Premier Division - preview 2014

St Patrick's Athletic

GK and defence
They were the best defense last season, led by the best keeper of the league, B. Clark (with eighteen clean sheets in thirty games). One of the best pairs of fullbacks in the league, a new captain G. O'Brien and I. Bermingham remained at the club, but former captain C. Kenna had gone. Thus, central defense is weakened, but regular K. Browne, young S. Hoare with a new duo from Shamrock (K. Oman & D. Foran) will try to maintain the level from the previous year.
rating: 3/5

Midfield
It is true that important midfielder J. Russell left the team, but other key players K. Brennan (PFAI player of the last season), G. Bolger (named in PFAI team of the last season), C. Forrester (U21 international was PFAI young player of the 2012) and C. Byrne (club's topscorer last year) stayed. When we add some new ones, experienced (K. Fahey, J. Chambers) and young (L. Lynch, C. McCormack) it can be concluded that this is a terrible quality midfield with plenty of good options.
rating: 5/5

Attack
promising striker C. Fagan (who was top scorer with Pats in 2012 and with Bohs in 2011) will lead the attacking line again this season. D. Kavanagh will wait for a chance from the bench, while M. Quigley (PFAI player of the year in 2012) arrived to replace A. Flood - club's top scorer in the league last season. If the new one would have had better luck with fitness than last season, it won't be weaker attack.
rating: 4/5

Coaching and other factors
Manager: Liam Buckley (age 53)
The Saints are playing great football since he became their coach for the second time in 2012 (has won the two League titles with them). Also, he was the coach of Athlone and Shamrock, and has won the FAI Cup with Sporting Fingal in his coaching career. Clubs with him at the helm have almost always been convincing against UCD (24:6) and Bray (19:8) with seven wins, one draw and one defeat. Former UCD boss (for five years) Martin Russell is a new assistant manager. He has previously been at the club as both a player and coach, playing from 1998 till 2003, and remaining on the coaching staff till 2005.
rating: 5/5

average rating: 4.25

Sligo Rovers

GK and defence
Quite the same as last season. G. Rodgers (the best keeper of the league in 2012) is between the sticks, captain G. Peers, tall E. McMillan and new K. Spillane make the central defense. There are also right back A. Keane (probably the club's best defender last season) with younger J. Henderson, S. Connelly and D. Ledwith (replaced I. Davoren - the only one defensive departure, at left-back).
rating: 5/5

Midfield
R. Gaynor and A. Greene remained on the left side, while J. Ndo, K. Djilali and D. Cawley are another regular midfielders who re-signed. Though, a former captain and defensive midfielder D. Ventre and promising one L. Lynch have gone. Instead of them there are P. O'Connor and J. Russell who were very good in their clubs last year.
rating: 4/5

Attack
A club legend R. Cretaro is re-signed and D. North is fully fit compared to last season, so they are supposed to be the biggest threat to opponents this year. Also there is a new tandem E. Odhiambo & S. Maguire (on loan) who arrived from England. Nevertheless, the question is how offensive line will work without last year's top scorer A. Elding and talented D. McMillan.
rating: 3/5

Coaching and other factors
Manager: Ian Baraclough (age 43)
He continued the tradition of English managers at Showsgrounds after the departure of Paul Cook in 2011. He got a contract extension after two good seasons (only coach in Rovers history who won the two biggest domestic trophies). He has achieved a very good record against Derry City so far (5-1-0, 13:4). A former England internacional Gary Stevens is his assistant coach.
rating: 4/5

average rating: 4.00

Shamrock Rovers

GK and defence
Except experienced B. Murphy (goalie) and J. McGuinness (centre back) the whole defense is the new. S. Madden replaced P. Sullivan at right back, L. Byrne instead C. Powell on the left. Former Pats captain C. Kenna with young D. O'Connor and R. Cornwall replaced K. Oman and D. Foran in the heart of the defense. Time will tell whether the new replacements are worthy, but it seems that defense is now more talented and more ambitious as they brought players who were defensive leaders in their teams.
rating: 4/5

Midfield
Key players in the past few seasons R. Finn and G. McCabe have been re-signed, but experienced S. Rice and B. Dennehy left the team. However, a very talented K. Waters and R. Brennan with experienced S. McPhail arrived, so and this part of the team is rejuvenated, and it appears that it shouldn't reduce the quality.
rating: 4/5

