2026 Predictions and early musings

**total hoofball** · 30/12/2025, 7:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I can see that he's done the rounds quite a bit, but I thought Drogs Conor Kane had a very good season in 2025. Given Bohs had struggled with the position, I'm a bit surprised that they didn't have a look at him.

I'm certain Bohs and maybe some others would have had a look at Kane but Drogheda recently extended his contract so there could be a hefty transfer fee or a release clause there which may put LOI clubs off, I remember at the end of the 2021 season Shels after a few attempts eventually agreed with Drogheda to pay undisclosed sum to sign Kane who was under contract

**Roones26** · 30/12/2025, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I think its far too early for anyone to make any sort of predictions when nobody has a full squad, let alone any friendlies or a half of a pre-season done.

I think listening to LOI Central the interesting piece for me at this stage is budgets. I feel i would be able to make some sort of informed guess as to where the size of the budgets in the PD are and rank them, in the FD beyond Cork no idea

**Buckett** · 30/12/2025, 10:09 PM

Who will have the 4th biggest budget this season?

**ger121** · 31/12/2025, 1:31 AM

Originally Posted by Buckett

Who will have the 4th biggest budget this season?

Whoever says it at that particular moment in time.

**Dermobohs** · 31/12/2025, 9:00 AM

Well we would be fairly certain who the top four budgets would be, same as always.
Only the rest would be subject to argument, I’d imagine we are spending a tidy sum.

**placid casual** · 31/12/2025, 9:30 AM

I'd wager Rovers,Derry,Shels and Pats are the top 4 in terms of budgets

**Roones26** · 31/12/2025, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by placid casual

I'd wager Rovers,Derry,Shels and Pats are the top 4 in terms of budgets

Probably in that order I would guess

**sbgawa** · 31/12/2025, 10:33 AM

Id put Pats ahead of Shels particularly when you factor in the Kenny wages and the likes of Mulraney, Shels domt have anyone near those levels i reckon

**Martinho II** · 31/12/2025, 4:28 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Id put Pats ahead of Shels particularly when you factor in the Kenny wages and the likes of Mulraney, Shels domt have anyone near those levels i reckon

but with shels reopenin riverside stand I would imagine they would go ahead of St Pats?

**2 Year Contract** · 31/12/2025, 7:42 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

but with shels reopenin riverside stand I would imagine they would go ahead of St Pats?

The riverside never closed. The main obvious reason to Shels budget next year being much bigger than 2025 is the circa €4.5 million they earned in Europe this year, plus the few million put in by investors on top of that

**legendz** · 01/01/2026, 9:39 AM

UCD have been consistent enough the last two years amassing 56 and 59 points respectively. A strong 2025 saw 3 clubs finish above them.
All clubs who missed out on the playoffs will be looking at catching Treaty. Anyone finishing above UCD are likely to finish comfortably inside the playoffs places.

**Martinho II** · 01/01/2026, 3:30 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

The riverside never closed. The main obvious reason to Shels budget next year being much bigger than 2025 is the circa €4.5 million they earned in Europe this year, plus the few million put in by investors on top of that

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?

**Shinkicker** · 01/01/2026, 4:21 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?

The stand behind the goal at the Drumcondra end.

**total hoofball** · 02/01/2026, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

what stand are they reopenin then as didnt they announce they were expandin their capacity for 2026?

Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

**ger121** · 03/01/2026, 1:31 AM

Does the new increased capacity in Tolka now bring it back into play for a Bohs move or is that door still firmly shut.

**Shinkicker** · 03/01/2026, 7:03 AM

Originally Posted by total hoofball

Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

If this stand was to fill for each home game it would generate 300k - 400k assuming a price of between 20-25 euro. Certainly not to be sniffed at. There are clubs in the league would love that additional income.

**ontheotherhand** · 03/01/2026, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Shinkicker

If this stand was to fill for each home game it would generate 300k - 400k assuming a price of between 20-25 euro. Certainly not to be sniffed at. There are clubs in the league would love that additional income.

Can't see shels hitting 6k very often though. They didn't sell out the current capacity for a lot of home games. As total hoofball says above, they probably will for derbies but if they can't have everything open for European games that will be about it.

Not having a go at Shels here at all. It's great to see that stand back open. I have fond memories of being absolutely terrified of the Djurgardens ultras from that stand.

**Martinho II** · 03/01/2026, 3:27 PM

Originally Posted by ontheotherhand

Can't see shels hitting 6k very often though. They didn't sell out the current capacity for a lot of home games. As total hoofball says above, they probably will for derbies but if they can't have everything open for European games that will be about it.

Not having a go at Shels here at all. It's great to see that stand back open. I have fond memories of being absolutely terrified of the Djurgardens ultras from that stand.

Im curious to know why that stand was ever closed in the first place?

**redarmyfaction** · 03/01/2026, 4:42 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Im curious to know why that stand was ever closed in the first place?

Safety reasons IIRC.

**EatYerGreens** · 03/01/2026, 8:26 PM

Originally Posted by total hoofball

Tolka's capacity is currently 5,400 (3,600 for UEFA games) so the Drumcondra End re-opening which is scheduled for sometime in March will add around 850 seats taking to Tolka to around 6,250 capacity (4,450 for UEFA games)

I don't expect the re-opening of the stand to add significantly to the club's playing budget as it will be hard to sell out games at Tolka outside of the six Dublin derbys and UEFA games

It would also be very unwise to allocate any ticket money that's not yet earned from a stand that hasn't been opened for years to the playing budget. As that's money that's then committed and you have to be able to stump up.

Sensible accounting practise would be for clubs to use a fairly conservative estimate of gate money when setting their playing budget - probably based on the average of recent seasons, minus a heathy 10-20% (?). Because if things go wrong on the pitch, gate receipts soon take a dive. Yet the club would still be committed to whatever contracts they signed expecting that cash to still be there. They can always alocate more to the playing budget for mid-season transfers if they've been shown to be unduly conservative re gate receipts.