Needs a collar.
I like it tbh
Love the orange one
Classsss
Bohs partnering with a global corporate monster
Well well well
Ohhhhhh the bold wokies
Kyle Fitz is officially the second Galway player to sign for England’s association soccer club Newcastle United. All of us in the GUFC sidegroup wish him well.
they signed akinade mate - never forget that
Any mention of what, if anything, they’ve paid for him?
Think the compensation is 200kish but no idea if there’s sell on clauses.
Is this the norm? Fair play to Kerry FC
Classic Pete
@Corksfinedtboy is Turner’s Cross sold out tonight?
Cork City sold out a long time ago.
Ins, outs and key men: Team-by-team guide to the League of Ireland Premier Division
Are Shamrock Rovers set to reclaim their perch? And will see Melia mania?
KICKING OFF: SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division players, from left, Keith Buckley of Bohemians, Charlie Lyons of Cork City, Robbie Benson of Derry City, Ryan Brennan of Drogheda United, Mark Coyle of Shelbourne, Trevor Clarke of Shamrock Rovers, Joe Redmond of St Patrick’s Athletic, Andy Boyle of Waterford, John Mahon of Sligo Rovers and Greg Cunningham of Galway United at Mansion House in Dublin.Pic: Stephen McCarthy,Sportsfile
Thu, 13 Feb, 2025 - 17:17
John Fallon
BOHEMIANS
Manager: Alan Reynolds (since May ’24) Owners: 100% fans-owned.
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 8, 2003: 6, 2022: 6.
INS: Lys Mousset (free agent), Colm Whelan (Derry City), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), John Mountney (Dundalk), Connor Parsons (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kian Best (Preston North End - loan). Alex Lacey,
OUTS: Danny Grant (Shamrock Rovers), Alex Greive (San Antonio), James Akintunde (FC Haka), Declan McDaid (Athlone Town), Brian McManus (UCD), Martin Miller, Jevon Mills, Filip Piszczek (Ischia), Paddy Kirk, Christian Lotefa (Lucan United), Nickson Okosun (Watford), Billy Gilmore (Athlone Town), Divin Isamala (Portadown - loan).
Looking up or down? Anything other than a vast improvement on last year’s finish will justify their favourites’ tag for the first managerial sacking. Having Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall back from injury will solidify their soft centre but much depends on their plans to address last year’s goal shortage.
Player to watch: Lys Mousset – While he’s hardly kicked a ball for 18 months, it’s only five years since the Frenchman was a £10m purchase by Sheffield United. It appears a risk of extremes, that’ll be top or flop.
First choice XI: K Chorążka; A Lacey, L Kavanagh, R Cornwall, K Best; J Flores, A McDonnell, N Morahan; J McManus, L Moussett, C Parsons.
Verdict: 5th.
Read More
League of Ireland First Division: team-by-team guide
CORK CITY
Manager: Tim Clancy (since November ’23) Owners: Dermot Usher (90%), Dave Cronin (10%).
Table positions in last three seasons: 2024: First Div champions. 2003: 9, 2022: FD champions.
INS: Alex Nolan (St Patrick’s Athletic), Benny Couto (Ashton United), Tein Troost (NAC Breda - loan), Conor Brann (Swindon Town), Rio Shipston (Sheffield Wednesday - loan), Freddie Anderson (Stoke City - loan), Milan Mbeng, Kitt Nelson (Preston North End - loan).
Learn more
OUTS: Jack Doherty, Cian Murphy, Cian Bargary, John O’Donovan, Aidan Dowling, Cian Coleman, Barry Coffey (Cobh Ramblers), Niall Brookwell (Kerry), Brad Wade (Waterford).
Looking up or down? Slow recruitment ultimately cost City in their last top-flight return but they can’t contemplate being a yo-yo club. Recapturing Ruairi Keating and Seáni Maguire afforded a head start to this step-up but recruits further back aren’t so proven. Similar to 2023, the goalkeeping department may be pivotal.
Cathal O’Sullivan during a Cork City FC squad portraits session at Bishopstown Stadium in Cork. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Player to watch: Cathal O’Sullivan – His showreel of mastery last year went viral and how he confronts the next level should be intriguing. The difficult part will be retaining him in the summer after he’s turned 18 and English Premier League clubs circle.
First choice XI: T Troost; F Anderson, M Mbeng, C Lyons, B Couto; G Bolger, S Murray; C O’Sullivan, S Maguire, M Dijksteel; R Keating.
Verdict: 8th.
