2022 Predictions list

1.Rovers
2.Pats
3. Sligo
4. Derry
5. Dundalk
6. Drogheda
7-10 - Will be a ding dong relegation battle between Shels, Bohs, Finn Harps.
Bohs needed that cup win so bad so paper over the massive cracks that was their flop season. Whilst they will be delighted with winning the jersey trophy, best literary new comer and yet again being climate consciose, I can see things turning very sour up there between the hipsters and the fake hipsters.
Shels have recruited better than expected but the hiring of duff seems to have deflected from a bang average squad with very little depth. They are still very much a first division club IMO , and arent ready yet to step up to premier level, but not far off it. Duff will absolutely walk out half way through too, which wont help things.
UCD : who knows.... i dont anyway. could be decent , could be woeful and break some woeful records.
Harps : Ollie just knows how to do this.
Shels and Bohs my favourites to go down.

Cup : Pats
Top scorer : M Doyle
First Manager : Stephen O'Donnell

1. Shamrock Rovers
2 Derry
3 St Pats
4 Dundalk
5 Sligo
6 Bohs
7 Shelbourne
8 Finn Harps
9 UCD
10 Drogheda

FAI Cup Derry

1st division

1 Waterford
2Galway
3 Bray
4 Cork
5 Treaty
6 Longford
7 Wexford
8 Cobh
9 Athlone

Premier Division :

1.Derry
2.Rovers
3.Bohs
4.Dundalk
5.Pats
6.Sligo
7.Shels
8.Harps
9.UCD
10.Drogs

First Division:

1.Waterford
2.Galway
3.Treaty
4.Bray
5.Cork
6.Longford
7.Wexford
8.Cobh
9.Athlone

Top scorer:Eoin Doyle
FAI Cup: Pats
First manager gone: Bucko

Party Saint, has your account been hacked, Snake FC (loved that from another Pats fan last week on here) in 4th and higher than Pats?

Bohs 3rd..................brave.

Premier Division :

1. Rovers
2. Pats
3. Derry
4. Dundalk
5. Bohs
6. Sligo
7. Shels
8. Harps
9. Drogheda
10. UCD


First Division:


1. Galway
2. Bray
3. Waterford
4. Cork
5. Wexford
6. Longford
7. Treaty
8. Cobh
9. Athlone
Top scorer: McGonigle
FAI Cup: Derry
First manager gone: Duff

Expecting the top 3, 4-7 and the bottom 3 in the premier to be fairly set. Rovers should have enough to stay out in front, I think it might be next season before Derry really click up a gear. First division could be a lottery. Wexford finished last season quite well and seem to have signed well, could be a surprise package and push for promotion. I've only picked McGonigle for top scorer because he's second favourite on Paddy Power and I don't think it will be Doyle. Duff is too unpredictable and I don't think he'll enjoy the stress of managing in the League of Ireland. If he makes it past April he might stick it out.

Premier Division :

1. Shams
2. Derry
3. Pats
4. Bohs
5. Dundalk
6. Sligo
7. Harps
8. Shels
9. Drogs
10. UCD

First Division:

1. Waterford
2. Galway
3. Cork
4. Bray
5. Treaty
6. Longford
7. Wexford
8. Cobh
9. Athlone

Top scorer: Jamie McGonigle
FAI Cup: Derry
First manager gone: Duff

Prem.

1. Rovers
2. Derry (wouldn’t be too surprised if they do pip Rovers)
3. Dundalk
4. Bohs
5. Pats (very close 3, 4, 5)
6. Sligo
7. Drogs
8. Shels
9. Harps
10. UCD

1st div
1. Galway
2. Cork
3. Waterford
4. Treaty
5. Bray
6. Longford
7. Wexford
8. Cobh
9. Athlone

top scorer; huuuuuban
fai cup; Derry (or Rovers!)
first manager gone: duff

Premier Division :

1.Rovers
2.Pats
3.Derry
4.Dundalk
5.Bohs
6.Shels
7.Sligo
8.UCD
9.Drogheda
10.Harps


First Division:

1.Waterford
2.Galway
3.Cork
4.Longford
5.Bray
6.Treaty
7.Wexford
8.Athlone
9.Cobh

Top scorer: Doyle
FAI Cup: Derry
First manager gone: Horgans time in Harps will come to an end

For the PD, unless there is a collapse in form or a big surprise, you are looking at a 1-2-3 of Rovers, Derry, Pats,

It is of course possible for this not to happen, just see what price you would get from bookies for this exact order, I would think high odds, but that said, maybe Pats may overtake Derry, personally I don't think they will and for me Rovers to retain it. Derry will be much closer next season, could be 50/50 at that stage, signings dependent on the top clubs.

