The Hoops have enjoyed a good off-season and a smooth transition to the Kenny era after the departure of Michael O`Neill to take over as manager of Northern Ireland. Kenny has added well to the squad he inherited enlisting the services of Killian Brennan (Bohemians) and Daryl Kavanagh (St Patricks Athletic) amongst others. Anything other than title success will be deemed as a failure by Hoops fans who have high aspirations of cracking the Champions League this term after their Europa League adventure last year.

Many would have predicted Sligo Rovers to push the Hoops all the way this year yet their pre season plans have hit a wall with the departure of manager Paul Cook to Accrington Stanley. Prior to his departure Cook did well in the transfer market adding some talented stars such as Mark Quigley (Dundalk) and Danny North (St Patricks Athletic). The Bit O`Red have yet to find a replacement for Cook and it looks like they will begin their league campaign managerless. The club will be without the mercurial Richie Ryan who left the North West in the off season for SPL side Dundee United, John Russell who has joined St Patricks Athletic and Aaron Greene who has joined Shamrock Rovers.

Outside of last season’s top two St Patricks Athletic are expected to mount a title challenge although their squad may just fall short. Liam Buckley has taken over the reins at Richmond Park and culled much of last season’s squad. In their place he has brought in some of the finest rising stars in the league who will be looking to step up to the plate. Among the stars set to pull on the famous red shirt this year include the returning Brendan Clarke (Sligo Rovers), Ger O`Brien (Bohemians), Christy Fagan (Bohemians) and Jake Kelly (Bray Wanderers). Much focus will also shine on James Chambers who returns to the league after a spell in Scotland with Hamilton Academical. The Saints haven’t endured the best pre season to date having been dumped out of the Setanta Cup at the first hurdle by Cliftonville. Should the squad gel together quickly then a title tilt is likely however it will probably be next season when this team begin to flourish, if Buckley can maintain the solid core of the team.

Few would bet against Derry City vying against a title challenge and they will definitely be in contention for a European spot despite losing stars such as James McClean (Sunderland), Eamon Zayed (Persepolis) and Daniel Lafferty (Burnley). Declan Devine has taken over the managerial reins following Kenny`s departure and his stability will no doubt benefit the Foylesiders. Kenny`s former right hand man has acted swiftly in the transfer market securing the services of highly rated hitman Rory Patterson, who already has a Setanta Cup hat trick to his name. The golden boot may well be heading to the Brandywell for a second season in a row if Patterson can continue his blistering start.

The Candystripes may face a tough battle for Europe from newly promoted Cork City, who look set to be this years surprise package. Tommy Dunne has steadied the ship on Leeside and despite the loss of key striker Graham Cummins to Preston, Cork look like they will pose a threat to any team. Dunne has managed to convince Northampton Town striker Tadhg Purcell to return home and this signing could prove to be a shrew acquisition. The club will also be boosted by the return of former captain Dan Murray who arrives back at Turners Cross following a spell with Shamrock Rovers. Former Ireland international Colin Healy (Ipswich Town) has also returned to Turners Cross providing further evidence that this Cork side can push for a European spot.

The rest of the league is somewhat of a mixed bag. Bohemians and Shelbourne should have enough to avoid the drop. Mid table obscurity looks like the order of the day for the fallen Dublin giants. Bohs have blended some experience with a vastly young side while Shels have added considerably to their ranks following promotion. The First Division runners up will be glad to be back in the big time but a good cup run is probably the best both sides can hope for. Bohs however have been handed a huge boost with the news that they are to take Derry City`s place in the Europa League as the latter doesn’t meet the appropriate requirements. Sean McCaffrey and his new Dundalk side will be looking to challenge the Dublin duo. McCaffrey`s first foray into the League of Ireland has seen him assemble a young squad although in Shane O`Neill and Chris Shields he has secured two stars with real potential.

The battle to avoid the drop looks like a clash between four sides- Bray Wanderers, Drogheda United, Monaghan United and UCD. Bray and Drogheda have both been handed a boost with the return of key stars such as Jason Byrne (Bray) and Declan O`Brien (Drogheda). Both strikers will play a key role in helping their teams stay afloat. Drogheda seem like the best side among this quartet to retain their premier division status. Mick Cooke has built upon the foundations he inherited last term and if Paul Crowley can return to fitness it will further boost the Boynesiders cause. Bray have been rocked by some big departures such as Shields, O`Neill (Both Dundalk), Kelly (Pats), Gary Dempsey (Waterford United) and Conor Murphy (Monaghan United). Pat Devlin will do well to keep the Seagulls in the top flight this term.

