Season 2025

Tough to predict this year, as always - for me its who finishes last in the PD that is going to be the real eye opener, as said before, obviously someone has to.

I can see a few have gone for Cork City, I just think Maguire's goals will keep them out of 10th, he will be the diff in a host of narrow defeats and a draw or an equally narrow win, but you'd be worried about their defence. Drogs have lost the big man upfront, just not sure on them, and its not for the obvious Louth thing. Thought they were fairly solid last 2 months of the league, and deserved to finish ahead of us, no issues there, but same time they got possibly easiest cup run of all time, 1 relegated club, 1 NL, 2 FD, all but one at home. Sligo are another, lost a host of players, but decent manager and he has done it before. Galway will have enough about them, and JC management of don;t score / but don't concede much, will see them safe for sure.

So for my money its down to any 1 of the trio of Cork C / Drogs / Sligo could see themselves fall into deep trouble if they get off to a bad start.

For PD, I could be way out here, but I think Shels will find it hard to keep the pace going - almost a shade of DFC in 1995 - last day and very unlikely winners under D Keely, we were bang avg that year, still sometimes wonder how we managed to win it that season, but anyway, and more important we struggled badly the year after and went downhill season after. I am not sure Shels can reach the heights of 2024 again but they should be solid in 2025.

I think SK is on a mission and he has already got his fav trick of 2 for every position (wages must be mental, but he never cared about that), I can see Pats pipping Rovers but only just.

Premier

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


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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oriel

I think SK is on a mission and he has already got his fav trick of 2 for every position (wages must be mental, but he never cared about that), I can see Pats pipping Rovers but only just.

Premier

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

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It almost reads like you are criticising Stephen Kenny there for building a strong squad, and I know you can’t have meant that:p. Surely he’s only doing what every manager would do if given the opportunity ? I.e building a strong squad with cover for every position. I’m sure it’s not cheap, but if the owner is willing to support him, then why wouldn’t he. As a supporter I’m almost scarily optimistic ahead of the new season. Quite possibly the strongest all round Pats squad I’ve seen in my thirty years as a regular supporter and season ticket holder. Given that, and the way we finished last season, it’s all very exciting. Of course that’s the que for things to go horribly wrong, so you never know. But, for now, until a ball is kicked, I’m basking in the glow of being champions elect :cool:

Premier

1. Pats
2. Rovers
3. Derry
4. Shels
5. Bohs
6. Waterford
7. Drogs
8. Galway
9. Cork C
10. Sligo


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

It will be interesting to see how that early European game effects Rovers league form, considering they have been so poor in the early parts of the year for a couple of years now. Saying that, losing Kenny seems like a massive loss right now. McGinty is the signing of the season, but also feel there defensive is getting softer compared to other years. Lopes (and Grace) are turning 33 this year, so any decline there, and it could be a struggle.

Seems like Sligo lost a lot players and didnt bring in too many. Hakiki is an excellent player though. Shels seem very top heavy, although Mipo Odubeko is the most interesting signing of this year.

With the set-up they have, think Galway, Waterford and Bohs will have enough about them to consistently pick up points without getting dragged into a relegation battle.

Drogheda keeping Ahui and DJT is good for them, but they play so little football, you can see them going on some bad runs that keep them close to the play-offs.

Cork feels like they can do a 'Dundalk', and never really start to get going. Unless, Maguire does a Padraig Amond, and they would be fine.

1. Pats
2. Rovers

(Gap)

3. Derry
4. Shels

(Gap)

5. Galway
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Drogheda

(Gap)

9. Sligo Rovers
10. Cork City

Premier
1. Shams
2. Pats
3. Derry
4. Shels
5. Bohs
6. Galway
7. Sligo
8. Cork
9. Waterford
10.Drogheda

Tittle: I see it as a season long battle between Pats and Shams and maybe Shams to just edge it with their recent successes.
Battle for euro spots Can't see Shels doing nearly as good as 2024, Derry may just pip them to 3rd but it should be a good battle between the two of them.
The rest: 5th-9th don't see much difference in their squads so I'm really not sure on how they finish, but think Drogs will struggle to keep in touch with the others


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

Title: Hard to look past Dundalk but maybe cobh will have an outside chance of pushing them
Playoffs: could really be any 4 of the teams I list 2nd-7th above(Maybe Harps in more of hoped than anything else)
Think Treaty, Kerry and Longford (maybe Harps & Bray too) will drift off as me get into in 3rd & 4th quarters, a lot will depend on their home form

Premier Division

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. St. Pats
3. Shels
4. Derry City
5. Waterford
6. Bohs
7. Drogs
8. Galway
9. Cork C
10. Sligo


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

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

Expecting the same top 4. Following their end of season form I've gone with Pat's. Will be between them and Rovers.
If Derry improve, they might get the better of Shelbourne.
Going with Galway, Sligo and Waterford in mid table. Bohs could very well finish above them but that's what I've called. The challenge for Galway and Waterford is to follow up on last year.
I think Cork City can survive in the Premier Division but they might need to survive a playoff.
Hard to be a calling a 10th placed side unless going with Cork. Saying Drogheda but if they are going well, those listed above them are in real danger.

