2026 Predictions and early musings

[Nesta99]

Derry champions obviously, hould jut be given the trophy now uch i the formality! Bray promoted. Bohs win the cup. Waterford Relegated. Dundalk beat Cork in the play-off.

The first round nd how Dundalk cope with lack of home games is going to be a significant indicator of our season imo. If we are cut loose and chasing its already a tough league to claw back unless you hit championship winning form for a round. If we are on the board and in touch with a bunch of games weighted toward the latter part of the season then we'll kick on. Any side in the bottom 5 or 6 that hits a rut cn quickly get in to trouble. Nothing will be resolved until the last round I think where automatic relegation is done in the summer like this year.

[trevy]

Waterford won't be relegated. Squad is a lot stronger with a lot of signings from within the league. We got rid of some sub standard players. I'd expect us to finish around 6th or so.

[Neish]

Derry champions obviously, hould jut be given the trophy now .

With the amount they have spent the last few season they need top be taking the title or at the very least pushing a challenge to the last week of the season

[legendz]

Is there a summary somewhere of Premier Division transfers incoming and outgoings to gauge where clubs are ahead of the new season?

[ontheotherhand]

Is there a summary somewhere of Premier Division transfers incoming and outgoings to gauge where clubs are ahead of the new season?

Check chippie on twitter. He keeps a spreadsheet fairly up to date.

[nigel-harps1954]

A week out, worth attempting some crap predictions again.

Premier Division:

Top five will be fairly well sewn up. Anyones game from 6-10 really.

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Bohemians
4. Shelbourne
5. St Pat's
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Drogheda
8. Galway United
9. Dundalk
10. Waterford

First Division:

Cork should win the league, although I don't think it'll be as straightforward as their last stint. 2-10 could be anyone at this point.

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Finn Harps
4. UCD
5. Wexford
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Kerry
8. Athlone Town
9. Treaty
10. Longford

FAI Cup: Bohemians

[Bohtastic]

A week out, worth attempting some crap predictions again.

Premier Division:

Top five will be fairly well sewn up. Anyones game from 6-10 really.

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Bohemians
4. Shelbourne
5. St Pat's
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Drogheda
8. Galway United
9. Dundalk
10. Waterford

First Division:

Cork should win the league, although I don't think it'll be as straightforward as their last stint. 2-10 could be anyone at this point.

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Finn Harps
4. UCD
5. Wexford
6. Bray Wanderers
7. Kerry
8. Athlone Town
9. Treaty
10. Longford

FAI Cup: Bohemians

3rd and the cup for Bohs? I'd take that.

[nigel-harps1954]

3rd and the cup for Bohs? I'd take that.

I did say they would likely be crap predictions.

[thebronze14]

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. Shels
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Waterford
7. Drogheda
8. Dundalk
9. Sligo
10. Galway

First Division:

1. Cork City
2. Cobh Ramblers
3. Wexford
4. UCD
5. Bray
6. Harps
7. Kerry
8. Treaty
9. Athlone
10. Longford

Be very close in Premier title race I think. Cork should win Div 1 at a canter. If Cobh have kept much the same group as last year they will do well. Wexford dark horses. Think we'll do alright but not sure we have many goals in us after losing Mpongo

[Jack B]

Have found it quite striking just how miserable the mood of the Pats fan base is heading into this season. The glass half full in me wonders if lower expectations going into a new season (for once) is actually what we need, but if I'm being honest I can't say I don't feel similarly to most.

We've had a bit of a clear-out which is what many wanted, but there's still a few hanging about on contracts the club were too generous with and the incomings - while on an individual basis bringing varying degrees of quality - have been limited in numbers. Added to that we've also got a few out injured before a ball has even been kicked in anger, and the likes of Palmer are ticking time bombs even when "fit". Do expects us to add maybe a couple of more now that the UK market is closed, but main targets will have been missed out on and you basically have to cross your fingers and hope whoever you can pick up now will be of sufficient standard.

