Charlie from the Stands: Let's get it started

On the eve of the League of Ireland season, we look into the Winners and Losers of the off-season, and what we can expect to see this campaign.

Seeing UCD drop out of the Premier Division will make the league very competitive this year, with teams now facing trips to Waterford and Galway – two very different settings to the Belfield Bowl.

That means the scrap to stay up will start from the first match. Last year, the teams at the bottom knew UCD would go down automatically and only had to concentrate in staying out of the playoff spot. I see the bottom three teams (Sligo, Waterford and Galway) having a right scrap throughout the season.

As another transfer deadline passed, there were very few yellow tickers or breaking news pieces coming from around the grounds. 

Business seemed to have been done early by most teams and the prominence of multi-year contracts in the Premier Division has seen clubs be able to introduce varying degrees of stability in recent times. But who has come out of this window smelling of roses?

Shamrock Rovers

Stephen Bradley has reduced the age of his squad which was a priority I’m sure, with the likes of Alan Mannus (41), Ronan Finn (36) and Sean Gannon (32) leaving, making way for the likes of Aaron McEneff (28), Josh Honohan (22) and Darragh Burns (21). They also resigned Markus Poom, Trevor Clarke and Johnny Kenny, with another big positive for Rovers being that there will be no settling-in period as all the players know the league. There will however be question marks over their goalkeeper position, with Leon Pohls replacing the experienced Mannus – with league medals to boot, the German stopper is still largely untested.

One to watch: Aaron McEneff. Having spent time at both Hearts and Perth Glory, it will be interesting to see how Aaron takes those experiences back to the league, and where he is now as a player.  

Derry City

Ruaidhri Higgins’ priority during the off-season was to get a striker in and he has not only got a striker, but one of the league’s most prolific of all time, Patrick Hoban. Add Daniel Kelly's pace to the equation and it is two strong additions to the Derry City ranks. For me, the biggest signing for Derry City during the off-season is the addition of Paul Hegarty to the backroom staff. His fresh energy and ability to demand high standards will be a welcome boost to a side chasing the title. Keeping hold of Brian Maher was important, considering the difficulty other top teams are experiencing finding a top goalkeeper. With a fit 22-man squad, Derry City will be sure to push Shamrock Rovers all the way. 

One to watch: Patrick McEleney - After playing injured for most of last season, Patrick McEleney will be fresh and hungry after his Achilles operation. A fit and confident captain is like a new signing for Derry City

Shelbourne

I see Shelbourne and Bohemians contesting for the remaining European spots. It will be very interesting to see where Jack Moylan’s and Harry Woods' goals and assists will come from this season. Liam Burt has arrived from Shamrock Rovers after a poor season, although he isn’t known for his goals. We also have Dean Williams coming in from an injury hit season at Bohemians - if he gets a good run can score goals in this league. Damien Duff will be delighted to see Will Jarvis come back for the 2024 season, a very talented player. Another player with huge potential is John O’Sullivan - the experienced former Bohs player has a point to prove. 

One to watch: Will Jarvis - The silky winger can glide past players like his boss used to back in the day.

Drogheda United

Having lost two big players in Conor Keeley and Dayle Rooney (goals and assists last year), Kevin Doherty will be looking for the two Lincoln loanees, Hayden Cann and Oisin Gallagher, to fill the void. Gallagher – a former Derry City player – is an interesting one as this will be his first exposure to the League.

A huge coup for Drogheda in the signing of Francois Pierrot from Athlone - he impressed me in the Brandywell last year and should fit in perfectly to how Drogheda play. They have also managed to tie down UCD captain Jack Keaney for the season – a seasoned player despite his young age. Drogheda have impressed me in recent seasons - considering their budget, they have stayed competitive. The same will be required this season in a much tighter league. 

One to watch: Francois Pierrot – Trust me when I say, this boy can have an impact his year. The big striker will be hungry to prove himself in the Premier Division after a decent return last year – 22 goals in 36 games.

DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD... Sligo Rovers and Dundalk could both struggle this year. (Photo: Ben McShane / SPORTSFILE)

St Patrick’s Athletic

For me, St Pat’s are not the title contenders that I am reading and hearing about. Like a few teams, St Pat’s have struggled to replace their goalkeeper Dean Lyness, and from what I saw in the Presidents Cup, their Liverpool loanee, Pitaluga could struggle. You can be sure that this weekend, John, Ollie and the Galway lads will be throwing everything including the kitchen sink into the box in top of the new ‘keeper to see what he’s made of! St Pat’s have signed two new centre halves, in Conor Keeley and Luke Turner – two players that lack pace. Then, they have lost their two bright sparks in Adam Murphy and Sam Curtis, without replacing heir quality and energy. Securing Ruairi Keating is a massive coup, and new signing Romal Palmer (25) has come in with decent pedigree having played 72 times for Barnsley and 33 times in the Turkish Premier. He is a centre midfielder that could excite.

