Kerry FC Predictions & Expectations - 2025

Hard to offer any predictions from the few confirmed re-signings so far. In terms of expectations:

FIRST DIVISION
Ideally can be in the shake up for the final playoff position. Cobh improving will make that more difficult but it is where the club wants to be. Based on re-signings at the time of writing, a lot will depend on the maturity of the squad learning from their experience from the past two seasons.

MUNSTER SENIOR CUP
Kerry enjoyed a good run to the final last year. It was a highlight of a good start to last season. Cobh is a tough opener in the Last 16. They seem to be signing well in the off season. The expectation is that as long as we avoid Cork and Waterford, that we can get through round by round.

FAI CUP
Obviously a lot depends on the draw. The opening round has been ok so far before Premier opponents have come to town, where Kerry have always competed well against Drogheda and Bohs. If Kerry can claim the scalp of a Premier opponent, possibly a cup run to the quarter finals.
AFAIK 2025 presents Kerry's first opportunity to qualify for Europe! (If UEFA's 3 year rule still applies?) Kerry could be in time to avail of Europa League qualification! ;)

I would agree that it is hard to say with any certainty the expectations so far.

One expectation has to be that the team does not finish bottom again. With the resources available for new players, a good influx of talent with some experience should have us looking much further up. I would like to see the team be in contention at the halfway stage of the season where the club could bring in some reinforcements at give them a great chance of making the playoffs. It's not unthinkable and the margins last year in many games were very close.

The Munster Senior Cup was great last year and another good opportunity at home. Hopefully we will be able to see some new players and start off with a win. It will be difficult to say which team will prioritize this with Cobh also injecting massive money into their first team.

We seem to revel in the FAI Cup Games. Some clubs are great for Cup runs and the opening two seasons show that for Kerry. Losing in 2023 to Drogheda 1-0 was no disgrace and taking Bohemians to PK's shows that with some luck in the draw, a Cup run is something we can get excited about.

Early days and will have my final predictions and expectations before the first game.

My prediction is you'll outperform your nearest neighbour, Treaty in the league, a club / city / history etc who shouldn't be in D1 to begin with, in only your third season. & you'll do it comfortably & to an extent you'll be in the play off mix.

That's as things stand at the moment, in my view.

https://kerryfc.com/league-fixtures-2025/
Looking at the fixtures when it comes to expectations of challenging for the playoffs, the final assembled squad will have to be capable at least 3 wins and 3 draws in the first 9 games, and maintaining that sort of consistent form over the course of the season. The club got off to a good start last season but drew too many games.

Will have a better idea in a few weeks when final squads become clearer, but competing for 5th play off spot for most of the season has to be minimum priority.

Given the money that is now been pumped into premier division clubs, some of the wages been paid and a lot of exiles returning from UK, you expect a lot of premier squad players will start moving down to 1st division - a couple have already (although NIFL premier will also compete in this market). It should make it a better first division, but could also lead to a widening of the gap between top and bottom clubs.

So far Dundalk, Cobh and Athlone look the leaders in terms of building squads. Bray have been quite, but Geographic location givens them a huge advantage in picking up premier squad players. Wexford have lost a few to NIFL, but are ambitious with Elliot as manager so expect them to keep building. UCD will be good, they always are.

Langford, Treaty and Harps look like the clubs at this stage that Kerry could finish above, but all early days yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zico

Will have a better idea in a few weeks when final squads become clearer, but competing for 5th play off spot for most of the season has to be minimum priority.

Given the money that is now been pumped into premier division clubs, some of the wages been paid and a lot of exiles returning from UK, you expect a lot of premier squad players will start moving down to 1st division - a couple have already (although NIFL premier will also compete in this market). It should make it a better first division, but could also lead to a widening of the gap between top and bottom clubs.

So far Dundalk, Cobh and Athlone look the leaders in terms of building squads. Bray have been quite, but Geographic location givens them a huge advantage in picking up premier squad players. Wexford have lost a few to NIFL, but are ambitious with Elliot as manager so expect them to keep building. UCD will be good, they always are.

Langford, Treaty and Harps look like the clubs at this stage that Kerry could finish above, but all early days yet.

---

Yeah with my club Longford Town alls not well .Only 3 players resigned so far and we have lost Bastien Hery to Athlone.
Think that ye have to eventually finish above us.