The harder section to call will be 4th to 6th, runners and riders being Bohs, Dundalk and Sligo, as posted a few days ago, I`m downgrading our expectations based on strength of the MF, again like the top 3 order, might be in for surprise and the MF might rise to the occasion, but I just think we are quite inexperienced in there.

Bohs and Sligo have not strengthened either so its wide open who gets 4th, prob Bohs for me favs at the min, but will all depend on how the first month or so goes, we should have a better idea then, and more so after the first 4 or 5 games.

1. Shams
2 Pats
3 Derry
4 Bohs
5 Dundalk
6 Shels
7 Harps
8 Sligo
9 Drogs
10 UCD

First Division
1 Galway
2 Waterford
3 Cork
4 Treaty
5 Bray
6 Longford
7 Wexford
8 Cobh
9 Athlone

Quote:

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Originally Posted by oriel

Party Saint, has your account been hacked, Snake FC (loved that from another Pats fan last week on here) in 4th and higher than Pats?

Bohs 3rd..................brave.

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I think Bohs have done some good business in the off season and the pressure is off them this year whereas last season they were the ones expected to challenge Rovers and I don't think Long could handle the pressure.. I can see them having a really good season. Mallon back after a bad injury will be like a new signing for them as well.

As for Dunadlk 4th/Pats 5th. We've lost the spine of or team and our manager from last season and I don't think we've strengthened with the players or manager that we've brought in bar Eoin Doyle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

I think Bohs have done some good business in the off season and the pressure is off them this year whereas last season they were the ones expected to challenge Rovers and I don't think Long could handle the pressure.. I can see them having a really good season. Mallon back after a bad injury will be like a new signing for them as well.

As for Dunadlk 4th/Pats 5th. We've lost the spine of or team and our manager from last season and I don't think we've strengthened with the players or manager that we've brought in bar Eoin Doyle.

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it was only the presidents cup but Pats looked better than i expected Friday. Mark Doyle looks a great pick up added to likes of burns forrestor and E.Doyle. All depends on the keeper for Pats and how he bounces back from Friday. I think they'll be challenging if hes in any way average at all

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Derry City
3. St. Patrick's Athletic
4. Sligo Rovers
5. Dundalk
6. Bohemians
7. Shelbourne
8. U.C.D
9. Drogheda United
10. Finn Harps


1. Waterford
2. Galway United
3. Cork City
4. Bray Wanderers
5. Treaty United
6. Wexford
7. Longford Town
8. Cobh Ramblers
9. Athlone Town

My main takeaways - Shamrock Rovers have retained almost everyone and added Jack Byrne, they should be too strong.

Derry City have added a lot of players, and there will be a period of bedding in for them, but once they get going, they should kick into gear and clinch second with a really strong squad.

Pats should finish in the top three, they've lost a few quality players, but they've also added a few, none more important than Eoin Doyle. Goals win games. I'd be way about their GK though, he would not fill me with confidence.

Positions 4-7 could change around a bit, a lot will depend on injuries. I feel O'Donnell has signed well, but his squad is paper thin in areas and if he picks up a few injuries, Dundalk could struggle. Damien Duff has made some really shrewd additions, however it will be a learning curve for his players (And him of course), but I think they'll have too much to be pulled into the bottom two. I worry about the amount of players Bohemians have brought in on loan, they've lost a few decent players and I'm not sure they're strong enough to break into the top 4/5. Sligo Rovers look to have gone backwards a bit, they're another team that has lost significant quality and the players they've brought in to replace them are largely unknown quantities, but they have a strong spine, and if their signings click, they should be in the push for Europe.

