Airtricity League Premier Division: team-by-team guide
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Launch at Whelan's. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Alan Reynolds (since May ’24)
100% fan-owned.
2025: 4th. 2024: 8th. 2003: 6th. 2022: 6th.
Paul Walters (FC Cincinnati – Loan), Ryan Burke (Waterford), Sam Todd (Derry City), Senan Mullen (Torino – Loan), Patrick Hickey (Galway United), Sadou Diallo (Derry City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City – Loan), Hugh Martin (UCD).
James Talbot (Corpus Christi), John Mountney (Glenavon), Rob Cornwall, Keith Buckley (Dundalk), Archie Meekison (Sligo Rovers), James Clarke (Derry City), Joe Collins (Swansea City), Alex Lacey.
Last year’s fourth place, securing their European return, was their highest finish since the shortened 2020 season. It marked quite the turnaround for Alan Reynolds who’d been booed by fans until the spectacular Easter Monday resurrection at Shamrock Rovers. “This is finally my time,” Reynolds declared as he starts his second full season, content with his transfer business.
Douglas James Taylor – Drogheda United were stunned when their prolific striker chose to move to their rivals after his loan from Walsall expired. Injuries curbed his impact but a fully-fit version can propel the Gypsies.
K Chorążka; L Kavanagh, P Hickey, S Mullen; D Power, S Diallo, D Devoy, J Flores; R Tierney, H Vaughan; D James-Taylor.
4th
Tiernan Lynch (since Dec ’24)
Billionaire Philip O’Doherty.
2025: 2nd. 2024: 4th, 2003: 2nd, 2022: 2nd.
James McClean (Wrexham), Patrick McClean (Sligo Rovers), James Clarke (Bohemians), Darragh Markey (Drogheda United), Rob Slevin (Galway United), Kevin Santos (Atlético Ottawa), James Olayinka (Waterford), Jamie Stott (Morecambe), Josh Thomas (Swansea), Henry Rylah (Charlton), Ciaran Mullan (Derry), Callum Downey (Derry), Conor Barr (Cliftonville), Alex Bannon (Burton Albion), Liam Mullan (HW Welders).
Adam Frizzell (Linfield), Paul McMullan (Raith Rovers), Danny Mullen (Dundalk), Mark Connolly (Coleraine), Sadou Diallo (Bohemians), Ronan Boyce (St Pats), Sam Todd (Bohemians), Hayden Cann (Waterford), Shane Ferguson, Robbie Benson.
Billionaire owner Philip O’Doherty is only looking one way and that’s the summit. His bankrolling, led by the homecoming of centurion James McClean, signposts a desire to end their famine but they require a vast improvement on Tiernan Lynch’s first year. Pressure is on to deliver on the riches.
James McClean – All eyes – and ears – will be on the veteran’s return to the club he left for England 15 years ago. Renowned as a swashbuckling winger in his heyday, he’s been converted to a holding midfielder for this twilight stage. Expect fireworks, home and away, with Jimmy at the epicentre.
B Maher; C Dummigan, P McClean, R Slevin, B Fleming; C Winchester, J McClean; J Clarke, G White, M Duffy; L Boyce.
3rd
Kevin Doherty (since Dec ‘21)
Trivela Group (US fund that also owns Walsall).
Last four seasons: 2025: 6th. 2024: 9th, 2003: 7th, 2022: 8th.
Jason Bucknor (Ventura County), Edwin Agbaje (Sligo Rovers), Mark Doyle (Knoxville), Ethan O’Brien (Huntsville City), Michael Cardo (Padroense), Leo Burney (Seattle), Brandon Kavanagh (St Pats), Fynn Talley, Jago Godden (Walsall), John O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Bridel Bosakani (Glenavon).
Jack Brady (Treaty United), Luke Henney (Waterford), Darragh Markey (Derry City), Aaron Harper-Bailey (Oxford City), Paul Doyle (Dungannon), Callum Bonner (Parkvilla), Taylor Mooney (Lucan United), Evan Haddock (Home Farm), Conall Cronin (Armagh City), Jack Stretton (Truro City).