DERRY CITY
Manager: Tiernan Lynch (since Dec ’24) Owner: Billionaire Philip O’Doherty.
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 4, 2003: 2, 2022: 2.
INS: Arlo Doherty, Shane Ferguson, Sam Todd (Larne - end of loan), Ciaron Harkin (Coleraine - end of loan), Liam Mullan (Portadown - end of loan), Liam Boyce (Hearts), Gavin Whyte, Robbie Benson (Dundalk), Carl Winchester (Shrewsbury Town), Dom Thomas (Queen’s Park).
OUTS: Colm Whelan (Bohemians), Patrick McEleney (Ballymena United), Shane McEleney (Glentoran), Ciaran Coll (Glentoran), Daniel Kelly (Shelbourne) Will Patching (Carlisle United), Tadhg Ryan (Glenavon), Conor Barr (Ballymena United - loan). Duncan Idehen (Ballymena United - loan), Aaron Heaney (Glenavon - loan), Callum McCay (Cliftonville), Liam Mullan (H & W Welders).
Looking up or down? Hard to call with so many unknowns. A new era with Ruaidhrí Higgins being replaced by Lynch and he’ll be aware from the chastening his Larne were given by Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League what a different level he’s entering. At least he’s seen the funny side of their ‘dinosaurs’ tag given the experience of their recruits but retaining goalkeeper Brian Maher and Adam O’Reilly was arguably more vital.
Player to watch: Shane Ferguson – Eighteen years after joining Newcastle United, the left-sided player has returned home, with rich memories, such as Euro 2016. He’s 33 but well capable of having an impact.
First choice XI: B Maher; R Boyce, M Connolly, C Dummigan, S Ferguson; A O’Reilly, R Benson; D Thomas, C Winchester, M Duffy; L Boyce.
Verdict: 4th.
DROGHEDA UNITED
Manager: Kevin Doherty (since Dec ‘21)
Owners: Trivela Group (US fund that also owns Walsall).
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 9, 2003: 7, 2022: 8.
INS: Jack Brady (Galway United), Conor Keeley (St Patrick’s Athletic), Thomas Oluwa (Wexford), Kieran Cruise (Bray Wanderers), Douglas James-Taylor (Walsall - loan), Elicha Ahui (Walsall - loan), Josh Thomas (Swansea City- loan), Paul Doyle (Dundalk), Owen Lambe (Orange County), George Cooper (Mansfield Town - loan).
OUTS: Adam Foley (Carrick Rangers), Jack Keaney (Cliftonville), Aaron McNally, Gary Deegan, James Byrne (Killester Donnycarney), Emre Topcu (Longford Town), Frantz Pierrot (Velez Mostar), Manny Milongo (Longford Town), Killian Cailloce (UCD).
Looking up or down? Not only did Doherty and his assistant Daire Doyle confound the naysayers and their part-time tag to stay up but they stenciled a piece of history by winning the FAI Cup. As the manager admits, switching to full-time buried that excuse and things are shaping up to be even tougher this term.
Player to watch: Douglas James-Taylor – Multi-club ownership has contributed to Drogs’ heroics, especially when a gem like this striker is loaned from Walsall. He’ll be here again until at least the summer and tipped to haul double-figures.
First choice XI: L Dennison; A Quinn, C Keeley, J Bolger; Elicha Ahui, S Farrell, R Brennan, P Doyle, C Kane; D Markey, J Thomas; D James-Taylor.
Verdict: 10th (relegated).
GALWAY UNITED:
Manager: John Caulfield (since Aug ’20).
Owners: Local property developers done good, the Comer Brothers.
Galway United manager John Caulfield with the Premier Division trophy. Pic Stephen McCarthy,Sportsfile
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 5, 2003: First Division champions, 2022: FD 3.
INS: Daniel Stynes (Newcastle Jets), Moses Dyer, Evan Watts (Swansea City - loan), Sean Kerrigan (Michigan State), Max Wilson (Preston North End - loan).
Garry Buckley (Sligo Rovers), Leo Gaxha (Kerry), Patrick Hickey (Athlone Town), Karl O’Sullivan (Sligo Rovers), Jeannot Esua (Ekanas IF), Joe Wright (Millwall), Tom Costello, Al-Amin Kazeem (Colchester United - loan).
OUTS: Francely Lomboto (Sligo Rovers), Conor O’Keefe (Dundalk), Jack Brady (Drogheda United), Leo Gaxha (Dundalk), Maurice Nugent (Green Gully), Ronan Manning (Sligo Rovers), David Tarmey (Treaty United - loan), Steven Healy (Galway United - loan), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Karsiyaka SK), Kyle Fitzgerald (Newcastle United), Karl O’Sullivan (Treaty United).