Attack
A lethal striker C. Kilduff returned after a great half-season at Cork and it was the biggest boost in the attack. Also, D. Kelly (Shels top scorer last season) arrived after M. Quigley and T. Stewart left the team. K. Sheppard is another young and talented striker, while E. Zayed is the most experienced one. If they avoid injuries, the attack would have to be better than last season.
rating: 4/5

Coaching and other factors
Manager: Trevor Croly (age 39)
Last season was his first as a manager. He was an assistant in St Patrick's (one season) and Shamrock (two seasons) previously. Although he took the League Cup, Leinster Senior Cup and Setanta Cup last year, he is under pressure since the biggest club in the country didn't secure playing in Europe. However, the question is how he will cope with a lot of new players.
rating: 3/5

average rating: 3.75

Dundalk

GK and defence
This part of the team suffered minimum changes. P. Cherrie, M. Rossiter, A. Boyle and D. Massey are key players over there. It should be noted that all defenders were new players before the start of last season, so we should expect a slightly better performance from them than in their debut season. But still don't have a great choice of players.
rating: 3/5

Midfield
The team left a few midfielders who haven't had important role (except J. Dillon), but key players like S. O'Donnell (captain) and R. Towell (the best young player of the league last year) are re-signed. In addition one very experienced R. Higgins and one very promising D. Horgan arrived and it looks really good.
rating: 4/5

Attack
Quite young offensive line is led by last year's top scorer P. Hoban. There is also K. Byrne with new signings M. Griffin (a returnee) and D. McMillan (UCD's top scorer in the last two seasons). Probably more dangerous attack than even the previous year.
rating: 4/5

Coaching and other factors
Manager: Stephen Kenny (age 42)
He became the youngest manager in the LOI history when he took over Longford Town at the age of 27. Also he was manager of Bohemians, Derry City and Shamrock. He got a new contract after a very good last season at Oriel Park. As the manager has an excellent record against several clubs so far: v UCD (9-2-1, 32:13) and v Drogs (12-3-2, 30:11).
rating: 5/5

average rating: 4.00

This is how I see the most serious candidates for the title this season. Feel free to give a reply to any part that doesn't sound fair for you.

S Kenny 5 out of 5, not too sure about that, are you a Dundalk fan?:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

S Kenny 5 out of 5, not too sure about that, are you a Dundalk fan?:)

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No, I just rated him and Buckley as two of the best managers in the league.

fair play

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website http://www.stpatsfc.com/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...hletic-FC.aspx

GK and defence
They were the best defense last season, led by the best keeper of the league, B. Clark (with eighteen clean sheets in thirty games). One of the best pairs of fullbacks in the league, a new captain G. O'Brien and I. Bermingham remained at the club, but former captain C. Kenna had gone. Thus, central defense is weakened, but regular K. Browne, young S. Hoare with a new duo from Shamrock (K. Oman & D. Foran) will try to maintain the level from the previous year.
rating: 3/5

Midfield
It is true that important midfielder J. Russell left the team, but other key players K. Brennan (PFAI player of the last season), G. Bolger (named in PFAI team of the last season), C. Forrester (U21 international who was PFAI young player of the 2012) and C. Byrne (club's topscorer last year) stayed. When we add some new ones, experienced (K. Fahey, J. Chambers) and young (L. Lynch, C. McCormack) it can be concluded that this is a terrible quality midfield with plenty of good options.
rating: 5/5

Attack
promising striker C. Fagan (who was top scorer with Pats in 2012 and with Bohs in 2011) will lead the attacking line again this season. D. Kavanagh will wait for a chance from the bench, while M. Quigley (PFAI player of the year in 2012) arrived to replace A. Flood - club's top scorer in the league last season. If the new one would have had better luck with fitness than last season, it won't be weaker attack.
rating: 4/5

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Manager: Liam Buckley (age 53)
The Saints are playing great football since he became their coach for the second time in 2012 (has won the two League titles with them). Also, he was the coach of Athlone and Shamrock, and has won the FAI Cup with Sporting Fingal in his coaching career. Clubs with him at the helm have almost always been convincing against UCD (24:6) and Bray (19:8) with seven wins, one draw and one defeat. Former UCD boss (for five years) Martin Russell is a new assistant manager. He has previously been at the club as both a player and coach, playing from 1998 till 2003, and remaining on the coaching staff till 2005.
rating: 5/5

*if they were a big European club: They’d be Arsenal. Similar kits and a team from the capital who have successful spells over the years without being dominant.

overall rating: 4.25
What to say, the current champion is even stronger this season, especially as far as the coaching staff and their midfield. Yet, they were the best defensive team last year, and there is little doubt after the departure of captain C. Kenna who represented the leadership. However, they have a team capable of defending the title and worthy of a decent performance in Europe (also expected to be strongly motivated in the FAI Cup waiting for the title over 50 years).

