2026 Predictions and early musings

[sbgawa]

Well before we see a better idea of the 2026 squads i certsinly wont be pinning my colours to the mast but early thoughts

Rovers: No Jack Byrne and now no Danny Mandroiu either for next season, Gaffney another year older as is Burke. Pico, Grace etc,,,,unless we pull off a couple of big signings i can see next year being a difficult one.

Shelbourne: More Money from Europe and a manager that seems to be on point........biggest chalenger for Rovers next year

Derry: Seem to be splashing the cash again but they are a Micheal Duffy injury away from disaster

Pats: well thye normally win the pre season but im not seeing much yet

Galway and Dundalk.......Relegation battle??? im not sure tbh...Galway have the cash for a rebuild and Dundalk with new owners that are bound to want to make a positive firsat impression, then again someone has to go down.

Drogs: Losing DJT and now MArkey are two big blows, cn Doherty reinvent the wheel again?+ they didnt finish the season well i dont think Doherty can keep pulling overperformance out of them so. relegation favs

Waterford: Dont have much of a feeling here one way or the other, possible relegation battle.

Sligo: Another year of lower mid table but will be better than this year.

Thats everybody

[cobhlad]

Thats everybody

Everybody besides half the League of Ireland…

[culloty82]

Shows what they think of Bohs at any rate!

[WeAreRovers]

Well before we see a better idea of the 2026 squads i certsinly wont be pinning my colours to the mast but early thoughts

Rovers: No Jack Byrne and now no Danny Mandroiu either for next season, Gaffney another year older as is Burke. Pico, Grace etc,,,,unless we pull off a couple of big signings i can see next year being a difficult one.


Wouldn't have Jack Byrne back for free, no loss. Conan Noonan is a direct replacment for poor Danny M. Max Kovalskis and Victor will be wing backs or at the very least wing back cover. Need a younger centre half or two and possibly a striker if Gaff retires/goes to Galway.

Europe may catch up with us eventually as playing almost 12 months of the year is unsustainable but we're in very good shape overall and if our recruitment is half as good as last year we'll be hard to stop again.

[sbgawa]

Everybody besides half the League of Ireland…


Appologies to all Div 1 clubs , i was just having a little dig at the climate activists ;)

[sbgawa]

Wouldn't have Jack Byrne back for free, no loss. Conan Noonan is a direct replacment for poor Danny M. Max Kovalskis and Victor will be wing backs or at the very least wing back cover. Need a younger centre half or two and possibly a striker if Gaff retires/goes to Galway.

Europe may catch up with us eventually as playing almost 12 months of the year is unsustainable but we're in very good shape overall and if our recruitment is half as good as last year we'll be hard to stop again.


Im a big fan of Noonan , watched him while he was playing for Duffers under 15s and himself and Sinclair Armstrong stood out at the time but i dont think he has the overall ability of Danny but he will be a good addition for sure,
Pico will be missing for a good chunk of the Summer at the World cup as well, so we def need more cover here

[Dalymountrower]

Appologies to all Div 1 clubs , i was just having a little dig at the climate activists ;)o

Climate denier, general misogynistic view of women's football....ant-"woke"... I think that's a full house in the Nigel Farage Bingo.

[Bohtastic]

Lookit, whether Sbgawa is a reactionary or not, he did start a new thread and took the time to write a couple of hundred words just to try to wind up Bohs supporters. Won the double, European matches over the break, still obsessed with us.

Jaysus Sbgawa. Next time you're in Tallaght try to touch grass.

[sbgawa]

Ah sure life would be boring if i thread a middle courae.
Im not anti womans football btw im anti wasting money on it.
If anyome wants to make a finacial case for a sport where no one turns up to watch it and therw is no teansfwr income, im happy to listen.

[Nesta99]

o

Climate denier, general misogynistic view of women's football....ant-"woke"... I think that's a full house in the Nigel Farage Bingo.


