Premier Division Season Preview
Credit:
Bohemians
Bohemians quite simply blew everyone else out of the water last season, winning the Premier League at a canter and breaking records right left and centre. Can they repeat the feat in 2009? While much has been made about the mass exodus of players at the tail end of last season, on paper at least, the current Bohs squad looks every bit as strong as last year’s.
While the likes of Stephen O’Donnell and Liam Burns, virtual ever-presents last year, have moved on, manager Pat Fenlon has been successful in keeping the foundations of the squad virtually intact. Their success last season was built on a rock-solid defence and it is hard to see that changing this year. In defender Owen Heary and goalkeeper Brian Murphy Bohs boast arguably the two most consistent performers in the league and they will again form the cornerstone of the side this year. While Burns has departed, new signing Brian Shelley should be more than a capable replacement. Fenlon has also sought to replace the mercurial Mindaugas Kalonas with the ageing, but no less talented Joseph Ndo. While keeping him fit may prove a challenge, on his day he is a potential match-winner.
Who to watch:
Killian Brennan – Questions remain about his overall work-rate, but the winger popped up with a number of important goals for the team last season, particularly from dead balls. More of the same will be required this season if Bohs are to be successful.
Extratime.ie prediction: 1st
Bray Wanderers
After just one loss in pre-season, Eddie Gormley’s troops will be looking for a similar season to last, where they finished in 6th place. One thing that Wanderers will be looking at improving on is their form on the road. Last season, they won just two out of their sixteen away games and remarkably, despite finishing in the top half of the table, they scored on just 28 occasions. Gormley has brought in Darren Forsyth, who should add to the goal tally, while John Mulroy might also impress up front.
The Seagulls have also added the trio of Paul Byrne, Daire Doyle and Chris Deans, while Australian goalkeeper Chris O’Connor, defenders Derek Pender and Dane Massey, midfielder Daryl Robson and striker Jake Kelly have all signed new contracts at the Carlisle Grounds. They might struggle to finish as high as last season, due to the strength of the newly-promoted side
Who to watch: Darren Forsyth- The 21-year-old, ex-Ucd and Shelbourne, will look to improve the Seagulls performance in front of goal and if he can deliver, Bray should stay up.
Extratime.ie prediction: 10th
Cork City
There’s never a dull moment at Turners’ Cross but with Paul Doolin now at the helm, the only Munster club in the Premier Division will finally hope for some sort of stability. After a rollercoaster 2008 season, the Leesiders will not be participating in Europe for the first time since 2003.
Doolin has already stated that qualifying for the Europa Cup, if not the Champions League, is the main priority. When he arrived back in January, there weren’t enough players to field a full team at the club, however, he has made some astute deals in the transfer market. Dan Connor and Faz Kuduzovic followed him down from Drogheda United, Stephen O’Donnell will add even more guile to the centre of midfield, while the Latvian duo of Robert Mezeckis and Guntars Silagailis have also signed on.
When you take into account the acquisition of young players’ such as Davin O’Neill and Billy Dennehy, a European spot should be obtainable once the off the field situation can stay stable.
Who to watch:
Robert Mezeckis - The big centre back was one of Paul Doolin’s first signings, coming from Skonto Riga on a free transfer. A senior Lativan international, the 28 year-old is strong and a good header of the ball. It will be interesting to see what sort of relationship he builds with club captain Dan Murray.
Extratime.ie prediction: 4th
Derry City
Derry City have gone about their business fairly quietly during the close season, with manager Stephen Kenny making only minor changes to his squad. The Candystripes finished last season strongly and were unlucky to lose out to Bohemians in the FAI Cup final.
They showed on that occasion that they are more than a match for the Gyspies on their day, now they must show that they are able to compete with them over the course of a season. Questions remain about they will cope without Niall McGinn, who left for Scottish champions Celtic at the turn of the year.
However, Kenny has moved shrewdly in the transfer market to bring in Ger O’Brien to shore up his back line, while if Liam Kearney can hit the heights Cork City fans know he is capable of then that will help fill the hole left by the departure of McGinn. Kenny has a solid squad at his disposal, and if anyone is going to challenge Bohs’ superiority this season then Derry City look the most likely candidates.
Who to watch:
David Scullion – Signed recently from Glentoran, Kenny will be looking for him to fill the gap left by Niall McGinn.