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website http://www.sligorovers.com/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...go-Rovers.aspx

GK and defence
Quite the same as last season. G. Rodgers (the best keeper of the league in 2012) is between the sticks, captain G. Peers, tall E. McMillan and new K. Spillane make the central defense. There are also right back A. Keane (probably the club's best defender last season) with younger J. Henderson, S. Connelly and D. Ledwith (new one who replaced I. Davoren - the only one defensive departure, at left-back). Probably the strongest defensive line in the league at the moment.
rating: 5/5

Midfield
R. Gaynor and A. Greene remained on the left side, while J. Ndo (club's player of the last year), K. Djilali (attacking midfielder was named in the RTE team of the last season) and D. Cawley (young and talented midfielder) are another regulars who are re-signed. Though, a former captain - defensive midfielder D. Ventre and promising one L. Lynch have gone. Instead of them there are P. O'Connor and J. Russell who were very good in their clubs last year.
rating: 4/5

Attack
Club legend R. Cretaro is re-signed and D. North is fully fit compared to last season, so they are supposed to be the biggest threat to opponents this year. Also there is a new tandem E. Odhiambo & S. Maguire (on loan) who arrived from English clubs. They both are promising strikers, but despite this the question is how offensive line will work without last year's top scorer A. Elding and talented D. McMillan. I have my doubts that it will be the same.
rating: 3/5

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Manager: Ian Baraclough (age 43)
He continued the tradition of English managers at Showsgrounds after the departure of Paul Cook in 2011. He got a contract extension after two good seasons (only coach in Rovers history who won the two biggest domestic trophies). He has achieved a very good record against Derry City so far (5-1-0, 13:4). A former England internacional Gary Stevens is his assistant coach.
rating: 4/5

*if they were a big European club: They’d be Chelsea – Cup specialists and always a force in the league.

overall rating: 4.00
The Bit o' Red have been the dominant team in the FAI Cup over the past few years, appearing in four of the last five finals - but it seems to me that their main goal this season is once again winning the title which they won two years ago. Despite some bad stuff such are departures of captain and top scorer from last season, I thought they have a great chance. However, captain and experienced centre back who is the longest serving player at the club, G. Peers will most likely be out for the first half of the season due to injury. In the end, I just know that it will significantly weaken their strongest part of the team.

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website http://www.dundalkfc.com/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/Ireland/Dundalk.aspx

GK and defence
This part of the team suffered minimum changes. P. Cherrie (had even 16 clean sheets in 33 games last season), A. Boyle (talented centre back who was Dundalk player’s player of the last year), M. Rossiter and D. Massey are key players over there. It should be noted that all defenders came before the start of last season, so we should expect a slightly better performance from them now than in their first season together. With G. Sava, who came from the neighboring rivals, they certainly have the best goalie tandem in the league, but still don't have a great choice of defenders.
rating: 3/5

Midfield
The team left a few midfielders who haven't had important role (except J. Dillon), but key players like S. O'Donnell (captain) and R. Towell (the best young player of the league last year) are re-signed. In addition, one very experienced midfielder R. Higgins and one very promising winger D. Horgan (U21 international and one of the best young players in the league) arrived during the transfer period and it seems that the club has done a very good job here, in line with expectations.
rating: 4/5

Attack
A fairly young offensive line is led by last year's top scorer P. Hoban (who also was Mervue's top scorer in 2012). Also, there is K. Byrne (who made a spectacular back home after a seven-year stay in the UK) with the new signings M. Griffin (a returnee) and D. McMillan (UCD's top scorer in the last two seasons). Off the bench strikers V. Faherty and T. Mulvenna moved away, but it is likely more dangerous attack than even the previous year.
rating: 4/5

