a lot about just getting out of the division. Thats the lot!

How dare you

[Nesta99]

Did I forget about Harps....opps;)

[RealJohn91]

1. Derry
2. Shams
3. Bohs
4. Shels
5. Drogheda
6. Pat's
7. Waterford
8. Sligo
9. Dundalk
10. Galway

1. Cork
2. Cobh
3. Bray
4. Wexford
5. UCD
6. Kerry
7. Finn Harps
8. Treaty
9. Longford
10. Athlone

[Bunny Kelly]

How many teams in the First are full time? Cork, Kerry & are Cobh this season?

[Jack B]

1. Rovers
2. Shels
3. Derry

4. Bohs

5. Drogs
6. Pats
7. Sligo
8. Waterford
9. Dundalk
10. Galway

[cobhlad]

How many teams in the First are full time? Cork, Kerry & are Cobh this season?
Cobh aren’t. It’s the main reason Griffin and Buckley signed, to allow them start new careers outside of football.

[sbgawa]

Rovers
Derry
Shels
Pats
Drogheda
Waterford
Bohs
Sligo
Dundalk
Ga;way

Cup: Derry
Top scorer: Burke
First Manager sacked: Renny