At the ass end of the table, I think Ollie Horgan has finally run out of lives. The turnover in his squad has been ridiculous, I think Finn Harps have lost 11 players in the off-season. Ollie has had to gamble on a lot of players and the biggest problem I see is he's signed several players with injury issues (Hery, Donelon, Slevin to name a few), if a few of them are missing for a spell, Harps will really struggle.

Drogheda United and Finn Harps will duke it out for bottom I think, I don't expect too much from Kevin Doherty/Daire Doyle this year, I don't really rate either too highly. They've signed a lot of players of new players, including a good few journeyman types, IMO it will be a long season for them.

I fancy UCD to surprise people and survive. They play a lovely brand of football as most UCD's sides tend to, but they've got a lot of quality players, they won't change how they play and they'll probably get a few tankings, but they'll be brave and pinch a few results too. If they lose Kerrigan/Whelan in the Summer as is rumoured, that will be a huge blow, but my gut feeling is they will do enough to survive.

First Division, it's Waterford's title to lose it seems. I think it will be a three horse race for the title with Galway United contending with Cork City, but both look a bit short of quality compared to Waterford. Galway United's recruitment in particular has been questionable, and a lot will have to go in their favour to win the First Division.

Wexford could pip someone like Bray to the play-offs, that wouldn't surprise me, but Rob Manley and Kurtis Byrne should score enough goals to get a top 5 spot, even if their squad is overloaded with Cabinteely players. Treaty United have recruited well once again and I fancy them to repeat the act and squeak into the play-offs. The bottom two looks fairly set and I really don't expect too much from Longford this season.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Olander

I fancy UCD to surprise people and survive. They play a lovely brand of football as most UCD's sides tend to, but they've got a lot of quality players, they won't change how they play and they'll probably get a few tankings, but they'll be brave and pinch a few results too. If they lose Kerrigan/Whelan in the Summer as is rumoured, that will be a huge blow, but my gut feeling is they will do enough to survive.

First Division, it's Waterford's title to lose it seems. I think it will be a three horse race for the title with Galway United contending with Cork City, but both look a bit short of quality compared to Waterford. Galway United's recruitment in particular has been questionable, and a lot will have to go in their favour to win the First Division.

Wexford could pip someone like Bray to the play-offs, that wouldn't surprise me, but Rob Manley and Kurtis Byrne should score enough goals to get a top 5 spot, even if their squad is overloaded with Cabinteely players. Treaty United have recruited well once again and I fancy them to repeat the act and squeak into the play-offs. The bottom two looks fairly set and I really don't expect too much from Longford this season.

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its interesting that you think ucd play a good brand of football, galway done a number on them in their meetings last season imo. limited them to very little. in all their meetings with (a poor) cork there was very little between the teams too with ucd being the better side in the game down here for sure, the other 2 not so much. i'll keep a keen eye on them for kerrigan whelan and keaney but i have to say i was really underwhelmed by them last season. there is scope for improvement with them all due to their age but for me they are a good bit off the 2019 side.
Was going to ask what Galway fans made of their recruitment , seems poor to me. JC wont change for anyone but he could really do with adding a bit of nous in the middle and some real pace out wide in that galway side. Hurley is a player i think but the other 2 in the middle dont inspire me much if youre in the game of retaining the ball and playing teams off the park for 90. Keating has looked pretty good in my 2 sightings of him with Cork i have to say, hes playing as a no9 down here not a winger mind you. Right back will hurt us this season with walkers injury, kargbo isnt good enough and we've no other cover there. A real sickener to lose Walker like that. Massive question marks over GKs too , not convinced by harrington or corcoran which only leaves OAP Nulty who has been done with a few years.

1.Rovers
2.Derry
3.Dundalk
4.Pats
5.Bohs
6.Sligo
7.Shels
8.Drogheda
9.Harps
10.UCD

First Division:

1.Waterford
2.Galway
3.Cork
4.Bray
5.Treaty
6.Longford
7.wexford
8.Cobh
9.Athlone

Top scorer:Jamie McGonigle
FAI Cup:Derry
First manager gone:Duff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PartySaint

I think Bohs have done some good business in the off season and the pressure is off them this year whereas last season they were the ones expected to challenge Rovers and I don't think Long could handle the pressure.. I can see them having a really good season. Mallon back after a bad injury will be like a new signing for them as well.