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Manager: Stephen Kenny (age 42)
He became the youngest manager in the LOI history when he took over Longford Town (won promotion to the Premier Division, reached an FAI Cup final and subsequently, qualified for the UEFA Cup) at the age of 27. Also he was manager of Bohemians (won the Premier Division title in 2003), Derry City (won the FAI Cup once, the First Division once and the League Cup four times) and Shamrock (a turbulent time). He got a new contract after a very good last season at Oriel Park. As the manager has an excellent record against several clubs so far: v UCD (9-2-1, 32:13) and v Drogs (12-3-2, 30:11).
rating: 5/5

*if they were a big European club: They’d be Liverpool. Dominant for a couple of decades then went off the radar for quite some time. Now bouncing back and their fans believing they are on the cusp of reliving former glory days.

overall rating: 4.00
They were definitely the biggest surprise last year as runner-up, given that finished on the 11th place a year earlier. This will be the second year at the club for the manager and plenty of young players and as a rule it should be a good thing for them. It's true that the defense still looks like at least a good part of the team, but it is expected that the entire team perform more compact this season, especially when they are playing at Oriel Park (on their artificial pitch) which is more familiar to them now. I can see another good season for the Lilywhites and believe that they will have the strength to win any trophy after a while.

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website http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...k-Roversa.aspx

GK and defence
Except experienced B. Murphy (goalie) and J. McGuinness (centre back) the whole defense is the new. S. Madden (returnee who was named in the RTE team of the last season) replaced captain P. Sullivan at right back, talented L. Byrne instead C. Powell on the left. Former Pats' captain C. Kenna with young D. O'Connor and R. Cornwall replaced K. Oman and D. Foran in the heart of the defense. Time will tell whether the new replacements are worthy, but it seems that defense is more talented and more ambitious as they brought players who were defensive leaders in their teams.
rating: 4/5

Midfield
Key players in the past few seasons R. Finn (their player of the year in 2012 and top scorer in 2013) and G. McCabe have been re-signed, but experienced S. Rice, B. Dennehy and J. Chambers left the team. However, a very talented K. Waters (Bray's player of the last two years) and R. Brennan (Drogs' key midfielder in last three seasons) with experienced S. McPhail (former Ireland international) arrived so and this part of the team is rejuvenated, but one shouldn't forget that very experienced S. Robinson and S. O'Connor remained at the club.
rating: 4/5

Attack
A lethal striker C. Kilduff returned after a great half-season at Cork and it should be the biggest boost in the front. Also, D. Kelly (Shels' top scorer last season) arrived after M. Quigley (the best player of the league in 2012 was injured some time) and T. Stewart (experienced Irish striker) left the team. K. Sheppard is another young and promising striker, while E. Zayed is the most experienced one. If they avoid injuries, the attack would have to be better than last season.
rating: 4/5

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Manager: Trevor Croly (age 39)
Last season was his first as a manager. He was an assistant in St Patrick's (one season) and Shamrock (two seasons) previously. Although he took the League Cup, Leinster Senior Cup and Setanta Cup last year, he is under pressure since the biggest club in the country didn't secure playing in Europe. He brought a more experienced fellow, former Dundalk manager, J. Hill in the coaching staff before the start of this season.
rating: 3/5

*if they were a big European club: They’d be Bayern Munich – Hugely successful club with a rich history and always looking to compete at the top end of the league each season.

overall rating: 3.75
As usual they have likely the strongest squad, but the most successful team in the country missed a place in the European qualification for the second year in a row. It is clear that the coach has the main responsibility for it and I'm not sure that inexperienced T. Croly is the right man for this place. They really took a lot of quality players once again, but at the same time were left without ones from the league winning teams of 2010 and 2011, and without those who were regular in last year's winning team of the League Cup and Setanta Cup. Still they can take advantage of fatigue of the opponents who will play in Europe, and will go on winning the FAI Cup and the top of the league in order to return in the the international competitions.