Looking up or down: Bettering last year’s top-half finish isn’t beyond Galway, considering the astute shopping John Caulfield is renowned for. Still, the core of last year’s team will determine if they can ensure they’re no one-season wonders.
First-choice XI: B Clarke; G Buckley, K Brouder, G Cunningham; J Keohane, C McCormack, V Borden, C McCarthy; P Hickey, M Dyer; S Walsh.
Player to watch: Jimmy Keohane – One of the three thirty-somethings, alongside Garry Buckley and Conor McCormack, who Caulfield has kept faith with since their Cork City double in 2017. At 34, Keohane and his versatility remain vital elements to success.
Verdict: 7th.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Manager: Stephen Bradley (since July ’16) Owners: Ray Wilson and Dermot Desmond (25% each), members 50%.
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 2, 2003: 1, 2022: 1.
INS: Danny Grant (Bohemians), Ed McGinty (Oxford United), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), Michael Noonan (St Patrick’s Athletic), Adam Matthews.
OUTS: Johnny Kenny (Celtic - end of loan), Sean Hoare (St Patrick’s Athletic), Neil Farrugia (Barnsley), Markus Poom, Cian Dillon (QPR), Darragh Burns (Grimbsy Town - at end of loan from MK Dons), Gideon Tetteh (Athlone Town), Conan Noonan (Waterford - loan), Carl Lennox (UCD), Marc McNulty (St George FA).
Looking up or down? In the Rovers world, looking up is the only option. Anything except first is deemed failure at Tallaght and the €6m banked from their European adventure is ominous for the field. Despite money not translating into landing targets, they’ve still the best squad in the country and intend boosting their consistency.
Player to watch: Josh Honohan – Unassuming but undeniably worthy of becoming the next expensive export from Rovers. An exceptional first year following his move from Cork City reached crescendo at Stamford Bridge in December and the Hoops will depend on his adaptability and reliability.
First-choice XI: E McGinty; D Cleary, R Lopes, L Grace; A Mathews, M Healy, A McEneff, J Honohan; D Watts, D Mandroiu; G Burke.
Verdict: Champions.
SHELBOURNE
Manager: Damien Duff (since Dec ’21) Owners: Closebreak, Neil and Cathal Doyle, Ricky Walsh, Mickey O’Rourke, Brian McGovern.
A polaroid photo of Shelbourne manager Damien Duff by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Table positions in last three seasons: 2024: 1, 2003: 4, 2022: 7.
INS: Ryan O’Kane (Dundalk), Mipo Odubeko (Fleetwood Town), Daniel Kelly (Derry City), Ellis Chapman (Sligo Rovers), Kerr McInroy.
OUTS: Shane Griffin (Cobh Ramblers), Matty Smith (Waterford), Dean Williams (Athlone Town), Gavin Hodgins (Finn Harps), Aiden O’Brien (Woking), Cian Doyle (Bray Wanderers), Harvey Warren (Bray Wanderers), Daithi Folan (Dundalk), Liam Burt (end of loan - Shamrock Rovers).
Looking up or down? Peering down from their perch isn’t the style of Damien Duff and refreshing his squad validates that approach. Early days yet but Shels looked sharp in last week’s President’s Cup final, eager to show last year’s epic win was no fluke.
Player to watch: Mipo Odubeko – If he can improve the one sluggish part of Shels – goal scoring – the Reds’ status will endure. Branded a ‘beast’ by Duff, the new arrival has doubters to silence and an Ireland manager to impress among his objectives.
First-choice XI: C Kearns; S Gannon, P Barrett, S Bone, T Wilson; E Chapman, K McInroy, M Coyle, H Wood; S Boyd, M Odubeko.
Verdict: 3rd (European qualification).
SLIGO ROVERS Manager: John Russell (since July ’22) Owners: Member-owned.
Last season finish: 8th Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 6, 2003: 4, 2022: 5.
INS: Francely Lomboto (Galway United), Cian Kavanagh (St Patrick’s Athletic), Jad Hakiki (Dundalk), Ronan Manning (Galway United), Sam Sargeant (Waterford), Oskar van Hattum (Wellington), Matty Wolfe, Harvey Lintott (Northampton Town - loan), Guilherme Rego Priosti (Longford Town).
