2025 League of Ireland First Division

Less than a month to go now until the new league campaign. Finn Harps visiting MH Park is first up on Friday February 14th. Hopefully a league campaign that will see the club achieve a best finish yet. There has been a bit of a tail off in the previous two campaigns after the FAI Cup. Experience, football intelligence and consistency will be key. The playoffs is the ultimate goal. Eventually.
Dundalk will probably win the league comfortably. Cobh and Athlone might have made the signings to make the top 3. UCD as always should be in the playoff mix. All the rest will be eyeing the top 5. Longford and Treaty supporters seem pessimistic. That's from the few who have strayed in here to the Kerry FC section! I'll take their pessimism with a pinch of salt. Not entirely sure what to expect from Finn Harps, Wexford and Bray. There could be 3 or 4 clubs battling it out for that 5th spot.

While Dundalk are definitely favorites, I’m not convinced they will win it comfortably. I think they are very different from Cork, Galway and Waterford who all ran away from the rest of the division over the past 3 years. Those clubs already had a good bit of experience of division 1. This is unknown territory for Dundalk with quite a few of their team never playing down at this level - will be quite the culture shock with all the travel and trying get motivated playing in front of 600-700 people on wet away nights. They were also miles off the pace last season in premier division so I think they are quite a bit weaker than the other 3 mentioned clubs. They have signed some good players, but mostly proven first division players who struggled in the premier.

Overall I think it will be a stronger division with at least 4-5 clubs better than they were last season and here’s hoping Kerry be one of those. Still 4 weeks to go so plenty of time for each club to add more signings. The first round of 9 fixtures could be a very competitive before things start to take shape moving into the summer. The league needs a very competitive first division this year.

KERRY V FINN HARPS (H) FEB 14TH

After the usual long off season, less than a week to go until the start of the 2025 First Division. The starting XI could be very similar to the XI that started against Shamrock Rovers.
Between keeper, defence and defensive midfielder - Sean O'Connell might be the only recognised starter from last season. A sign of where the main problems have had to be addressed. 5 new signings started against Rovers. Williams and Adams then would expect to be pushing for a place in the starting XI as well.
With Williams' versatility can Williams and Dunne both start or is it likely to be a battle for right back?

With Cobh away second followed by Dundalk at home, will want to be winning the first game for points on the board before arguably the two tougher fixtures.
I'd expect that Adams would come into the starting XI, despite not starting against Rovers. Could be at least six new signings starting on Friday.

Treaty 2-3 Cobh
UCD 0-3 Wexford
Kerry 2-0 Finn Harps
Dundalk 1-0 Athlone
Longford 0-1 Bray

Some comeback by Cobh. A warning ahead of Kerry's trip there next week. Wasn't expecting Wexford's win. The surprise result of the FD weekend. Dundalk and Bray won as expected.
It can be folly to read too much in to opening day results at times. UCD and Wexford should possibly be taken with a pinch of salt. It'll be interesting to see where UCD really are and the same with Wexford. I think Wexford and Bray will be mid table. If Kerry can challenge for the playoffs, Wexford and Bray could be in that mix.

4 points from the first 3 league games is an ok return considering the opposition.
Kevin Williams was disappointing on Friday night. Could have been caught out earlier and then was caught out for the goal. The management made good changes and tactical changes at half time.
RK is obviously going to be a big loss for as long as he is out. Dan, Seanie and Nathan will have to start putting away the chances that fall their way more often. It will take all 3 really to step up in RK's absence and Adams' return.
The important thing now is to get the bread and butter results. That'll be key now to actually building some momentum and keep the crowds coming back to MH Park in big numbers.

There's potentially 3 clubs that Kerry could be confident of finishing above this year. If Kerry can get in a battle with at least two more for the final playoff spot, this will be an interesting year. Picking up the bread and butter results will be key.

Kerry 0-1 Bray
Dundalk 2-2 Treaty
UCD 1-1 Finn Harps
Wexford 0-1 Athlone
Cobh 5-0 Longford

Terrible result for Kerry. All the old failings of leaving the opposition away with an easy 3 points. The goal conceded was kamikaze. So avoidable.
How the referee didn't give a stonewall penalty is ridiculous. Books McCarthy then for fair complaints. Frustrating though not to take gilt edged chances for the second game in a row. Lost their way then in the second half. Too rushed and little composure. Not scoring in three games is concerning. Can't always be depending on RK. Dan and Seanie need to be putting away chances. Very frustrating night.