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website http://www.corkcityfc.ie/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...k-City-FC.aspx

GK and defence
Experienced goalkeeper M. McNulty is still there, but K. Spillane (young centre back), K. Murray (experienced centre back) and Danny Murphy (experienced left back) left the team. They have played an important role in the defense in the past, if not during the last season. Experienced centre back D. Murray (club legend), with younger J. Dunleavy (a new captain), G. Buckley (former captain of the club’s Under 19's double winning side who can as midfielder too) and D. Dennehy (centre back) remained key defenders, but decent newcomers haven't arrived there.
rating: 2/5

Midfield
They lost their two best midfielders in recent years, D. Horgan (U21 international and one of the best young players in the league) and S. Duggan (returned to his hometown club), but got four new - B. Dennehy, Darren Murphy, L. Kearney and D. O'Leary. Also, regulars G. Morrissey, I. Turner and C. Healy are re-signed. Yet the fact is that a lot will depend on the newcomers who are mostly experienced players who have already played for this club, so there shouldn't be a problems.
rating: 4/5

Attack
A lethal striker C. Kilduff returned to the Hoops after a six-month loan (11 goals in 14 games), but they get a tandem of proven and promising strikers - A. Elding (Sligo's topscorer last season) and M. Rafter (Dundalk's topscorer in 2012 and second the best in Derry last season). Another talented one D. Morrissey remained with the club, M. O'Sullivan and R. Lehane came from clubs that J. Cualfield led in the past, which makes a very solid strength forward and very likely better than last year.
rating: 4/5

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Manager: John Caulfield (age 49)T. Dunne left the team in 2013 after four seasons at Turner's Cross and a new manager is the club legend where he was 16 years as a player (the club's all time record appearance holder, as well as the top goal scorer of all time and was recently inducted into the Cork City Hall of Fame). He was manager of Avondale United and UCC previously. Another former City player John Cotter is new assistant manager (also he was captain of Avondale under John Caulfield).
rating: 3/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be Athletic Bilbao. A club from an independent republic who have flirted with success over the years and with raucous passionate home support.

overall rating: 3.25
They can be very unpredictable in this season for many reasons. Managerial change was certain task to be done since the team dropping a massive 14 points in the last five minutes of games last year, but although the club legend returns to the position of manager is delighted their fans it should be keep in mind that this is his first spell as manager in the League of Ireland. The Leesiders have lost three of four top scorer from last season, but on the other side there is a lot of experienced players who returned to the club and a lot of young talents from the best U19 team in the country in recent years. Ambitions and expectations are high, the objective is qualification to Europe in any way, and all this will largely depend on the performance and impact of the new manager. I'm just sure that they will be one of the most powerful teams at home in the league.

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website http://www.derrycityfc.net/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...erry-City.aspx

GK and defence
Experienced goalie G. Doherty (goalkeeper of the year in the league in 2011) and centre back R. McBride remained as a key players, but right back S. Madden, who was named in the RTE team of the last season, returned to the Hoops. Much will depend on how the new players C. Byrne (experienced centre back is the club new captain), R. Collins (the son of Derry coach R. Snr Collins) and some others (who don't have much experience of playing in this league) will adapt to the team.
rating: 2/5

Midfield
Their midfield lost three very experienced players R. Higgins, P. Kavanagh and K. Deery, but two also experienced - D. Ventre (ex captain and Player of the year in 2009 in Sligo), J. McGovern (the Scot who played mostly in the English League One) and two young - C. Burke, M. Timlin (both from Ipswich) arrived. Also there are S. McEleney (can play in the defense too), B. Molloy (ex captain), B. McNamee, M. Duffy and P. McEleney (all three of them are young and very talented) who are re-signed.
rating: 4/5

Attack
The good news is that the league top-scorer from last season R. Patterson stayed, but the other three young and talented attackers M. Rafter, D. McDaid and M. Griffin were gone. E. Curran (from Athlone) and M. Stewart (from Kilmarnock) are the new faces, but it should be noted that they don't have the experience of playing in the Premier Division and will be interesting to see how they will adapt there. However, it is certain that last year's best forward line in the league is weaker now.
rating: 3/5

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Manager: Roddy Collins (age 52)
D. Devine left the club at the end of last year after two solid seasons. A new manager Roddy Collins has achieved promotion to the Premier Division with Monaghan Utd (2011) and Athlone Town (2013), also won the Premier division and the FAI Cup with Bohs in 2001. His assistant is the club legend Peter Hutton, former Derry City captain (and interim coach twice) and ex Finn Harps manager.
rating: 4/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be AS Monaco. On and off success from a club which plays in a league outside of it’s geographical juristiction.

overall rating: 3.25
Although were secured playing in Europe in the last two years, the Candystripes brought in a new coach who is a very specific one. Derry City is the 10th club that Roddy Collinshas taken charge of on his 16-year managerial journey. They are hoping that he can with his extra motivation wake up club and took a long desired title. But like I said, he is very specific manager and things can go in the opposite direction easier than it appears. It is known that the club have always quite young and very talented players and this will be their strength and this time. Anyway, their primary (and more realistic) objective is definitely improved performance at home where they lost a third of matches last year.

