Five things to look out for in the 2025 League of Ireland season
There’s no doubt that 2024 was one of the most exciting and memorable years in the history of the League of Ireland as we saw incredible title races, goals, classic matches and soaring numbers across attendances and viewership.
However, as teams have settled back into pre-season already and the new fixtures for 2025 have been released, focus has been turning to next year as new faces, transfers and a renewed sense of optimism bring a fresh excitement to all Clubs.
We’ve looked at five things to look out for in the League of Ireland season as the new year approaches.
A fascinating title race
After Shelbourne secured the 2024 title in the most dramatic of circumstances, Damien Duff’s side will now be going from challengers to being the ones who are chased now in 2025. The title race for 2025 has all the ingredients for another memorable year ahead as three Clubs in particular come into the campaign filled with serious momentum for different reasons.
Shelbourne’s confidence will be brimming after their first SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division title in 18 years and The Reds have since added new faces in Ellis Chapman, Ryan O’Kane, Mipo Odubeko and Daniel Kelly. It’s clear that Damien Duff has not settled for a solitary year of success and is eyeing up more memorable nights in 2025.
Despite losing out in dramatic circumstances on the final day in 2024, Shamrock Rovers will be buoyed after a remarkable run in the UEFA Conference League as they go in the hunt to regain their title against their old Ringsend rivals this coming season.
After famous nights in Vienna and Tallaght Stadium, last year’s Runners Up will be ready to bounce into 2025 with a massive day to open their season at the Aviva Stadium against Bohemians. They have signed Danny Grant from the aforementioned Bohs and will be eager to be on top of the pile again come November 2025 and continue their form at the end of the season where they won four from four to put the pressure on Shels as it came down to the final night.
In Inchicore, many people are suggesting that 2025 could be the year for St. Patrick’s Athletic as they ended 2024 with an incredible nine wins from nine including a memorable 3-2 win away to eventual Champions Shelbourne.
Stephen Kenny has fully settled into his new Club and with the arrivals of Simon Power and Barry Baggley, the Saints welcome in proven talent ready to hit the ground running at Richmond Park.
St. Pat’s are fully stocked for a title challenge which could very well also see the likes of Derry City come again in 2025 under the stewardship of Tiernan Lynch.
Munster and Connacht Derbies
With Dublin Derbies continuing to be a huge draw in the capital with sold out games every clash, 2025 is set to be a year where rising Derbies in Munster and Connacht continue to bring huge crowds.
Cork City are back in the big time after a year away in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division and after regaining promotion immediately, they arrive in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division to find a Waterford side rejuvenated under Keith Long after an impressive first year back in the top flight.
As big strikers come head-to-head in Padráig Amond and Seani Maguire, there will be memories of a dramatic Promotion / Relegation Play-Off in 2023 when Waterford relegated City and Tim Clancy’s side will look to banish that clash when the two sides meet for the first time in the RSC in March.
In Connacht, Galway United and Sligo Rovers both enjoyed excellent campaigns in 2024 and their 2-2 clash in Eamonn Deacy Park towards the end of the year was a brilliant night in front of a packed-out crowd where the atmosphere was rocking.
Their four games last year continued to build on an exciting rivalry out west as both John Caulfield and John Russell have been building something special in their respective squads.
With big attendances constantly recorded at all four Clubs in 2024, the two provincial derbies are going to be massive in 2025.
Who will challenge for promotion in 2025?
With the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division welcoming a massive Club in Dundalk into the Division for 2025, the Lilywhites will be hoping a new era under Ciarán Kilduff can breathe new life into the Club as they go in search of an immediate return to the Division where they once dominated not so long ago.
However, with new management coming in at Cobh Ramblers and new faces including the likes of Shane Griffin, Jack Doherty and Niall O’Keefe, it will be interesting to see how the Cork side can compete in a new look Division for 2025.
Bray Wanderers finished the season strong last year getting to the Promotion / Relegation Play-Off and Athlone Town have secured some notable signings including John Ross Wilson from Sligo Rovers and Noe Baba from Finn Harps as the Midlanders look to make a push for promotion in 2025.
As Wexford have locked down big players like Aaron Dobbs and James Crawford, new Manager Stephen Elliot will be hoping his side can make a move for the title too so the opening rounds of the new season will be fascinating as well as the closing stages of the transfer window.
Will we have another new WPD title winner?
Athlone Town will forever remember 2024 as the year they secured their first ever SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title and as Manager Ciarán Kilduff departed for Dundalk, 2025 will be an exciting campaign as new challengers will hope to take the crown from the Midlanders.
As the Division sees Waterford come in for the first time, all 12 sides will start 2025 with big ambitions for success.
Reigning Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup winners Shelbourne will be hoping to go one better in the search for another title while Galway United look to build on their All-Island Cup triumph and go all the way in 2025.
As always, the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division has the power to spring a surprise and as squads take shape, the potential will always be there to see the likes of Bohemians under Alban Hysa or Shamrock Rovers to build towards a tilt at the title as Wexford and Treaty United continue to get stronger.
March can’t come quick enough.
Young rising stars
2025 is set to be a year where young stars continue to make an impact on the big stage. With Cork City’s Cathal O’Sullivan making waves in last year’s SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division title winning campaign, it will be fascinating to see his progress into the top flight for City.
At St. Pat’s, Mason Melia has been finding remarkable form for someone so young and can only get better under the guidance of Stephen Kenny. Melia found big goals last season like his brilliant finish in Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers and as the Saints look go for honours in 2025, Melia looks set to be leading the line along with Aidan Keena at Richmond Park.
At Bohemians, Colm Whelan’s arrival was much heralded and the young striker will be hoping that the move from Derry City can be the one where he clicks into gear to fulfil the serious potential he has shown when not injured. A lethal finisher, Alan Reynolds will be hoping the move can prove inspired as they look to improve on a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, Champions Shelbourne will see young defender Lewis Temple back into their first-team after a successful loan at Wexford which saw them reach the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Semi-Finals and the highly regarded centre-back will be hoping the guidance of Joey O’Brien can help him develop further alongside the likes of Paddy Barrett and Sean Gannon in what has proven to be one of the strongest defences in the league.
The SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division has always proven to be a brilliant development ground for young stars and with Dundalk securing the renewal of Eoin Kenny at Oriel Park, Ciarán Kilduff will be hoping the young striker can be a serious presence in their push for promotion in 2025.
Several young stars in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division will continue to make their mark as the likes of Katie Keane in Athlone and Nia Hannon at Shelbourne set to continue to impress in 2025.
