Disputes with the FAI, a rollercoaster of a cup journey, heartbreaking injuries along with record breaking numbers. Kerry FC’s third season as a League of Ireland club was filled with highs and lows, and was undoubtedly the most exciting year the Kingdom has experienced yet.
Following two successive First Division campaigns, finishing bottom of the table, progression was demanded from the Kerry supporters. Ambitious signings were made by the club. Former Dundalk forward Joe Adams was brought in, brining key experience to the squad. Other notable additions included Niall Brookwell, Alex Dunne, Chris McQueen, Carl Mujaguzi, and Tim-Oliver Hiemer.
Days before the beginning of the 2025 campaign, Kerry FC announced via social media that they would be offering free supporters busses for away games. Excitement was building around the county ahead of the clubs third season.
For the first time in Kerry’s history, a win was produced on the opening day of the season. New signings Adams and Brookwell were both on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win over Finn Harps. That was followed by a trip to St Colemans Park, with the game ending scoreless. A first defeat of the season would come at the hands of Dundalk in front of a sold out Mounthawk Park. Four points from three games was a positive result for Conor McCarthy’s side, with optimism building around the fanbase about the seasons prospects.
Kerry’s positive opening three games, would be followed by four defeats from five. A Tim-Oliver Hiemer mistake resulted in loss at home to Bray. Cian Brosnan missed a penalty to equalise in additional time against Longford Town. A 3-0 defeat to Treaty United happened just days after the FAI revealed that both Kerry FC and Finn Harps had both used unregistered players in the season opener, resulting in the Kingdom’s victory being voided. The club responded with an appeal and a statement, with a standout line of “We will not accept being bullied into silence.”.
As the season moved through April, the trip to Ballybofey was made. On this occasion every player on the pitch was registered, however, Kerry wouldn’t be able to regain the three points that had been rescinded, as Harps would come away with a 4-2 victory.
Following a victory over UCD, manager Conor McCarthy announced that he would be stepping down from his role as manager. This was shortly followed by the unveiling of Colin Healy as the new first team manager. A clear statement of intent from the club, and Healy’s impact was immediate. Days after the announcement, Kerry FC beat Treaty United at home, although Healy wasn’t on the touchline due to being suspended during the end of his last managerial spell with Cork City.
The time of Healy’s arrival was coincided with the news that Ryan Kelliher would miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL. Kelliher had been Kerry’s top scorer in both previous seasons, so his injury would have the clear knock on effect of the first team having no clear goalscoring source.
Healy’s first victory while on the touchline came a few weeks after his appointment. A 4th goal of the season for 17 year old Luke Palmer followed by a Sean McGrath penalty was enough to secure three points at Mounthawk Park against Longford Town.
Perhaps the lowest point of the 2025 campaign came in late June. Kerry FC made the trip to Ferrycarrig Park, where they took an early lead against Wexford through a Sean McGrath penalty. The home side would equalise shortly after, McGrath was there again to put the Kingdom back in front. Within three minutes of Kerry’s second, Robert McCourt received a second yellow card, reducing Wexford to ten men. McGrath would complete his hat trick before halftime. Despite the two goal and one man advantage, Kerry FC suffered a 4-3 defeat, a humiliating result.
The response from the players in the weeks to come wasn’t much better, a 4-0 defeat at home to Dundalk and a 3-1 loss to Longford. Winning ways would eventually return to Mounthawk Park through the FAI Cup, which proved to be the ultimate highlight of the Kerry season.
A late Kennedy Amechi goal sent the tie against Athlone Town to extra time. Than, Joe Adams produced a moment of pure class, as the Welshman struck a free kick perfectly into the top corner, to send Kerry FC into the draw for the third round.
While Colin Healy’s side would pick up some notable results as the league campaign went on, there was an accepted consensus that their would be no late push for a playoff spot, and so the focus switched to what would become an unforgettable cup run.
Yet again, it would be a home draw against another First Division side, this time Cobh Ramblers. A side that were having an incredible season, pushing Dundalk for the league title. However, it wouldn’t be quite as impressive of a cup run, with John O’Donovan being sent off in the first minute for a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
It was Cian Brosnan that would give Kerry the lead just a few minutes later, which was followed by elated celebrations. Joe Adams would double the advantage from the spot and victory was all but sealed when Ramblers were reduced to 9 men in additional time.
Next up was Sligo Rovers, a first ever FAI Cup Quarter Final appeared to be a step too far for Kerry FC. Owen Elding was the main attraction, netting a hat trick before the 61st minute but it was Daniel Okwute that stole the show. Cian Brosnan got one back for the kingdom, Okwute won his side a penalty for his side which Joe Adams converted and in the 91st minute Okwute put it on a plate for Brosnan to tap home the equaliser. The Tralee native wasn’t done just yet, in the final minutes of extra time he smashed home a half volley to complete an unprecedented comeback and that sent Kerry FC to the cup semi-finals.
The final four was always gonna be a test but Healy’s men were perhaps unlucky to draw Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght. Over 1,000 supporters made the trip up the rocky road to Dublin and while ultimately it wasn’t a contest, Stephen Bradley’s side coming away with a 6-1 victory, it was certainly a night that will be noted in the Kingdom’s short history. When Joe Adam’s scored from the spot, despite the score then being 4-1, the Kerry FC fans were overjoyed in celebrations.
The season finished with a records points tally and yet despite this there was the feeling more could have been achieved. Going into 2026, there is the most optimism about a play-off push since the clubs inception, as Colin Healy looks to build his own Kerry FC squad and establish them as First Division contenders.
Player of the Season: Ronan Teahan
Season Rating: 6.5