The new Airtricity League season kicked off last night and 2013 is shaping up to be an interesting year for domestic soccer. Can Sligo Rovers keep the title in the West or can Shamrock Rovers make up for a dire 2012 by reclaiming the trophy. And can Drogheda United repeat the heroics of last season?
Sligo Rovers
The Bit O’ Red had been inching ever closer to the title under Paul Cook. But it was Ian Baraclough who made that final step as a vibrant Sligo team landed their first league title in 35 years.
Rovers have been weakened by the sale of the mercurial Mark Quigley and Jason McGuinness to Shamrock Rovers ahead of the new campaign. However inspirational captain Danny Ventre, centre-half Gavin Peers, midfield veteran Joseph N’Do and local hero Raffaele Cretaro remain at the Showgrounds.
Striker Danny North who suffered a cruciate ligament injury last July is not expected to return until April at the earliest, but the club has signed former Bohs man Ewan McMillan.
Overall Sligo still have one of the strongest squads in the league and should be involved in the battle for Europe and the title.
Prediction: 2nd
Drogheda United
The Drogs confounded expectations last season by finish runners up in the league. Up until the eve of the 2012 season, Mick Cooke’s team had been struggling at the other end of the table.
But to then go on and finish second and attain European football on a tight budget was an excellent achievement.
Drogheda has kept hold of Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien who scored 14 league goals last season to cement himself into the fans' hearts in his second spell at the club. United have also strengthened in midfield by bringing in Shel’s David Cassidy and Paul O’Conor from UCD.
One of the keys to success last season was Drogheda’s impressive start to the campaign. If they can repeat that start, they could be in the hunt for Europe again in 2013.
Prediction: 4th
St Patrick’s Athletic
There could have been so much more to celebrate for St Pat’s in 2012. Challenging for the title until a 3 – 2 defeat to eventual champions Sligo in October, Liam Buckley’s men also suffered heartache in the FAI Cup yet again, losing a topsy-turvy final to Derry City in extra-time as the Inchicore club’s long wait for cup glory entered a 52nd year.
The Saints did achieve European qualification by finishing third last season and also reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League where they were eliminated by Bundesliga side Hannover 96.
There have been personnel changes for 2013. Winger Killian Brennan has joined from Shamrock Rovers, with midfield pair James Chambers and Sean O’Connor going the other way. However experienced midfielder Shane McFaul has made the long trek back to Richmond Park after a year away at Finland’s FC Haka.
Pat’s fans will hope that the changes can prove to be the difference between challenging for titles and actually getting their hands on silverware.
Prediction: 3rd
Shamrock Rovers
After winning consecutive titles and making history by reaching the Europa League group stages under Michael O’Neill, the Hoops were expected to coast to a third straight title in 2012. But in an abject season that saw two different managers at the helm, the Tallaght-based club slumped to a disappointing fourth spot in the league, missing out entirely on European football.
But with a new manager in Trevor Croly and a shake-up of the squad, Shamrock Rovers will be favourites to recapture the league in 2013. The club has managed to snare key players from their closest rivals including Mark Quigley and Jason McGuinness (both Sligo), and James Chambers and Sean O’Connor (both St Pat’s), as well as former Rovers striker Karl Sheppard on loan from Premier League side Reading.
Having strengthened sufficiently over the winter, a third title in fourth years will be expected by the fans.
Prediction: 1st
Derry City
The Candystripes were the kings of the Cup last year, beating St Pat’s in a dramatic final with Derry also finishing fifth in the league. However they were well adrift of fourth-placed Shamrock Rovers, ultimately ending up 13 points in arrears.
Derry were the best of the rest but they will hope to bridge the gap between mid-table and the European places in 2013.
Cup final hero Rory Patterson stays at the Brandywell and the squad has been supplemented by the likes of midfielder Paddy Kavanagh from Shelbourne and former Dundalk men Mark Griffin and Michael Rafter.
Prediction: 5th
Cork City
The men from the south, finally re-established themselves in the top flight last season after a couple of years away.
Tommy Dunne’s challenge will be to start the process of bringing Cork soccer back to the upper echelons of the table after a solid 6th place finish in 2012.
Cork City have brought back a former title winner in striker Dennis Behan, while there is youthful promise in Gearoid Morrissey and Daryl Horgan among others.
Prediction: 6th
Bohemians
Bohs will be hoping for some progress this season after consolidating a mid-table finish in 2012 after a difficult few years financially since the 2009 league title.
But there is young talent within the team like Keith Buckley and Luke Byrne complimented by the vast experience of captain Owen Heary, new signing Stephen Paisley and Derek Pender. Manager Aaron Callaghan was also able to sign talented defender Ciaran Nangle from UCD as the club looks to make another step forward.
Prediction: 8th
Shelbourne
The Irish team of the early 2000s, Shels had been away for a long time before finishing a creditable 8th in their first year back under Alan Mathews.
Mathews has added defensive midfielder Paul Crowley and striker Dean Kelly to a tight-knit squad, but Shels will also look to reduce their red card count after racking up ten sending-offs in 2012.
Shels should be safe from the relegation battle and will be aiming to come out on top in the mid-table challenge.
Prediction: 9th
UCD
Martin Russell had UCD playing good football last season but more importantly he helped secure promotion with a few games to spare.
A regular occurrence before every season, The Students have lost key men during the winter with Ciaran Nangle off to Bohs and Paul O’Conor joining Drogheda. But as per usual there is promising young players in the shape of Robbie Benson and Gary Burke, while David McMillan will provide the goal threat after returning midway through last term.
Securing survival will be the main aim again this season.
Prediction: 11th
Bray Wanderers
The Seagulls wings were clipped as they spent most of last season fighting against the drop, ultimately earning survival late on.
Pat Devlin remains in the charge of the club and they have managed to keep hold of key men like Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters and veteran goalscorer Jason Byrne who sits second on the all-time League of Ireland goalscoring chart. Wanderers can expect another battle against the drop this season.
Prediction: 12th
Dundalk
The Louth club had to scrape past Waterford United in the Promotion/Relegation playoff to secure another season of top flight football for this term.
But things are looking more optimistic. After a disastrous six months with Shamrock Rovers in 2012, Stephen Kenny has been given the reins at Oriel Park and significant backing from the board.
Kenny has been able to bring in reliable goalscorer Vinny Faherty from St Pat’s along with his team-mate Mark Rossiter as the Lilywhites bolster their squad in anticipation of an improved finish this year.
Prediction: 7th
Limerick FC
It’s good to have a Limerick team back in the top flight after 19 years in the second tier. The Super Blues will have some experienced names in the squad ahead of the new season including former Hibernian man Danny Galbraith, ex-Republic of Ireland cap Joe Gamble and former Barnsley defender Brian O’Callaghan.
Limerick will be looking to extend their stay in the top division beyond a single season.
Prediction: 10th
©INPHO/Donall Farmer
