2025 Licensing Thread

[culloty82]

In recent seasons, the awarding of Premier and First Division licences has generally happened on the Tuesday/Wednesday immediately after the FAI Cup final, but will it be postponed a week this time until the play-off has concluded (though both Drogheda and Bray have presumably applied for Premier licences anyway)? And now that Dundalk are under new ownership, are we expecting them to pass with relatively flying colours?

[dundalkfc10]

In recent seasons, the awarding of Premier and First Division licences has generally happened on the Tuesday/Wednesday immediately after the FAI Cup final, but will it be postponed a week this time until the play-off has concluded (though both Drogheda and Bray have presumably applied for Premier licences anyway)? And now that Dundalk are under new ownership, are we expecting them to pass with relatively flying colours?

According to local media, we have been giving a few extra week to sort out licencing but most of the application is due in this Friday

Owner today has appointed new manager, advised season tickets be out next week, new jersey and sponsor to be announced in the next week and new pitch and floodlights to start early December.
I'd be fully confident he has assurances we will get a license as it's confirmed we have a manager on a 2 year deal and Horgan and Dervin confirmed as staying plus a few more to be announced

[placid casual]

Is the licence not based on the ability for each club to be able to finance the coming season,which for dundalk is still up for discussion no?

[Longfordian]

I'm sure no LOI owner would be making assumptions on things that may not actually happen.

[Nesta99]

Is the licence not based on the ability for each club to be able to finance the coming season,which for dundalk is still up for discussion no?

Good question! Creative accounting is something that all LoI clubs....scratch that all football clubs the world over are experts at. It does beg the question on what the bar is, how outrageous proposed budgets must be to be rejected. Dundalk FC generates income, aside from matchday and sponsrship there is obviously the YDC and 2 bars, it would comfortably run as an amatuer club. Discretionary stuff like playing budget?? For some reason things seem kinda positive off the field, there is liitle concrete behind that bar that so far things seem tp be progressing eg a new jersey - PlayerFit must have been paid, maybe are getting money up front but they havent walked. There hasnt been a Revenue winding up notice...yet. ST sales start next week. Work starts on floodlights and pitch in weeks(Ill be happy to see that actually happen rather than just spoken about as it will indicate there is money to facilitate grants use). YDC has reopened to the public after years of lip service. FAI are giving room to work on licence with most already submitted, so all sways toward the positive side. FAI could reject application but thats a real headache for them. Payments to former players is a complication, one at least is based on interprestation of an additional clause for a player already having maybe paid circa 200k so as long as its disputed and in some process it kinda stays away short term. O'Donnell will probably play ball with some agreement and Annesley I can imagine the amount involved isnt huge in thats its make or break, it could be covered.

I'd be pretty sure advance payment has been made of prizemoney and the timing of the solidarity lump sum if advanced by the FAI could be enough to pave the way to a licence for 2025 but still just buying time unless there is more to things than is known. It will be rinse and repeat without the ability to get advances if there is additional messing and/or Trust, Club, Support Club efforts slide.

[dundalkfc10]

Is the licence not based on the ability for each club to be able to finance the coming season,which for dundalk is still up for discussion no?

The owner said today the budget has been confirmed for next season and I'm led to believe most of the lads under contract are staying on

[placid casual]

We'll see what pans out I guess.

I did predict in another thread that you'd get kilduff. It's a good managerial appointment for both ,in my view. He gets to cut his teeth in men's football away from the glare ( is there any glare?!) of the Premier division and dundalk gets a manager who knows and cares about the club and not just some sam allardyce managerial novice.

[Another Bohemia]

We'll see what pans out I guess.

I did predict in another thread that you'd get kilduff. It's a good managerial appointment for both ,in my view. He gets to cut his teeth in men's football away from the glare ( is there any glare?!) of the Premier division and dundalk gets a manager who knows and cares about the club and not just some sam allardyce managerial novice.

Maybe I'm just being pessimistic here but from Kilduffs standpoint this is probably the riskiest role he could have taken? Let's even exclude the potential licensing hurdles and points deductions and assume all is well at Dundalk and they figure out a plan without SCARP. Others have mentioned that a lot of the under contract players are returning. These are players who massively underperformed in a lot of cases and there probably wouldn't be a budget to move on from them so that's the squad. How does the worst squad in the premier stack up against some better first division teams? The average LOI or Dundalk fan will see some names like Horgan and think they'll win the first at a canter. If they don't that could be a real problem for Kilduff. We can say that he's a legend or cult hero in Dundalk but so was O'Donnell? It may take time for a rookie manager to get up to speed with the men's game and will he be afforded that time by the fans? Some already have their sights in the next European run! A minority I'm sure but let's not pretend a vocal minority can't influence others around them.