Elsewhere:
Dundalk finally scored more than one but then conceded two! Big win for Cobh. There might be a First Division title race yet.

Athlone 2-1 UCD
Bray 1-3 Dundalk
Finn Harps 1-2 Cobh
Treaty 0-1 Wexford

Dundalk bounced back from throwing away two points against Treaty and lead as expected. Cobh are second and the nearest challengers as also expected.
Wexford are in third after a decent start under former Irish international Stephen Elliott, who Billy Dennehy possibly knows well from his early days across the water.
A Kerry FC win tonight, Saturday March 15th, will move Kerry up to 5th. Had Kerry beaten Bray last week, Kerry would be playing for 3rd instead.

Wexford v KERRY
Elsewhere: Dundalk v Longford, Cobh v Athlone, Finn Harps v Bray and UCD v Treaty.

Recent results have been deflating and frustrating. Wexford have started the season well. They seem to have made a good managerial appointment. Billy Dennehy probably knows Stephen Elliott from their early playing days across the water.
Wexford will be favourites. Kerry have a lot to sort out. Defensive frailties being a problem in recent games. Hopefully there is a positive response from Kerry but it looks a tough game to get something from.

Very pleasing performance and result. Could have scored more, but most pleasing of all is hanging on to the victory despite conceding late to let them back into the game.

I must admit it felt a lot more comfortable when we made the change with KW and went 5 at the back with 15 to go. I don’t think Wexford were ever likely to play through us, with balls over the top or set pieces their most likely path to a draw. Having the extra man and height back there really nullified any threat they had and the sending off more or less put it to bed then.

The last few weeks results and 3 points tonight might be a huge learning curve for this team, but need to back it up now next week at home.

Enjoyable trip home for all including what looked sizable (and noisy) away support tonight.

An important win. Much needed. Adams took his goal well. Need that with RK still out. Important for this group to win in these situations.
Longford putting it up to Dundalk shows it is a competitive division. Outside of the top 2, could have 8 challenging for the playoffs.
The current table reads well with Kerry in 5th. If the six points dropped against Bray and Longford had gone the other way, would only be a point behind Cobh.

Wasn't expecting that win. Should do confidence the world of good. Could have been 4 up after 10 minutes but kind of hanging on at the end. Heimir made 2 great saves and probably won us the points but I'm still not convinced with him. Seems to have a mistake every game. Brookwell was outstanding in defence. Palmer continues to impress though couldn't understand how the new striker didn't get the last 10 with legs tiring. Dan was legless as well.
Table looks promising again, amazing what one win can do . Ucd now huge next week Hopefully our players don't read too much into the table as the students are surely better than the standings. A crowd of 800 would be great considering they won't bring many if any.

The challenge for this squad now is to get the results consistently to sustain a playoff push. A winning run for any outside the current top 2 will put them in a strong position. UCD (H), Treaty (A) and Athlone (H) the remaining games for the first quarter.

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Originally Posted by listowelceltic

Wasn't expecting that win. Should do confidence the world of good. Could have been 4 up after 10 minutes but kind of hanging on at the end. Heimir made 2 great saves and probably won us the points but I'm still not convinced with him. Seems to have a mistake every game. Brookwell was outstanding in defence. Palmer continues to impress though couldn't understand how the new striker didn't get the last 10 with legs tiring. Dan was legless as well.
Table looks promising again, amazing what one win can do . Ucd now huge next week Hopefully our players don't read too much into the table as the students are surely better than the standings. A crowd of 800 would be great considering they won't bring many if any.

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We definitely were legless towards the end, particularly Palmer and Dan. I thought we should have gone 5 at the back 10mins sooner, but to be fair we did close out the last 15 well defensively limiting them to 1 or 2 half chances.