As of right now I can't see us finishing higher than 5th. Kenny said some of the right things recently in that he put too much trust in the group that went on that winning run at the end of 2024 and has been looking to add some athleticism we've desperately lacked to the squad, but we were a side that often struggled to create last season and I don't see how that's been addressed much. Melia has left, not much has been added in the way of creativity and it seems we're toying with the idea of a back 5 going off of pre-season. Maybe playing two up top and having an extra centre half will see the glorious return of St. Piece Athletic...

[kksaints]

Premier Division

1 Derry City- I think they've got their transfers right with Clarke and Markey and the two McLeans.

2 Shamrock Rovers- Defence could be a weakpoint with Grace, Lopes and Cleary all aging and Honohan gone. Lopes imo was certainly showing signs of slowing down last season at times. Still a huge threat with the forwards they have and won't give up the title without a fight.

3 Shelbourne- A lot depends on how Casey slots into their backline as they don't have much cover if Barrett gets injured. Title contenders if the new analytics signings work out but there's a few too many question marks to have them in the top two.

4 St Patricks Athletic- Probably over optimistic but I think we won't be as bad as the mood music in the fanbase is currently. Boyce and Mata are good signings with good LOI experience. Yes, we've let a lot of players go but bar Melia and the two right backs none of them were regular starters. Palmer could be crucial if he can stay fit for an extended spell, unlikely to happen unfortunately.

5 Bohemians- Some good signings but I don't think they'll be any stronger this year particularly upfront and they'll draw too many matches to challenge for the top two.

6 Waterford- Very good forward options and Heeney plus Mahon could be really good players for their backs. Dark horses for European spots but I think they fall short. SHould be at no risk of relegation this year.

7 Drogheda- Markey is a big loss but they should still be fairly comfortable albeit a bit off the top four.

8 Sligo Rovers- Losing Elding is a big blow and they could struggle for goals. Backline looks stronger than last year and that should be enough to avoid the bottom two spots.

9 Dundalk- Mullen at his best is a very good signing and Cornwall could be enough to provide defensive stabilty with Leonard in the 1st half of the season to avoid last place. Should survive playoff

10 Galway- Have lost too many players with Hickey in particular crucial to the survival last year, too many random unknown signings to have any faith in.

[Nesta99]

Nobody wants to be in the 1st Division ever but this season would have been an awful one to be in. There are a lot of unknowns, even Athlone could surprise in a few games. Cobh blew their chance with their bigger neighbours going to outsihine as usual. Longford could be on an improvment curve, Wexford, Kerry too. Not sure about Treaty. Ill bow to PSs thoughts on UCD but they are never to be written off. Bray will push Cork and could have learned a lot about just getting out of the division. Thats the lot!

[2 Year Contract]

Premier Division
1. shams
2. Derry
3. shels
4. bohs
5. Waterford
6. Pats
7. Drogheda
8. Sligo
9. Dundalk
10. Galway

First Division
1. Cork
2. Cobh
3. Bray
4. UCD
5. Kerry
6. Harps
7. Athlone
8. Wexford
9. Longford
10. Treaty

FAI Cup: shels to beat bohs in the final

Looking forward to the season: no

[nigel-harps1954]

Nobody wants to be in the 1st Division ever but this season would have been an awful one to be in. There are a lot of unknowns, even Athlone could surprise in a few games. Cobh blew their chance with their bigger neighbours going to outsihine as usual. Longford could be on an improvment curve, Wexford, Kerry too. Not sure about Treaty. Ill bow to PSs thoughts on UCD but they are never to be written off. Bray will push Cork and could have learned a lot about just getting out of the division. Thats the lot!

[SadFace]How dare you[/SadFace]

[Nesta99]

Did I forget about Harps....opps

[RealJohn91]

1. Derry
2. Shams
3. Bohs
4. Shels
5. Drogheda
6. Pat's
7. Waterford
8. Sligo
9. Dundalk
10. Galway

1. Cork
2. Cobh
3. Bray
4. Wexford
5. UCD
6. Kerry
7. Finn Harps
8. Treaty
9. Longford
10. Athlone

[Bunny Kelly]

How many teams in the First are full time? Cork, Kerry & are Cobh this season?