I do think it's a good appointment from Dundalk point of view if they can keep expectations realistic and let him grow into the role a bit.

[Nesta99]

Maybe I'm just being pessimistic here but from Kilduffs standpoint this is probably the riskiest role he could have taken? Let's even exclude the potential licensing hurdles and points deductions and assume all is well at Dundalk and they figure out a plan without SCARP. Others have mentioned that a lot of the under contract players are returning. These are players who massively underperformed in a lot of cases and there probably wouldn't be a budget to move on from them so that's the squad. How does the worst squad in the premier stack up against some better first division teams? The average LOI or Dundalk fan will see some names like Horgan and think they'll win the first at a canter. If they don't that could be a real problem for Kilduff. We can say that he's a legend or cult hero in Dundalk but so was O'Donnell? It may take time for a rookie manager to get up to speed with the men's game and will he be afforded that time by the fans? Some already have their sights in the next European run! A minority I'm sure but let's not pretend a vocal minority can't influence others around them.

I do think it's a good appointment from Dundalk point of view if they can keep expectations realistic and let him grow into the role a bit.

I can assure you this isnt the case, few Dundalk fans think things will be won at a canter. I also disagree on the risk to Kilduff, its a free hit. 2yr contract that we'd struggle to pay off. Depending on who actually stays there is the basis for a decent young squad, local or academy players with Horgan, Dervin, hopefully Hakiki. Anaamasihun, Keogh, Molloy, Kenny as a few that you could develop a decent side with. If Gullan stays and is part of 2 up front there is goals there, even at keeper you'd hope Munro will be sufficient if there are no other obvious keepers there. Its not a bounce back sde or manager, seems that there is longer thinking, a bounce back will be a bonus. Im sure many would expect a playoff slot which is not unreasonable. The 'Europe 2026' will be drained out of them after a year in the 1st Division and 8th 2026 will keep them quiet.

If I had a wish list it would be to fund a full time position, architect/engineer type as a facilities deveopment or project manager. Id give up promotion if that salary or a wedge on a company to do the needed leg work was diverted away from the playing squad. I think what will be key to everything staying relatively sane will be communication. If we cant afford a squad for promotion and have money to draw down grants then let the fans know. As has been said plenty there is lots to run in this saga and very caustiously the tide might be turning.

[Another Bohemia]

I can assure you this isnt the case, few Dundalk fans think things will be won at a canter. I also disagree on the risk to Kilduff, its a free hit. 2yr contract that we'd struggle to pay off. Depending on who actually stays there is the basis for a decent young squad, local or academy players with Horgan, Dervin, hopefully Hakiki. Anaamasihun, Keogh, Molloy, Kenny as a few that you could develop a decent side with. If Gullan stays and is part of 2 up front there is goals there, even at keeper you'd hope Munro will be sufficient if there are no other obvious keepers there. Its not a bounce back sde or manager, seems that there is longer thinking, a bounce back will be a bonus. Im sure many would expect a playoff slot which is not unreasonable. The 'Europe 2026' will be drained out of them after a year in the 1st Division and 8th 2026 will keep them quiet.

If I had a wish list it would be to fund a full time position, architect/engineer type as a facilities deveopment or project manager. Id give up promotion if that salary or a wedge on a company to do the needed leg work was diverted away from the playing squad. I think what will be key to everything staying relatively sane will be communication. If we cant afford a squad for promotion and have money to draw down grants then let the fans know. As has been said plenty there is lots to run in this saga and very caustiously the tide might be turning.

So, looking at the players listed there and looking at the first division for next year, assuming Drogheda don't go down, what team would have players with a similar pedigree to those listed as Dundalk players for next year? Wexford lost their manager, Bray could be good but they are a bit of an erratic team who I'm not sure have a manager for next year? UCD are very much dependent on players improving which could happen, Valeo are pulling out of Athlone. I'm not saying every Dundalk fans will think they should win at a canter but I'd be surprised if there aren't more fans than you think going "We can easily bounce back and win the 1st". I don't think it's a free shot for Kilduff at all but let's wait and see.

[Nesta99]

It'd be more a hope than an expectation. Any of the 1st Division clubs could bully a new and young Dundalk side even with some experienced heads. I wouldnt bet that Kerry with players together for a few seasons could get at Dundalk. If we have some significant investment and a handy squad is built with proven 1st division performers of course expectations will rise but can be kept in check with some reality reminders ie that this is an entire club rebuild not just assembling a team for promotion. Killer will be given plenty of time and he has Burns and Spain now with him, a stronger coaching combination imo than other managements teams for a number of years, of coure Kilduff will need to rely on his management team rather than ignore. If we sign duds at least they will be cheap and not a flipping mass recruitment from Scotland highlands. Could raid a few Athlone lads. I hope we walk the division, if we dont we avoid the additional costs of putting together a PL side which if communicated to fans they will suck it up bar the few never happy usuals.