Extratime.ie prediction: 2nd
Dundalk
After seven years away from the big time, 2009 will see Dundalk finally make their return to the top flight. Despite winning the First Division last year, the close season has been a period of huge upheaval at Oriel Park. John Gill may have led the club to promotion last season, but even that wasn’t enough to save his job as he was replaced by former Bohemians and Sligo Rovers boss Sean Connor.
The playing squad has also undergone a major overhaul with just three of last season’s squad surviving the close season cull. Connor has looked to replace them with a blend of experience and potential and in doing so is believed to have assembled one of the most expensive squads in the country. In the shape of George O’Callaghan and Chris Turner they have undoubted talent, but whether Connor can get the best out of them remains to be seen.
Connor’s success in League of Ireland football has always been built on a strong backline and is likely to again be the story at Dundalk. With experienced defenders such as Liam Burns and Thomas Heary added to the ranks, many teams will struggle to break Dundalk down. Stopping teams scoring is one thing, but whether Connor can get his team firing at the other end will determine how far up the league Dundalk can finish.
Who to watch:
George O’Callaghan – The former player of the year has grabbed more headlines for his personal problems than football in recent years. This could well be his last shot at making resurrecting what was once a hugely promising career.
Extratime.ie prediction: 5th
Drogheda United
What a difference 12-months makes. This time last year Drogheda United, under the stewardship of Paul Doolin, were preparing for the defence of their first ever Premier League crown. They were odds on favourites to do it too. However, a sluggish start combined with spiraling off field problems and a ten point deduction eventually saw the club finish in lowly eighth position.
Having only managed to escape the clutches of examinership by the skin of their teeth, the only hope most Drogheda supporters have for the coming campaign is that the club will be able to avoid relegation. The club may have survived, but to say it is now a shadow of its former self is an understatement. With virtually all of last season’s squad having moved on, new manager Alan Matthews has had to pick from the scraps in his quest to build a squad on a minimal budget. With just a few hastily arranged pre-season games under their belts, Drogheda’s class of 2009 enter the season as something of an unknown quantity.
With an intimidating trip to the Brandywell on the first night, the certainly face a baptism of fire. Unless Matthews can get his hodge-podge squad side to gel early on and get a few points on the board in the opening quarter of the season, it could well be a long campaign for the Louthmen.
Who to watch:
John Paul Kelly – The words promising and talented have followed the midfielder around for too long now. Will have a point to prove after being deemed surplus to requirements at Bohemians.
Extratime.ie prediction: 9th
Galway United
Survival represented a major accomplishment last year following a turbulent campaign. Jeff Kenna worked the oracle in galvanising a dispirited group to ultimately stay up, in the main thanks to a settled back four and some sparkling displays from Jay O'Shea. Kenna has moved on and his former assistant Ian Foster is left to assemble a part-time squad from the crumbs of those who remained on.
Foster has had to forge a new defensive line-up, with only right back Seamus Conneely a regular from last year. Shane Guthrie and Garry Breen will add physicality while Barry Ryan will be expected to use all his experience to organise a youthful rearguard. Derek O'Brien returns "home" from an unsuccessful period at St Pat's and will be needed to provide quality, as O'Shea will probably be more closely marked than before.
Other arrivals include David Cooke, Michael McGrath, Sean Kelly and Declan Edwards. McGrath and Edwards are unknown quantities at this level while Cooke returns following a previous spell at the club. Kelly, on loan from Cork, provides a much needed defensive midfielder to the squad. If Foster can put out his strongest XI on a regular basis, they should be competitive. Whether striker Vinny Faherty can turn into a regular goalscorer at this level will be crucial.
Who to watch:
Jay O'Shea - An obvious choice but will be interesting to see if he can cope with increased expectations.
Extratime.ie prediction: 8th
Sligo Rovers
The north-west club profited most last year from the examinership issues at Cork and Drogheda, as Paul Cook's side were rewarded for their entertaining brand of football with qualification for both the Europa League and Setanta Cup. Cook's battle for funds to properly compete for trophies this season was unfortunate, but he has ultimately managed to retain the bulk of last year's squad with the notable exception of Seamus Coleman.
Sligo struggled to score goals away from home last year (11 in 16 games), and Cook will be hoping the acquisitions of Stephen Parkhouse and Owen Morrison will increase their potency. Alan Keane has ventured north from Galway to try and fill Coleman's boots at right back, while Shaun Holmes also provides defensive options. Sligo at their best are a match for anyone but their strength in depth, like many in the league, will be a problem when injuries and suspensions rob them of vital players.