OUTS: Niall Morahan (Bohemians), Ellis Chapman (Shelbourne), Simon Power (St Patrick’s Athletic), JR Wilson (Athlone Town), Ed McGinty (Oxford United - end of loan), Kailin Barlow (Athlone Town), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmo FF).
Looking up or down? Having oscillated between between fourth and sixth of late, Russell’s eclectic crew have the means and motive to elevate into the European reckoning. That’s a tall order but their propensity for toppling table-toppers won’t wane.
First-choice XI: S Sargeant; O Van Hattum, J Mahon, O Denham, R Hutchinson; M Wolfe C, Malley; Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald, F Lamboto; O Elding.
Player to watch: Owen Elding – Comparisons with Johnny Kenny are inevitable for the teen sharpshooter but if he lays the imprint that his Dad Anthony did, he’ll be on his way there.
Verdict: 6th.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
Manager: Stephen Kenny (since May ‘24) Owners: Property developer Garrett Kelleher (majority), US Kenosis Sports Group.
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 3, 2003: 3, 2022: 4.
INS: Simon Power (Sligo Rovers), Romal Palmer (Goztepe - 2026), Barry Baggley (Fleetwood Town), Sean Hoare (Shamrock Rovers)*, Conor Carty (Bolton Wanderers).
OUTS: Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cian Kavanagh (Sligo Rovers), Conor Keeley (Drogheda United), Alex Nolan (Cork City), Luke Kehir (Wexford - loan), Anto Dodd (Finn Harps - loan), Rhys Bartley (Bray Wanderers), Sean McHale (Dundalk - loan), Luke O’Brien (Carrick Rangers), Aaron Bolger (Ebbsfleet - loan).
Looking up or down? Garrett Kelleher furnished Kenny with the longest contract in LOI history for a reason – he wants the title back. Nine wins in a row was the form of champions but it came too late and expectation hovers in the first full season under the manager.
Mason Melia of St Patrick’s Athletic. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Player to watch: Mason Melia – The hottest LOI property will only be around for this year before his move £1.5m move to Tottenham and fans will flock to see this talent in the flesh.
First-choice XI: J Anang; A Sjoberg, T Grivosti, J Redmond, S Hoare; B Baggley, C Forrester; Z Elbouzedi, B Kavanagh, J Mulraney; M Melia.
Verdict: Runners-up
ireland soccer crests
WATERFORD Manager: Keith Long (since March ’23).
Owner: Jamie Pilley, Fleetwood Group.
Table positions over last three seasons: 2024: 7, 2003: Promoted via FD playoffs, 2022: Lost playoff final.
INS: Andy Boyle (Dundalk), Matty Smith (Shelbourne), James Olayinka (Cheltenham Town), Sam Glenfield (Fleetwood Town), Maarten Pouwel, Trae Coyle (Lausanne), Brad Wade (Cork City), Stephen McMullan (Fleetwood Town - loan), Tommy Lonergan (Fleetwood Town - loan), Navajo Bakboord, Conan Noonan (Shamrock Rovers - loan).
OUTS: Barry Baggley (end of loan - Fleetwood Town), Louis Jones (end of loan - Doncaster Rovers), Kacper Skwierczynski (end of loan - Ruch Chorzow), Sam Glenfield (end of loan - Fleetwood Town), Christie Pattisson (Glentoran), Connor Evans (Southport), Connor Parsons (Dagenham & Redbridge), Dean Larkin (Wexford), Gbemi Arubi (Dundalk), Niall O’Keeffe (Cobh Ramblers), Robbie McCourt (Wexford), Sam Bellis (Cobh Ramblers), Sam Sargeant (Sligo Rovers), Adam Queally (Wexford-loan), Darragh Power (Cheltenham Town), Callum Costello (Bray Wanderers - loan), Shane Flynn (Ballymena United), Joseph Forde.
Looking up or down: Threatened to cause an upset last year before fading and they’ll rue seeing Barry Baggley and Connor Parsons in opposition colours after they rerouted from the UK. Excitement at both ends might become their hallmark.
Player to watch: Tommy Lonergan – He eventually got there from the mothership and has the tools to resume where he left off with his FAI Cup goal. Together with Pádraig Amond, the pair can wreak havoc.
First-choice XI: B Wade; G Horton, A Boyle, D Leahy, R Burke; C Noonan, J Olayinka, R McDonald, S Glenfield; M Smith, P Amond.
Verdict: 9th (relegation playoff).
John Fallon’s predictions
Don’t think so
I’m a season ticket holder so immaterial
With the shite weather etc
Price hike
I’d expect 4.5K - 5,200