- Conaldinho
- Elite Moderator
- Joined: 09 Apr 2005
- Posts: 5886
- Location: Donegal, Ireland
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 Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:26 pm |
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A decent article in the paper today...
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THERE'S a simple enough rule when it comes to the previewing of a new season. Basically, it goes that if things are looking predictable then there's very little to look forward to.
Thankfully, that doesn't apply to this year's Eircom League of Ireland.
As last season progressed, there was an inevitability about the domination of Drogheda United who kept their heads while everyone around them lost theirs. With Derry's Fenlon experiment failing, Cork in crisis and Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic in transition then it was all set up for a historic triumph for the County Louth club. It should not take away from their achievement but it's a realistic appraisal of where their rivals were at.
Retaining their crown will be difficult. Cork are no longer in turmoil with Alan Mathews installed at the helm and resources available to add strength in depth. St Pat's should be beyond transition, although things have still been hectic on the player front, while Bohemians have Pat Fenlon back in familiar territory with a few stalwarts of his Shelbourne era in situ. Derry, with the prodigal son Stephen Kenny at the helm, should also be back above water. There are less excuses for failure all around.
While Derry may struggle to bridge the gap immediately, you can make reasonable claims for the title claims of Drogheda, Cork, St Pat's and Bohs. Conceivably, you could pick your top three for the year and be left looking foolish by leaving out the eventual winners. It's a good kind of unpredictability.
Drogheda are the benchmark and, personnel wise, they have made minor adjustments rather than sweeping ones. Simon Webb is a loss and the difficulties experienced by his likely replacement Sean Prunty, are a blow. On the plus side, Declan O'Brien should be fit for the majority of this tilt.
Experience
Add that to the midfield experience they have and it's hard to see them out of the equation.
Last year's runners-up St Patrick's Athletic have been busiest in the transfer market with some eye-catching additions. They have players such as Joseph Ndo, Michael Keane and Keith Fahey plus new man Gary Dempsey who are thrilling on their day but moulding them all together into an effective unit will be a challenge. Particularly when there is some confusion about who is calling the shots.
Bohemians took third spot last year in a poor league and repeating that feat in an improved renewal would be respectable but expectations are likely to be higher.
With Fenlon in the dugout and Heary, Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne on the team-sheet there's a familiar look about what they've got to offer.
There's also a familiar look about Cork City with a certain George O'Callaghan and Danny Murphy back in their ranks. The much sought after Dave Mooney has followed his ex-Longford boss down south, while Pat Sullivan has done the same and Dave Mulcahy adds solidity.
You would worry that the Leesiders haven't really found a replacement for Alan Bennett to partner Dan Murray, but should that become obvious then Mathews will make the necessary adjustments when the transfer window re-opens.
Cork haven't been far away in the past two seasons despite their troubles and when you add the new additions to the names of Gamble, Healy, the reformed Behan and the luckless O'Flynn they are a formidable bunch. Avoiding injuries is the key but they have a stronger squad now and, unlike some of their rivals -- St Pat's spring to mind -- they are not in a situation where they have too many characters to keep happy. This could be their year.
And what about the rest? Shamrock Rovers have mopped up the best part-time players and will bristle at the suggestion that they over-achieved last year in challenging for the title.
No doubt there will be confidence in Pat Scully's dressing room that they can go even closer this time around, but the suspicion is that the big guns have brought in even better quality to boost their resources. In truth, this year will feel like one big long Christmas Eve to Hoops fans given that it will be their last as a homeless entity. They will start 2009 in Tallaght and then they should have the back-up to propel themselves into genuine title contenders.
They are likely to stuck somewhere in midway where it wouldn't be a surprise to see them accompanied by a Sligo Rovers side who could perhaps be under-rated. Some of their acquisitions under Paul Cook in the off season have the potential to impact and they played good football under the Scouser last year.
Below them, it could get really interesting. Galway United ,and now Finn Harps, have full-time set-ups that will expect to progress to the chasing pack. Ultimately, though, they will have to build slowly as finance, location or both prevents them from attracting the top players to their respective parts of the world.
Therefore, with three teams facing the drop this time around to facilitate the change to a 10-team league, they are likely to be in a straight fight with Bray Wanderers and UCD to escape the trap door.
Youth
The students have lost a lot of quality and are depending on youth to replace them. Bray have captured some experienced names, but the loss of Clive Delaney leaves them looking far from watertight at the back.
Perhaps it's too simplistic to state that the two clubs with full-time set-ups will survive from that quartet, but Galway should have improved from last year, while Finn Harps have added the vital experience of Gary Beckett and the promising talent of Shaun Williams to an already burgeoning formula. They could have enough to survive.
Of course, the one club that hasn't been mentioned as yet is Cobh Ramblers, who unfortunately look certainties to be one of the departing trio. Their promotion last year was a fairytale -- achieved on a tight budget with a close knit squad where the highest earning player was on just over €200 a week.
Alas, the Premier Division is now worlds apart from such a set-up; the drop to a 10-team league will make full sure of that.
Realistically, this year's transition is likely to mark the end of an era. Any side emerging from the First Division in future must do so in the knowledge that they will need something very close to a full-time set-up to just be capable of surviving.
Naturally, and understandably, there are sceptics who wonder if it's plausible for a full-time top flight to exist in this country. Clubs on full-time budgets finishing sixth or seventh on a regular basis are unlikely to yield much return for their outlay..
It makes for an intriguing campaign; something which last year's did not prove to be. Starved of entertainment, we looked for outspoken managers to fill the void, but even they were gagged from doing so.
This year, there should be no such problems. Should it live up to expectations, then the football can do all the talking.
PREDICTIONS
1 Cork City
2 Drogheda
3 Bohemians
4 St Pat's
5 Derry City
6 Shamrock Rovers
7 Sligo Rovers
8 Galway United
9 Finn Harps
10 Bray Wanderers
11 UCD
12 Cobh Ramblers |
I think thats pretty accurate to be honest, its one of the toughest seasons to predict in years though. Theres four or five different teams that will have their eyes on winning the league and its the same at the other end, Sligo and Sham Rvs are the only teams I can see as being mid-table this year.
I think the title will eventually come down to a two horse race between Cork & Drogheda with Drogheda coming out on top, Cork are still weak at the back and up front, they have a great midfield but I think Drogs have a better all round squad.
As for Harps, I think that prediction above got it about right, I think we'll escape relegation. Nobody's really giving Cobh a hope and UCD are looking poor as well, looks like it'll be between ourselves, Galway & Bray and with Bray only being a semi-pro team I can see that being a factor towards the end of the season.
My Table:
1 Drogheda
2 Cork City
3 St Pat's
4 Bohemians
5 Derry City
6 Shamrock Rovers
7 Sligo Rovers
8 Galway United
9 Finn Harps
10 Bray Wanderers
11 Cobh Ramblers
12 UCD |
