FAI National League Thread

**Roones26** · 29/12/2025, 9:08 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I think that's supposed to be 22 teams - which dropped to 20 around 2010 when a number of teams folded (Monaghan, Fungal, Dublin City, Kildare County)

Fairly sure that the First Division only ever had 12 teams when the Premier had 10

Yes - it should be 22 I thought there was one year they were both at 12 but I’m wrong

**legendz** · 29/12/2025, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

The fact that there are fifteen cubs interested and able to join the LOI system/pyramid is a minor miracle in my opinion.

Killarney Celtic are a district league club. They are joining what is supposed to be the top tier of amateur football. It could be 5-10 years before any NL club obtains a First Division licence.
The National League will only be positive if it is the start and not the end of the FPP. That will depend on clubs having ambition to play at a higher level.

**EatYerGreens** · 30/12/2025, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Killarney Celtic are a district league club. They are joining what is supposed to be the top tier of amateur football. It could be 5-10 years before any NL club obtains a First Division licence.
The National League will only be positive if it is the start and not the end of the FPP. That will depend on clubs having ambition to play at a higher level.

In other words - let's all just wait and see

**yurt** · 31/12/2025, 2:56 PM

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

**Martinho II** · 31/12/2025, 4:25 PM

Originally Posted by yurt

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

Was that Caoimhin Kellehers last club before Liverpool yurt?

**yurt** · 31/12/2025, 5:42 PM

Yeah it is. They got about 3mil from his transfer to Brentford.

**cobhlad** · 03/01/2026, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by yurt

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

I really don’t think they are too pushed to join. Most of their better players in the last few seasons are playing for Ringmahon because they actively don’t want the travel and commitment of LOI. Joining the third tier loses this attraction and could easily lose a lot those players who have made them one of the best intermediate teams around.

They also have lost two Intermediate Cup finals recently and definitely favour another tilt at winning it, over giving a new third tier with little prestige a go.

Also their own academy is solid but losing ground to larger schoolboy clubs like Carrigaline and Midleton given no new housing is being built in Mahon/Blackrock and it’s an ageing part of the city. So that talent pipeline isn’t guaranteed to sustain a third tier club.