Kerry FC

**The Bowler** · 19/10/2022, 12:17 PM

Absolutely folks, huge challenge for Derry Harps Cork etc every week, just honing more into my personal view with relegation looming. Hats off to each and every player in the league outside those getting paid a proper wage, which is the bulk of both leagues

**culloty82** · 19/10/2022, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

Genuinely wishing then the best, but fear it may end up like Monaghan - too much of a GAA stronghold.

That's always a realistic concern, but given proposals for a Kerry LoI side have been variously on and off for the table for the last 20 years now, the only way to gauge what market for senior national soccer exists within the county is for some entity to ultimately take the plunge. Of course Kildare had a more developed tradition of intermediate clubs than most areas and only survived for eight years, but then Wexford is just as GAA-dominated as Kerry, and have proven to be the only new club in the last 30 years to remain permanently.

**legendz** · 19/10/2022, 6:57 PM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

Genuinely wishing then the best, but fear it may end up like Monaghan - too much of a GAA stronghold.

A concern for sure. Kerry's rise to the LoI has been long overdue. Kerry League competed well in the League Cup for many years. Tralee Dynamos joined the A Championship. Kerry were part of the U21 league many years ago and the youth leagues in recent years.

**EatYerGreens** · 20/10/2022, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

Genuinely wishing then the best, but fear it may end up like Monaghan - too much of a GAA stronghold.

I don't think Monaghan and Kerry are similar in that regard. For a start Monaghan Town has less than 8,000 people whilst Tralee has more than 25,000. Kerry County has 155,000 people, whilst Monaghan County has less than 65,000. As a starting point therefore, a club in Tralee and Kerry has a much stronger population base to tap into (and football is an urban sport after all). If 10% of the population of Monaghan Town follows their local LOI club, they'll struggle even in the First Division. If 10% of Tralee follow their local LOI club, they'll be one of the best-supported in the Premier Division. So I wouldn't write Kerry off so quickly (especially as they seem to be well run). Let's see how they do first.

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/10/2022, 2:52 PM

There's also a much richer junior setup in Kerry and the south west than Monaghan. Cavan/Monaghan league only has a handful of teams and it's a very poor standard.

**legendz** · 20/10/2022, 5:13 PM

Tralee is accessible from all over the county. All KDL clubs would be familiar with travelling to Mounthawk Park. It's like a county ground, which is a typical Kerry thing. All this bodes well.
Treaty are to the East of Limerick. Waterford are to the East of Waterford. Bray are to the north of Wicklow. Tralee is central.
It'll be interesting to see how the local media come on board behind Kerry FC. The nightmare scenario would be to be cut a drift at the bottom of the First Division. If they can challenge for 9th or 8th, cut their cloth and have support on board for the conservative approach off the park, I'd be hopeful that the foundations would be set to become established in the LoI longterm.
The playoffs gives most in the First Division something to aim for long-term.

**culloty82** · 20/10/2022, 6:13 PM

TBF, Radio Kerry and the local papers give decent coverage, particularly where the under-19s are concerned, and you would expect that to increase all the more in the case of a senior side. Half the PR battle next season would be maximising home form, as if Mounthawk Park gains a reputation as a tricky place to visit, then they'll be cut more slack when it comes to away matches.

**CorribsideSteve** · 21/10/2022, 1:13 PM

Was just about to say the same thing. Tralee is a very well-connected town too, about 90 m NW of Cork and SE of Limerick. And with their location close to the North Kerry/West Limerick hinterland, in towns like Castleisland, Killarney, Listowel, Abbeyfeale etc there's access to thousands of potential fans if they can make a go of it.

**legendz** · 22/10/2022, 2:01 PM

There will have to be an acceptance of the level Kerry will be at. Initially trying to compete with 8th and 9th.
There was a bit of a gap between Treaty and Longford. Anyone outside the top 5 this year will be trying to catch Treaty.
The best case scenario for Kerry would be to be competing with Treaty. A rivalry there could be good for both.

**culloty82** · 22/10/2022, 3:27 PM

Particularly when, as CorribsideSteve alludes, even Newcastlewest is roughly halfway between Tralee and Limerick.

**culloty82** · 25/10/2022, 7:26 PM

Players wanting to play for the academy teams are asked to complete an expression of interest form - presumably the same will occur if/when applicable with adult players:

https://twitter.com/KerryFC/status/1584869125771653121

**culloty82** · 28/10/2022, 9:08 AM

Sadly, the death has been announced of Pádraig Hartnett - it would be no exaggeration to describe him as "Mr Soccer" in the county, having reported on all levels from schoolboy/girl leagues to Kerry U19 League of Ireland games, so condolences to all who knew him.

**culloty82** · 01/11/2022, 8:15 AM

If the planned new FAI schedule is still on track, then November sees final reports handed over to the Licensing Committee, with licences issued literally any day between now and the end of the month.

**nigel-harps1954** · 01/11/2022, 8:18 AM

They weren't announced until 3rd February for this season. I'd be surprised to see them this side of Christmas.

**culloty82** · 01/11/2022, 9:00 AM

The manual, TBF, has seen the timetable for expressions of interest, final submissions of applications, etc, all brought forward a number of months from last year already, so hopefully the last stage won't get dragged out.

**culloty82** · 01/11/2022, 9:41 AM

Reading last year's version, for instance, new clubs didn't have to apply until the start of September, and final documentation submitted until mid-November, so 2022 is already three months ahead of last year.

**culloty82** · 08/11/2022, 8:16 PM

Hopefully UEFA "A" courses will follow in good time:

**legendz** · 12/11/2022, 8:20 AM

https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...-26432710.html

Kerry League knocking Waterford United out of the League Cup is probably the best result in Kerry's football history.
With Waterford in the First Division again next year, Waterford would be a good first home game should Kerry secure First Division football.
Waterford, Finn Harps, Galway, Longford, Treaty, Wexford, Bray, Athlone, Cobh and Kerry. The list of teams I want to see on next year's fixture list.