UCD will benefit from Paul Corry`s decision to remain at Belfield. The midfield star looked set to join Pats but the two clubs failed to agree compensation. The club noted for their silky passing will no doubt have some talented youngsters to unleash on the league this year yet their time at the top table may just have run out.

Monaghan United are something of an unknown entity. Consistent performances in the first division combined with some impressive FAI Cup results will give their fans hope yet it remains to be seen how Roddy Collins charges will adopt to life in the premier division. The loss of Declan O`Brien to Drogheda will hit them hard. Shaun Maher (Limerick) and Robert Bayly (Bohemians) are the calibre of player the Gortakeegan outfit will rely on to stay in the premier division while a huge emphasis will be placed on the goalscoring ability of new recruit Conor Murphy (Bray Wanderers).

Predictions

1.Shamrock Rovers

2.Sligo Rovers

3.St Patricks Athletic

4.Derry City

5.Cork City

6.Bohemians

7.Shelbourne

8.Dundalk

9.Drogheda United

10.Bray Wanderers

11.UCD.

12.Monaghan United

Cook had become a wanted man after five successful season’s at the Showgrounds. Since taking charge in 2007 he had guided Sligo from mid-table to as high as last season’s runners-up in the league, as well as winning the FAI Cup in successive seasons in addition to the EA Sports Cup in 2010.

He had previously spoken with St Johnstone prior to last season’s FAI Cup Final and also with Derry City during the off-season. Cook had also been linked early on in the off-season with the then vacant Shamrock Rovers post but he was not their first choice as the Hoops instead opted for Stephen Kenny.

The hunt is on to find Paul Cook’s successor with just over two weeks until the start of the Airtricity League. Being tipped in the papers over the past few days are the Monaghan United manager Roddy Collins as well as former Sligo Rovers manager Willie McStay. Cook’s Sligo assistant Gerry Carr took charge of the side for Monday night’s 3-2 pre-season victory over Limerick.

Accrington Stanley sit just outside the playoffs in League Two and incidentally Cook’s former Sligo striker Padraig Amond is on the books at the Crown Ground. They also plan to visit the Showgrounds to play Sligo in at least one friendly match as part of the deal.

The best season ever. That pretty much sums up the 2011 season for this Shamrock Rovers fan. What Rovers managed to achieve over an 11-month and 60-match season was unprecedented in Irish football as we retained our league title, won the Setanta Sports Cup and qualified for the group stages of the Europa League.

This success is even more significant when compared with where the club was just six years ago when we were a decision of the High Court away from going out of business. Back then the fans stepped in to fund the club helping it emerge from Examinership in the ownership of its supporters, bouncing back from relegation before eventually reaching the promised land of Tallaght in 2009. So forgive us Rovers fans if we are not going to enjoy these exciting times at our club!

In our debut season in the Setanta Cup, Rovers captain Dan Murray lifted the trophy following the 2-0 win over Dundalk in the final played at Tallaght Stadium. In the league, Derry City and Sligo Rovers pushed the Hoops hard. However, in the penultimate game of the season, Rovers secured our 17th league title thanks to Dean Kelly’s injury time winner. The celebrations involving players, substitutes and fans after the winning goal and final whistle will be indelible images of the season.

That league title win was made even more remarkable by Rovers achieving it whilst involved in a lengthy six-month, 12 game European odyssey in Tallinn, Copenhagen, Belgrade, London, Salonika and Kazan. Impressively, each time Rovers returned from Europe they won the next league game.

It was a privilege for me to have been part of the small group of 43 Rovers fans who were in Belgrade in August to see Irish domestic football history made, as the club became the first Irish side to qualify for the group stages of a European competition. Against Partizan, Rovers won thanks to Pat Sullivan’s superb second half volley and Stephen O’Donnell’s pressure penalty six minutes from the end of extra time. The celebrations in the away section of the stadium included screaming, shouting, hugging and tears – and that was just my reaction! At the final whistle on an unforgettable night, there was delirium on the pitch and in the stands with the celebrations going long into the night back at the team hotel where the travelling party of players, officials and fans watched the highlights of the game together.