Who to watch:
Owen Morrison - A point to prove following fall-out with Stephen Kenny.
Extratime.ie prediction: 6th
Shamrock Rovers
The Hoops have brought in former Northern Irish international Michael O'Neill as manager in the close season and two months into the job, O'Neill has made some big changes. An entirely new backroom team is now in place, with former Hoop Trevor Croly installed as Assistant Manager. O'Neill has also signed seven new players. In comes Ollie Cahill, Shane Robinson, Stephen Bradley, Garry Twigg, Sean Webb, Ian Birmingham and Greg Cameron.
Despite the new signings and the boost of moving to Tallaght this season, the squad still lacks the depth of others in the division and that could tell as the season progresses.
Pre-season games have seen draws with UCD and Wexford Youths, defeat to Newry, and victories over Glebe North and Athlone Town.
Who to watch: Ollie Cahill - Been around the league a long time now, but despite this he is still prone to flashes of brilliance.
Extratime.ie prediction: 7th
St Patrick's Athletic
The Dublin side enjoyed mixed fortunes last season, after early promise their Premier Division pursuit was destroyed by a rampant Bohemian’s side and despite an impressive performance against Hertha Berlin, ultimately their European campaign ended in failure.
John McDonnell has left, being replaced by Jeff Kenna, and the squad have seen a major overhaul following the massive losses ran up at Richmond Park last year: Keith Fahey, Gary O'Neill, Stephen Paisley, Derek O'Brien, Lance Friesz, John Frost, Stephen Brennan, Glen Fitzpatrick, Jaraslow Bialek, Dave Rogers, Alan Kirby and Des Byrne have all left the club so assessing their chances is difficult.
Notable acquisitions by Kenna include players such as Mark Leech, John Lester, Gary Rogers and Gareth O’Connor however the side is a fraction of the size of last year’s: Kenna himself has registered as a player alongside assistant Paul Peschisolido as a precaution, to add emphasis to the change from the delirious expectations at Richmond Park this time last year.
As is the theme of the division, the lack of depth looks worrying.
Who to watch:
Mark Quigley – Goals Goals Goals
Extratime.ie prediction: 3rd
Bohemians quite simply blew everyone else out of the water last season, winning the Premier League at a canter and breaking records right left and centre. Can they repeat the feat in 2009? While much has been made about the mass exodus of players at the tail end of last season, on paper at least, the current Bohs squad looks every bit as strong as last year’s.
While the likes of Stephen O’Donnell and Liam Burns, virtual ever-presents last year, have moved on, manager Pat Fenlon has been successful in keeping the foundations of the squad virtually intact. Their success last season was built on a rock-solid defence and it is hard to see that changing this year. In defender Owen Heary and goalkeeper Brian Murphy Bohs boast arguably the two most consistent performers in the league and they will again form the cornerstone of the side this year. While Burns has departed, new signing Brian Shelley should be more than a capable replacement. Fenlon has also sought to replace the mercurial Mindaugas Kalonas with the ageing, but no less talented Joseph Ndo. While keeping him fit may prove a challenge, on his day he is a potential match-winner.
Who to watch:
Killian Brennan – Questions remain about his overall work-rate, but the winger popped up with a number of important goals for the team last season, particularly from dead balls. More of the same will be required this season if Bohs are to be successful.
Extratime.ie prediction: 1st
Bray Wanderers
After just one loss in pre-season, Eddie Gormley’s troops will be looking for a similar season to last, where they finished in 6th place. One thing that Wanderers will be looking at improving on is their form on the road. Last season, they won just two out of their sixteen away games and remarkably, despite finishing in the top half of the table, they scored on just 28 occasions. Gormley has brought in Darren Forsyth, who should add to the goal tally, while John Mulroy might also impress up front.
The Seagulls have also added the trio of Paul Byrne, Daire Doyle and Chris Deans, while Australian goalkeeper Chris O’Connor, defenders Derek Pender and Dane Massey, midfielder Daryl Robson and striker Jake Kelly have all signed new contracts at the Carlisle Grounds. They might struggle to finish as high as last season, due to the strength of the newly-promoted side
Who to watch: Darren Forsyth- The 21-year-old, ex-Ucd and Shelbourne, will look to improve the Seagulls performance in front of goal and if he can deliver, Bray should stay up.
