With the Airtricity Premier Division kicking off on Friday, JOE gives you the lowdown on what teams to look out for this season, their star players, and how they will fare in the upcoming domestic campaign.
In Part Two, we look at the teams hoping to make a breakthrough into the top half of the table this season.
By Frank McCann
UCD
Nickname: The Students
Stadium: UCD Bowl
Manager: Martin Russell
Star Player: Dean Marshall – With some big departures over the summer, UCD will be looking to some of their new blood to keep them in the top flight. Dean Marshall is an exciting winger with the ability to trouble defenders with his pace. The wide-man also has a tendency to cut inside and shoot from distance, so expect to see a screamer or two at the UCD Bowl this season.
Last Season: UCD produced some excellent football last season, and were one of the best teams in the league to watch. Ciaran Kilduff had an inspired season, finding the net on ten occasions.
Odds: 100/1
JOE’s Prediction: 7th
This will be an extremely tough season for Martin Russell. After losing some of his established players, including top goalscorer Ciaran Kilduff, UCD will find it difficult to continue the good work they produced last season. The Students are bound to be down in the bottom half, but more than likely will avoid relegation.
Galway United
Nickname: The Tribesmen
Stadium: Terryland Park
Manager: Sean Connor (pictured above)
Star Player: Paul Sinnott – The club captain is the heart of the side for the Tribesmen, and will be sure to once again battle to keep his side up in the Premier Division. New signing Brian Cash will add another dimension to United’s play, and should play an important role as a winger at Terryland Park.
Last Season: Galway confirmed their Premier League future with a play-off victory over Bray Wanderers in November. That was until financial and licensing issues arose for the Tribesmen. On the verge of being demoted to the A Championship, the club managed to sort out their cash issues before it was too late.
Odds: 150/1
JOE’s Prediction: 9th
Galway United will just be happy to actually be involved in the Premier Division this season. As for staying up, they will have to work very hard. Sean Connor is sure to give it everything and will get the best out of his players; whether it will be enough is hard to know.
Bray Wanderers
Nickname: The Seagulls
Stadium: Carlisle Grounds
Manager: Pat Devlin
Pat Devlin should be able to guide Bray Wanderers to safety this season
Star Player: Daire Doyle – Rejoining the Seagulls last season, Doyle has become instrumental in their midfield. Along with Gary Dempsey, he will be crucial to Wanderers’ chances of staying up.
Last Season: Although Bray had suffered relegation the previous year; the demise of Cork City meant that they were reinstated to the top flight for last season. An end-of-season surge by the Seagulls was enough to just about save their bacon.
Odds: 40/1
JOE’s Prediction: 8th
It’s going to be a tough season for Wanderers and we reckon they will struggle for large parts of the season. However, they will probably get enough points off the teams around them to remain in the top flight next year.
Drogheda United
Nickname: Drogs
Stadium: Hunky Dorys Park (formerly United Park)
Manager: Mick Cooke
Star Player: Andrei Georgescu – The Romanian striker was brought in for a number of pre-season games, and Mick Cooke will be looking to get the best out of him as his squad is severely depleted.
Last Season: It was quite simply a disastrous campaign for Drogs. Finishing six points adrift at the foot of the table, they failed to register any wins in their last 15 games. Despite being relegated, Drogheda United will be playing in the top division this season after money raised in a share issue scheme gave them the funds to be granted a license.
Odds: 500/1
JOE’s Prediction: 10th
With Bobby Browne gone, it’s now up to Mick Cooke to help Drogheda survive. With the lack of depth in the side, Drogs will find it very difficult to cope in the Premier Division this time around, and will more than likely suffer relegation.
Derry City
Nickname: The Candystripes
Stadium: Brandywell Stadium
Manager: Stephen Kenny
Star Player: Gareth McGlynn – After spending a season at Bohemians, the winger will be welcomed back to the Brandywell as the Candystripes aim for a top half finish. Having made over 200 appearences for the club, McGlynn is something of a cult hero in Derry. He will surely play a major role in Derry’s first season back in the Premier Division.
Last Season: The Candystripes will return to the top flight as the First Division winners following an excellent showing last season. Finishing three points clear of Waterford United, they stayed consistent throughout the campaign.
Odds: 12/1
JOE’s Prediction: 5th
While holding onto the bulk of last season’s squad, Derry’s new arrivals should blend well with the youth in the team. The Candystripes are well equipped to finish in the top half of the table, as long as they don’t find adjusting to the top flight too difficult.
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