In the Europa League, the Hoops, whilst never disgraced, were well beaten in all of the home games. There is no doubt that the highlight of the group stages was going 1-0 up in White Hart Lane. Stephen Rice’s goal celebrated with great gusto in front of the 4,000 strong travelling support saw the Hoops lead Spurs for ten glorious second half minutes before eventually losing 3-1. It is never nice to lose a game but I can safely say that it was the most enjoyable defeat I’ve witnessed in my 25 years supporting the Hoops!

With the departure from Rovers this month of Michael O’Neill, who has taken over as Northern Ireland manager, Stephen Kenny was quickly installed as the new Rovers manager. The club’s chairman Jonathan Roche speaking this week made it clear that Kenny was “the board’s unanimous choice” appointed because of “what we think we can achieve together in the future.” That future should see a greater emphasis on the quality of football played at Rovers following criticisms in some quarters of the style under Michael O’Neill. “I’m looking forward to coming here to put out a team to play exciting football,” said Kenny speaking at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday. “I want to entertain the fans. I want them to look forward to coming to games, to be exhilarated and excited by the football that they come to watch.” If that style is also effective in winning trophies, then everyone at Rovers will be very happy.

http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/news/35-news/2346-press-conference

It was a sort of homecoming for Stephen Kenny today as he was unveiled as the new Shamrock Rovers manager. The Tallaght native was given a warm welcome by the Shamrock Rovers fans that were present at this afternoon’s press conference. Today’s event was held in the Glenmalure Suite in the Tallaght Stadium overlooking the Rovers pitch; the pitch that Kenny himself captained his schoolboy team on.

Photo by George Kelly

“This is where I’m from,” said Kenny. “It is home for me. The school I went to is just across the road. I captained my school team and this is where we played our matches. This is the pitch more or less. I’ve a great affinity for the area. It is a terrific club, with the infrastructure and the way the club has developed in recent years. It is a great honour to be asked to manage Shamrock Rovers.”

Club Chairman Jonathan Roche sitting beside Kenny looked and sounded very happy to get his new manager who brings a strong CV to the job. “We’ve appointed him on his career so far. It is a massive bonus that Stephen is from Dublin and more especially the area but that is not why he is the manager at Shamrock Rovers. It is his past record and what we think we can achieve together in the future on a similar budget to this year. It is an added bonus that he knows the club and knows the area.”

On the day that former Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill was named the new Northern Ireland manager, there was a certain symmetry to Kenny coming in the opposite direction this time from Derry to Dublin. Kenny himself made it clear he wants to build on O’Neill’s recent Rovers success but didn’t make any rash predictions for the future. “The club has done terrific in the last few seasons with the last two managers being successful,” acknowledged Kenny. “Pat Scully taking the club up from the first division and Michael O’Neill of course in the past couple of seasons. I will be trying to win matches and challenge for trophies. I want to win as much as I can that has to be the objective. We want to try and fill the stadium. I want to see passionate support and to be playing in front of full houses.”

“It is a new chapter for me coming here. It is a club with a great history. There has been a huge transformation here in the last few years after having no home for so many years when the supporters kept the club going through that difficult period. They’ve had a couple of successful seasons and we want to build on that. You want to be the best you can be as a coach and as a manager. You want to be as successful as you can.”

Kenny will look to bring a positive and exciting brand of football to Tallaght Stadium and build on the tradition of good football played at Shamrock Rovers. “I’m looking forward to coming here to put out a team to play exciting football. I want to entertain the fans. I want them to look forward to coming to games and getting behind the team. I want them to be exhilarated and excited by the football that they come to watch. I’m looking forward to working here at the biggest club in the country.”

It was a brave move by the Rovers board at the time to hire someone from outside the league with relatively little managerial experience. The Rovers director’s obviously felt O’Neill understood what Rovers was about; a fan’s owned club, working within budgetary constraints and, at the time, a club on the verge of the long awaited move to their new stadium in Tallaght. The faith given to O’Neill by the board was rewarded with Rovers enjoying their most successful time since the 4-in-a-row era of the mid-1980s.