Extratime.ie prediction: 10th
Cork City
There’s never a dull moment at Turners’ Cross but with Paul Doolin now at the helm, the only Munster club in the Premier Division will finally hope for some sort of stability. After a rollercoaster 2008 season, the Leesiders will not be participating in Europe for the first time since 2003.
Doolin has already stated that qualifying for the Europa Cup, if not the Champions League, is the main priority. When he arrived back in January, there weren’t enough players to field a full team at the club, however, he has made some astute deals in the transfer market. Dan Connor and Faz Kuduzovic followed him down from Drogheda United, Stephen O’Donnell will add even more guile to the centre of midfield, while the Latvian duo of Robert Mezeckis and Guntars Silagailis have also signed on.
When you take into account the acquisition of young players’ such as Davin O’Neill and Billy Dennehy, a European spot should be obtainable once the off the field situation can stay stable.
Who to watch:
Robert Mezeckis - The big centre back was one of Paul Doolin’s first signings, coming from Skonto Riga on a free transfer. A senior Lativan international, the 28 year-old is strong and a good header of the ball. It will be interesting to see what sort of relationship he builds with club captain Dan Murray.
Extratime.ie prediction: 4th
Derry City
Derry City have gone about their business fairly quietly during the close season, with manager Stephen Kenny making only minor changes to his squad. The Candystripes finished last season strongly and were unlucky to lose out to Bohemians in the FAI Cup final.
They showed on that occasion that they are more than a match for the Gyspies on their day, now they must show that they are able to compete with them over the course of a season. Questions remain about they will cope without Niall McGinn, who left for Scottish champions Celtic at the turn of the year.
However, Kenny has moved shrewdly in the transfer market to bring in Ger O’Brien to shore up his back line, while if Liam Kearney can hit the heights Cork City fans know he is capable of then that will help fill the hole left by the departure of McGinn. Kenny has a solid squad at his disposal, and if anyone is going to challenge Bohs’ superiority this season then Derry City look the most likely candidates.
Who to watch:
David Scullion – Signed recently from Glentoran, Kenny will be looking for him to fill the gap left by Niall McGinn.
Extratime.ie prediction: 2nd
Dundalk
After seven years away from the big time, 2009 will see Dundalk finally make their return to the top flight. Despite winning the First Division last year, the close season has been a period of huge upheaval at Oriel Park. John Gill may have led the club to promotion last season, but even that wasn’t enough to save his job as he was replaced by former Bohemians and Sligo Rovers boss Sean Connor.
The playing squad has also undergone a major overhaul with just three of last season’s squad surviving the close season cull. Connor has looked to replace them with a blend of experience and potential and in doing so is believed to have assembled one of the most expensive squads in the country. In the shape of George O’Callaghan and Chris Turner they have undoubted talent, but whether Connor can get the best out of them remains to be seen.
Connor’s success in League of Ireland football has always been built on a strong backline and is likely to again be the story at Dundalk. With experienced defenders such as Liam Burns and Thomas Heary added to the ranks, many teams will struggle to break Dundalk down. Stopping teams scoring is one thing, but whether Connor can get his team firing at the other end will determine how far up the league Dundalk can finish.
Who to watch:
George O’Callaghan – The former player of the year has grabbed more headlines for his personal problems than football in recent years. This could well be his last shot at making resurrecting what was once a hugely promising career.
Extratime.ie prediction: 5th
Drogheda United
What a difference 12-months makes. This time last year Drogheda United, under the stewardship of Paul Doolin, were preparing for the defence of their first ever Premier League crown. They were odds on favourites to do it too. However, a sluggish start combined with spiraling off field problems and a ten point deduction eventually saw the club finish in lowly eighth position.
Having only managed to escape the clutches of examinership by the skin of their teeth, the only hope most Drogheda supporters have for the coming campaign is that the club will be able to avoid relegation. The club may have survived, but to say it is now a shadow of its former self is an understatement. With virtually all of last season’s squad having moved on, new manager Alan Matthews has had to pick from the scraps in his quest to build a squad on a minimal budget. With just a few hastily arranged pre-season games under their belts, Drogheda’s class of 2009 enter the season as something of an unknown quantity.
With an intimidating trip to the Brandywell on the first night, the certainly face a baptism of fire. Unless Matthews can get his hodge-podge squad side to gel early on and get a few points on the board in the opening quarter of the season, it could well be a long campaign for the Louthmen.
