New campaign kicks off on Friday
By Aaron Behan
The 2026 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division kicks off this Friday night with 10 sides hoping for promotion to the top flight in what is always an unpredictable year across the Division. All eyes this year will be on who can challenge Cork City with some unknowns added to the mix in terms of what side can put their best foot forward to bring a title race.
Athlone Town
Athlone Town disappointingly finished bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division last season, picking up just three wins throughout the season. They have, however, been active over the winter break and have brought in some notable signings.
Brendan Clarke has been brought in following his departure from Galway United, and will be heavily relied upon in goal in what will be his 24th season in Irish football.
Central defensive pair Oisin Hand and Evan O’Connor have also been brought in to improve the defence which conceded 69 goals last season.
Thomas Considine has been recruited at right back, with Derin Adewale on loan from Shelbourne on the opposite flank. Fellow Shelbourne loanee Aaron Maloney has been brought in at central midfield after impressing in the youth ranks, and will play alongside former Bohemians and Shelbourne man Brian McManus, as well as Callum Cleary.
Aaron Connolly has importantly signed a contract extension after an injury-plagued 2025. Patrick Ferry, Peter Grogan, and Gradi Lomboto have joined as attacking threats, hoping to bring much-needed goals as Athlone aim to improve.
Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers finished an impressive third place in 2025 and made it to the Promotion / Relegation Play-Off for the second consecutive year, but fell short in a dramatic clash with Waterford. Paul Heffernan’s side will be aiming to go one step further this year, and alongside a youth-focused setup, some notable signings have been made as Bray aim to get over the line.
Former MLS striker Ifunanyachi Achara has been brought in to improve the attack for the 2026 season. Defenders Declan Osagie (on loan from Bohemians) and former Longford Town captain Dean O’Shea will look to improve the defence, and former Shamrock Rovers youth captain Ryan Kelly has been added to the midfield after appearing 22 times for Wexford last year.
The arrival of Dan Ring too on loan from Shels could prove to be a smart bit of business too.
Midfielder Conor Knight has renewed with the club, alongside goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness, who will compete with former Bohemians and Irish youth international Rian Hogan.
Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers finished second in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division last year, and were knocked out of the Play-Offs by Treaty United despite a strong season on the league front. The club has witnessed significant structural changes over the winter break.
Fran Rockett has taken over as Manager following Mick McDermott’s abrupt departure before the playoff semi-final and has been tasked with steadying the ship once more for another go at the top flight.
In a blow to the Rams, last season’s top scorer Barry Coffey has departed the club for the United States alongside defender Nolan Evers.
Central midfielder Niall O’Keefe has also joined rivals Cork City. But new arrivals at the club include highly-rated central defender Callum Honohan on loan from Shamrock Rovers, attacking midfielder and Reading academy graduate Claudio Osario, Galway United defensive regular Garry Buckley, and Sligo Rovers striker Wilson Waweru.
Cobh have lost some star performers from last year, but will hope that these experienced signings will increase their promotion chances.
Cork City
2025 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Finalists Cork City struggled on the league front from the outset, and were unable to avoid automatic relegation from the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division. The Rebel Army will be hoping to land on their feet and achieve promotion at the first time of asking. Former manager Ger Nash has stepped down, and has been replaced by former Scottish international Barry Robson.
Club icon Seani Maguire, however, gave City faithful a huge boost in the winter after he extended his contract, and could be crucial in the chase for promotion.
Experienced midfielder Greg Bolger has also committed to the club for the 2026 season. Dutch forward Hans Mpongo has been brought in after impressing at Finn Harps last season.
Midfielder Niall O’Keefe has signed after playing 33 times for Cobh Ramblers last season, and will replace the outgoing Sean Murray who has departed for Ballymena United. Cork have retained most of their squad from last season, and will be among the favourites for promotion in 2026.
Finn Harps
Finn Harps struggled to find consistent form last season, resulting in an eighth-place finish. The club is now entering an exciting period as they have been granted planning permission for the construction of a new stadium, and some key signings have been brought in over the off-season as the club aims to improve its performances on the pitch.
Italian striker Temiloluwa Ajibola has been brought in from the German fifth-tier, and will link up with French winger Nathan Lumingo who has arrived from Switzerland. Portuguese defender Daniel Lacerda has also been added to the ranks. Winger Bernardo Monteiro, midfielder Perrault Tokam, and defender Alex Fanle have all put pen-to-paper following successful trial periods with the club. Departures from the club include goalkeeper Oisin Cooney, who completed a move to Burnley, and winger Gavin Gilmore, who has departed for Glenavon.
