2025 Kerry FC Arrivals and Departures

[legendz]

Any word on potential new signings and re-signings for 2025?
Rumours suggesting Kelliher might be off to the Premier Division. Any chance of Gaxha returning for 2025? Unless anyone is earning a Premier Division move or possibly eyeing promotion with Dundalk, I wouldn't like to see us losing players to any other First Division rivals.

[kingdomkerry]

Strangely very quite off season. Nothing on players. Nothing on new kit so missing Christmas market. Maybe we'll have much the same squad as we finished with last season.

[Zico]

Not even clear who will be managing / coaching the team next season either. Pre season training must be less than 4 weeks away at this stage. It’s quite across the first division by all accounts - the lack of clarity around solidarity payments could be the reason (from what I have seen elsewhere).

[legendz]

Quiet off season alright. Novelty worn off affect or something?
They are promoting the season ticket on social media as a Christmas gift but no new gear or anything like that being put out there yet.
In terms of the new season, six weeks out or so from the start should be time enough to promote it. The fixtures are being released on December 17th. Two months out from the start. Possibly intentionally low key until then before a ramp up and build up to the new season.

[culloty82]

Strangely very quite off season. Nothing on players. Nothing on new kit so missing Christmas market. Maybe we'll have much the same squad as we finished with last season.

Apparently, Tuta is training with a Bosnian league club, so either the very young Darragh Foley will become the No 1 keeper, or a new signing in that department becomes the top priority.

[legendz]

Kerry FC’s top scorer Ryan Kelliher has committed to the club for the 2025 season after signing a new contract with the nascent League of Ireland club.
https://www.independent.ie/regionals...588053338.html

[legendz]

Sean McGrath has signed a new multi-year contract with the club!

https://x.com/KerryFC/status/1870070...O5QQbwiRQ&s=19

All good news from the club all of a sudden! The Christmas gifts are signing early! Sean McGrath, a vital cog, staying with the club.

[dansultheman]

I certainly wasn't expecting the recent news but great bit of business by the club. Kelliher & Mcgrath the highest performers signing new deals bodes extremely well. With the funds now available, you would think some higher level players would see Kerry FC now as an ambitious club with ambitions to really kick on this year. Exciting times ahead.

[Zico]

Agree, 2 key players to tie down. I think it’s critical we get the rest of the local players signed up also in particular Teahan, O’Connell and Amechi. Key positions after that are GK, Center half and a holding midfielder.

Seems like a mixed bag in terms of what other clubs have done - Cobh look like they are really going for it (seems like they have signed half of cork city’s squad at this stage), treaty look like they are spending a bit more too. Athlone and Wexford could struggle though as both have lost a lot of key players.

As for Dundalk, surprisingly they now look clear favorites with the signings they have made - how is beyond me though given their debts and need to generate profits this season. Looks like they have a lot of full time players and management too. I think they may be overestimating their crowds this season - averaged 2,800 in premier and benefited from Louth derby and 4 Dublin clubs visiting regularly also. They won’t get many away gates in 1st division and I’m sure their own support will drop 20% also. Can’t see them getting over 2k average. They still have a lot of financial troubles - the season could have many twists and turns in it.

[dansultheman]

Agree, 2 key players to tie down. I think it’s critical we get the rest of the local players signed up also in particular Teahan, O’Connell and Amechi. Key positions after that are GK, Center half and a holding midfielder.

Seems like a mixed bag in terms of what other clubs have done - Cobh look like they are really going for it (seems like they have signed half of cork city’s squad at this stage), treaty look like they are spending a bit more too. Athlone and Wexford could struggle though as both have lost a lot of key players.

As for Dundalk, surprisingly they now look clear favorites with the signings they have made - how is beyond me though given their debts and need to generate profits this season. Looks like they have a lot of full time players and management too. I think they may be overestimating their crowds this season - averaged 2,800 in premier and benefited from Louth derby and 4 Dublin clubs visiting regularly also. They won’t get many away gates in 1st division and I’m sure their own support will drop 20% also. Can’t see them getting over 2k average. They still have a lot of financial troubles - the season could have many twists and turns in it.