Oran Crowe put huge shift in last night, and Teahan has become the new Duffer when it comes to winning a handy free when running with the ball (which came in very handy in the closing minutes). Fair point about Heimer, but he does get the job done (most of the time). Dunne doesn’t look the quickest but somehow he always gets to the ball (just!!). McQueen and Brookwell are showing terrific consistency every week and Adam’s looks like a player that can really dominate as he gets more games and fitness (his first touch always creates a few yards of space for himself, seems to operate on a different wavelength to players in this division.

The most pleasing aspect of all is the next man up philosophy showing good squad depth. Wexford were missing 4 last night (as the commentators kept reminding us), but we were without RK, Alabi and Gleason and still got the job done.

If there's a matchday thread later, I'll comment there. I think Brookwell might have to go back to midfield. Taking him out of midfield hasn't had any positive benefit over the last two games.
After creating so many chances against Dundalk and Bray, Kerry are not creating as many clear cut opportunities. Possibly Williams should be considered at right back. There needs to be a bit of a shake up.

Disappointing results over the weekend. I just caught the second quarter v Cobh. With Waterford parting ways with their manager - I'd be curious to know the kind of experienced manager that Kerry could go for.

Unfortunately performances and results keep getting worse. Fair play to the 720 that turned up to MH park yesterday to watch the latest game of kick and chase. That’s the biggest mystery to me, how well attendances have held up despite the football been truly awful.

We have lost 7 of our last 9 games playing crap football yet it’s been more or less the same starting 11, system and formation every week. Nothing changes week after week, have little confidence this can be tuned around.

I don’t see any change coming quickly though, I’m sure management could argue that was it not for off field admin issues and points deduction we would be in 7th place and only 3 points off the play offs … that’s an even bigger mystery again!!!!

Reading The Kerryman, the manager is under pressure. Results and performances have been disappointing. UCD are just off the playoffs but not sure they've been overly impressive yet. Tough-ish game to be expected to get a result in but after recent weeks a clean sheet and 3 points are badly needed.

A frustrating draw really. Should have been out of sight. Okwute again fluffing his lines. Unlucky with the harshly disallowed goal.
O'Connell with a great ball for Okwute to put Kerry 2 nil up in the second half.
Wasn't really sure about the substitution of Palmer on for Crowe. Not really sure what the intention was there and the need for that change. That aside with 15 minutes to go it looked like Wexford were running out of ideas and then with a sucker punch it was all level.
2 points dropped this evening. Great first half performance though it has to be said. If Okwute could take his chances we'd have some player to terrorise defences.
Teahan was immense.

Teahan on another level tonight, not for the first time this season. Surely the big premier clubs will be lining him up either when summer transfer window opens or next season. Has all the attributes to play at a higher level - Wexford could not get the ball of him tonight.

2 points dropped, but 7 out of 9 is a good return from the last 3 games given where we were coming from. We need to be better in the final 3rd.

Roll on Dundalk, we should not fear them and a good performance could well get us a result.

Dundalk are dangerous though. Could be better off setting up to be defensively sound and get a foot hold in the game. Okwute's pace is a great asset. Really like if he can add being clinical it'll make the difference.
Oran Crowe played Kerry into trouble a few times yesterday. They'll have to work on that that he deals with those situations better. Hiemer, the hero of recent weeks, has got to be disappointed at palming the first save into trouble. A tough lesson. 1 nil leads are dangerous. If you don't take your chances, you can be caught out. Healy will have to work on instilling that ruthless streak. Will take a few weeks.

At least it's a good complaint to have when we're all frustrated about coming away with a draw instead of a win! Still, after UCD's battering from Treaty, we're only two points off sixth, and probably wouldn't do us any harm either if Longford and Harps cancel each other out tonight.

And so they do:

5. Wexford P15 18* points
6. UCD P15 16
7. Finn Harps P15 14 -2
8. Kerry P 15 14* -7
9. Longford Town P15 14 -13
10. Athlone Town P15 13

3 points cancelled against Finn Harps, should have beaten Bray in the fourth game and the points dropped on Friday night. Kerry should easily be on 22 points despite other bad losses and the bad run that was probably a big influence on the managerial shake up.
22 points would have Kerry sitting in 4th. I think it's fair enough for expectation on Kerry to be along those lines. The top 3 are probably a bit ahead. Treaty and Kerry from what I've seen should be qualifying for the playoffs as well. The playoffs could have a strong Munster influence if it plays out like that and Cork are 9th in the Premier.

