Kerry FC

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Originally Posted by culloty82

Interview with Daniel Okwute about growing up in Killarney and settling in at Stockport:

https://killarneyadvertiser.ie/sport...as-high-hopes/

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"Daniel Okwute is special and he knows it. By joining Stockport County the 19-year-old Killarney native has managed to do what only a handful of Kerry players have done before him: sign a professional contract with a club in England’s Football League".

That opening line speaks volues to me about the perception issue we have in the LOI. Stockport County have a decent (old) ground and get good crowds. But if joining them is being presented as a measure of success for a Kerry lad 'living the drewm/being special' then our league still has a long way to go. I appreciate that they were talking in general tersm about signing as a pro for an English club, but Stockport are only back in the English League a few months after 11yrs as a non-league club

(Apologies - the quote won't un-bold unfortunately)

True, but that would seen as just a starting point, and if he gets off to a decent start, then a club higher up the echelons might be tempted to take a punt. In any case, the general idea is that once the team joins the First Division, the more conventional pathway would be Premier Division and then abroad, unless of course Championship scouts decide to take an interest in the second tier, and US college scholarships will also be an alternative.

Interesting thread by the Irish Football Blog on potential players (of varying probabilities!) and how to pitch the club to the general public:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1...030562816.html

Interesting the point made about Karl O'Sullivan having played with the Kerry U17s - just having come through the academy system would fit in with the general ethos, the question being whether he'd want to leave a fairly thriving Premier club.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

Interesting thread by the Irish Football Blog on potential players (of varying probabilities!) and how to pitch the club to the general public:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1...030562816.html

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Nice article though leaving Cobh off their list of Munster clubs is an interesting oversight. The first steps in creating a rivalry perhaps?

TBF, it was one of the blog contributors who wrote the piece, and said he'd been typing at 3 in the morning!

It was a strange ommission to be fair. Especially as he then referenced Cobh a few times in the section about who people had previously played for.

You'd think the article would be amended online accordingly too.

A strong first team manager could help sell the romantic notions of being a part of a brand new club, I imagine they won't have the cash for a big name though

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Originally Posted by GUFCghost

A strong first team manager could help sell the romantic notions of being a part of a brand new club, I imagine they won't have the cash for a big name though

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I agree. I think Kerry FC will look to appoint within on their maiden season. You bring in a well known manager he is going to want to bring in players too of his own. All cost $$$ and that time will come but not in their first year. Could be wrong!

The U19s are having a reasonably strong season, having lost relatively few games in the second half of the year, so would imagine if Dennehy wants the job, he'll have first refusal.

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

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Originally Posted by culloty82

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

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Great to see and looking forward to seeing more upgrades on a facility that needs this. The first home game of the season the place will be rocking.

With minimal sports being played on Friday's, you got to imagine Friday Nights League of Ireland football will be thriving in Tralee.

Culloty82 thanks for pics. Is main stand being extended full length of pitch?

Really looking forward to taking in a game down there next seaosn (touch wood re the license).

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Originally Posted by listowelceltic

Culloty82 thanks for pics. Is main stand being extended full length of pitch?

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What is it currently? Only half the pitch?

last time i was there, which was some time ago, the stand went full length of one half and just past half way in other half

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Originally Posted by culloty82

The upgrading of Mounthawk Park in progress today:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1574753620486230019

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I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the pitch there. Is it just being brushed, or what work are they doing on it?

Good to see them being proactive with facilities though. One club you can hope to be a success in the LOI.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I'm not entirely sure what's going on with the pitch there. Is it just being brushed, or what work are they doing on it?

Good to see them being proactive with facilities though. One club you can hope to be a success in the LOI.

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They were told during the FAI visit that the astro they had on site wasn't up to the LoI standards, so they had to install a "Professional" quality pitch, as KDL clubs will still use the ground for fixtures the weekends that Kerry are away - as for the picture, there was literally torrential rain in Tralee yesterday, which would account for the rather damp appearance.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

They were told during the FAI visit that the astro they had on site wasn't up to the LoI standards, so they had to install a "Professional" quality pitch, as KDL clubs will still use the ground for fixtures the weekends that Kerry are away - as for the picture, there was literally torrential rain in Tralee yesterday, which would account for the rather damp appearance.

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Are they just replacing with another astro or putting in a grass pitch?

Another astro, because grass wouldn't be able to cope with the sheer number of junior league games it hosts over the course of a year.