First Division Predictions

[fbtn]

Although as usual, and to be expected, there is little or no talk about the First Divison. Not surprising as it normally does nothing to stimulate even the most ardent of LOI fans. But - the graveyard is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years with both the Premier League Champions and the Playoff Winners bizzarely playing in it this season.

The teams I think should be challenging:

Dundalk have added some decent signings like Vinny Perth and Anto Flood to an already strong squad and have managed to hold onto Philly Hughes. Hammered Derry 4-0 in pre-season. Other sides may also find their artificial surface difficult to cope with. The bookies and many peoples favourites.

Athlone have also strengthened well with some good signings like Ronan Frawley, David O'Dowd and Mixie Harty from neighbours Galway. Also managed to get striker Paul McTiernan from Sligo and experienced midfielder Davy Byrne from Longford. Playing their first season in their new stadium, their crowds will be up with the whole town behind them. Won't be far away.

Shelbourne really hard to know what kind of Shels team will take to the field, if at all. But they have brought in Dermot Keely to try and resurrect his old club and already, some decent fringe players from Bohs, Derry and Pats rumoured to be on the way to join with the experienced Alan Moore and Jim Crawford.

Finn Harps have recruited ex player and ex Derry assistant, Paul Hegarty to manage them after a disastrous stint by ex-boss Anthony Gorman. Already he has transformed the team with some very good signings from Derry and the Irish League. Central midfielder Tony Shields from Limavady was probably one of the best midfielders in the Irish League and a major coup for Harps. Other notable signings are ex-Glentoran stars Shaun Holmes and Stephen Parkhouse and John O'Loughlin from Cliftonville. Also managed to keep Conor Gethins and Chrissy Breen. Well organised under Hegarty, will definitely be at the business end of things come the end of the season.

The rest:

Kildare: Lost Cooling which will be a major blow. Can't see them improving much on last year.

Cobh: Have also lost too many of their good players from last term to Waterford and will struggle to make an impact.

Monaghan: If pre-season is anything to go by, could surprise a lot of people. Good wins over Premier sides Galway and Sligo and with Willie Doyle in the side, could cause a few upsets along the way.

Kilkenny: Will most likely be another struggle for the Cats.

Limerick 37: Very hard to judge as brand new club made up nearly entirely of junior players.

Wexford Youths: Like Limerick, an unknown quantity as this is the first year in the senior ranks. Again, made up mostly of junior players from the local area but with Pat Dolan involved, anything is possible.

My (severely biased) predictions: Harps to win league - Athlone to win playoffs against Waterford. Dundalk to run out of gas after a good start ;)

[Sniffer]

{Although as usual, and to be expected, there is little or no talk about the First Divison. Not surprising as it normally does nothing to stimulate even the most ardent of LOI fans}

Dry your eyes mate, your kindly uncles at walkthechalk.com have not forgotten you. Check this (http://walkthechalk.blogspot.com/) out.

[Kildare Lad]

1.Dundalk
2.Athlone Town
3.Shelbourne
4.Finn Harps
5.Cobh Ramblers
6.Kildare County
7.Limerick 37
8.Monaghan United
9.Wexford Youths
10.Kilkenny City

[iceman]

Shels
Harps
Athlone
Dundalk
Kildare
Ramblers
Wexford
Kilkenny
Limerick
Mons

[Philly]

Finn Harps (Shields is a class act)
Athlone
Dundalk
Kildare
Shelbourne
Mons
Limerick
Cobh
Klikenny
Wexford

[feo123]

1. Shels
2. Dundalk
3. Athlone town
4. Kildare
5. Cobh
6. harps
7. mons
8.Wexford
9. Limerick
10. Kilkenny

[steno]

Dundalk
Athlone town
Finn Harps
Kildare
Cobh
Shels
Monaghan Utd
Limerick 37
Wexford Youths
Kilkenny

Its going to be very tight, very hard too call how Limerick, Wexford will fare and I think Shels will get off to a slow start that will cost them.
__________________

[finnpark]

1. Shels
2. Dundalk
3. Athlone town
4. Kildare
5. Cobh
6. harps
7. mons
8.Wexford
9. Limerick
10. Kilkenny

Where do you like - cuckcoo land?:rolleyes:

[Jerry The Saint]

Trying to anticipate the FAI's next fudge here, it's possible that Shels may get hit with a points deduction instead of EXPUNGEMENT if their appeal goes badly (too late to get another team in). With a better budget than most clubs and an experienced manager, they may be confident of overhauling a headstart of 8 points or so.

[finnpark]

Harps have the strongest first division team ever I would say. It is better than most premier division teams. They will walk it.