It was interesting to hear O’Neill talk on his departure of his most fond memory of his time at Rovers. He didn’t pick winning one of the three major trophies claimed during his tenure in Tallaght or one of those amazing nights against heavyweights of European football like Real Madrid, Juventus, Partizan Belgrade or Spurs. “The most enjoyable night was my first night here at Tallaght, when we beat Sligo,” recalled O’Neill of opening night in the new stadium. “To see the look on the supporters faces after being 20 years on the road and just to see what it meant for them was fantastic.”

Following that emotional first win in Tallaght, Rovers went on to mount a serious challenge for the league in O’Neill’s first season finishing runners up. His team would go one better the following year in a dramatic conclusion to the 2010 season. O’Neill’s charges prevailed over rivals Bohemians winning the league on goal difference by a mere two goals.

2011 would prove to be O’Neill’s, and possibly Shamrock Rovers, best ever season. His side began as overwhelming league favourites having assembled a mix of experience and exciting young talent. New signings like Ronan Finn, Karl Sheppard and Conor McCormack would be valuable editions to the squad in a season that would eventually stretch over 11 months and 60 games. The Hoops would go on not only to retain their title and win the Setanta All-Ireland cup but would become the first team from Ireland to qualify for the group stages of a European competition.

It was not all plain sailing for O’Neill during the year with the manager under immense pressure just as he was about to face into his first European game. O’Neill’s style of football never won over all the Hoops supporters, many of whom have high expectations in how their team performs on the pitch. In June when his side lost to away to Sligo Rovers and Trevor Croly, O’Neill’s assistant, resigned because his “football relationship with the manager differed”, there was talk that O’Neill may be forced out of the club. It was a defining moment in O’Neill’s time at Rovers. He successfully rallied his players around a new management team bringing in his friend and highly experienced player and coach, Jim Magilton, to help out as Rovers began their European campaign.

They overcame Estonian champions Flora Tallinn in their first tie, before coming against FC Copenhagen in the next Champions League qualifying round. Rovers put in a very credible performance against Copenhagen losing away in the first leg 1-0 to a side that made the last 16 in the previous year. O’Neill spoke afterwards about the “hint of disappointment to have lost the game” which was a measure of his team’s disciplined performance and standard he was looking. The Hoops would be eliminated following the second leg 2-0 defeat with O’Neill’s team placed into the play off round of the Europa League.

Gary McCabe’s late equaliser in first leg of the play off in Tallaght against Partizan meant Rovers travelled to Belgrade with a chance of progression even if they went with little expectation. O’Neill’s men were to make Irish footballing history by winning 2-1 thanks to Pat Sullivan’s superb second half volley and Stephen O’Donnell’s pressure penalty six minutes from the end of extra time. The win generated massive publicity and revenue netting €1million for a club whose annual turnover is only €2.5million.

O’Neill’s masterminding of that win was the high point of the European campaign. Drawn in a difficult Europa League group, the Hoops lost all six games shipping heavy home defeats. However, away from home O’Neill’s men gave a good account of themselves especially against Spurs, where they led 1-0 in White Hart Lane after the hour mark, and in Salonika where they went closest to getting a point in the 2-1 defeat to PAOK.

All these European ties didn’t distract O’Neill’s team domestically as they won each of the league games on their return from Europe where they wrapped up the league with one game to spare. With O’Neill’s contact up in December, there was much speculation surrounding the northerner and vacancies at his former club Hibernian and also the Northern Ireland job, where it is understood Jim Magilton was also a candidate. The day before the last Europa League game, the club confirmed O’Neill would be leaving. It was clear by that time that relationships were strained between O’Neill and the board that had brought him in from Brechin. “I wouldn’t say it’s amicable,” O’Neill said of the breakdown in discussions on a new contract and future direction of the club.

It is probably too early to say what legacy O’Neill leaves behind him at Rovers. There is no doubt that the Irish champions are in a much stronger position now than three years ago when O’Neill took on the task. Of course, he was greatly helped by the new found stability within the club that was brought about by the move to Tallaght. The new stadium generated considerable amounts of money due to the large crowds and new commercial sponsorships, far in excess of that available during Rovers’ recent arrangements renting from their rival Dublin clubs. Depending on results in seasons to come, both for O’Neill with his national team and for Rovers under Stephen Kenny, it may be seen as a mistake for Rovers not to renew O’Neill’s contract.

