Listen to the full chat above via the League of Ireland podcast
For those of us who watch, cover or follow the League of Ireland, it's time to look forward to the thrills and spills of the new season.
Kicking off this Friday, it also means that the Off The Ball League of Ireland slot with new Derry City manager Roddy Collins and Stuey Byrne is back for its regular Tuesday outing.
The dynamic duo joined us tonight to preview the 2014 campaign.
Stuey is expecting more of the same from defending champions St Pat's with new signings James Chambers, Lee Lynch and former Ireland midfielder Keith Fahey who he reckons could "run amok" if he is fully fit.
"Looking squad-wise, I just can't see beyond Pat's and [Shamrock] Rovers. Pat's especially have signed very well in the off-season and have a very strong squad," he added.
But as a former league champion himself, Stuey emphasized how difficult it is to retain a title.
For his part, Roddy is cautious about Fahey's impact but thinks he is "one to watch".
Keith Fahey of Pat's scores the first goal of the President's Cup last weekend ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Stuey does not think last season's surprise package Dundalk have strengthened enough and added that they over-performed last season. Indeed, he thinks they could struggle after losing some key players.
Sligo Rovers is another team who may disappoint according to Stuey, while expecting improvements from Shamrock Rovers and Derry City. Roddy feels Sligo's squad has been "watered down" since winning the league in 2012 and does not believe that they will win the league.
And Stuey believes St Pat's rivals need to step up to the mark: "It needs to be a stronger, more competitive league. You'd like to think that especially Shamrock Rovers have to turn up this year. I'd like to see a stronger Sligo this year and certainly a stronger Shamrock Rovers and a stronger Derry."
Derry boss Roddy is optimistic about his own team's chances because of the strong midfield and forward line.
"We've signed really well. We've brought nine in and a good bit of experience in defence and a bit of addition in midfield with Danny Ventre and a couple of young strikers and one experienced one from Kilmarnock."
But Stuey thinks the Brandywell is less intimidating than in the past, something which Roddy intends to remedy.
They also gave their take on the challenges and ambitions in mid-table for new Bohemians manager Owen Heary in his first full-time management role and new Cork City boss John Caulfield.
In terms of the relegation battle, Roddy fears for his former club Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers, UCD and possibly Drogheda United.
