League of Ireland season dawn brings fear and fanfare

Liam Mackey looks ahead to a new season of domestic football in Ireland.

Dundalk’s Brian Gartland takes on Cork City’s Sean Maguire last season

Photo: At the SSE Airtricity League launch were from left: Aaron McEneff, Derry City; Colm Horgan, Galway United; Ronan Finn, Shamrock Rovers; Johnny Barrett, Finn Harps; Stephen O’Donnell, Dundalk FC; Dave O’Connor, Limerick FC; Dinny Corcoran, Bohemian FC; Steven Beattie, Cork City; Richard Purdy, Drogheda United; Ian Bermingham, St Patrick’s Athletic; Conor Kenna, Bray Wanderers and Craig Rodden, Sligo Rovers, Picture: David Maher/Sportsfile

The very eve of a new season is counted among the best of times in football, a blessed period before a ball is kicked in anger when all teams, great and small, appear to be on an equal footing and all are entitled to dream big – or at least until reality bites, as it inevitably does, and sometimes within moments of the first whistle.