League of Ireland: Gentlemen, start your engines...
Here, assesses each of the protagonists in the slimmed down 10-team division, including a few nuggets that did, or maybe didn’t, occur since the end of last season.
Keith Long.
: Given the club’s emphasis on attracting the hipster element to Dalymount Park before the bulldozers move in, Paul Weller will be starting a monthly residency in the bar before tonight’s derby against Shamrock Rovers.
Manager Keith Long skipped out of his day-job during his lunch-hour to attend a couple of recent club media engagements. Bohs are one of only two part-time outfits in the top-flight.
: Fuad Sule: The barnstorming midfielder was central to the Gypsies overachieving last season but even the lure of Barnet, trying to avoid dropping out of the Football League, proved too tempting.
: Dylan Watts: Back from Leicester City, on loan for now, a home environment should facilitate the best being extracted from of the young attacker.
: 5th.
: 7th. Until their ground is redeveloped and revenue streams improve, Long will be operating on a shoestring budget.
They’ll be battling at the lower end.
BRAY WANDERERS
: Dave Mackey.
: Such is the club’s eagerness to flog the Carlisle Grounds, no matches are allowed on Saturdays or Sundays to allow viewings by property speculators.
Despite their well-documented financial worries midway through last season, Bray paid all their players and didn’t break any FAI rules.
: Keith Buckley: The powerhouse in midfield made it clear during last season’s upheaval that a return to Bohemians was his plan. He leaves a big cavity to fill.
: Daniel McKenna:A tidy midfielder who can play in defence, the Ireland U19 regular has been loaned from Wolves and should feature regularly.
6th.
: 9th. Although Aaron Greene and Gary McCabe agreed to stay on, Bray are far weaker than last season and a campaign of attrition beckons.
CORK CITY
John Caulfield.
After the proposed white-collar boxing match between Roddy Collins and John Delaney fell flat, another version between sparring partners John Caulfield and Stephen Kenny is being mooted.
: Cork have the measure of their rivals Dundalk, extending their unbeaten run against the deposed champions to seven matches with Sunday’s victory in the President’s Cup final.
: Sean Maguire: Despite operating the second half of their title-winning season with him, his firepower was missed. Finding a suitable replacement was an impossibility.
Barry McNamee: Even a homebird needs a change of scene and the Derry native can blossom at Cork around superior players.
: Champions.
: Champions. The retention of Karl Sheppard may prove definitive as Cork’s off-season recruits haven’t fully replenished the loss of Maguire, Kevin O’Connor, and Stephen Dooley.
DERRY CITY
Kenny Shiels.
Derry’s conveyor belt to other clubs was maintained in the off-season with Dean Jarvis joining Dundalk and Barry McNamee moving to the champions.
: Shiels will be glad to be back in the revamped Brandywell for the visit of Dundalk on March 2 as he’s managed just 16 times at their home venue since taking charge two years ago.
Aaron Barry: The teak-tough defender was much in demand, eventually joining Cork City, and veteran Gavin Peers has a big task on his hands to deputise.
Ronan Hale: Along with brother Rory, the pair have returned to Foyleside and Ronan’s goalscoring record from his time at Birmingham will be relied upon.
: 4th.
: 6th. The perennial loss of talent continues to irk Shiels and even their homecoming might not be enough to retain the top-four tenancy they enjoyed in the last two seasons.
DUNDALK
: Stephen Kenny.
: In homage to their new American owners, Dundalk will don a specially-designed stars and stripes jersey for their visit to St Pat’s on the week of 4 July.
: The club has yet to ditch their artificial surface, replacing last year’s pitch but not with a full-grass version.
: David McMillan: Dundalk’s top scorer for the past two seasons has joined the exodus by moving to St Johnstone.
Ronan Murray: Pressure is on the Mayo man to fill the boots of McMillan, yet he was composed enough to play for Ipswich Town in the Championship under Roy Keane during his teens.