Why do people think Athlone will push for it? What is the basis for this?:confused:

As for Shels it would be a miracle if they don't finish bottom.

1st Harps
2nd Dundalk
3rd Monaghan

[fbtn]

Good to see us been written off.

I really don't get some football fans though......why predict Shels to win the league when they have two senior players?

Even if they pull in a full squad in time for the new season, surely they'll be made up mostly from junior sides and U21s.

1. Harps
2. Athlone
3. Dundalk
4. Kildare
5. Cobh
6. Shels
7. Monaghan
8. Wexford Youths
9. Limerick 37
10.Kilkenny

[steno]

Harps have the strongest first division team ever I would say. It is better than most premier division teams. They will walk it.

Why do people think Athlone will push for it? What is the basis for this?:confused:

As for Shels it would be a miracle if they don't finish bottom.

1st Harps
2nd Dundalk
3rd Monaghan

Well they made some of the decent signing. Benefitted well from Galway and Sligo going full time and Davy Byrne from Longford.

[highlight100]

I quite fancy the new Wexford team to give a good account of themselves,with Mick Wallace & Pat Dolan on board who knows.


1 . Dundalk
2 . Harps
3 . Wexford

[don ramo]

1. dundalk
2. cobh
3. harps
4. kildare
5. mons
6. killkenny
7. athlone
8. shels
9. lim37
10.wexford

dont think our team is as weak as first thought really, though given what players we lost we would proably win this year with last years squad, athlone i dont think will do that well (as they say what is it based on), shels have no squad might get some players in mid seaosn and make a push up the table but more than likely not, dundalk have the strongest squad without doubt and can only lose it themselfs really, harps may jump us depending on how the new players settle, but id say the top three will be the top three just maybe not that order, same goes for the bottom two

[ForzaWexford]

I quite fancy the new Wexford team to give a good account of themselves,with Mick Wallace & Pat Dolan on board who knows.


1 . Dundalk
2 . Harps
3 . Wexford


Realistically it'll be closer to the bottom three than the top three that we'll be! For this season at least, as most of the players were playing junior soccer up to and including this season.....

I'll go for Harps, Dundalk, Athlone.

[Lim till i die]

Harps have the strongest first division team ever I would say. It is better than most premier division teams. They will walk it.

Why do people think Athlone will push for it? What is the basis for this?

As for Shels it would be a miracle if they don't finish bottom.

1st Harps
2nd Dundalk
3rd Monaghan

Writing off Athlone and putting Mons in third in the same breath :rolleyes:

Harps - "The strongest first division team ever"

Is there something in the water in Ballybofey :confused: :rolleyes:

[Lim till i die]

1. dundalk
2. cobh
3. harps
4. kildare
5. mons
6. killkenny
7. athlone
8. shels
9. lim37
10.wexford



Why is Cobhs squad seven places stronger than Limericks? :rolleyes:

Anyway for what it's worth:

1. Dundalk
2. Harps
3. Athlone
BIG GAP
4. Limerick
5. Cobh
6. Mons
7. Kildare
8. Wexford
9. Kilkenny

Left Shels out for now as that could go either way

[don ramo]

Why is Cobhs squad seven places stronger than Limericks? :rolleyes:

Anyway for what it's worth:

1. Dundalk
2. Harps
3. Athlone
BIG GAP
4. Limerick
5. Cobh
6. Mons
7. Kildare
8. Wexford
9. Kilkenny

Left Shels out for now as that could go either way


thats mainly the fact you have half a junior side as most of limerick fcs players were snapped up while danny was in court, and you dont really know our squad we only lost two regulars, our reserve keeper, a defender come striker who wasnt here half of last season as he was on loan, and a striker who didnt play much, with the divisions top scorer of two year ago back from injury to and have got players in on loan from bohs and city

[monutdfc]

OK, my turn!
First of all it's great to see us out of the bottom 2!

1. Dundalk - strongest squad in the division
2. Shelbourne - big budget, a lot will depend on whether they are in touch by the transfer window
3. Finn Harps - will improve on last season. Breen and Gethins both back (I think)
4. Cobh Ramblers - have been in contention the last few seasons but failed to last the pace
5. Limerick 37 - seems to be the nucleus of Limerick squads over the past few seasons so should be competitive
6. Athlone Town - McTiernan a great signing, some other good signings
7. Monaghan United - important that Doyle and Farrell can avoid injury
8. Kildare County - under Ryan they are a physical side with no plan and very hard to watch
9. Wexford Youth - it's a big step-up and a long season
10. Kilkenny City - another season of struggle for the Cats

[jebus]

I'll go for

1. Finn Harps
2. Athlone
3. Dundalk
4. Shels
5. Limerick 37
6. Cobh
7. Mons
8. Kildare
9. Kilkenny
10. Wexford

[Lim till i die]

thats mainly the fact you have half a junior side

I'll guarentee you right now our back four is far stronger than yours and most of the other clubs in the division for that matter

half a Junior side??