Consolidation will do for Drogs, who embraced being written off as relegation certainties to thrive. Losing out on Europe due to multiclub constraints tainted their season but they haven’t lost many mainstays. Retaining Conor Keeley was a masterstroke and if some of their US recruits can spark they’ll cause shocks again.
Brandan Kavanagh – The diminutive playmaker needs to lay down roots after flitting between Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic. Now 25, his match-winning qualities are undeniable but Kevin Doherty’s primary task is engraining consistency.
L Dennison; L Burney, C Keeley, J Bolger; J Bucknor, S Farrell, R Brennan, J Godden, C Kane; B Kavanagh, E O’Brien; M Doyle.
7th
Ciarán Kilduff (since Dec ‘24).
Chris Clinton (majority shareholder).
2025: 1 (First Division). 2024: 10. 2023: 5. 2022: 3.
Keith Buckley, Rob Cornwall (Bohemians), Ronan Teahan (Kerry), Harvey Warren (Bray Wanderers), Conor Kearns (Shelbourne - loan), Bobby Burns (Galway United), Danny Mullen (Derry City).
Rohan Vaughan (QPR), Sean McHale (back to St Patrick’s Athletic), Ethen Vaughan (Without Club), Samuel Safae (Harland & Wolff Welders), Dean Ebbe (Ballymena United), Andy Paraschiv (Longford Town).
Newly-promoted and finally relieved of ownership turmoil, the Lilywhites can concentrate on staying up. Given the manager tendered his resignation last November amid a boardroom battle, recruitment was sluggish. Some old-timers will supply guile but they’ll need on-loan Conor Kearns to reproduce his title form at Shelbourne to boost survival hopes.
Eoin Kenny – Son of Stephen just turned 20 and batted away interest to remain with his local club for life back in the Premier. Chances won’t be as plentiful as he found in the First Division but his poacher’s instinct should be on show.
C Kearns; H Warren, V Leonard, R Cornwall; A Dervin, K Buckley, R Teahan, B Burns; D Horgan, D Mullen; E Kenny.
10th
: John Caulfield (since Aug ’20).
Galway Co-Op, option to buy held by Comer Brothers, Luke and Brian.
2025: 8th. 2024: 5th, 2023: First Division champions, 2022: FD 3rd.
Kris Twardek (Valour), Wasiri Williams (Daugavpils) Nicolas Chateau (Vancouver), Gianfranco Facchineri (Valour), Matty Wolfe (Sligo Rovers), Hugo Cunha (Famalicao), Al Amin-Kazeem (St Pat’s), Francely Lomboto (Glenavon), Lee Devitt (Treaty Utd), Evan Watts and Arthur Parker (both on loan from Swansea).
Jeannot Esua (Sligo Rovers), Patrick Hickey (Bohemians), Rob Slevin (Derry City), Bobby Burns (Dundalk), Garry Buckley (Cobh Ramblers), Vincent Borden (Kerry FC), Jeremy Sivi (FK Loznica), Brendan Clarke (Athlone Town), Steven Healy (Treaty United), Greg Cunningham (Retired), Malcolm Shaw, Regan Donelon.
While fans will expect better than last year’s campaign that descended into a battle to avoid a playoff, pragmatist Caulfield is urging caution. His inability to compete financially for domestic talent has angled him towards faraway markets, including Canada again. Fusing the constituent parts is the challenge.
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau – Formerly of Vancouver Whitecaps, if the striker can mirror the heroics of fellow Canadian Moses Dyer – before he bailed out last summer – he will be a hero among the Tribesmen hardcore. Much depends on how much service the 23-year-old is fed.
E Watts; C Barratt, K Brouder, G Facchineri; C McCarthy, J Keohane, L Devitt, A Bolger, K Twardek; N Fleuriau Chateau, D McGuinness.