O’Neill himself summed up his time with Shamrock Rovers by saying that “the three years have been very enjoyable, hard work and a huge challenge. It will be up to the supporters and members, who subsidise the club, to look back and hopefully say they’ve enjoyed what I’ve done here.” With those back-to-back league wins and extended European campaign, suffice to say that most Rovers fans will look back fondly on O’Neill’s time at Rovers and will hope for a continuation of that success in years to come. Over to you Stephen Kenny.

Stephen Rice battles with two Tottenham players during the Europa League clash in September.

As the news of Stephen Kenny‘s arrival as Shamrock Rovers manager looks imminent we caught up with Hoops midfielder Stephen Rice for a quick chat, with the midfielder confident that if Kenny comes in he will continue the good work Michael O’Neill started.

It was sad to see Michael go but I’m sure he will be back in a job soon. There’s a lot of speculation at the moment but Stephen is a top manager and has proved that anywhere he’s been. I’m confident whoever the club decide on will be the right man for the job.

Rice has had a fantastic few years under O’Neill and has really come on this season following the historic qualification for the Europa League group stages, a first for any Irish team.

Rovers have not had the best of times in the group stages but people recognise the gulf in class when it comes to top level European football.

This year was about breaking the barrier, and anything else was a bonus as the Tallaght club travelled all over Europe from Talinn in Estonia to Kazan in western Russia.

That night in Belgrade when Shamrock Rovers beat Partizan 2-1 was the moment Irish football fans had been waiting for forever, and for Rice it was definitely his Irish sporting moment of the year.

Sporting moment has to be Belgrade and that’s not being biased, I just think it was such a huge result for the country and our league. It was a massive achievement with it never having been done before.

Few can argue with the 24 year old’s choice, it really was a where were you when… moment and Rovers will hope that this season they can go one better and become the first Irish team to make the group stages of the Champions League.

The Champions League is the big one, the one all the clubs want to be in and Shamrock Rovers are no different. It is a tall order but once a managerial appointment is made then the club can focus on the new season, a season that Rice can’t wait to start.

I will be a Rovers player next season definitely. There was some rumours going around about me heading away but I love it here. I’m staying and now I want the three in a row.

Should Stephen Kenny take the job at Tallaght he will be delighted with the declaration of intent from the skillful midfielder, a player that shone on the big stage last season.

This season’s definitely been the best in a Rovers shirt. The Europa league has been amazing and something that no one could have dreamed of but retaining the Airtricity League was even more important for us.

Having such talent in the squad can only be good for the Hoops and the Airtricity League in general, as we want our best players to stay in the league and help it become the league the fans and players deserve.

Rice is confident Rovers will cope with Michael O'Neill.

Stephen Rice can’t wait to get going next season and his statement is a signal that there is life after Michael O’Neill. Will Rovers be the team to beat again in 2012? Ricer thinks so, do you?

Related articles

• Shamrock Rovers And The Europa League – The End Of The Airtricity League As A Competitive One? (theirishmansport.wordpress.com)
• Football Orphan: Michael O Neill set to bid farwell to Shamrock Rovers. (footballorphan.com)
• O’Neill Giving The Green Light For A Mass Player Exodus? (theirishmansport.wordpress.com)

But the Bray “surprise package” is widely believed to be a flimsy one- even their manager Pat Devlin acknowledged that the real battle for them this season is against relegation. The real “surprise package”, if you could call them that, has been Derry City. Derry won promotion from the first division last season with a young squad and this season sit in third having lost just one match from eight.

Bray’s early league success may be based on shaky foundations, but not so for Derry. Stephen Kenny has quietly built a squad with considerable depth and talent for a promoted side. The talented youth players like Patrick McEleney, David McDaid and Daniel Lafferty have been complemented by proven players like Gareth McGlynn, Ruadhri Higgins and Libyan international striker Eamonn Zayed. Derry boast a midfield which can match any in the league, a solid defence and goalkeeper and a striker in Eamonn Zayed who excels at leading the line.

Key to their success have been their attacking players like McGlynn, Zayed and McEleney. Players like Kevin Deery and Ruadhri Higgins allow McGlynn and McEleney to go forward from midfield and help out Zayed – who operates equally as well as a poacher or as a link player.