Not withstanding the fact that Limerick's junior league is the stronger in the country, you're talking out your aras being so dismissive

We'll compete don't you worry ;) :ball:

[Olander]

1.Dundalk
2.Harps
3.Athlone
4.Shels
5.Limerick
6.Cobh
7.Monaghan
8.Kildare
9.Wexford
10.Kilkenny

[don ramo]

I'll guarentee you right now our back four is far stronger than yours and most of the other clubs in the division for that matter

half a Junior side??

Not withstanding the fact that Limerick's junior league is the stronger in the country, you're talking out your aras being so dismissive
:ball:

why? because we lost two defenders, we had a shockin defence last seaon, so it cant get worse, i wouldnt worry well see in two weeks anyway, still a junior side, not sayin youll be s*** forever, but it will take a while same happened when we joined the leauge as was the others who joined with us back in 85, wexford are in the same boat, youe expecting to much to soon, its still a new club dont forget that

[number16]

Top 4 - Harps, Athlone, Dundalk, Wexford
Middle - Kilkenny, Cobh, Kildare, Monaghan
Bottom - Shels, Limerick 37

In that order. Top four have invested, either in players or infrastructure (in Wexfords case), and middle order have a bit of history in either this division or at management level.
Bottom two have very little going for them, in Shel's case they have a great history, but no future, and in Limerick's case they are so late assembling a team that it's difficult to see how they can be competitive.

[LFC in Exile]

Top 4 - Harps, Athlone, Dundalk, Wexford
Middle - Kilkenny, Cobh, Kildare, Monaghan
Bottom - Shels, Limerick 37

In that order. Top four have invested, either in players or infrastructure (in Wexfords case), and middle order have a bit of history in either this division or at management level.
Bottom two have very little going for them, in Shel's case they have a great history, but no future, and in Limerick's case they are so late assembling a team that it's difficult to see how they can be competitive.

Are you watching whats going on or just listening to the sh1te talked on this forum. L37 isn't half a junior side. Nor is it late in assembling a squad. The defence will be the same as last year's. We will have eL players in midfield (e.g. Waters, Cosgrave) and upfront (e.g. Goldbey). I don't understand how you can put Kilkenny, Mons, Kildare above, at least.

We will be challenging - certainly no pushovers. And putting Shels down there I presume is some sort of grudge against them. No team with Keely as a manager will be easy to beat and with Crawford and Moore he has a midfield that will dominate in the division if he can keep them fit. They won't be pretty to watch but no way will they finish bottom two. I reckon after a shaky start they challenge for promotion. Just like Dundalk last season.

[LFC in Exile]

My prediction:

1. Dundalk
2. Harps
3. Shels
4. Limerick 37
5. Cobh
6. Athlone
7. Kildare
8. Wexford Youths
9. Kilkenny
10. Monaghan

[steno]

I can't wait for the season to start its going to be a lot more interesting than previous years, two new teams, shels and even by looking at the predictions everyone fancies their chances of a decent position come the end of the season. As the fella in the Amstral ad says:

THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT!!

[charliesboots]

Any Shels fans care to give us their predictions??

[oriel]

1/ Dundalk
2/ Athlone
3/ Finn Harps

[GuisaSaigon]

1. Dundalk
2. Harps
3. Monaghan

[raytown red]

i reckon we should finish in the top half of the table, ther is rumours we have made a couple of decent signings!!

[Mark Breen]

Any Shels fans care to give us their predictions??

1. Dundalk - Some very strong players always going to challange
2. Harps - As above, normally a strong team.
3. Shels - We will struggle early on due to lack of pre-season, But expect us to push on from April
4. Athlone - I know very little about Athlone, but from what i've heard they've added well to there squad
5. Cobh - Cobh seem to be a strong team in this league most seasons but never seen to push on so i'd expect mid table.
6. Kildare
7. Wexford Youths - Under P Dolan i'd expect them to do well, therebig problem is they are only using players from the local league and i feel they need a couple of experianced players
8. Limerick 37 - Again i know very little but from what i've heard and read about them holding onto a few players from last season i'd expect them to do ok.
9. Monaghan - Going on last seasons for and the fact i know nothing about any players they brought in
10. Kilkenny - As above



As is being stated above, i think it will take shels a few weeks to start playing football (If ever under Keely) We have confirmed Crawford and Chambers (2 premier standard midfielders) Alan Moore was training with us last night so if he stays (And the rumour is he's off to Bohs) then thats 3 of the strongest midfielders in the division, We have good experiance with O'Dowd in goal and from what i've heard Davitt Walsh is an excellent striker (was he with Harps last year) and we've also loaned in Kyle Moran from Derry who was with man u for the last 4 years and look's promising.