[Mr A]

Valeo are pulling out of Athlone.

First I've heard of this?

[Another Bohemia]

First I've heard of this?

It's mentioned on the first page of the 2025 transfer rumours thread. I should have had a ? Instead of a full stop at the end of the sentence.

[oriel]

So, looking at the players listed there and looking at the first division for next year, assuming Drogheda don't go down, what team would have players with a similar pedigree to those listed as Dundalk players for next year? Wexford lost their manager, Bray could be good but they are a bit of an erratic team who I'm not sure have a manager for next year? UCD are very much dependent on players improving which could happen, Valeo are pulling out of Athlone. I'm not saying every Dundalk fans will think they should win at a canter but I'd be surprised if there aren't more fans than you think going "We can easily bounce back and win the 1st". I don't think it's a free shot for Kilduff at all but let's wait and see.

I'm expecting Drogs to win the play off, then in my view it will be one of the weakest FD since its inception when we had likes of EMFA and Newcastle West, maybe I`m been a little unkind, but I don't see any stand out clubs and certainly not too many will have any recent decent exp in the PD. I`m not saying Dundalk will win it, as have no idea what the squad will look like, budget not yet confirmed, but Temple saying could be 0.5M.

I still remain to be convinced we can avoid SCARP, and the debt is still significant, so all of that will be a massive cloud over how 2025 will work out, unless Temple has investors lined up, as Kilduff must have got some solid assurances to sign for 2 years.

Overall, I`m actually looking forward to the FD, something different, and as said on separate thread, its fully deserved that we were relegated.

[LTFC]

Actually, from a first div pov , and assuming Drogs beat Bray, there is no obvious runaway champions next season - last 3 seasons there has been. Could mean one of the 10 takes the chance to win title even if they know that staying up is unlikely. If you offered me a First Div title in 2025 and a second season of relagation and dismal nights in 2026 I'd take it!

[Acornvilla]

I feel like if Dundalk are to avoid any points deductions and are a largely full time setup, with players like Horgan/Dervin and probably a couple of other staying and some very talented local kids as a starting point, they'll do what Cork did and win it by 20, they might not be an excellent team, but being full time alone is a massive advantage. It's also probably as good a season as Dundalk could have asked for to be in the 1st div, with no 2nd bigger club. There is always the chance of UCD will being class and destroy everyone too tbf. Has other clubs improving their academies and giving decent pathways in to 1st team, like Rovers,Pats,Bohs in the Dublin area hurt them at all?

[Buckett]

I thought they were changing to part time and training in the evenings? They'll still be good enough to challenge for the title.
Would training in the evenings mean less income from renting their facilities to the public though?

[Acornvilla]

I thought they were changing to part time and training in the evenings? They'll still be good enough to challenge for the title.
Would training in the evenings mean less income from renting their facilities to the public though?

The land of Dundalk is rife with rumors, but from what I've heard going around the plan is to be full time but to move training to accommodate some people, maybe a lot of the younger guys who are going to be promoted to 1st team will still have school to navigate and day time training just won't work. It definitely leaves scope to be more like the Drogheda situation, where I imagine quite a lot of their squad are full time, but others like Deegan, Markey and whoever else, who wanted to keep their other jobs could make it work. We'll probably know a lot more by January what sort of squad they're putting together.

[dundalkfc10]

I thought they were changing to part time and training in the evenings? They'll still be good enough to challenge for the title.
Would training in the evenings mean less income from renting their facilities to the public though?

Seems we are going to evening training to accommodate some of the younger players.
On renting out facilities, their is a local winter league in Dundalk who are using oriel currently 3/4 nights a week sometimes 2 games a night at 6.40 and 8.20
Games were regular in oriel but stopped for years but they have been using oriel this season since it started a few weeks back. I assume they won't be able to use it anymore unless they move some games to the weekend

The YDC is open though with the astro pitches open from 7-10 every night, and is hosting kids birthday parties too which wouldn't be affected

What we need to do is get the bar open in the YDC. On this years ago, in the first Division you were able to drink pints in the smoke area of the lillywhite (the away end) and watch the games
This could be a big money spinner but is it allowed?

[Buckett]

We have a smoking area beside the bar in Terryland where you can watch the game from. You can also see the pitch from inside the bar. Needless to say, I haven't been outside since the bar opened!