Dream team strike force make Fenlon’s Reds the team to beat

AS the boy Yeatsy might have said about the new eircom league season, all is changed, changed utterly.

And he would have a case, at least in terms of the hugely increased prize fund and unprecedented television coverage attending the 2005 campaign, which kicks off tonight when champions Shelbourne host newly promoted UCD at Tolka Park (8pm).

But where the destiny of the title itself is concerned, even before a ball has been kicked it's hard to shake off the conviction that this could be more like Groundhog Season, with Shels firmly installed as red-hot favourites to secure three-in-a-row championship titles.

Far from basking in the afterglow of last year's title success and their fantastic adventure in Europe, Shelbourne have already raised the bar for themselves and everyone else by swooping for the Bohemians trio of Glen Crowe, Colin Hawkins and Bobby Ryan, a show of strength and ambition which suggests that the group stages of the Champions League are the long-term goal.

The signing of Crowe is of particular significance, not least to opposing defences in the eircom league. Linking up with that other sharpshooter, Jason Byrne, his arrival at Tolka Park is like the domestic equivalent of Henry and Van Nistelrooy joining forces in the Premiership. Assuming they don't split the strikers' vote, the two men who have dominated the goal charts for the last five years, should give the champions a formidable cutting edge.

Indeed, such is their quality across the board that already it's tempting to talk about Shelbourne and then everyone else. Cork City, for one, will think differently. Last season, the runners-up finished the stronger of the top two, although Pat Fenlon's men were sufficiently battle-hardened in the run-in to hold off the impressive late surge of Pat Dolan's men.

But there's been a big change at Turner's Cross since then too, though not in terms of playing personnel. With Saipan-upon-Lee and the sensational sacking of Pat Dolan, City have had the worst possible build-up to the new season, but at least with Damien Richardson back in charge they have a manager with more than enough experience and powers of persuasion to extract the best from a talented squad.

For Bohemians, who finished last year in third place, a similar feat would be an impressive achievement given the exodus of quality players from Dalymount Park. The experience of player-manager Gareth Farrelly and the retention of the influential Kevin Hunt will be vital in steadying the ship but, straight away, they have to navigate the treacherous waters of a Dublin derby against Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount on Friday night.

But then that only means it's in at the deep end too for Rovers boss Roddy Collins, returning to the scene of former triumphs after jumping ship from Dublin City to the Hoops in quite sensational fashion last season.

How Roddy and his new-look Rovers will fare in a season likely to be once again dominated by the Tallaght saga, is one of the more intriguing aspects of the new campaign.

And then there's Drogheda United, who flattered only to deceive last time around, but who are currently one of the most progressive clubs in the league. Although the decision to go full-time has seen the loss of both Andy Myler and Danny O'Connor to Longford Town, the benefits include the arrival of Damien Lynch and Simon Webb from Bohs and the Finnish international Sami Ristela. With the canny Paul Doolin at the helm, Drogheda have all that it takes to mount a serious challenge the big question is if the new side can gel at the first time of asking.

Elsewhere, Waterford United will look to build on last year's impressive fifth place finish, Longford will want to inject their cup prowess into the league, and the arrival up from the first division of Finn Harps, UCD and Bray Wanderers will ensure the likes of last year's also rans, Derry, Pats and Rovers, will need to make significant progress if they're not to spend much of the season nervously looking over their shoulders.

So plenty of ifs, buts and maybes as the 2005 eircom League campaign kicks off but absolutely no question that Shelbourne are the team to beat.