No first night nerves for Sligo’s Baraclough

For the faithful, the dawning of the first day of the new Airtricity League season brings with it a familiar quickening of the pulse and the heady sensation that anything is possible.

However, before a ball is kicked in the 2013 campaign, there’s widespread consensus in the game that this will be an exceptionally competitive season, the pitch having been levelled by a combination of the age of austerity and, during the close season, the significant redistribution of both playing and management personnel.

And, straight away, the two biggest winners of last year will learn something of what’s in store for them over the coming seven months when league champions Sligo Rovers travel to the Brandywell to take on FAI Cup holders Derry City.