Opinion Pieces
Opinion: The FAI National League Dilemma and the Future of the League of Ireland Third Tier
With the start of the 2026 season the proposed introduction of the new FAI National League is close. While in principal the idea of a third league of Ireland division to widen the football pyramid is a welcome development several key issues remain with the proposed implementation model. Firstly this idea has been tried before.…
Read MoreCork City 2026: Promotion Favourites, Barry Robson Era Begins in First Division
The 2026 season will be Cork City’s 4th time in 6 seasons that they will compete in the League of Ireland First Division. Cork City will host Treaty United on the 13th of February at home in Turners Cross kicking off the first Munster Derby of the season. Simon Grayson whom had a high-profiled career…
Read MoreAre Shelbourne Redefining Recruitment in the League of Ireland?
2024 League of Ireland champions Shelbourne could be beginning to move the needle when it comes to recruiting players from outside the British Isles. In recent seasons, much of the League of Ireland’s financial growth has been driven by the successful development and sale of homegrown talent to European clubs for record-breaking fees. Mason Melia’s…
Read MoreFresh Beginnings at Cobh Ramblers
The new era at Cobh Ramblers began with a defeat to Waterford in a preseason friendly on Saturday. New owners, new manager, new players and a new look Rams attempted to pick up the legacy of the 2025 team which ran Dundalk so close in finishing second in last year’s First Division before being knocked…
Read MoreGalway United Facing a Season of Transition
This transfer window feels like the most turbulent since Galway United’s promotion back to the Premier Division in 2023 with ten players leaving the club for far this window. This transfer window feels like the most turbulent since Galway’s promotion back to the Premier Division in 2023 with ten players leaving the club so far…
Read MoreLeague of Ireland and Scottish Premiership Compared
For several years, People on social media have debated about and compared the League of Ireland to the Scottish Premiership. While Celtic and Rangers are seen as Giants in British football, several players have came through the League of Ireland and fitted in like a glove across the water in Scottish clubs at the highest…
Read MoreRuairí Keating’s Return Could Transform Cork City’s FAI Cup Final Hopes
As Cork City prepare for their FAI Cup Final showdown with Shamrock Rovers, one storyline rises above the rest; the long-awaited return of Ruairí Keating. After months sidelined with an Achilles injury, the talismanic striker is back in contention at just the right time, and his comeback could prove the difference between heartbreak and history…
Read More2026 Budget brings record number of funding for LOI Academies.
The Government of Ireland announced the 2026 budget on Tuesday, 7th October 2025. What does that mean for the League of Ireland? (LOI) In this article, we will fill you in on all you need to know about the annual budget and answer that very question. How much FAI received: The FAI received €3m in…
Read MoreCobh Ramblers looking to bounce back after setback last week in Tralee ~ Seán Byrne
Ramblers face Treaty United this Friday in a clash that will be crucial in their hopes of quite possibly winning the First Division title. Currently residing in second place, Mick McDermott’s men have had a rocky last few weeks, crashing out of the FAI Cup to Kerry down in Tralee and picking up only a…
Read MoreAn Ghaeilge agus Sacar in Éirinn, an t-ardúil deartháir // The Irish Language and Soccer in Ireland, a brotherly rise
Séanadh: Níl scriobneoir san píosa seo Gaeilge líofa aige, mar sin d’fhéadfadh roinnt botún sa phíosa. Disclaimer: The writer of this article does not have fluent Irish, therefore there may be some errors in the article. Sa stariúil, tá an Ghaeilge agus Sacar Áitiúil ag fulaingt leis an gnáth-daoine na hÉireann. Tá an t-Aingilsfeair ag…
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