The full list of players who look like coming in is:

James Hussey. (GK)
Tony O'Dowd,(GK)
Conor Rafferty (CB/LB)
Jim Crawford (CM)
James Chambers (CM)
Davitt Walsh (Str)
Chris Mulhall (U21)
Danial Ennis (U21)
Kyle Moran (Str)
Alan Moore (CM)
Brian Gartland,
Ciarán Ryan,
Wayne Byrne,
Kieran Harte, (CM)
John Brophy, (Str)
Aaron McEniff, (LB)
Mark O'Brien,
Robbie O’Neill
Aidan Collins
Niall O'Reilly

Theer is no confirmation of any from Shels but the media seem to think most have signed or will sign.

As for my predistions above, I have to be honest and say i know little about the league we know find ourselves in and am only going on the limited knowledge i have.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Shels are guaranteed goals with Brophy if he gets good service.

[Mark Breen]

Shels are guaranteed goals with Brophy if he gets good service.

Thats good to hear. I think Davitt is the same, if he get the service he know's where the net is.

[harpskid]

It is better than most premier division teams. They will walk it.


Jesus Christ man, calm yourself. :ball:

[Dazzy]

we've also loaned in Kyle Moran from Derry who was with man u for the last 4 years and look's promising.

Any idea how long the deal is?

[Mark Breen]

Any idea how long the deal is?

To be honest i think we're tying up the deal today, i'd assume its a season long deal but with conditions were as if you pick up injurys you can call him back with only a weeks notice, which is pritty standard loan terms.

Have you seenm him play Dazzy ???

[Dazzy]

Seen him a few times, Not a bad player, but definatly needs games.

[Lim till i die]

why? because we lost two defenders, we had a shockin defence last seaon, so it cant get worse, i wouldnt worry well see in two weeks anyway, still a junior side, not sayin youll be s*** forever, but it will take a while same happened when we joined the leauge as was the others who joined with us back in 85, wexford are in the same boat, youe expecting to much to soon, its still a new club dont forget that

Back Four: Brian Buckley, Paul Finucane, Pat Purcell, Nigel Keady......... That's why ;)

Still a Junior side?? Don't comment on a team you obviously haven't a clue about

Expecting too much.......... You think Cobh will finish second :rolleyes:

We should struggle for the first two weeks after that we'll be grand, don't worry :ball:

[Lim till i die]

Top 4 - Harps, Athlone, Dundalk, Wexford
Middle - Kilkenny, Cobh, Kildare, Monaghan
Bottom - Shels, Limerick 37

In that order. Top four have invested, either in players or infrastructure (in Wexfords case), and middle order have a bit of history in either this division or at management level.
Bottom two have very little going for them, in Shel's case they have a great history, but no future, and in Limerick's case they are so late assembling a team that it's difficult to see how they can be competitive.

Clueless :ball:

[harps1954]

1st Harps
2nd Dundalk
3rd Shels
4th Athlone
5th Cobh
6th Limerick
7th Kildare County
8th Monaghan United
9th Wexford Youths
10th Kilkenny

Looking at the squads, Harps and Dundalk seem to have the strongest squads. Athlone look very strong this year as well and will push for a play-off spot. Shels squad is starting to take shape, but the fact they haven't played together yet might mean a slow start - but I reckon they will finish strong. Cobh have lost a few players while Limerick are under new managment and could take time to settle. I think the other four could finish in any order in the bottom four to be honest.

This season 1st goes up automatically while 2nd and 3rd play in a one-off play off match at the home of the team that finishes in second place. The winner of this play-off then plays the 2nd last team in the Premier. Can't understand why the FAI have decided to have a one-leg semi-final to be honest.

[Lim till i die]

This season 1st goes up automatically while 2nd and 3rd play in a one-off play off match at the home of the team that finishes in second place. The winner of this play-off then plays the 2nd last team in the Premier. Can't understand why the FAI have decided to have a one-leg semi-final to be honest.

What a crappy, two bit system :eek:

[jebus]

.

This season 1st goes up automatically while 2nd and 3rd play in a one-off play off match at the home of the team that finishes in second place. The winner of this play-off then plays the 2nd last team in the Premier. Can't understand why the FAI have decided to have a one-leg semi-final to be honest.