Kerry
Kerry had a great run in the Sports Direct FAI Cup last year, making it to the semi-finals where they lost out to eventual champions Shamrock Rovers.
Despite this, they struggled in the league, resulting in a ninth-place finish. There have been a number of departures from the club, including defenders Daniel O’Connor and Kevin Williams, midfielder Carl Mijaguzi, and winger Kennedy Amachi.
Kerry have been active in the transfer market as they aim to show improvement in their league performances
Former Drogheda man and 2020 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division winner Brandon Bermingham has signed from Dungannon Swifts, and could bring some crucial goals to the side.
He will link up with two-time league winner and proven goalscorer Cian Murphy. St. Kitts and Nevis international full-back Kieran Cooney has arrived from Finn Harps, and will play at the back with former Bray captain and 2025 playoff finalist Killian Cantwell and former Cobh Ramblers and Cork City man Jonas Häkkinen.
Midfielder Vincent Borden has also signed from Galway, after appearing 26 times for the Tribesmen last season. Importantly, Kerry have also held onto their all-time leading goalscorer Ryan Kelliher, who will hope to bounce back after an ACL injury last year. Overall, Kerry seem to have done some good business over the winter, and will hope that their new signings can yield greater results under Colin Healy’s watch.
Longford Town
Longford Town fell short of the Play-Off spots last season with a sixth-place finish - despite an impressive run of five consecutive wins at the end of the season, including a win against champions Dundalk.
Longford have held on to most of their squad from last season, including top scorer Aaron Doran, and will hope to continue the strong run of form witnessed at the tail-end of the season. Manager Wayne Groves has signed a contract extension as a result, and his side will be aided by some new additions.
Defender Jake Hough and midfielder Sean Moore have both arrived from Bohemians. Centre-back Taylor McCarthy has also signed on loan after impressing in the Shelbourne youth setup.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Daniel McKenna has signed after five seasons with neighbours Athlone, and will add experience and quality to the midfield. With these reinforcements made, Longford will hope to continue their good run of form and push up the table.
Treaty United
Treaty United finished fifth last season, edging Longford Town for a Play-off finish where they eventually lost out to the eventual finalists Bray Wanderers.
The club is undergoing a reshuffling of personnel, with eleven departures confirmed, including creative midfielder Karl O’Sullivan and PFA Ireland Men’s First Division team of the year honouree Lee Devitt.
A number of new additions have been made as Treaty hope for another run at the Play-Offs this season.
Forward Ben Feeney has been brought in from Athlone Town, where he impressed with both goalscoring ability and chance creation. Midfielder Stephen Healy impressed on loan from Galway United, and has made a permanent move to the Markets Field.
Former Bolton Wanderers centre-back Eric Yoro has also signed after making 33 appearances for Longford Town last year.
Goalkeeper Jack Brady has made a return to his local club after spells at Longford Town, Galway United, and Drogheda United. He will be understudied by Kevin Fitzpatrick, who has signed from UCC.
Treaty will hope that this shaking up of the squad with some promising new additions can spur them onto another year with promotion in mind.
Wexford
Wexford finished seventh in the league last season, and will have been disappointed not to have made the Play-Offs which they will look to rectify in 2026. Manager Stephen Elliot has agreed a contract extension, and has added some important additions to one of the youngest squads in the league as they aim to push up the table.
Former Dundalk and Cork City man Jamie Wynne has signed from the United States, and will add versatility to the side, being capable at midfield and up front.
Former Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians right back Max Murphy has signed from Bray Wanderers after making over 100 appearances for the seagulls, and will add experience at the back.
Dylan Hand arrives from Athlone Town following two seasons as a regular in the backline, while former Shelbourne and Finn Harps forward Gavin Hodgins and Jake Doyle, who scored 16 goals in 104 appearances for UCD, will bolster the attack.
UCD
UCD finished in a strong fourth place in the 2025 League of Ireland Men’s First Division, solidifying a Play-Off spot where they lost out to finalists Bray Wanderers. There have been some notable departures for the Students, who will aim to rebuild as they push for promotion.
Midfielder Adam Verdon and forward Jake Doyle were both regulars for the side from 2023 onwards, and have moved to Wexford along with the retirement of Ronan Finn.
Goalkeeper Kian Moore and midfielder Brian McManus have also made moves to league rivals Longford Town and Athlone Town. Promising attacking midfielder Adam Brennan also transferred to Shamrock Rovers, with the teenager having already made an appearance for the side in the 2026 Men’s President’s Cup.
Many key players including Ciaran Behan will remain at the club for this season, and defender Harry Whelan has been promoted to the first team. Willie O’Connor’s side are likely to rely on further involvement of academy players to increase squad depth as they aim for another promotion run.