Lookit, whether Sbgawa is a reactionary or not, he did start a new thread and took the time to write a couple of hundred words just to try to wind up Bohs supporters. Won the double, European matches over the break, still obsessed with us.

Jaysus Sbgawa. Next time you're in Tallaght try to touch grass.

Triggered, mission accomplished it seems.

[Slartibartfast]

Maybe but doesnt mean the bohs boys arent correct and right !

[Shinkicker]

Lookit, whether Sbgawa is a reactionary or not, he did start a new thread and took the time to write a couple of hundred words just to try to wind up Bohs supporters. Won the double, European matches over the break, still obsessed with us.

Jaysus Sbgawa. Next time you're in Tallaght try to touch grass.
"Trying to wind up Bohs supporters" there are people on here who get easily upset at that sort of thing. Im sure they are thumping the keyboard as I write.

[placid casual]

Rovers season continues till mid December so I've no doubt we'll get it sorted in time.
In terms of players in the league I'd be interested to see at Rovers it goes back to players who've been here before I'd be curious about,ie Boyd or Amond.
Maybe there's more players at boez who we can turn into league winners

[Burnsie]

If anyome wants to make a finacial case for a sport where no one turns up to watch it and therw is no teansfwr income, im happy to listen.

....says the League of Ireland fan

[sbgawa]

....says the League of Ireland fan

Fair point but at least you have hope with the mens game, Europe run or a big transfer.

In terms of players id like to see coming to Rovers id have liked Conor Keely but i see he has resigned for Drogs, Dawson Devoy is an obvious one , Sean Boyd is far to injury prone.
Podge Almond looks a good bet but sometimes age catches up quickly, Eoin Doyle at Pats springs to mind.

We definitly need forward options, Mandroiu and Byrne gone and Burke is also prone tro injury and i think thats why he is relatively lightly used by Bradley.
Kinda surprised we didnt make a move for Hicky from Galway.

Cobh seem to be looking to move forward but its going to be hard to see past Cork next season as Champions so its a long slog to try to in the end make it through effectivly 3 play off rounds.
Im a big fan of the ten team league but we seem to have an 11 team league now with 1 team playing annually in the first division.
I suppose its on someone to break it

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Fair point but at least you have hope with the mens game, Europe run or a big transfer.

In terms of players id like to see coming to Rovers id have liked Conor Keely but i see he has resigned for Drogs, Dawson Devoy is an obvious one , Sean Boyd is far to injury prone.
Podge Almond looks a good bet but sometimes age catches up quickly, Eoin Doyle at Pats springs to mind.

We definitly need forward options, Mandroiu and Byrne gone and Burke is also prone tro injury and i think thats why he is relatively lightly used by Bradley.
Kinda surprised we didnt make a move for Hicky from Galway.

Cobh seem to be looking to move forward but its going to be hard to see past Cork next season as Champions so its a long slog to try to in the end make it through effectivly 3 play off rounds.
Im a big fan of the ten team league but we seem to have an 11 team league now with 1 team playing annually in the first division.
I suppose its on someone to break it

Keeley is great for Drogheda with the way they set up , not sure he'd be quite so good elsewhere

[nr637]

Well before we see a better idea of the 2026 squads i certsinly wont be pinning my colours to the mast but early thoughts

Rovers: No Jack Byrne and now no Danny Mandroiu either for next season, Gaffney another year older as is Burke. Pico, Grace etc,,,,unless we pull off a couple of big signings i can see next year being a difficult one.

Shelbourne: More Money from Europe and a manager that seems to be on point........biggest chalenger for Rovers next year

Derry: Seem to be splashing the cash again but they are a Micheal Duffy injury away from disaster

Pats: well thye normally win the pre season but im not seeing much yet

Galway and Dundalk.......Relegation battle??? im not sure tbh...Galway have the cash for a rebuild and Dundalk with new owners that are bound to want to make a positive firsat impression, then again someone has to go down.