Their weakness may be in a lack of strength in depth when compared with Shamrock Rovers or Sligo Rovers, but Derry could feasibly aim for a European spot this season- an achievement made all the more remarkable considering the trouble they were in just two seasons ago, when they were demoted after illegal payments were made to players. Their main rivals for a shot at qualification for the Europa League should probably be Dundalk, St. Pats and possibly Bohemians. Out of those four, all suffer from the same problem as Derry- simply not having the resources to match Rovers’ big squad.

Derry’s resurgence, though, should give hope to to clubs like Cork City, Shelbourne, Waterford and Longford who had extended spells in the top flight but now find themselves chasing promotions. The Candystripes have shown that the gap is not too great between the two divisions and with solid investment, the right tactics and ambition promoted clubs can go far.

Originally featured on backpagefootball.com. 

Bray Wanderers v Bohemians

The Seagulls host a totally revamped Bohs side tonight in their league opener. Pat Devlin will believe his side are capable of taking at least a point from Bohs but I expect Bohs to prevail on the narrowest of margins.

Verdict:Bohs

Derry City V Sligo Rovers

Certainly a fiesty tie for Stephen Kenny`s side as they look to get back to grips with life in the Premier Division. Sligo Rovers are tipped by many to challenge for the title this season yet a draw at the Brandywell seems on the cards.

Verdict: Draw

Drogheda United V UCD

There is little or nothing to pick between these tow sides that are radically different from last season. Expect UCD to grind out a result after their recent performances in the Setanta Cup. 

Verdict: UCD

Galway United V St Patricks Athletic

The Tribesmen host Pats who will be looking to get off to a flying start as they did last term. Galway have added some fine players to their rank yet Pats should prove too strong for Sean Connor`s men.  

Verdict:Pats 

Shamrock Rovers V Dundalk 

There is a cracking tie in store at Tallaght stadium as Shamrock Rovers look to get their title defence off to a winning start. Dundalk are more than capable of putting it up to any side and expect Ian Foster`s men to frustrate the Hoops.

Verdict:Draw

The League of Ireland begins tonight with anxious fans awaiting what will hopefully be a great season both on and off the pitch.

 Recent matters such as the demise of Sporting Fingal and other licencing issues have soured some people`s expectations but now normal order is set to resume as the 10 teams get set to battle once again. 

Shamrock Rovers are clear favourites to regain their crown and there is no reason to see why they can`t. The Hoops have brought in some of the best players in the league with the likes of Karl Sheppard, Ronan Finn, Ken Oman, Ciaran Kilduff, Gary McCabe and Gary O`Neill all moving to Tallaght. Michael O`Neill has also bolstered his ranks with the addition of exciting prospect Conor McCormack, formerly of Triestina in Italy.   

 The Hoops will still be smarting after last season`s FAI Cup final defeat to Sligo Rovers. It is the Bit O`Red who like the main challengers to the Hoops title ambitions. Paul Cook has worked his magic in the North West for many seasons now and the Merseysider is well aware that the club must transform their domestic cup success into the League. 

Sligo started off slowly last season but a tremendous push towards the end saw them prosper and the threat they pose cannot be underestimated. Sligo have added tremendous strength to their squad for the forthcoming season with Brendan Clarke, Aaron Greene and Jason McGuinness  all signing on at the Showgrounds. However it is the capture of former favourite Raffaele Cretaro that has many Sligo fans bursting with excitement.

 Pats and Dundalk seem the most likely to challenge The Hoops and Sligo, all though whether they can last the distance or not is the key question. Pats burst into life last season as they went unbeaten in their first six games. The Inchicore faithful believed that it could be their year under the guidance of Pete Mahon however they fell off in the final third of the season, eventually finishing 5th.

 Ian Foster`s side finished 6^th last season however recent  acquisistions have the Oriel Park fans believing it is their time to shine. Striking duo Jason Byrne and Mark Quigley  have joined from Bohemians in what was a shrew piece of business. The duo will be well complimented on the wings by Daniel Kearns and Ross Gaynor, two of the finest talents in the league last term that Foster has done well to keep a hold off. 

Derry City and Bohemians will consider themselves to be in with a shout of securing European football. Derry City have been promoted as Champions of the First Division under the astute guidance of Stephen Kenny. Kenny has installed great spirit in his young side with the McEleney brothers, James McClean and David McDaid all sett to rip up the Premier Division.  The return of key duo Ruaidhri Higgins and Gareth McGlynn will add experience to the Candystripes while the signing of Eamon Zayed will fill the void left by Mark Farren.