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website http://bohemianfc.com/
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GK and defence
Young and talented left-back L. Byrne (player with the most appearances in the team last season) has gone, but R. Lopes (young centre back who doubled the number of appearances last season compared to the previous) and D. Pender (experienced defender who was a regular for more than five years in the PD) with goalie D. Delany stayed at the club. Experienced A. Price (he was player of the year in Shamrock in 2006) and young J. Memery are newcomers, but it appears that defense is nothing stronger than last year.
rating: 2/5

Midfield
Captain D. Mulcahy (the most experienced player and club player of the last season) with other regulars R. McEvoy (club top-scorer in the league last year), K. Buckley, S. Traynor (both from U19 team) and K. Moore (played for Man City youth team for four years) are re-signed, so midfield remained without important departures and with another two new players - experienced P. Kavanagh (was a key Shels player in 2012 season) and young C. Walsh (last season is its only one in the PD), looks decent.
rating: 3/5

Attack
It is true that club's top scorer in the last season C. Lyons moved to the First division (Shamrock Rovers B side), but experienced J. Byrne (the second highest goalscorer in the LOI history) and S. Beattie (played in North America and Iceland before returning to the homeland) joined to D. Corcoran (this is his second spell with the Bohs) and it's reasonably expected that one of the worst attacks last year (just bottom side Shelbourne hitting the back of the net on fewer occasions) being better this season.
rating: 3/5

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Manager: Owen Heary (age 37)
A legend of the club, former captain is the LOI player with the most European appearances. Finished his playing career at the end of last season, but he was assistant coach to A. Callaghan in 2012 and to B. Browne in 2013 (player-caretaker manager). Also coached Bohs' A team and U19 team in 2011, but now has a license for the coach of the first team. He is the youngest manager in the league and a man who commands respect from everyone in the league and he has all the credentials to make a successful transition from player to manager.
rating: 3/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be Valencia. A club who was always there or thereabouts at the business end of the season, had a financial crisis and are slowly recovering and showing signs of a full revival of fortunes.

overall rating: 2.75
The oldest league club in continuous existence in this country have become more experienced team with new signings and a new manager Owen Heary coached younger players in U19 team a couple of years back. All of this points to a better season than last, when they secured survival in the league only in the last round and dropped early from the cup competitions. This time, I can see them as an ambitious team with a lot of young players and some very experienced, which won't be an easy task for any opponent.

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website http://www.limerickfc.ie/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...merick-FC.aspx

GK and defence
There was a little changes in the break: centre back M. Leahy (ex UCD's captain and their player of the year in 2012) replaced experienced centre backs B. O'Callaghan and P. Purcell who had a lot of problems with injuries recently. Experienced goalkeeper B. Ryan (was their the best player and named in the RTE team of the last year) is re-signed, as well as other four regular defenders S. Folan, R. Williams, S. Kelly and P. Nzuzi for whom this will be the second season at the club. Also there is experienced centre back S. Oji (was part of Arsenal's youth team) who arrived close to the end of last season.
rating: 4/5

Midfield
Midfield lost three key players as J. Gamble (former captain) moved to Singapore, S. Bradley (former Pats and Shams player) was released and D. O'Leary (young and talented one) returned to his home town. The only one important newcomer is S. Duggan who was a key player at Cork for several years, but returned to his hometown club where is a new captain currently. Another novice is P. Agyemang who arrived from Ghanaian youth academy - Right to Dream. The good news is that promising wingers S. Tracy and D. Galbraith have re-signed.
rating: 2/5

Attack
They were very poor in the offensive last year and it seems that it won't be much better this time. Naturalized Belgian A. Bossekota (the second best scorer) is released and on the other hand only G. Coughlan arrived (returned from loan at Athlone). There are also R. Gaffney (the FD player of the year in 2012), C. Curran (club topscorer in the last season) and young, talented striker B. Sheedy. Yet it seems that it is not good enough to improve their performance of the previous season.
rating: 2/5

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Manager: Stuart Taylor (age 39)
A native of Glasgow is the former Drogheda player and ex Hamilton first-team coach. He came to Limerick before the start of last season from Qatari club where he was a coach. He has achieved maximum performance against Bohemians so far (3-0-0, 4:1), but there is a bad record for him against Derry City (0-0-3, 1:9).
rating: 3/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be Atletico Madrid. A former heavyweight of the domestic scene now barging it’s way back to the top table.

overall rating: 2.75
Newly promoted team had a fairly solid first top flight season in 19 years finishing in seventh place. Given that this will be the second season at the club for many players including manager also, it is expected that they appear better organized and better disciplined. On the other side, it should be noted that they did not do a good job in the transfer window - although they brought two good players, more experienced regular players left so that their average age is just 22 (only UCD have younger squad than them in the league) and it can be problem for the team.