I'm happy staying off bottom spot. If we start signing some experienced players then I might up my expectations .

Interesting new signings so far. More experience will increase expectations that the club can challenge around mid table.

https://x.com/BlogIrish/status/18788...ZnOERE0_Q&s=19

Interesting early prediction by the Irish Football Blog:
(1) Dundalk
(2) UCD
(3) Cobh Ramblers
(4) Athlone Town
(5) Wexford
(6) Finn Harps
(7) Treaty United
(8) Kerry FC
(9) Longford Town
(10) Bray Wanderers

The ultimate goal is to be challenging for the playoffs but that could require at least doubling last season's points total.

I'd love to know what the logic is of Bray finishing last. At the very least I'd expect us to finish ahead of Longford, Treaty and Harps. A playoff spot should be a realistic target.

Still early for predictions. Dunne and Brookwell know the league. Should be good additions. Element of risk in bringing in players outside the league. Murt Murphy wasn't too impressed with McQueen. Hopefully Conor McCarthy is right that it was just down to the player not being in the group no more than a wet week.

Williams, Dunne, Brookwell and Adams all going to plan can see the club achieve a best finish yet. We know Williams obviously. Dunne, Brookwell and Adams have the league experience for reasonable expectation.
The overseas signings are a bit of an unknown. Will give final prediction after the Cork friendly.

My prediction for the season ahead is 8th place. Management should confident with what to expect from players who know the league. The overseas signings are harder to gauge. I think it's the first time bringing in overseas players without LoI experience. Hopefully it pays off. Bonus territory will be challenging for the playoffs.
The cup is a lottery. Would be great to finally claim a Premier scalp at the third attempt. If we only draw one Premier club before the quarter finals, pulling off a shock could go a long way to making the quarter-finals.

I am going to for a 7th place finish with a big push towards the playoffs. Face value the club has clearly invested in the players and bringing in Galway Utds First Team coach can only be of a big benefit. We are now going into the year with Mcgrath (4) and Kelliher, Teehan, Williams, O Connell, Brosnan, Gleeson, Aledesanusi, Amechi, all have two full seasons under their belt. Throw in Joe Adams (2022 with Dundalk in Prem (33 games), Oran Crowe, Alex Dunne, Tim Heimer, Brookwell (First Division Winner last year with Cork) shows that there is experience in the young group with a mix of recruits who some will be hit and miss, there's no reason we cannot push on. I never look into pre-season too much, so Im goin on our strongest 11 in all first 60 minutes of the games as its likely the starting eleven next Friday. Cobh (2-0 up), Treaty (2-1 up), Shamrock Rovers (0-1 down) and Cork City (1-1).

A cup run would be great and I wouldn't mind an away trip vs a Top Premier Division Club.

Il hold back on my Starting XI for another few days looking ahead to next Friday night.

Anywhere from 8th place and upwards will be progress. Thought process right now might suggest a mini league at the bottom with ourselves, Harps, Longford and Treaty. I’m not convinced though that Bray and Wexford will be as strong as last season - judging by signings and players they have all lost, I think they might be a bit weaker . So the mini league might form at the top between Dundalk, Athlone and Cobh fighting it out for title. UCD will do what they always do - unearth a few players and finish in playoffs. Everybody else will be scrapping for the last playoff spot and all capable of taking points off each other.

We need to hold on to leads better - I think we took the lead in 14 or 15 games last season and only won 5 of them (open to correction on this stat).

I think we will be better too based on (1) our local younger players now more experienced and older (2) the pedigree off Brookwell, Dunne, Heimer, Alabi and Adam’s is better than players we are losing (if only slightly) and Williams returning (3) much better squad depth. If we can defend and hold on to leads better we can pick up more points, but based on our attacking threat (over reliance on Kelliher) we might have a ceiling at around 35-40 points mark.

I think the top 4 in the division will be:
1. Dundalk
2. Cobh
3. Athlone
4. UCD

Bray or Wexford might be favourites for the final playoff spot. Anyone with playoff ambitions will be eyeing that final spot. Hopefully Kerry can be in that playoff mix for at least a large part of the season.

I saw a prediction for Kerry to finish 5th. I like the optimism! With UEFA solidarity payments, promotion to the Premier potentially worth 300,000. Big reward now for success in the First Division. Cobh are clearly eyeing that with some off their off season signings.