As for Bohs it will be a case of restoring some pride. The 2009 champions finished second on goal difference last season however financial turmoil over the close season left the club`s future in serious doubt. Thankfully financial matters have eased and all players that were owed money have been paid. However some Bohs fans remain cautious at the club`s spending. Pat Fenlon lured Killian Brennan back to Dalymount Park after Sligo baulked at his wages. While many fans appreciate Brennan they are aware that the survival of the club is of foremost importance. The additions of Ger O`Brien, Aidan Price, Anto Flood and Robert Bayly will give Bohs a strong first time but should any injuries or suspensions occur the squad will struggle.   

The remainder of the teams will contest a four team relegation shootout. UCD played some great football last season but must start from scratch having lost their finest talents to other clubs. Martin Russell will be hoping his next batch of youngsters can produce some form of cup run.

 Bray Wanderers narrowly survived last season, beating Monaghan United on penalties in the crucial relegation play off. The Seagulls have kept hold of their prize assets such as Jay Kelly and Shane O`Neill but a relegation fight is definitely on the cards for Pat Devlin`s men .

Galway United and Drogheda United make up the final two teams, despite much controversy over the licencing system. Galway were demoted to the A Championship only to be reinstated to the league following a successful appeal. Sean Connor will again be looking to work wonders on a shoestring budget .

 Mick Cooke has taken over the reigns at Drogheda United and will do well to keep the Boynesiders up. Drogheda finished bottom last term and only return to the Premier Division following the untimely demise of Sporting Fingal.The former Monaghan United supremo has added to his ranks with some talent from the First Division, although he will be kicking himself that he brought Ryan Brennan to Monaghan before departing the club. 

Verdict

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. St Patricks Athletic
4. Dundalk
5.  Derry City
6. Bohemians
7. UCD
8. Bray Wanderers
9. Galway United
10. Drogheda United

FAI Cup: St Patricks Athletic

 League Cup: Sligo Rovers

 Setanta Cup: Shamrock Rovers

The board of directors at Sporting Fingal have confirmed that the club have ceased operations.

Today`s announcement which was widely expected followed yesterday`s decision by the Santry based club to terminate all 13 professional players contracts.

The club had fallen on hard times after their financial backer Gerry Gannon pulled the plug on his investment at the end of last season. Efforts to find potential investors had been successful however it was the fialure to attract a lucrative sponsor that effectively signalled the end for the club which was established in 2007.

On the pitch the Ravens enjoyed much success in their few short years in existence with an FAI Ford Cup victory in 2009 been their finest hour. Liam Buckley`s side also battled valiantly upon their first European adventure last season, narrowly losing out to CS Maritimo of Portugal in the Europa League.

Speaking of the club`s demise Buckley said ‘I am devastated for all involved with Sporting Fingal, players, staff,
fans, volunteers, directors etc, that we have been forced to bring the Sporting Fingal project to a premature end.

‘Finding a replacement for our supportive backer was always going to be a major challenge but we were pleased with the progress made.

‘Sadly, the suddenness and timing of last week’s sponsorship set-back sent us back to the drawing board, a predicament we were simply unable to overcome so close to the season kick-off.

‘The core aim from the outset of Sporting Fingal’s creation in 2007 was to develop a club with a particular emphasis on using sport as a vehicle for community gain within the Fingal area”.

The departure of Fingal from the domestic game represents an unwanted yet commonly re-occuring theme. In recent years clubs such as Kilkenny City and Cobh Ramblers went to the wall without much interest. Their plight was further added to by that of Dublin City , the predecessors of Fingal who tried to establish themselves in an already clustered Dublin footballing environment.

Cork City were next to bow out of the League, only to re emerge in the form of Cork City Foras Co Op. Their turmoil generated huge national interest as here was a huge footballing fraternity , the rock of a community, that suddenly vanished only to reappear in a diluted form.

Nobody can forget the capitulation suffered by the likes of Derry City and Shelbourne, two of the biggest teams in the country who fell into what was once the graveyard of Irish football. However their presence in the first division along with the rising quality of other teams stripped the league of that unwanted title. The Foylesiders are back in the big tim this year udner the astute guidance of League of Ireland veteran Stephen Kenny.    