Who to watch:
John Paul Kelly – The words promising and talented have followed the midfielder around for too long now. Will have a point to prove after being deemed surplus to requirements at Bohemians.
Extratime.ie prediction: 9th
Galway United
Survival represented a major accomplishment last year following a turbulent campaign. Jeff Kenna worked the oracle in galvanising a dispirited group to ultimately stay up, in the main thanks to a settled back four and some sparkling displays from Jay O'Shea. Kenna has moved on and his former assistant Ian Foster is left to assemble a part-time squad from the crumbs of those who remained on.
Foster has had to forge a new defensive line-up, with only right back Seamus Conneely a regular from last year. Shane Guthrie and Garry Breen will add physicality while Barry Ryan will be expected to use all his experience to organise a youthful rearguard. Derek O'Brien returns "home" from an unsuccessful period at St Pat's and will be needed to provide quality, as O'Shea will probably be more closely marked than before.
Other arrivals include David Cooke, Michael McGrath, Sean Kelly and Declan Edwards. McGrath and Edwards are unknown quantities at this level while Cooke returns following a previous spell at the club. Kelly, on loan from Cork, provides a much needed defensive midfielder to the squad. If Foster can put out his strongest XI on a regular basis, they should be competitive. Whether striker Vinny Faherty can turn into a regular goalscorer at this level will be crucial.
Who to watch:
Jay O'Shea - An obvious choice but will be interesting to see if he can cope with increased expectations.
Extratime.ie prediction: 8th
Sligo Rovers
The north-west club profited most last year from the examinership issues at Cork and Drogheda, as Paul Cook's side were rewarded for their entertaining brand of football with qualification for both the Europa League and Setanta Cup. Cook's battle for funds to properly compete for trophies this season was unfortunate, but he has ultimately managed to retain the bulk of last year's squad with the notable exception of Seamus Coleman.
Sligo struggled to score goals away from home last year (11 in 16 games), and Cook will be hoping the acquisitions of Stephen Parkhouse and Owen Morrison will increase their potency. Alan Keane has ventured north from Galway to try and fill Coleman's boots at right back, while Shaun Holmes also provides defensive options. Sligo at their best are a match for anyone but their strength in depth, like many in the league, will be a problem when injuries and suspensions rob them of vital players.
Who to watch:
Owen Morrison - A point to prove following fall-out with Stephen Kenny.
Extratime.ie prediction: 6th
Shamrock Rovers
The Hoops have brought in former Northern Irish international Michael O'Neill as manager in the close season and two months into the job, O'Neill has made some big changes. An entirely new backroom team is now in place, with former Hoop Trevor Croly installed as Assistant Manager. O'Neill has also signed seven new players. In comes Ollie Cahill, Shane Robinson, Stephen Bradley, Garry Twigg, Sean Webb, Ian Birmingham and Greg Cameron.
Despite the new signings and the boost of moving to Tallaght this season, the squad still lacks the depth of others in the division and that could tell as the season progresses.
Pre-season games have seen draws with UCD and Wexford Youths, defeat to Newry, and victories over Glebe North and Athlone Town.
Who to watch: Ollie Cahill - Been around the league a long time now, but despite this he is still prone to flashes of brilliance.
Extratime.ie prediction: 7th
St Patrick's Athletic
The Dublin side enjoyed mixed fortunes last season, after early promise their Premier Division pursuit was destroyed by a rampant Bohemian’s side and despite an impressive performance against Hertha Berlin, ultimately their European campaign ended in failure.
John McDonnell has left, being replaced by Jeff Kenna, and the squad have seen a major overhaul following the massive losses ran up at Richmond Park last year: Keith Fahey, Gary O'Neill, Stephen Paisley, Derek O'Brien, Lance Friesz, John Frost, Stephen Brennan, Glen Fitzpatrick, Jaraslow Bialek, Dave Rogers, Alan Kirby and Des Byrne have all left the club so assessing their chances is difficult.
Notable acquisitions by Kenna include players such as Mark Leech, John Lester, Gary Rogers and Gareth O’Connor however the side is a fraction of the size of last year’s: Kenna himself has registered as a player alongside assistant Paul Peschisolido as a precaution, to add emphasis to the change from the delirious expectations at Richmond Park this time last year.
As is the theme of the division, the lack of depth looks worrying.
Who to watch:
Mark Quigley – Goals Goals Goals
Extratime.ie prediction: 3rd