Couple of us heading down on Friday week, will be our first trip to Kerry. Any pub recommendations in Tralee for before/after the game? Where's best for a late pint?

Was in The Castle Bar beforehand with Treaty last year, Rock St. Very walkable to the ground from it & a decent pint. Seemed to be Kerry fans gathered there too.

Afterwards we did a tour, Sean Ógs the highlight, music and a great buzz, McCaffreys nice, cocktails spot. And up the main street then till 2 or 3 in the morning at The Blasket, desperate music but you can pint away.

Honourable mentions to Paddy Macs, Bettys, The Brogue & The Greyhound.

Judging by the news from Athlone this afternoon, there but for the grace of God go all other teams in the division, even if they're still only a point behind ourselves, Longford and Harps.

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Originally Posted by De Town

Couple of us heading down on Friday week, will be our first trip to Kerry. Any pub recommendations in Tralee for before/after the game? Where's best for a late pint?

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That about illustrates the Kerry way there De Town. Not one of the miserable whoors would engage with a visiting fan on how to enjoy the experience of your visit. They want to be part of it all but wouldn't even point point out a few pubs. They'll only talk to each other. Such a clannish cliquey bunch they've always been like that, only talk to their own.

It's common practice for fans of all clubs to guide each other to safe, convenient bars near games, not these chaps though. They puckered up tighter than a crabs arse at high tide .

Lucky there was a Limerick fan browsing

Maybe we're all Teetotal. Or in my case not from Tralee so don't know the bars in town.
All welcome here. Only about 6 or 7 posting regularly so the more contributions the better.

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

That about illustrates the Kerry way there De Town. Not one of thr miserable whoors would engage with a visiting fan on how to enjoy the experience of your visit. They want to be part of it all but wouldn't even point point out a few pubs. They'll only talk to each other. Such a clannish cliquey bunch they they've always been like that, only talk to their own.

It's common practice for fans of all clubs to guide each other to safe, convenient bars near games, not these chaps though. They puckered up tighter than a crabs arse as high tide .

Lucky there was a Limerick fan browsing

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To be fair you pretty much covered it all so not a lot to add other than if your walking to the ground be sure to take the greenway and not the long way around.

Thanks for the suggestions CTP!

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Originally Posted by De Town

Thanks for the suggestions CTP!

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Let me know how you get on. I expect tales of waking up with a half eaten kebab for a pillow & one shoe missing

Dinano's on Ashe St ( near where you'll be ) does a decent chicken one BTW, comes with chips and drink. Booth type tables too. Height of comfort & luxury.

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Let me know how you get on. I expect tales of waking up with a half eaten kebab for a pillow & one shoe missing

Dinano's on Ashe St ( near where you'll be ) does a decent chicken one BTW, comes with chips and drink. Booth type tables too. Height of comfort & luxury.

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Trip called off due to unforeseen circumstances late in the day. Will keep your suggestions for next time!

Athlone have a new Head Coach ahead of Kerry's trip to the Midlands on Friday. New manager/coach bounce and all that to make the trip more difficult than it might have been.
3 of the next 4 games are away before the visit of Dundalk. Kerry will nearly need to have to get 10 points from 12 to get back in the playoff picture.

Very much a stiff looking set of June fixtures, with Bray at home, before, as noted, an away double against Cobh and Wexford, so whatever about setting points targets, we really need to win on Friday, given such opportunities may be few and far between until next month.

In somewhat of a strange place at the moment, in that a win on Friday lifts us up to 6th, but at the same time both Longford and Harps are hot on our heels. Athlone do look increasingly adrift at the basement, though.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

In somewhat of a strange place at the moment, in that a win on Friday lifts us up to 6th, but at the same time both Longford and Harps are hot on our heels. Athlone do look increasingly adrift at the basement, though.

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Was saying something similar on our forum, beat UCD saturday and we are in the play off mix! But thats just a fans dreaming, dont thing we are anywhere near playoffs, still 7 points from last 3 games very welcome!