Bohemians, Drogheda United and Galway United are some of the big name clubs who are currently in the financial mire. With the new season only a handful of weeks away it is now more than ever important that the FAI steps in to ensure that another club does not go out of business.

Former owner and life President Sir John Hall sounded the death knell for over-confident and unlikeable character Chairman Freddie Shepherd and his son, deputy Chairman Douglas Hall, when he admitted that the current stweardship had “probably run out of ideas”.

Viewing figures were up last week as Hall Snr praised Ashley for his determination.  “”He’s a very, very hard worker. He has built (his) businesses from a small room in his house when he was in his early twenties,” Hall Snr said as the camera cut to Shepherd and Hall Jnr binging on champagne and huge pyramids of Ferrero Rocher.

One new cast member at Newcastle United FC could be famous half-American actor David Beckham who is a target for producers when the current season of American drama LA Galaxy ends in January.  In that scenario a best actor gong would be a shoo-in for the half-American equivalent of Adam Rickett.

GIVING FOOTBALLERS THE BRUSH-OFF
It seems to be all about Liverpool these days given how they finished third in the Premiership and won no trophies.  Every hack is writing stories about the new American owners and the huge cheques they will be writing for Rafa Benitez, one of which will be the purchase of an industrial-sized brush from B&Q.

“We have a deal nearly completed for Gonzalez and I have told Bolo that he can talk to other clubs,” Rafa puffed as he nudged their heels with the Weiler 44590 Contractor Broom.

While Jermaine Pennant seems to have been granted a stay of execution after continually comparing himself favourably to Jimmy Carter, one arse batted through the door will be Welsh dragon, Craig Bellamy.  But with all Premiership managers having Sky subscriptions and fully aware of his inconspicuous form, Rafa will have to lower his £12m valuation

OH NO THEY BEAT KENNY!  AND DUNFERMLINE
As labouring, crab-like midfielder Neil Lennon trudged off after 66 minutes of a typically plodding and ineffective performance in the Scottish cup final against relegated Dunfermline Athletic, the Celtic fans booed their manager and chanted the name of their former captain.  But Gordon Strachan was proved right as central defender Gary Caldwell slotted in to midfield and did precisely very little to ensure Celtic won with a fortunate toe-poke five minutes from time from Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe.

But, as he lined up desperate managers of Premiership also-rans to set his agent on, Lennon held no grudges.  “The manager just wanted some fresh legs on, I think,” he drawled as he edged sideways for no reason.

For Strachan it was another insipid performance that brings the number of consecutive insipid performances to 139.  “We’re a good side with a great squad of people,” Strachan insisted, possibly confusing the word “good” with the words “desperately inadequate and poorly managed”.

“I’m not a gambling man but I’d put money on Dunfermline coming straight back up next season,” he continued.  And to be quite honest with you the Celtic manager might find himself replaced by his Dunfermline counterpart Stephen Kenny in the next few seasons.  Kenny (35) only played four games in his League of Ireland career but has been managing for eight years bringing success to Longford Town, Bohemians and Derry City and was unlucky not to ressurect a dead-and-buried Dunfermline where he only took over in November.

Strachan is quite simply a dolt.

+++ TIGHT SHORTS +++
Some hack thinks that legendary Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs would consider sullying his legacy by nuzzling the hefty bosom of Martin Jol at Tottenham.

Rafa Benitez is chasing those top class players that he made such a fuss about by bidding £5m for Portsmouth ring-kisser, Matthew Taylor.  He kisses his wedding ring after scoring, you see.  And by scoring we mean on the football pitch.  And we mean scoring a goal.

Mediocre Aston Villa want to spend £8m on mediocre Nigel Reo-Coker.  West Ham will be delighted.

You’d think Tottenham would have learnt their lesson after the Mido and Ghaly debacles yet now they want Egyptian striker Mohamed Zidan.

Like when Julia Roberts replaced Kiefer Sutherland with Lyle Lovett, Sammy Lee wants to replace Kevin Nolan with Michael Brown.

+++ TWAT OF THE DAY +++
“The pistol was knocked out of his mouth just as he drew it.  Something like that anyway.”  It’s not so much that Sky Sports Rob Palmer used an unncessary analogy to describe a tackle on Mahamadou Diarra that prevented him firing a shot at goal, it’s just that it makes no sense and is in desperately bad taste.