IF their victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in the President’s Cup at the weekend is anything to go by, champions Shamrock Rovers will still be the team to beat in the 2024 SSE Airtricity League title race.
The Hoops, who are aiming for their fifth Premier Division triumph in-a-row, showed their class against the Saints in front of just over 8,000 fans at Tallaght Stadium, to win the now traditional curtain-raiser 3-1.
Stephen Bradley’s men may not have signed a ‘big name’ player in the off-season, but they have certainly strengthened their squad by bringing back Aaron McEneff – on loan from Perth Glory – and adding Josh Honohan from Cork City and Darragh Burns on loan from MK Dons.
And in 21-year-old Conan Noonan they look as though they’ve found a real talent, while they still have the likes of Roberto Lopes, Daniel Cleary, Gary O’Neill, Graham Burke, Jack Byrne and Rory Gaffney in their ranks.
However, losing experienced duo Alan Mannus and Ronan Finn will be a blow to the Tallaght men’s dressing room, with Leon Pohls needing to have a big season between the sticks as he attempts to fill the boots of ex-Northern Ireland international Mannus, who decided to retire after last season’s fourth league success.
While Derry City will again be Rovers’ main rivals for the title, just like in 2023, the whole league is expected to be a lot more competitive, with a host of teams believing they are capable of toppling the champions.
Derry boss Ruaidhrí Higgins, who has appointed Paul Hegarty as his new assistant following Paddy McLaughlin’s departure, has signed very well, raiding Dundalk to bring in the Oriel Park club’s record goalscorer Pat Hoban and winger Daniel Kelly.
Keeping hold of much-admired midfielder Sadou Diallo and goalkeeper Brian Maher could also prove massive for the Candystripes.
The Brandywell men will be hoping skipper Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy, in particular, can find top form as they start their quest to win their first title since 1997.
Jon Daly’s Saints are another club who will fancy their chances and the Richmond Park men certainly have added a host of new faces, bringing in Derry duo Brandon Kavanagh and Cian Kavanagh, while the arrival of striker Ruairi Keating from Cork City, defenders Conor Keeley and Luke Turner, and goalkeeper Marcelo Piteluga on loan from Liverpool, will also strengthen their side.
However, losing Conor Carty, Mark Doyle, Adam Murphy, Sam Curtis and Tommy Lonergan are major blows for the Inichcore men.
Declan Devine is looking forward to his second season in charge of Bohemians and the former Derry boss knows his team need to be challenging at the top end of the table to keep their fans happy.
Defender Rob Cornwall has returned from a spell with Northern Colorado Hailstorm in America to bolster the defence, while midfielder Dayle Rooney has made the switch from Drogheda United.
Having sold leading marksman Jonathan Afolabi to Belgian side Kortrijk, Devine will be keeping his fingers crossed that Estonian international trio Sten Reinkort, Martin Miller and Michael Lilander all settle into their new surroundings quickly.
Drogheda United, under Kevin Doherty’s stewardship, have made some interesting signings in the off-season and they’ll be hoping former Athlone Town striker Frantz Pierrot can carry on his 2023 form, as the Haiti frontman netted an impressive 20 goals last term.
Bringing Evan Weir back on loan from Walsall also looks a good bit of business from the Drogs. In recent seasons Doherty has built up a good relationship with the English League Two club and he’ll be hoping loanees Jethren Barr and Oisin Gallagher perform as well as Freddie Draper did last season.
Fellow Louth men Dundalk have again had to virtually rebuild their squad from scratch, having lost Hoban and Kelly to Derry, while goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd, Keith Ward, John Martin, Greg Sloggett, Darragh Leahy and Robbie McCourt have all left the club.
Stephen O’Donnell has had to work his magic on the transfer front and he’ll be praying his squad can gel quickly, having been forced to bring in a host of new faces on loan deals.
Last season’s runaway First Division champions Galway United, under John Caulfield’s management, have added a few good signings with Garry Buckley and Karl O’Sullivan their two stand-out players from the League of Ireland, while Jeannot Esua, from Ekenas IF, and Millwall’s Joe Wright have also come on board.
Damien Duff’s Shelbourne certainly look a team who are going to be up their challenging for honours this season, especially having added serial winner Sean Gannon to the ranks following his move from Shamrock Rovers.
Keith Ward, Liam Burt, John Martin, Dean Williams and Will Jarvis also look shrewd acquisitions, although losing Jack Moylan to Lincoln City will be a blow.
Sligo Rovers could struggle this season, but being able to bring back goalkeeper Ed McGinty on loan from Oxford United should make them more solid at the back, while former Cheltenham Town midfielder Ellis Chapman has settled into his new surroundings well, helping himself to a hat-trick in their 5-4 pre-season win over Derry.
After defeating Cork City in the promotion/relegation play-off, Waterford will believe they can maintain their Premier Division status under Keith Long, and veteran striker Padraig Amond could be the man to score the goals to keep them away from the relegation zone after a long and successful spell in the English lower leagues.
In the First Division, Tim Clancy will be looking to bring Cork City back up at the first time of asking, although UCD under Willie O’Connor’s management will certainly have something to say about that.
Elsewhere, Darren Murphy seems to have built a better Finn Harps squad for this season as they look to move up the table, and a play-off spot could be well within their grasp.
PREMIER DIVISION
Friday, February 16 (7.45pm)
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers
Derry City v Drogheda United
Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk
Waterford v Shelbourne
FIRST DIVISION
Friday, February 16 (7.45pm)
Athlone Town v Wexford
Bray Wanderers v UCD
Cork City v Kerry FC
Treaty United v Cobh Ramblers
Saturday, February 17 (7.30pm)
Longford Town v Finn Harps
