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Post by kerryman on Dec 12, 2022 13:10:22 GMT
The ideal inaugural league match for Kerry FC as they get a home Munster derby against Roy Keane's old club, Cobh Ramblers, which should ensure a full house in Tralee. In the Premier Division, the stand-out game is St Pats vs Derry City.   |
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Post by kerryman on Dec 15, 2022 13:35:26 GMT
Full fixture PDFs for all LoI divisions have now been released, with seasons following the 2022 format, which gives most clubs in the bottom tier a target to aim for: www.sseairtricityleague.ie/ |
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Post by kerryman on Dec 16, 2022 18:04:20 GMT
LoI TV (the local version of iFollow) is bringing back season passes for 2023, having followed a pay-per-game model last year. Given the distances involved in many instances, it'll prove particularly popular as an option for away matches.
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Post by kerryman on Dec 19, 2022 16:12:13 GMT
A busy day on the LoI front - firstly, Kerry appointed former Sunderland and Shamrock Rovers player Billy Dennehy as their first senior manager, before signing two players born in the county, Matt Keane and Seán McGrath, from Treaty United and Cobh Ramblers respectively. Also Fleetwood Town acquired the prolific Scottish striker Phoenix Patterson from their sister club Waterford, along with Cork City goalkeeper David Harrington.
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Post by kerryman on Dec 20, 2022 10:42:50 GMT
Finally have full 2022 season attendances for each club, and can contrast with 2019, which was the last full pre-Covid season:
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Post by leicesterhatter on Dec 20, 2022 18:43:19 GMT
Finally have full 2022 season attendances for each club, and can contrast with 2019, which was the last full pre-Covid season: Some incredible increases there! |
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Post by kerryman on Jan 4, 2023 16:03:59 GMT
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Post by kerryman on Feb 14, 2023 21:35:07 GMT
The 2023 season begins on Friday, with Derry City having beaten Shamrock Rovers 2-0 last week in the annual President's Cup (akin to the Community Shield). On the transfer front, Derry made the most eye-catching purchases, capturing Adam O'Reilly from Preston, Bohs goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan, and UCD striker Colm Whelan, while the champions signed Liam Burt from arch-rivals Bohemians, and Jonny Kenny on loan from Celtic. Other notable moves include FCUM alumnus Tunde Owolabi joining Cork City from St Pats, while the latter captured Jake Mulraney from Orlando City and Tommy Lonergan from UCD.
Meanwhile, Kerry FC have enjoyed strong season ticket sales and will have a full house for Friday's inaugural match against Cobh (only 1,200, of which 500 is seated, but better to start small, rather than overextending yourself!). Of the club's 29-man squad, 20 were born and played soccer in the county.
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Post by kerryman on Feb 14, 2023 21:40:08 GMT
My personal predictions for the season:
Premier Division:
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. St Pats
4. Dundalk
5. Bohemians
6. Sligo Rovers
7. Cork City
8. Shelbourne
9. Drogheda United
10. UCD
First Division:
1. Waterford
2. Galway United
3. Wexford
4. Bray Wanderers
5. Finn Harps
6. Treaty United
7. Cobh Ramblers
8. Longford Town
9. Kerry
10. Athlone Town
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Post by leicesterhatter on Feb 14, 2023 22:53:57 GMT
My personal predictions for the season: Premier Division: 1. Shamrock Rovers 2. Derry City 3. St Pats 4. Dundalk 5. Bohemians 6. Sligo Rovers 7. Cork City 8. Shelbourne 9. Drogheda United 10. UCD First Division: 1. Waterford 2. Galway United 3. Wexford 4. Bray Wanderers 5. Finn Harps 6. Treaty United 7. Cobh Ramblers 8. Longford Town 9. Kerry 10. Athlone Town When do you expect Derry to crumble this season? Always have a patch of abjectness. |
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Post by kerryman on Feb 18, 2023 9:18:45 GMT
Not the ideal debut for Kerry, as they lost 2-0 to Cobh, but enough positive displays from individual players to suggest points will follow sooner, rather than later. Elsewhere in the First Division, Waterford underlined their promotion favouritism with a 3-0 win away to near-neighbours Wexford, Finn Harps fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Galway United, and Bray hit a last minute winner to claim all three points at Treaty United.
Oddly enough, no home side won in the Premier either, as Dundalk were surprisingly held 1-1 by UCD, Shelbourne and Drogheda played out a scoreless stalemate at Tolka Park, Bohemians defeated Cork 2-1 at Turner's Cross, and St Pats vs Derry City finished 1-1. Tonight, Sligo host Shamrock Rovers, while Longford host Athlone in the Midlands derby.
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Post by manowarfan1 on Feb 18, 2023 17:56:56 GMT
As my family came to the USA from Kerry (Listowel and environs), I appreciate your keeping us updated on the goings on with LoI football. Much better coming from a local fan than the generic coverage on the internet.
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Post by kerryman on Feb 20, 2023 22:20:04 GMT
Being reported in local media tonight that Hull City plan to purchase a 70% controlling stake in Dundalk, with the idea that players in The Tigers' development squad would gain first-team experience in the LoI. Now, the Waterford-Fleetwood relationship appears to be working out for both parties so far, but Dundalk are the second-most successful side in domestic football, with 14 leagues and 12 cups, so it would be highly regrettable if they were to effectively become a feeder club, no matter how short the duration.
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Post by kerryman on Feb 20, 2023 22:23:42 GMT
As my family came to the USA from Kerry (Listowel and environs), I appreciate your keeping us updated on the goings on with LoI football. Much better coming from a local fan than the generic coverage on the internet. No-one in the squad from the town itself, but midfielder Seán McGrath (who joined from Cobh Ramblers) comes from Ballyduff, which wouldn't be far from your neck of the woods! 😉 |
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Post by manowarfan1 on Feb 21, 2023 12:42:54 GMT
Just had a eek at the team roster, in case I saw any Crowley's, Hannon's Nolan's, or Hegarty's on the sheet. No luck there. Maybe by the time I can get back over to see County and hop across to Eire again, I will have a cousin on the squad  |
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