Drogs: Losing DJT and now MArkey are two big blows, cn Doherty reinvent the wheel again?+ they didnt finish the season well i dont think Doherty can keep pulling overperformance out of them so. relegation favs

Waterford: Dont have much of a feeling here one way or the other, possible relegation battle.

Sligo: Another year of lower mid table but will be better than this year.

Thats everybody



Most First Division Clubs are already building their 2026 squads, here are some early thoughts.

Cork City: Manager Ger Nash is having a big clear out, as this will be his team now, keeping MaGuire & Keating will give City an edge over most teams and only promotion will be accepted.

Bray: Playing Waterford in the play-off's showed the gap, Bray will challenge again and build on this, could be City's biggest challenger next year.

Cobh: McDermotts walk out definitely affected the teams finale, but now with a new manager in Fran Rockett, keeping the magority of last years squad will be key.

Treaty: We all know a strong Limerick team is a bonus to the LOI, Treaty have the potential, but with rumours of investment issues, there is a question as to how the club will be run next year.

UCD: Always slow starters and if they can add to last years team they could be a play-off contender at least.

Kerry: Since Colin Healy came in, Kerry look more organised, the move to a full-time set-up has attracted new players, quietly confident.

Wexford: Wexrord were good and bad all last season, mid-table looks on while consistency is necessary to challenge.

Longford: Strong finish last year and new investment gives Longford the chance to improve and build on this.

Finn Harps: The stadium saga always seems to be a burden on the club, will probably struggle again in 2026.

Athlone: Maybe a dark-horse bet for 2026, the Womens team are showing what can be done with a midlands based club.

Thats everybody

[Shearer]

Treaty: We all know a strong Limerick team is a bonus to the LOI, Treaty have the potential, but with rumours of investment issues, there is a question as to how the club will be run next year.
Treaty will have one of the smaller budgets, but there are no investment issues. Would love to know where that came from.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps have 17 players signed up for 2026, including a lot of young players on the famous 'multi year' contracts.

It'll be a big year for a lot of them, having dipped their toes into senior football properly for the first time in 2025. The three lads who just returned from the under-17 World Cup will be worth keeping an eye on.

We really need to add a couple of experienced players to properly challenge higher up the table, but I'd be hopeful of a better season next year with a largely settled squad heading in to pre-season. The season just past had glimpses of what they were capable of at least.

[boynemunich]

Interesting to see you have Drogheda as relegation favourites. Our big strength was in defence and we've resigned everyone there. I'd just be worried that we don't evolve and teams adapt easily to us. Was seen in latter parts of last season

I would have kept Markey all day long but I think Kavanagh has good potential as a replacement. Markey's mileage and workrate was phenomenal but his goal contribution stats were quite poor. I've heard rumors of Gary O Neill and / or Mark Coyle which is exactly the type of player we need now to strenghten midfield. I'm not sure what Ryan Brennan has left in his legs so can't rely on him too much.

As usual we will probably bring in a couple of loan signings one likely being for starting striker as not a whole lot available within the league. I've heard rumors of Conor Carty who I don't know much about. I would like to get Aaron Greene in for a season if he was available, he was rumored last season, eye for a goal and experience in the dressing room.

[Dermobohs]

Well before we see a better idea of the 2026 squads i certsinly wont be pinning my colours to the mast but early thoughts

Rovers: No Jack Byrne and now no Danny Mandroiu either for next season, Gaffney another year older as is Burke. Pico, Grace etc,,,,unless we pull off a couple of big signings i can see next year being a difficult one.

Shelbourne: More Money from Europe and a manager that seems to be on point........biggest chalenger for Rovers next year

Derry: Seem to be splashing the cash again but they are a Micheal Duffy injury away from disaster

Pats: well thye normally win the pre season but im not seeing much yet

Galway and Dundalk.......Relegation battle??? im not sure tbh...Galway have the cash for a rebuild and Dundalk with new owners that are bound to want to make a positive firsat impression, then again someone has to go down.