As for Dunadlk 4th/Pats 5th. We've lost the spine of or team and our manager from last season and I don't think we've strengthened with the players or manager that we've brought in bar Eoin Doyle.

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We took the joint seventh worst defence in the league and replaced them with the lads who were stuck on the bench. With our back four, we're likely to be closer to the bottom three than the top three.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PartySaint

I think Bohs have done some good business in the off season and the pressure is off them this year whereas last season they were the ones expected to challenge Rovers and I don't think Long could handle the pressure.. I can see them having a really good season. Mallon back after a bad injury will be like a new signing for them as well.

As for Dunadlk 4th/Pats 5th. We've lost the spine of or team and our manager from last season and I don't think we've strengthened with the players or manager that we've brought in bar Eoin Doyle.

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I suspect that as the season unfolds we will realise that we have in fact strengthened in the manager department

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patsdad

I suspect that as the season unfolds we will realise that we have in fact strengthened in the manager department

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If Clancy does better than second and winning the Cup I would be extremely impressed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jd2793

its interesting that you think ucd play a good brand of football, galway done a number on them in their meetings last season imo. limited them to very little. in all their meetings with (a poor) cork there was very little between the teams too with ucd being the better side in the game down here for sure, the other 2 not so much. i'll keep a keen eye on them for kerrigan whelan and keaney but i have to say i was really underwhelmed by them last season. there is scope for improvement with them all due to their age but for me they are a good bit off the 2019 side.
Was going to ask what Galway fans made of their recruitment , seems poor to me. JC wont change for anyone but he could really do with adding a bit of nous in the middle and some real pace out wide in that galway side. Hurley is a player i think but the other 2 in the middle dont inspire me much if youre in the game of retaining the ball and playing teams off the park for 90. Keating has looked pretty good in my 2 sightings of him with Cork i have to say, hes playing as a no9 down here not a winger mind you. Right back will hurt us this season with walkers injury, kargbo isnt good enough and we've no other cover there. A real sickener to lose Walker like that. Massive question marks over GKs too , not convinced by harrington or corcoran which only leaves OAP Nulty who has been done with a few years.

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They do play a good brand in fairness, and yes you're right, we did beat them well in Terryland and our best performance of the season was probably when we beat them easily in Belfield, but at the end of the day, they went up. They absolutely dismantled Waterford in the final after a shaky start, and came through against a Bray Wanderers team that we somehow failed to score against over 180 minutes of football. They've kept all their best players. They'll definitely be on the end of a few rough results in the coming season but I fancy them to just stay up.

I wouldn't say it would be a shock if ourselves or Cork City won the First Division, like Waterford aren't huge favourites, but they seem the strongest. A lot will have to click for us to win it I feel. We've taken a chance bringing in two Spanish players, they'll have to hit the ground running. In fairness to JC, last year in ways, we were unlucky. Ronan Manning tore his ACL after only a few weeks and another promising player, Francely Lomboto, broke his leg in our final pre-season game, they both missed the entire season. Hurley will be a key player for us this year, last season he was used mostly as an attacking midfielder and he seemed like a fish out of water, he seems to have been restored to a deeper role now and looks much more at home. Our gameplan will never revolve around retaining the ball, that's not JC's style, it's going to go forward, and then we have to hope the attackers he has brought in adapt to how he wants to play.

Hopefully Waterford being a bit of a basketcase of a club rears its ugly head again this season and we can take advantage of that.

Galway definitely have had a bit of a hex over us the last two years - haven't beaten them once. Galway needed late equalisers to claim 2-2 draws twice, and we were beaten 2-0, 3-0 and 4-1 in the other meetings.

It's strange as I'm sure even Galway fans will agree they underachieved in those two years, but then turned it on against us, which seems a bit unfair.

I do worry a bit that a full season in a big boys' league will be a problem, but I guess we markedly improved from 2020 (when we took one point off the top half of the First Division) to 2021, and have more or less the same squad going into 2022, so if this is the peak of our cycle, that gives us a sporting chance of being pummeled throughout 2023.