What a Kerry On! League of Ireland 2023

[George C.]

Hmm, Ballyclare v. Kerry
Or Cobh v. Institute??

We need a far better transport infrastructure to accommodate this?

At least for the 150 diehards...

The bottom two divisions would be better off for now being more regionalised.

[Discordant Resonance]

Full Premier, First and Women's fixture PDFs now available here.

[elguapo4]

The usual transfer merry-go-round of league of Ireland transfers is up and running, especially in the first division.

Wexford FC manager Ian Ryan has decamped to Bray Wanderers, taking six players with him. Unperturbed, Wexford promptly raided Longford Town for six of their players, as well as experienced Premier division players, Ethan Boyle and Conor Levingston.

Shelbourne pick up two from Longford Town, as well as Tyreke Wilson from Bohs, and Matty Smith from Derry City.

It's the end of the road for Dundalk captain Brian Gartland and St Patrick's Athletic skipper Ian Bermingham, who have both retired.

[Discordant Resonance]

LoI TV season passes will return in the New Year - will be interesting to see if there'll be the option to solely subscribe to a chosen team's games, a la iFollow.

[elguapo4]

The big guns in the Premier division have been fairly quiet in the transfer market so far, mainly concentrating on retaining players at the moment.

Shamrock Rovers have signed their usual Bohemians player, Liam Burt this time. Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic have also signed one each , UCD strikers Colm Whelan and Tommy Lonergan respectively, while Dundalk haven't confirmed any signings yet.

[Discordant Resonance]

For comparative purposes, the latest odds:

Premier Division:
Shamrock Rovers 5/6
Derry City 6/4
St Pat's 14/1
Dundalk 14/1
Bohs 33/1
Shelbourne 40/1
Sligo Rovers 40/1
Cork City 66/1
Drogheda United 225/1
UCD 275/1

First Division:
Waterford 2/1
Galway United 11/4
Bray Wanderers 4/1
Finn Harps 5/1
Wexford 12/1
Longford Town 12/1
Athlone Town 33/1
Treaty United 33/1
Cobh Ramblers 66/1
Kerry 66/1

[George C.]

Same old, same old, in the Premier then...

[Discordant Resonance]

After spending last season in charge of the under-19 team, Billy Dennehy duly moves up to become the inaugural Kerry FC senior manager.

[Discordant Resonance]

And the club promptly makes its first signing, as Kerryman Matt Keane returns home from Treaty United.

[elguapo4]

Billy had a somewhat antagonistic relationship with a section of the Bohs support, particularly during his Cork City and Shamrock Rovers period. I'm sure that he'll receive a warm welcome if/ when we play you.

[Discordant Resonance]

A blow to Waterford's promotion push as prolific Scot, Phoenix Patterson joins parent club Fleetwood, who also sign Cork goalie David Harrington. Kerry make up for lost time by also securing the services of Cobh midfielder Seán McGrath.

[Discordant Resonance]

https://twitter.com/betweenstripes/status/1605144402720071680

[elguapo4]

Cobh are obviously doing something right.

Of those who've shown decreasing attendances, Bray Wanderers are the only ones with massive changes, and there's a reason for that.

[Discordant Resonance]

Of course it helped that Cork were in their division, but that would only account for two games.

[Discordant Resonance]

Shelbourne reacting calmly after a new signing for their women's squad promptly defected to Rovers:

https://twitter.com/shelsfc/status/1605538067355299840

[Discordant Resonance]

Deleted now, but read "Though cowards flinch, and traitors sneer, we'll keep the red flag flying here."

[elguapo4]

Don't know how they'll react to the news that three of her teammates are following her.

[Simon G]

elguapo4 I see Grant Horton has returned to Bohemian on loan. Looks like he may be playing for a contract back here.

[elguapo4]

elguapo4 I see Grant Horton has returned to Bohemian on loan. Looks like he may be playing for a contract back here.

We're delighted, he looked really good before he crocked his knee. I think it's a full season loan.

[Simon G]

It's until June 30th, which is when his contract with us expires.

[Discordant Resonance]

Either genius or disaster at the RSC, as Jonathan Walters is poised to become Waterford's Director of Football, with Leigh Griffiths and Pádraig Amond signing.

[Discordant Resonance]

Can lambers give an opinion on Connor Parsons, who is joining Waterford on a two-year deal?

[lambers]

Sorry, I've not actually seen them play to give an informed opinion. As far as I know, Connor has only played for Wycombe in the League Trophy, and I'm far too much of a lazy part-time attender for that.

You might have better luck if we have a Solihull or Bromley fan somewhere, being as they were Connor's locations for most of 2022.

[lambers]

Some mildly more informed opinions.

Seems like some people saw promise, some didn't, and some are fixated on a gum spitting incident...

[Discordant Resonance]

The 20 best LoI prospects aged under 20, with one player from each club.