Drogs: Losing DJT and now MArkey are two big blows, cn Doherty reinvent the wheel again?+ they didnt finish the season well i dont think Doherty can keep pulling overperformance out of them so. relegation favs

Waterford: Dont have much of a feeling here one way or the other, possible relegation battle.

Sligo: Another year of lower mid table but will be better than this year.

Thats everybody
Laughed out loud at this one, good dig.

[Slartibartfast]

good man sgbawa “stick to football” as your ilk like to parrot , it suits you better. Agree with boyne munich , I dont see how you have drogs as relegation favs even at this early . Budget is increasing next season too

[nr637]

Treaty will have one of the smaller budgets, but there are no investment issues. Would love to know where that came from.

Same place as the Treaty will have one of the smaller budgets! :confused:

[TonyD]

Interesting to see you have Drogheda as relegation favourites. Our big strength was in defence and we've resigned everyone there. I'd just be worried that we don't evolve and teams adapt easily to us. Was seen in latter parts of last season

I would have kept Markey all day long but I think Kavanagh has good potential as a replacement. Markey's mileage and workrate was phenomenal but his goal contribution stats were quite poor. I've heard rumors of Gary O Neill and / or Mark Coyle which is exactly the type of player we need now to strenghten midfield. I'm not sure what Ryan Brennan has left in his legs so can't rely on him too much.

As usual we will probably bring in a couple of loan signings one likely being for starting striker as not a whole lot available within the league. I've heard rumors of Conor Carty who I don't know much about. I would like to get Aaron Greene in for a season if he was available, he was rumored last season, eye for a goal and experience in the dressing room.

Mark Doyle leaving his club in the US. Would be a good signing for Drogheda I think. I was one of those who underrated him at Pats for a long time, but actually he's a useful player. Works hard and has an eye for goal. Conor Carty hasn't really got a look in at Pats since returning, but depending on whether we sign a striker that may change now that Mason Melia has gone.

[Shearer]

Same place as the Treaty will have one of the smaller budgets! :confused:
There's a difference between not having money at all and not splurging.

The market has gone crazier and crazier in recent years. Most clubs are increasing budgets year on year (like Treaty) but the money that the likes of Cobh, and now Kerry, are spending is a step above.

[sbgawa]

good man sgbawa “stick to football” as your ilk like to parrot , it suits you better. Agree with boyne munich , I dont see how you have drogs as relegation favs even at this early . Budget is increasing next season too

i think Kevin D did a great job last season but Drogs overachieved and DJT and Markey are two of the best players you had.

Maybe he can do it again, Drogs wouldnt be my wish to go down as opposed to favs if you know what i mean...... Kavanagh is an excelent player and if KD can get him to work at Drogheda pace he could be a replacement for Markey

[Nesta99]

Its is possible in recent years and 2026 will be no different that 50-60% of the PD could have a relegation scare with a run of poor form. Within that there are clubs that could really get sucked in to the basement battle. Its not a slight on Drogheda to consider it as possible, no more than Waterford, Galway, favourites to go down Dundalk, Sligo have been late to stay safe, Bohs and St Pats briefly flirted with play-offs in recent years. I wouldnt put it past 2026 Champions Elect Derry to sit bottom half and give fans a fright. 10 team format is unforgiving if there are nobody keeping the 9th and 10th spots to themselves and those above safe. Galway were a game or 2 from going top late 2024 and 2025 was a grind to the end to get away from bottom 3 bar Cork being adrift in last.

