Though it may not feel like it with this week's chilly weather, winter is slowly coming to an end. The prime sign of this is, of course, the return of the League of Ireland this weekend.
With a huge increase in televised games, a mouthwatering Aviva Stadium derby on the opening weekend, and Irish teams faring well in Europe, hype levels have rarely been higher around the Greatest League in the World.
For the football kit nerds among us (this author counts himself a member of this subgroup), there are few better times than the beginning of a new season.
To get us all in the mood for the 2025 League of Ireland season, we've ranked the home kits of every single team across both divisions of the men's league, and the Women's Premier Division. We're sure there will be no arguments about these...
DISCLAIMER: A 2025 home jersey has yet to be revealed by Athlone Town, who have confirmed they will be switching back to black and blue this season. We'll update these rankings when their kit is released
SECONDARY DISCLAIMER: This is a particularly strong year of League of Ireland kits, and the margins were tight. A low ranking for your team is not meant as any slight.
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Ranking the League of Ireland home kits for the 2025 season
21. Peamount United
5 February 2025; Karen Duggan of Peamount United during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, SSE Airtricity Men's First Division and SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Launch 2025 at Mansion House in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
There's nothing particularly offensive about this design but it's simply too plain for our liking, and the stripe across the sleeve looks untidy.
20. Wexford
4 February 2025; Darragh Levingston during a Wexford squad portraits session at SETU Carlow Campus in Carlow. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Wexford's sports teams are blessed with one of the best colour schemes in Irish sport. However, this is not the best utilisation of the purple and yellow we've seen and, again, it's just a bit too plain for our liking.
19. Bray Wanderers
8 February 2025; Benjamin Fagbemi during a Bray Wanderers squad portraits session at Carlisle Grounds in Bray, Wicklow. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The individual components are all solid enough but there's not much going on here.
18. Longford Town
7 February 2025; Scott Browne during a Longford Town squad portraits session at Bishopsgate in Longford. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
There's a bit too much dead space on this kit, however the subtle pinstripes in the red blocks are a nice touch.
17. DLR Waves
28 January 2025; Eve Conheady during a DLR Waves FC squad portraits session at Beckett Park in Cherrywood, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The imprint on the blue background looks good but the collar is a little messy here in contrast to the rest of the kit.
16. Finn Harps
10 February 2025; Shaunie Bradley during a Finn Harps FC squad portraits session at Finn Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The first of the more intricate designs and this is a bold one. We like the idea, which seems to be based on the mountains of Donegal, but its execution is just a touch messy around the neck.
15. UCD
18 January 2025; Sean Mackey poses for a portrait during a UCD FC squad portraits session at the UCD Sports Centre in UCD, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
One of the nicer UCD designs of recent years, O'Neills have cracked out the delightful collar template that has been a feature of their recent GAA jerseys. We'd be intrigued to see how this one could have looked with the pinstripes tracking the entire jersey.
14. Cobh Ramblers
29 January 2025; James O'Leary during a Cobh Ramblers squad portraits session at The Commodore Hotel in Cobh, Cork. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
A unique, bold design that blends in all elements well. From here on in, the contenders are very strong. The "Ramblers" inscription on the sleeve cuffs is a lovely touch.
13. Cork City
Like their local rivals, Cork have gone with something different this year, and we like the execution of the fade from green into red on the stripe. Very tidy.
12. Drogheda United
This kit has something of a marmite feel to it and will no doubt find some ardent supporters. It's bold, the neck is slick, and the colour scheme is drawn in nicely across the logos. The checkerboard design will be hit and miss for some, and this author still can't quite decide what exactly to make of it. Something new, anyway.
11. Waterford FC
4 February 2025; Kyle White during a Waterford FC squad portraits session at SETU Arena in Carriganore, Waterford. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
A simple, slick, well executed design. Unlucky to miss out on a spot in the top ten.
10. Dundalk
Something subtly different than what we're used to from Dundalk, the additional red is a nice addition, and the 'bubbly' patten from the away kit is replicated well on the sleeves. Good stuff.
9. Shelbourne
An homage to the 1992 home jersey, the champions' design as they defend the title is certainly striking. It would likely be higher if the pattern continued down through the jersey.
8. Bohemians
Not the best design we've seen from Bohemians of late but it's rare that the Bohs miss with their jerseys. The gold stripes fit in nicely and it's a tidy if unspectacular design.
7. Derry City
One of two Premier Division sides who appear set to keep their 2024 kit for the season ahead and we have no complaints. We're into "bangers" territory now.
6. Kerry FC
31 January 2025; Alex Dunne during a Kerry FC squad portrait session at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Perhaps a controversial choice, but this Kerry kit is a winner. The way that the subtle imprint of the jersey front splits into white elements on the sleeves is well executed and it's clean across the board. Just like the county's GAA teams, the local sponsor blasting us with a massive 'KERRY' on the front works a treat.
5. Galway United
Alongside Derry, Galway have stuck with their 2024 kit and what a kit it is. The maroon has become the iconic look of the county's sports teams, and the pattern woven in is magnificent. The golden highlights are the icing on the cake.
4. St. Patrick's Athletic
Excellent. We're suckers for text on the cuffs, and the diamond design is a brilliant and somewhat subtle variation on what we've come to expect from Pats.
3. Shamrock Rovers
For the first time in five years, Shamrock Rovers don't enter a League of Ireland season as defending champions. They are right in the mix for "best kit," however, with their unusual shamrock-football pattern working a treat.
2. Treaty United
9 February 2025; Fionn Doherty during a Treaty United squad portraits session at TUS in Limerick. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
No notes. The stripe design is something completely different and executed wonderfully. The red and blue on the sleeves is a nice addition too. Unlucky to miss out on top spot.
1. Sligo Rovers
Our undisputed winner. The tone of red, the collar, the pattern. Magic across the board. If they awarded the League of Ireland title for the finest kit, Sligo Rovers could be declared champs here and now.
Do you agree with our 2025 League of Ireland kit rankings?
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