Aren’t Teehan and Amechi already signed for the season? They both signed 2 years!! O Connell is a key player to be able to retain! If the recruitment is very good then we should see an influx of players in those departments you mentioned!

Always the Cork and Cobh merry go round! Cork get relegated, they take Cobh best, they get promoted, Cobh get all the Cork rejects, seen this for many many years. Cobh showing ambition for sure!

Couldn’t agree more with Dundalk's financial issues they have had. I think they are seriously underestimating the league! Cork won at a canter while not blowing teams away either, Dundalk won’t have what Cork had, I see many twists but no runaway favorites! Huge risk they are taking consideration what they have just survived by a whisker.

[legendz]

Done deal! Nathan Gleeson re-signs for the Kingdom. Gleeson, who is 20, already has 60 appearances for Kerry FC in the club’s two seasons to date.

[dansultheman]

Great to have Nathan back! Was one of the standout performers early in the season until he got injured and finished really strong. At 20 years old, with 60 appearances, certainly a player if he keeps developing could be a powerful force in the FD. Lets hope for some more local signings and it would be great to see the level of player that the club are recruiting now that it has the additional resources to aim for playoffs.

[Zico]

Sean O’Connell also signed up - big player to retain, massive potential. Mentions also this is his first contract - assume that means first professional contract which is fully deserved.

Agree on Nathan - massive improvement last season. Terrific power and pace and improving his decision making on the ball also.

I think these younger players will step up and improve even more next season again - the benefits of 2 years playing at a high level.

[dansultheman]

Sean O’Connell also signed up - big player to retain, massive potential. Mentions also this is his first contract - assume that means first professional contract which is fully deserved.

Agree on Nathan - massive improvement last season. Terrific power and pace and improving his decision making on the ball also.

I think these younger players will step up and improve even more next season again - the benefits of 2 years playing at a high level.

Great to have young Seanie Back too, these may be young lads but the benefit now is that these core retained players have a two full seasons under their belt and now we are starting to get that vital Senior experience. A player who has potential to play at a higher level. More good business done by the club.

Looking forward to more player announcements from the club

[legendz]

I think these younger players will step up and improve even more next season again - the benefits of 2 years playing at a high level.

Great to have young Seanie Back too, these may be young lads but the benefit now is that these core retained players have a two full seasons under their belt and now we are starting to get that vital Senior experience. A player who has potential to play at a higher level. More good business done by the club.

I hope you both are right about the younger players improving and having the potential to play at a higher level. I was concerned towards the end of the season that the squad had reached it ceiling. James Sugrue seemed to suggest that also.

[Zico]

We definitely need more experience to help young players along and help close out games. I really think the loss of Daire McCarthy was huge last season in terms of the structure of the team, we looked way more exposed at the back conceding sloppy goals both from set pieces and balls over the top.

No arguing the squad reached its potential and additions are needed, but still would not underestimate how young players can grow with experience gained from playing senior level in their late teens / early twenties.

[dansultheman]

We certainly missed McCarthys presence defensively! We still led in half our games when he departed and the old traits of 2023 rushed back. With the retention signings there is quite a bit of experience for young players. Let’s see what happens now over the next month or two!

If the club can secure some 22-26 year olds with that LOI experience, I certainly will start to be more optimistic going into the 2025 season.

[legendz]

Next confirmed re-signing. Cian Brosnan has committed to Kerry FC for 2025. Brosnan has 53 appearances for the club, 41 of which have been off the bench, scoring four goals.

[legendz]

CURRENT RE-SIGNINGS
Ryan Kelliher
Sean McGrath
Nathan Gleeson
Sean O'Connell
Cian Brosnan

Kevin Williams and Daire McCarthy were big losses during the summer. It will be intriguing to see how far the re-signings go before we see some new faces. Replacing those two and bringing in more experience will go a long way to kicking on and challenging for top 5.

[legendz]

Academy player Luke Palmer has signed his first contract with Kerry FC. The 17-year-old from Brosna has played well during his time in the Academy, having come into Mounthawk after a spell in Limerick FC.