[legendz]

Appologies to all Div 1 clubs , i was just having a little dig at the climate activists ;)
My apologies to all PD clubs. I usually forget during the international break that there are no PD fixtures! ;)

[Roones26]

Its is possible in recent years and 2026 will be no different that 50-60% of the PD could have a relegation scare with a run of poor form. Within that there are clubs that could really get sucked in to the basement battle. Its not a slight on Drogheda to consider it as possible, no more than Waterford, Galway, favourites to go down Dundalk, Sligo have been late to stay safe, Bohs and St Pats briefly flirted with play-offs in recent years. I wouldnt put it past 2026 Champions Elect Derry to sit bottom half and give fans a fright. 10 team format is unforgiving if there are nobody keeping the 9th and 10th spots to themselves and those above safe. Galway were a game or 2 from going top late 2024 and 2025 was a grind to the end to get away from bottom 3 bar Cork being adrift in last.

That’s the challenge of the format now. There seems to be 11 teams good enough for the PD for 10 slots

[dansultheman]

It’s been a month and with a number of clubs doing some business here is my current early predictions based on the squads.

Premier Division

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

I think it will be pretty tight and nobody will run away with it. I think it’s natural to see Rovers not winning it with no real break for consecutive seasons, thats tough going and I think others will get closer to them and one will surpass this season.

Having seen Dundalk first hand last year, they may have won it with a few games to spare, but it was very unconvincing compared to Cork in 24 and Galway in 23. Their signings compared to relegation potentials are vast right now, I can’t see how they stay up with that squad at the moment.

First Division

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

With the off field issues at Cork, which won’t ease, I think this will be the toughest task yet to dominate a hungry chasing pack, Wexford Cobh & Kerry have all signed really well to date, Waweru at Cobh, Elliot has brought in some very very good players again and Kerry under Healy have already brought in Vince Borden, Hakkenin, Murphy & notable Cantwell. It’s a toss up at the moment for the bottom, I think Harps will find it tough this year.

[Buckett]

I am going to wait until the middle of January, when the international transfer window will have been open for two weeks, to make a prediction because at the minute Galway Utd look doomed!

[oriel]

I am going to wait until the middle of January, when the international transfer window will have been open for two weeks, to make a prediction because at the minute Galway Utd look doomed!

Great, we have a chance then.........................

Even if Dundalk 4 more quality signings (will be needed) its going to be very tough to stay up.

PP usually not too far out, runners and riders to finish last, some more hope in that we are not odds on at least and they have 4 others priced same, not sure I`d have Drogs there, but this is what they have:

Dundalk 15/8

Drogs 4/1
Galway 4/1
Sligo 4/1
Wat'd 4/1

[nigel-harps1954]

I think its far too early for anyone to make any sort of predictions when nobody has a full squad, let alone any friendlies or a half of a pre-season done.

[yurt]

Only prediction I'd be confident at making at this stage is that there'll be a top and bottom 5. The 4 Dublin Clubs and Derry look like they are going to be 15+ points better than the other 5 clubs.

Drogs proved this wrong last season and it was a top 6 bottom 4. I think they are the most likely to do that again. I don't see Dundalk being as weak as those odds suggest.

[oriel]

Only prediction I'd be confident at making at this stage is that there'll be a top and bottom 5. The 4 Dublin Clubs and Derry look like they are going to be 15+ points better than the other 5 clubs.

Drogs proved this wrong last season and it was a top 6 bottom 4. I think they are the most likely to do that again. I don't see Dundalk being as weak as those odds suggest.

Dundalk need a strong and keep it at first choice GK to have a chance, (we had 4 or 5 last season in PD), Enda Minogue is good but not LOI PD standard my view, rumours of Walsall GK incoming, as ever a bad start for any of the 3 or 4 clubs mentioned and its trouble ahead.

[outspoken]

It’s been a month and with a number of clubs doing some business here is my current early predictions based on the squads.

Premier Division

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

I think it will be pretty tight and nobody will run away with it. I think it’s natural to see Rovers not winning it with no real break for consecutive seasons, thats tough going and I think others will get closer to them and one will surpass this season.

Having seen Dundalk first hand last year, they may have won it with a few games to spare, but it was very unconvincing compared to Cork in 24 and Galway in 23. Their signings compared to relegation potentials are vast right now, I can’t see how they stay up with that squad at the moment.