Premier:
1. Pats
2. Shamrock Rovers
3. Shelbourne
4. Derry City
5. Galway
6. Bohemians
7. Waterford
8. Cork City
9. Sligo Rovers
10. Drogheda

First
1. Dundalk
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. UCD
4. Athlone
5. Bray Wanderers
6. Wexford
7. Finn Harps
8. Kerry
9. Treaty United
10. Longford

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

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


Find it hard to call both divisions,if Pats pick up where they left off they’ll go close,Rovers have the experience of winning while Derry are going all out and if it all clicks could win the league with the quality of player they’ve brought in,probably underestimating Duff and Shels again but I’m sure they’ll be up there.

At the bottom Cork don’t convince me at all while Sligo have lost a lot of quality from last year and will probably be in more trouble than they were last season…

In the First Division Cobh seem to be putting together a good squad but the manager would be the question but they might go close,Dundalk,Athlone and UCD look to be the other teams in the running.
At the bottom I’d be really worried about us as we’re currently constructed ,Longford the same but there’s still time to add to the squad which is badly needed….

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

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

Surprised by how many are backing Pats to win this year. I can't see past Rovers myself, and think Pats could even end up in 3rd.

No-one bothering to predict who'll win the Cup? :D

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

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

1. Finn Harps

That'll do. Everyone else with financial difficulties and get liquidated.

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

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

FAI Cup: Shels to beat Rovers in the final

Anything above 8th is a bonus for Pats this year. I think with the experience Derry have added it should be enough to prevent a monumental collapse like the second half of last season but I still feel rovers will have too much for them this year.

Don't see too many predictions around 1st manager sacked this year. Looks like it could be a relatively stable year, especially in the premier league. Reynolds the only obvious one who could be in the hotseat if Bohs get off to a poor start. Outside bets maybe Clancy and Russell if it does goes south but they both should be ok to at least see out the season. Similar story in the 1st divsion also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DonegalHoop

Don't see too many predictions around 1st manager sacked this year. Looks like it could be a relatively stable year, especially in the premier league. Reynolds the only obvious one who could be in the hotseat if Bohs get off to a poor start. Outside bets maybe Clancy and Russell if it does goes south but they both should be ok to at least see out the season. Similar story in the 1st divsion also.

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Clancy and Long would be the 2 I’d think could be first if there is somebody…

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

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

First Manager to go: Bradley
Cup Winers : Rovers
Top goalscorer: Johney KEnny (hopefully hes back)

1. Pat’s
2. Rovers
3. Derry
4. Bohs
5. Shels
6. Galway
7. Waterford
8. Sligo
9. Drogheda
10. Cork

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

Cup: Pat’s to do the double

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

Rovers to win cup
Rovers to get to Conference q/final

First manager to go Russell



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

1. Rovers - Not actually confident in this one at all but no matter who I have 1st it just doesn't seem right, so Rovers feel like the safest bet given past success and their quality on paper. On the flip side loads of their squad are injury prone and they appear to lack goals, so no matter the winner I think it'll be closely run. Of all teams they're surely going to add another body or two also, and they've the budget there to go with safer bets than many others would be able to at this point in time.

2. Pats - Might be the eternal pessimist in me but I think this is a team that's almost there rather than fully ready to win the league, and as brilliantly as we finished last season there's no way that it's suddenly the actual standard of the team moving forward. A well-balanced team with a great manager all the same though so they should be up there.

3. Shels - Their points tally from last season would ordinarily have you finishing 3rd and I don't think they've improved nor regressed enough to fluctuate too much. Excellently coached team but the defence is weaker on quality than last season so I'd expect that to balance things out somewhat.

4. Derry - Hardest team to predict for me. Could be anything from 1st to 5th and I wouldn't be shocked. They've gone very short term with their recruitment and in some cases the pedigree of the players is impressive, but I think when put together there's too many key players on the wrong end of their primes for me to be convinced by them.

5. Bohs - The last couple of weeks of the window will give cause for optimism and I think it's taken them from looking like they'd be in the 5th-8th mix to being the best of the rest and definitely capable of finishing in the top 4. I think their coaching and/or defence isn't at the standard of those I have ahead of them though which will tell over the season.

6. Waterford - Think Long is a good coach and there's some good quality and interesting signings on paper in there like Olayinka and Bakboord, but they're a bit lacking in depth and there's some unknowns to me about how effectively they'll set up.

7. Galway - Toss up with them and Waterford, more individual quality for them whereas Galway are better than the sum of their parts. Not sure the incomings have improved the squad though and certain key players were already aging, so can see them being comfortably safe but not pulling up trees to the extent of last season.

8. Drogs - They were much improved after the summer window last season and I think they've done a good job of maintaining that level, Pierrot notwithstanding.

9. Sligo - They'll probably mug me off as they tend to but as it stands they're extremely light on midfielders and I don't see many goals in the team. Wolfe and Hakiki look like good signings but they've lost some big players that for me seems to outweigh them.

10. Cork - Just don't see it with them the way they've built the squad. Maguire and Keating should be a dangerous pairing, O'Sullivan looks a real talent and Clancy is a solid coach, but outside of that it's all quite underwhelming for me and can see it being a struggle.


FD

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