2025 League of Ireland First Division

**legendz** · 18/01/2025, 6:22 AM

Less than a month to go now until the new league campaign. Finn Harps visiting MH Park is first up on Friday February 14th. Hopefully a league campaign that will see the club achieve a best finish yet. There has been a bit of a tail off in the previous two campaigns after the FAI Cup. Experience, football intelligence and consistency will be key. The playoffs is the ultimate goal. Eventually.
Dundalk will probably win the league comfortably. Cobh and Athlone might have made the signings to make the top 3. UCD as always should be in the playoff mix. All the rest will be eyeing the top 5. Longford and Treaty supporters seem pessimistic. That's from the few who have strayed in here to the Kerry FC section! I'll take their pessimism with a pinch of salt. Not entirely sure what to expect from Finn Harps, Wexford and Bray. There could be 3 or 4 clubs battling it out for that 5th spot.

**Zico** · 18/01/2025, 5:13 PM

While Dundalk are definitely favorites, I’m not convinced they will win it comfortably. I think they are very different from Cork, Galway and Waterford who all ran away from the rest of the division over the past 3 years. Those clubs already had a good bit of experience of division 1. This is unknown territory for Dundalk with quite a few of their team never playing down at this level - will be quite the culture shock with all the travel and trying get motivated playing in front of 600-700 people on wet away nights. They were also miles off the pace last season in premier division so I think they are quite a bit weaker than the other 3 mentioned clubs. They have signed some good players, but mostly proven first division players who struggled in the premier.

Overall I think it will be a stronger division with at least 4-5 clubs better than they were last season and here’s hoping Kerry be one of those. Still 4 weeks to go so plenty of time for each club to add more signings. The first round of 9 fixtures could be a very competitive before things start to take shape moving into the summer. The league needs a very competitive first division this year.

**legendz** · 08/02/2025, 2:42 AM

KERRY V FINN HARPS (H) FEB 14TH

After the usual long off season, less than a week to go until the start of the 2025 First Division. The starting XI could be very similar to the XI that started against Shamrock Rovers.
Between keeper, defence and defensive midfielder - Sean O'Connell might be the only recognised starter from last season. A sign of where the main problems have had to be addressed. 5 new signings started against Rovers. Williams and Adams then would expect to be pushing for a place in the starting XI as well.
With Williams' versatility can Williams and Dunne both start or is it likely to be a battle for right back?

**legendz** · 12/02/2025, 5:42 PM

With Cobh away second followed by Dundalk at home, will want to be winning the first game for points on the board before arguably the two tougher fixtures.
I'd expect that Adams would come into the starting XI, despite not starting against Rovers. Could be at least six new signings starting on Friday.

**legendz** · 16/02/2025, 3:24 AM

Treaty 2-3 Cobh
UCD 0-3 Wexford
Kerry 2-0 Finn Harps
Dundalk 1-0 Athlone
Longford 0-1 Bray

Some comeback by Cobh. A warning ahead of Kerry's trip there next week. Wasn't expecting Wexford's win. The surprise result of the FD weekend. Dundalk and Bray won as expected.
It can be folly to read too much in to opening day results at times. UCD and Wexford should possibly be taken with a pinch of salt. It'll be interesting to see where UCD really are and the same with Wexford. I think Wexford and Bray will be mid table. If Kerry can challenge for the playoffs, Wexford and Bray could be in that mix.

**legendz** · 02/03/2025, 7:49 AM

4 points from the first 3 league games is an ok return considering the opposition.
Kevin Williams was disappointing on Friday night. Could have been caught out earlier and then was caught out for the goal. The management made good changes and tactical changes at half time.
RK is obviously going to be a big loss for as long as he is out. Dan, Seanie and Nathan will have to start putting away the chances that fall their way more often. It will take all 3 really to step up in RK's absence and Adams' return.
The important thing now is to get the bread and butter results. That'll be key now to actually building some momentum and keep the crowds coming back to MH Park in big numbers.

**legendz** · 04/03/2025, 10:42 AM

There's potentially 3 clubs that Kerry could be confident of finishing above this year. If Kerry can get in a battle with at least two more for the final playoff spot, this will be an interesting year. Picking up the bread and butter results will be key.

**legendz** · 08/03/2025, 6:09 AM

Kerry 0-1 Bray
Dundalk 2-2 Treaty
UCD 1-1 Finn Harps
Wexford 0-1 Athlone
Cobh 5-0 Longford

Terrible result for Kerry. All the old failings of leaving the opposition away with an easy 3 points. The goal conceded was kamikaze. So avoidable.
How the referee didn't give a stonewall penalty is ridiculous. Books McCarthy then for fair complaints. Frustrating though not to take gilt edged chances for the second game in a row. Lost their way then in the second half. Too rushed and little composure. Not scoring in three games is concerning. Can't always be depending on RK. Dan and Seanie need to be putting away chances. Very frustrating night.

Elsewhere:
Dundalk finally scored more than one but then conceded two! Big win for Cobh. There might be a First Division title race yet.