Kenny admits retention will be tough

Kenny admits retention will be tough

Bohemians boss Stephen Kenny is under no illusions that retaining the eircom League crown will be harder than winning it last season.

The Bohs’ boss was talking in the build up to the start of the season next week. The champions are the bookies favourites to land the crown but Kenny knows that it will take a lot of hard work to achieve it.

“This season is going to be very different from the last one. It is going to be a lot harder for us to win the league for a variety of reasons,” admitted Kenny.

“It is always more difficult to retain a championship than to win it. And with a 36-game campaign it is going to be a long haul. I also think that more clubs will feature in the title race.

“Five or six clubs could seriously compete. We’ve got a good chance, but we know that it is not easily won and no matter how good you are, you need a little luck along the way.”

The improvements that the opposition have made will make things sticky for Bohs’ who were in a different class to their rivals for long spells last term.

“The big four Dublin clubs will all be in contention. Pats have gone full time. While Shamrock Rovers have made some good signings, then there’s Shels.

“Jason Byrne is a very good signing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Pat (Fenlon) feels that he has now got the final piece of the jigsaw in place. But we’ll be confident too.”



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