: 8th
Stephen Bradley (since July ’16)
Ray Wilson and Dermot Desmond (25% each), members 50%.
2025: 1st. 2024: 2nd, 2003: 1st, 2022: 1st.
Enda Stevens (Stoke City), Jake Mulraney (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Adam Brennan UCD), Jack Byrne (returning from loan with Dubai Irish FC), Connor Malley (Sligo Rovers – loan made permanent).
Josh Honohan (Lincoln City), Aaron McEneff (Glentoran), Darragh Nugent (St. Pats), Conan Noonan (Waterford), Sean Kavanagh (coaching role), Callum Honohan (Cobh Ramblers - loan), Cian Barrett (Waterford - loan), John O’Sullivan (Drogheda United - loan).
Perched atop the pack they vanquished last year, the champions again begin as favourites. By reclaiming the title, their record of five in six years matched the Dundalk side that came directly before them. 2026 offers the bandwidth for immortality but they lost Josh Honohan and Aaron McEneff, while teen striker Michael Noonan will likely follow soon after their Champions League return in July. Still possess the strongest squad.
Jack Byrne – The return of one former international, Enda Stevens, was eye-catching but of equal importance is Byrne’s comeback from oblivion. Sceptics predicted the end for the maestro at Rovers when he was shipped out on loan to Dubai in the summer but he looks refreshed for the new mission.
E McGinty; D Cleary, R Lopes, E Stevens; D Grant, M Healy, D Watts, J Mulraney; J Byrne, G Burke; M Noonan.
Verdict: Champions.
Joey O’Brien (since June ’25)
Closebreak, Neil and Cathal Doyle, Ricky Walsh, Mickey O’Rourke, Brian McGovern.
2025: 3rd. 2024: 1st, 2003: 4th, 2022: 7th.
Will Jarvis (Notts County), Rodrigo Freitas (Varim SC), Odhran Casey (Cliftonville), Conor Walsh (Sligo Rovers), Wessel Speel (Minnesota United), Maill Lundgren (Degerfors).
Mark Coyle (Cliftonville), Lewis Temple (Bolton Wanderers), Conor Kearns (Dundalk - loan), Lorcan Healy (retired), John O’Sullivan.
Top-four finishes in their last three years, including champions of 2024, testifies to the standards Shels have reached. Some astute signings have strengthened their unit and eradicating their goal shortage is essential to complement sturdiness at the back. Joey O’Brien is in good nick for his first full season in charge.
Harry Wood – Cult status was bestowed on the Yorkshireman for his title-winning goal before he was instrumental in the Reds’ surge to a first-ever league phase of the Uefa Conference. That Shels recently rejected a €500,000 bid from Luton Town spoke of his importance.
W Speel; O Casey, P Barrett, S Bone; M Mbeng, K McInroy, J Henry-Francis, H Wood, W Jarvis; R Freitas, M Odubeko.
Runners-up
John Russell (since July ’22)
Member-owned.
2025: 7th. 2024: 6th, 2003: 4th, 2022: 5th.
Jeannot Esua (Galway Utd), Archie Meekison (Bohemians), Liam Hughes (FC Haka), Alex Nolan (Cork City), Ryan O’Kane (Shelbourne – loan made permanent), Shane Blaney (Livingston- loan), Mai Traore (Notts County- loan).
Connor Malley (Shamrock Rovers), Owen Elding (Hibernian FC), Patrick McClean (Derry City), Matty Wolfe (Galway Utd), John Mahon (Waterford), Edwin Agbaje (Drogheda Utd), Wilson Waweru (Cobh Ramblers), Conor Walsh (Shelbourne).
They’d like to think the only way is up but the classic limitations of being member-owned, typified by the measly upfront free received from Hibs for star striker Owen Elding, hampers the outlook. John Russell batted away interest from Waterford in favour of continuity and, though they’ll cause problems, fluidity is their biggest obstacle.