In case Shels finish third?

[don ramo]

Back Four: Brian Buckley, Paul Finucane, Pat Purcell, Nigel Keady......... That's why ;)

Still a Junior side?? Don't comment on a team you obviously haven't a clue about

Expecting too much.......... You think Cobh will finish second :rolleyes:

We should struggle for the first two weeks after that we'll be grand, don't worry :ball:

well second our third as i said where did you finnish last season? below us and and your club dissapered, we lost two players of a bad defence so thats not bad, how many players have you taken form the former club you supported, where are all these eircom league expierienc players comin from, im being realistic last year we were fourth and two teams above us were promoted, dundalk are the strongest, we all agree on that, harps bought player but will they gel that is why we may finnish third, shels wont do great they owe money a lot of money (sorry if that a bad comment but its fact) so where are they gettin money for a challengeing squad, id like to know so i can go and get it myself,

[jebus]

well second our third as i said where did you finnish last season? below us and and your club dissapered, we lost two players of a bad defence so thats not bad, how many players have you taken form the former club you supported, where are all these eircom league expierienc players comin from, im being realistic last year we were fourth and two teams above us were promoted, dundalk are the strongest, we all agree on that, harps bought player but will they gel that is why we may finnish third, shels wont do great they owe money a lot of money (sorry if that a bad comment but its fact) so where are they gettin money for a challengeing squad, id like to know so i can go and get it myself,

Are match days in Cobh still gonna be doubling as the free local creche by the way?

[Lim till i die]

well second our third as i said where did you finnish last season? below us and and your club dissapered, we lost two players of a bad defence so thats not bad,

Cobh Rmbs
In
Jamie Nolan (Cork C)
Brian McCarthy (Cobh R)

Out
David Breen (Waterford Utd)
Anthony Fennelly (Free)
Robert Brosnan (Waterford Utd)
Willie Bruton (Waterford Utd)
Packie Holden (Waterford Utd)
Darren Murphy (Cork C)

:rolleyes:

[Lim till i die]

Are match days in Cobh still gonna be doubling as the free local creche by the way?

Now, now, jebus, the sailors promised those single mothers the world only to abandon them

Let them have their Saturday nights off, the kids are alright :)

[don ramo]

Cobh Rmbs
In
Jamie Nolan (Cork C)
Brian McCarthy (Cobh R)

Out
David Breen (Waterford Utd)
Anthony Fennelly (Free)
Robert Brosnan (Waterford Utd)
Willie Bruton (Waterford Utd)
Packie Holden (Waterford Utd)
Darren Murphy (Cork C)

:rolleyes:

ya recheck you said i knew notin of your squad which is bs, you know absoulutly notin of our squad there are only two regulars gone breen wasnt all that and murphy got sent off to much, they were the defence which was s***e last year ill say that, as for the others fennelly didnt play, brosnan went on loan just as we got good last year bruton didnt play, holen was a rotating keeper with McCarthy, any more for me to clear up for ya

and jebus doenst matter if its a cresh its not even a cresh its the under age teams and there friends, some are the older supporters kids to, as long a speople are supprotin the team i dont care some kids run amoke that was always the way but the teens follow the team, there the future support for the club, wheres yers, wnet up there last year not as many as was at our ground, and thats a fact

[jebus]

and jebus doenst matter if its a cresh its not even a cresh its the under age teams and there friends, some are the older supporters kids to, as long a speople are supprotin the team i dont care some kids run amoke that was always the way but the teens follow the team, there the future support for the club, wheres yers, wnet up there last year not as many as was at our ground, and thats a fact

Oh dear.......

Cobh schoolboy supporters, if ever there was an advertisement for introducing ASBOs in Ireland.....

[Lim till i die]

ya recheck you said i knew notin of your squad which is bs, you know absoulutly notin of our squad there are only two regulars gone breen wasnt all that and murphy got sent off to much, they were the defence which was s***e last year ill say that, as for the others fennelly didnt play, brosnan went on loan just as we got good last year bruton didnt play, holen was a rotating keeper with McCarthy, any more for me to clear up for ya

and jebus doenst matter if its a cresh its not even a cresh its the under age teams and there friends, some are the older supporters kids to, as long a speople are supprotin the team i dont care some kids run amoke that was always the way but the teens follow the team, there the future support for the club, wheres yers, wnet up there last year not as many as was at our ground, and thats a fact

The In Column would bother me if I was a Cobh fan sonny :rolleyes:

It matters that it's a creche because they're all running around like apes as opposed to watching the game. Could you not get a cage for em or something??

Anyways........... Any idea where your playing your first game yet??