One to watch: Romal Palmer – The midfield player will bring experience and quality, and when partnered with Chris Forrester, could be a formidable pairing. 

Bohemians

Bohemians struggled last year at the back, and during the off-season have lost two centre halves - that doesn’t bode well. The loss of James Talbot for personal reasons (who we wish well) is huge – he has been the only constant in that Bohs side for the past number of seasons.

Couple this with the long-term injury sustained by the influential Keith Buckley, a player that demands certain standards, and Bohs are minus two natural leaders who will be needed to steady the ship. Rob Cornwall has returned from the States, but one wonders what level he is currently at after his stint with North Colorado Hailstorm (managed by our old favourite, Eamon Zayed).

The loss of Jonathan Afolabi will mean that goals will be at a premium, unless Danny Grant and James Akintunde can start pitching in. They have signed two Estonian internationals, yet virtually unknown to the league – one of which, Martin Miller, will be shouldering quite a heavy load by the looks of things.

One to watch: Martin Miller – The Estonian International is an attacking midfielder and has played 243 times in the Estonian league with 27 assists and 43 goals. 

Sligo Rovers

After rolling the dice last year with a big budget, the Bit O’Red board have decided to reduce the budget by 40% this season, and stand by John Russell for another 12 months.

Sligo have lost a staggering 12 players, including the experienced duo of Greg Bolger and Garry Buckley. The return of Ed McGinty between the posts is a huge signing, as well as Simon Power, who has joined from Shamrock Rovers. Power is a player that, if kept fit, can score goals and Sligo will need that desperately. Defensively, they look weak and don’t look strong in the middle of the park. I see a long season ahead for the Bit O’Red - avoiding automatic relegation will be a serious achievement.    

One to watch: Simon Power - If kept fit, his creativity and pace will be crucial to Sligo having any chance of staying up.

Dundalk

After a tumultuous off-season full of uncertainty and confusion, Dundalk have managed to keep some senior players like Andy Boyle, Archie Davies, Hayden Muller, John Mountney, Robbie Benson and Daryl Horgan. However, pre-season results have been terrible, drawing with UCD and losing to Longford, Drogheda and Derry City.

Minus Hoban, goals will be a struggle and the goalkeeper is an unknown from Scotland. In Scott High, they do look to have signed a player with good pedigree, 60+ games in the English Championship under his belt at age 22. Another influx of loan signings during the off-season is never a good sign, the majority of which have come from the lower leagues in Scotland – not the model a club like Dundalk should be following.

One to watch: Scott High - While only 22, he will be required to help this young Dundalk side navigate a very competitive league.

Waterford FC

Former Bohs boss Keith Long saw his Waterford side obliterate teams on a number of occasions last season in the First Division, and making the step-up, he has strengthened his side in both attack and defence. Signing experienced Premier League players Darragh Leahy, Robbie McCourt and Kacper Radkowski, Waterford have added no less than nine players and only let two go. The big question is how to replace Ronan Coughlan’s goals, with new signing Padraig Amond under huge pressure, as well as Ben McCormack – recently joined from St Pat’s. I see Waterford fighting it out with Sligo & Galway at the foot of the table. 

One to watch: Padraig Amond – The former Sligo striker will have to find his shouting boots for Waterford to avoid the playoff place. 

Galway United

Galway United, under the stewardship of John Canfield and Ollie Horgan, have kept the nucleus of the side that won the First Division by a country mile last year. No doubt, Eamon Deacy Park will be a difficult venue to visit, but I do not see Galway picking up many points on the road. Staying up will be priority number one and with Caulfield enlisting the services of Ollie last season, there is nobody that knows how to do that better. Seven new players in and five gone out for Galway during the off-season. 

One to watch: Tom Costello – An exciting young striker, on loan from Coventry. Costello has a decent track record with 7 goals in 7 games for Coventry U21’s and 9 in 10 for Wigan U23’s.

Winners

Derry City; Shamrock Rovers; Shelbourne; Waterford FC

Losers

Bohemians; Galway United; Drogheda United; Dundalk; Sligo Rovers; St. Patrick's Athletic