S Sargeant; J Esua, O Denham, S Blaney, S Stewart; A Meekison, W Fitzgerald; R O’Kane, J Hakiki, A Nolan; M Traoré.
Maï Traoré – replacing Elding forced Russell to be at his creative best and he trawled the English lower leagues to discover the Guinean. He arrived at Notts County from Norway with a huge reputation but needed an outlet to revive. We’ll see if the north-west provides that haven.
6th.
: Stephen Kenny (since May ‘24)
Property developer Garrett Kelleher (majority), US Kenosis Sports Group.
2025: 5th. 2024: 3rd. 2023: 3rd. 2022: 4th.
Ryan Edmondson (Central Coast Mariners), Glory Nzingo (Swansea City), Darragh Nugent (Shamrock Rovers), Ronan Boyce (Derry City), Daniel Chukwu (Longford Town), Darren Robinson (Derby), Max Mata (Shrewsbury Town).
Mason Melia (Tottenham), Conor Carty (Waterford), Jake Mulraney (Shamrock Rovers), Al-Amin Kazeem (Galway United), Brandon Kavanagh (Drogheda United), Darren Robinson (Derby), Shaun Hall (Kildare), Axel Sjoberg, Ryan McLaughlin, Jordan Garrick (Merhtyr Town), Anto Dodd.
Nothing other than upwards will be acceptable for loyal owner Garrett Kelleher. Missing out on Europe for the first time since 2021 wasn’t part of the Stephen Kenny grand design when he was handed the longest and largest managerial contract in LOI history 20 months ago. Like Sligo, they’ll miss a teen tyro in Spurs signing Mason Melia.
Max Mata – Fitness already could be a problem for the ex-Sligo striker who has eyes on being part of New Zealand’s squad for the World Cup. Firstly, Pat’s must produce the service for the established frontman to soar.
J Anang; R Boyce, T Grivosti, J Redmond, A Breslin; B Baggley, D Nugent; Z Elbouzedi, K Leavy, R Palmer; M Mata.
5th.
Jon Daly (since November ’25).
: Jamie Pilley, Fleetwood Group.
2025: 9th. 2024: 7th, 2023: Promoted via FD playoffs, 2022: Lost playoff final.
Conan Noonan (Shamrock Rovers – loan made permanent), Benny Couto, Evan McLaughlin (Cork City), Conor Carthy (St Patrick’s Athletic), Luke Heeney (Drogheda Utd), Jordan Faria (Valour FC), Hayden Cann (Derry City), John Mahon (Sligo Rovers), Jorgen Voilas (Umea), Arlo Doherty (Derry City), Josh Miles (Blackpool), (Cork City), Finlay Armstrong (Rochdale), Cian Barrett (Shamrock Rovers- loan) Stephen McMullan (Fleetwood- loan).
James Olayinka (Derry City), Darragh Leahy (Linfield), Ryan Burke (Bohemians), Jordan Rossiter (Sporting JAX), Kacper Radkowski (Kazincbarcika), Grant Horton (Harrogate Town), Muhammadu Faal (Maidstone), Brad Wade (Ballymena Utd), Navajo Bakboord, Matty Smith, Ben McCormack.
Ambitious owners, who still hanker for European exposure, would argue otherwise but the Blues seem in store for another season of slog. Both Keith Long and John Coleman paid for runs of defeats last season and new chief Jon Daly is around long enough to realise what’s demanded. Whether allowances are made for his rebuild will be the key determinant.
Conan Noonan – Last season’s loan spell from Shamrock Rovers influenced the Fleetwood mothership to sanction the €50,000 fee set on his head. An attacker with an array of traits will cause problems and he’s only 23.
S McMullan; H Cann, J Mahon, B Couto; S Glenfield, L Heeney, E McLaughlin, C Noonan, C Carty; T Lonergan, P Amond.
9th (relegation playoff)
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