Runners-up.
: Runners-up. Kenny’s side are unlikely to make the same slow start as last season but his rebuilding job of the team which reached the Europa League in 2016 will take time.
LIMERICK
: Tommy Barrett.
The arrival Billy and Darren Dennehy at their third League of Ireland club after Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic sees the brothers gradually get closer to the Kerry home they left as teens for England.
: Benefactor Pat O’Sullivan has finally decided to cut his losses by selling up but finding a buyer is proving difficult.
Chiedozie Ogbene: Along with manager Neil McDonald and Barry Cotter, Limerick’s prize asset has moved to England.
A match-winner on his day, Daniel Kearns is back in the league and time will tell whether he returns as a more consistent performer.
7th.
: 10th. Pre-season has been nothing short of a disaster for the Shannonsiders, leaving them playing catch-up in appointing a boss to recruit players. They’re in for a slog.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Stephen Bradley.
: A trend by Rovers of signing former Ireland international shows no sign of abating. Following Damien Duff, Stephen McPhail, and Joey O’Brien to Tallaght will be Anthony Stokes once his Greek project finishes in May.
The Hoops have faltered badly on the transfer front. Many of their targets, such as Dundalk’s Sean Gannon, stayed put, prompting the Lilywhites to scour the UK market.
: Simon Madden: Some of Bradley’s decision have been bold but risky and ditching a fans’ favourite could easily backfire.
Ethan Boyle: The Ireland U21 squad member excelled in a limited Finn Harps side and his versatility and age can lead a long spell with the Hoops.
: 3rd.
: 4th. Instead of enhancing a squad into title contenders, Rovers appear no better than last year. They must be playing the long game.
SLIGO ROVERS
: Ger Lyttle.
: Sligo have opted to become a hothouse to a suite of English clubs, Adam Morgan becoming the latest youngster to visit the Showgrounds for a loan stint from Liverpool.
: For all the talk from the FAI of improved finances around the league, Sligo last week announced a loss for year-end 2017.
Vinny Faherty: The goalscoring stalwart helped the Bit O’Red to a late relegation escape and has upped sticks for a stint in Cyprus.
: Adam Wixted: A former Derby trainee, the winger was a rare bright spot for relegated Drogheda last season. He could flourish under Lyttle.
: 9th.
: 8th. All the indications are Sligo will have a more settled side in Lyttle’s first full season but certain weaknesses will be punished by the stronger outfits.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
Liam Buckley.
: A flirtation with losing their top-flight status last season convinced investor Garrett Kelleher to avoid a repeat by splashing out on a number of expensive signings.
: Rather than culling the man at the top for last season’s problems, Liam Buckley remains the longest-serving boss in the league, now heading into his sixth campaign season at the helm.
: Jordi Balk: The Dutchman was a tower of strength at the back in their fight against the drop, only to return home for family reasons.
: James Doona: A man in a hurry, the trickster stunned Shamrock Rovers by departing and Buckley will give him plenty of games.
: 8th.
: 3rd. Helped by scout Dave Campbell, Buckley has done the best business of any club, giving them every chance of mounting a challenge for Europe.
WATERFORD
Alan Reynolds.
The club’s multimillionaire owner, former Norwich City striker Lee Power, will appear on the bench when required. Power volunteered his managerial advice not long after buying Swindon Town.
A switch to full-time operations since their promotion influenced some of their First Division-winning side to play elsewhere.
: David McDaid: Along with Mark O’Sullivan, the Déise’s strikeforce is all-change and the goals of McDaid will need to be replaced.
Izzy Akinade: Provided he stays fit, the former Bohemians striker can be a sensation at his new club.
He’ll get plenty of supply for the creative sparks around the team.
First Division champions.
5th. Both Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell and Derry chief Kenny Shiels have signalled the Blues out as dark horses and they’ll certainly be competitive at the right end of the table.
