CK United hope to bring League of Ireland football back to Kilkenny.

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Talks of a third League of Ireland tier have stalled since first announced as part of the FAI’s 2022 strategic plan. Yet despite the lack of progress, it has not stopped a number of regional clubs in their preparation to join the ranks of senior football.

Last season saw Kerry become the latest addition to the League of Ireland. That was followed by news in June that Mayo is set to field a senior men’s team as early as 2026. Potential for a Meath team joining the league have also been rumoured.

Now CK United is the latest club hoping to join the League of Ireland and in the process provide a pathway to senior soccer for Carlow and Kilkenny for the first time since the demise of Kilkenny City in 2008.

CK United sporting director Shane Dunphy spoke about some of the work going on behind the scenes at the club.

“We have discussed our thoughts, dreams, and aspirations with our TDs, local councillors, Sports Ministers, and the FAI. At this point, it's over to those people to make something happen,” he said.

“Like many other clubs, we are now awaiting the FAI's new plan from Director of Football Marc Canham on the growth of the League of Ireland. Whatever path that takes, we are ready to join the relevant process to be successful in the application for both men's and women's senior teams for the region.”

CK United already has a huge amount of groundwork done and currently field a full suite of underage academy teams.

The club also applied for a Men’s First Division licence last season, narrowly missing out to Kerry.

They are also working hard with the FAI to add a women’s team to the First Division next season.

“At present, we don’t see many obstacles in the way at least from our side, the hunger from everyone in Irish football to make it a bigger, better, more sustainable league simply means we must grow the League of Ireland with the support of the clubs, FAI and government,” said Dunphy.



“We are at a serious crossroads in the development of professional football within this country, we cannot simply wait for English or European clubs to come in and develop our homegrown talent nor can we can’t wait for the government, local councils, and FAI to develop and grow this league.”

“If we want to compete at international level at all grades of football we need to grow and do it fast. CK United is perfectly situated for this as we are in a very central location with a huge untapped talent pool,” he said.

For now CK United has agreed to a deal with the Watershed in Kilkenny City to become a home venue for their underage and prospective senior League of Ireland teams.

They also have plans in place to develop a state-of-the-art training facility with full-size pitches, dressing rooms, a medical facility, and a 200-seater stand in Carlow.

The club’s primary aim is to provide a pathway to senior soccer for the region's largely untapped talent pool and in the process bring the League of Ireland back to a region that boasts a long and fabled history with it.

“Kilkenny City has a very strong and long history with senior football and our hope with CK United is that we can tap into this and give young men and women a realistic avenue to first-team football,” Dunphy added. 



“With this approach, we hope that it will drive people to come to watch their local men and women compete in the League of Ireland.

Since Kilkenny City dissolved in 2008 due to a combination of poor finances, crowds, and results the region has been without a representative, and their home ground, Buckley Park has lain idle.

“It was always a fantastic League of Ireland venue and it's such a shame to see such an iconic stadium in such disrepair,” said Shane.

“I walked into Buckley Park recently and to be honest it wouldn’t take a major input of capital to make it a very good venue again.

"It’s an amazing asset for the people of Kilkenny and the greater region and all of us here at CK United would absolutely love to be part of making it happen.”

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