First Division

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

With the off field issues at Cork, which won’t ease, I think this will be the toughest task yet to dominate a hungry chasing pack, Wexford Cobh & Kerry have all signed really well to date, Waweru at Cobh, Elliot has brought in some very very good players again and Kerry under Healy have already brought in Vince Borden, Hakkenin, Murphy & notable Cantwell. It’s a toss up at the moment for the bottom, I think Harps will find it tough this year.

Wexford had a poor season last year, have they really done that good of business to be predicted to finish 2nd?

[dansultheman]

Wexford had a poor season last year, have they really done that good of business to be predicted to finish 2nd?

As of now, I think they have done a really good job of holding onto their best players and have added some very good additions, Verdon & Doyle from UCD, Hand today from Athlone as well as an on Loan Bohs highly rated player. Again this is as of now, but I do see them as a better outfit than Cobh & Kerry at the moment.

[outspoken]

[QUOTE=dansultheman;2238016]As of now, I think they have done a really good job of holding onto their best players and have added some very good additions, Verdon & Doyle from UCD, Hand today from Athlone as well as an on Loan Bohs highly rated player. Again this is as of now, but I do see them as a better outfit than Cobh & Kerry at the moment.[/QUOTE

Verdon couldn't break into a rubbish Longford team, Doyle is a handful but doesn't score enough goals, hand gets around 3 reds a season. Only thing I'd say about Wexford is they have some nice young players who might kick on and dobbs wasn't fit all season

[Neish]

I think its far too early for anyone to make any sort of predictions when nobody has a full squad, let alone any friendlies or a half of a pre-season done.

So what you're saying is Finn Harps to have first division title wrapped up by August, then we can have a proper go at the cup?

[Kingdom]

I can see that he's done the rounds quite a bit, but I thought Drogs Conor Kane had a very good season in 2025. Given Bohs had struggled with the position, I'm a bit surprised that they didn't have a look at him.

[total hoofball]

I can see that he's done the rounds quite a bit, but I thought Drogs Conor Kane had a very good season in 2025. Given Bohs had struggled with the position, I'm a bit surprised that they didn't have a look at him.
I'm certain Bohs and maybe some others would have had a look at Kane but Drogheda recently extended his contract so there could be a hefty transfer fee or a release clause there which may put LOI clubs off, I remember at the end of the 2021 season Shels after a few attempts eventually agreed with Drogheda to pay undisclosed sum to sign Kane who was under contract

[Roones26]

I think its far too early for anyone to make any sort of predictions when nobody has a full squad, let alone any friendlies or a half of a pre-season done.

I think listening to LOI Central the interesting piece for me at this stage is budgets. I feel i would be able to make some sort of informed guess as to where the size of the budgets in the PD are and rank them, in the FD beyond Cork no idea

[Buckett]

Who will have the 4th biggest budget this season?

[ger121]

Who will have the 4th biggest budget this season?

Whoever says it at that particular moment in time.

[Dermobohs]

Well we would be fairly certain who the top four budgets would be, same as always.
Only the rest would be subject to argument, I’d imagine we are spending a tidy sum.

[placid casual]

I'd wager Rovers,Derry,Shels and Pats are the top 4 in terms of budgets

[Roones26]

I'd wager Rovers,Derry,Shels and Pats are the top 4 in terms of budgets

Probably in that order I would guess

[sbgawa]

Id put Pats ahead of Shels particularly when you factor in the Kenny wages and the likes of Mulraney, Shels domt have anyone near those levels i reckon

[Martinho II]

Id put Pats ahead of Shels particularly when you factor in the Kenny wages and the likes of Mulraney, Shels domt have anyone near those levels i reckon

but with shels reopenin riverside stand I would imagine they would go ahead of St Pats?

[2 Year Contract]

but with shels reopenin riverside stand I would imagine they would go ahead of St Pats?

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