Pre-Season Friendlies

**culloty82** · 03/01/2023, 3:47 PM

On Thursday week, January 12th, Killarney Celtic will host Cork City in their by now annual friendly encounter. As for Kerry FC, they're still in the process of assembling their squad, so would seem unlikely that the Rebels will travel to Mounthawk that weekend, but the fixture schedule doesn't extend that far:

https://www.kerrydistrictleague.ie/c...th-january-23/

**culloty82** · 04/01/2023, 1:12 PM

Waterford are off to Dubai at the end of the month!

https://waterfordfc.ie/2023-pre-seas...dubai-january/

**trevy** · 04/01/2023, 1:54 PM

I saw that. It used to be Tramore for pre season!

**Neish** · 04/01/2023, 6:45 PM

Originally Posted by culloty82

Waterford are off to Dubai at the end of the month!

https://waterfordfc.ie/2023-pre-seas...dubai-january/

Always wonder why sports teams go to Dubai, its hardly a renowned sporting mecca, an ideal climate for a training camp or for playing in, or is it an economical destination

**ontheotherhand** · 04/01/2023, 7:04 PM

Seems a bit strange to bring a team that failed to get promoted on a trip like that. They should be running hills in the rain.

**Neish** · 04/01/2023, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by ontheotherhand

Seems a bit strange to bring a team that failed to get promoted on a trip like that. They should be running hills in the rain.

They wanted to come but we built a wall around old Donegal. The north and south to keep them out, by God we built it tall

**Longfordian** · 04/01/2023, 11:57 PM

We can't afford to go to Center Parcs never mind Dubai.

**EatYerGreens** · 05/01/2023, 1:53 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

Waterford are off to Dubai at the end of the month!

https://waterfordfc.ie/2023-pre-seas...dubai-january/

Fleetwood Town/United have a team in the UAE second (and previously third) tier ?! The UAE 1st tier is pretty mediocre, so the 3rd tier must be pub league stuff (or the dry version of a pub league).

There is nothing these gulf states won't do to basturdise football

**EatYerGreens** · 05/01/2023, 1:57 AM

Originally Posted by Neish

Always wonder why sports teams go to Dubai, its hardly a renowned sporting mecca, an ideal climate for a training camp or for playing in, or is it an economical destination

The weather is obviously the main attraction in the Winter. Nowhere in Europe has guaranteed good (i.e. 20 degrees plus) weather in Winter.

Beyond that I guess it's a 'glamorous' perk, and teams can probably blag a good price by talking themselves up and promising to do loads of social media around it all.

Spain is a popular Summer location, but its weather is usually fairly meh in the Winter (though is roasting at the moment).

**SPXcyan** · 05/01/2023, 7:52 AM

I don't see the issues with such a trip, it's certainly a very different type of pre-season for the local Waterford lads who have been around for year, it also might prove valuable in terms of mental training as again, it's a very different pre-season in unusual conditions for this time of year.

Now if there would be a stream of the match now that'd be a fascinating watch, I'd be disappointed if we lost to Fleetwood United even though they are mid season I believe.

**pineapple stu** · 05/01/2023, 8:36 AM

They are - and captained by ex-LoI player Kaleem Simon, which probably hints at their standard

**Dermobohs** · 05/01/2023, 9:03 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

The weather is obviously the main attraction in the Winter. Nowhere in Europe has guaranteed good (i.e. 20 degrees plus) weather in Winter.

Beyond that I guess it's a 'glamorous' perk, and teams can probably blag a good price by talking themselves up and promising to do loads of social media around it all.

Spain is a popular Summer location, in but its weather is usually fairly meh in the Winter (though is roasting at the moment).

They could use the canaries, 20 minimum all year round. Fuertaventura has a couple of tidy little stadia too.

**DCSIL** · 05/01/2023, 9:08 AM

I wonder if it's tied into promoting the local game over there?

Man City is Abu Dhabi's project club and rumours going round Dubai looking at Liverpool.

Strange place but if you have the money you can get whatever you want. Crap beer though.

Can imagine the reaction of certain fans on here if we did a Pre season to Dubai.

**pineapple stu** · 05/01/2023, 11:01 AM

I presume it's the Fleetwood link - Fleetwood United are a Dubai team owned by Fleetwood Town. And obviously strong connections between Waterford and Fleetwood Town too.

So I presume Fleetwood using both Waterford and United as ways to get access to more players. Would have thought they're a bit small for that, but there you go