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website http://athlonetownfc.ie/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...lone-Town.aspx

GK and defence
Regular keeper P. Skinner (had eleven clean sheets in 23 games last year), experienced centre back A. Collins (who is the club captain), another one C. McMahon with left back S. Byrne are re-signed. R. Collins Junior (moved to Derry following his father, last year's manager of the club) and R. Clarke (experienced left back) are regulars who left the team, but there are two experienced newcomers D. Prendergast (centre back who was captain and Drogs player of the year in 2012) and A. Byrne (probably the best defensive player in Drogheda last year who can play as midfielder too).
rating: 3/5

Midfield
B. Clancy (experienced left midfielder), M. Hughes (nominated in the FD team of the last year) and J. O'Brien (played only in the second half of the last season) are regurals who stayed at the club, while there is no important departure except G. Broughall who is released. On the other hand, J. Marks (left midfielder), K. Dillon (young midfielder who played with Hull City's youth team) and S. Brennan (very experienced central midfielder) arrived at the club.
rating: 2/5

Attack
The best news is extended contract for club's topscorer P. Gorman (the FD player of the last year). Young striker I. Sweeney is also re-signed, but another two young G. Coughlan (returned from loan to Limerick) and E. Curran (who scored 9 goals in 12 games for Salthill in the first half of last season) have gone. G. Rusk (striker who can play as midfielder has a lot of the PD experience) is the only arrival, and it seems that they are very thin in the offensive line.
rating: 1/5

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Manager: Mick Cooke (62 age)
The most experienced coach in the league arrived from Drogheda where he was in the last three seasons (was in Monaghan seven years previously). He achieved outstanding results with Drogs in 2012 (won League Cup and 2nd place in the league) and in 2013 (secured playing in three finals of the Setanta Cup, FAI cup and League Cup), but lost in all three. His clubs have played poorly against Shamrock (0-1-9) and Sligo (1-2-7) so far.
rating: 4/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be St Etienne. Huge in the 70s and 80s followed by a spell in the doldrums and now making a revival.

overall rating: 2.50
After 18 years they were surprisingly returned to the Premier Division mainly due to the coach Roddy Collins who made a great result in the first, but also his last season with the Town. Just the new coach is the club's greatest strength this year, when survival in the league is their only goal. Most of the incoming players have played under Mick Cooke on previous occasions so they will be used to his methods and this can only be of benefit to the side. As always happens, the transition won't be easy for the players who have no experience in the Premier Division, but they've a good chance in the struggle for survival.

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website http://www.droghedaunited.ie/
weather http://www.myweather2.com/Football/I...da-United.aspx

GK and defence
Italian goalie G. Sava left the team altough was excellent in 2011 and 2012, but he was was without clean sheets in 20 games last year. They also lost two very experienced defensive players: D. Prendergast (ex captain and club's player of the year in 2012) and A. Byrne (probably their best defensive player in the last season who can play as midfielder), with left back P. Hand also has gone. A new tandem in the heart of the defense make P. Andrews and C. McGuigan, players who have played abroad recently. Experienced key centre back A. McNally, S. Grimes (left back) and M. Daly (right back who was club player of the last year) are re-signed.
rating: 2/5

Midfield
And here they remained without three very important players: P. O'Connor (key defensive and central midfielder), R. Brennan (promising midfielder who was a very good in the last three seasons) and D. Cassidy (ex captain and player of the year in 2010 of Shelbourne). However, important news was G. Brennan's (key left midfielder who was club's player of the year in 2012 and named as the club new captain) and E. Foley's (talented midfielder) staying. Same time, there have arrived a new four experienced players: P. Crowley, D. Doyle, A. McCann and S. Maher, but three of them were hampered by injury in the last season.
rating: 3/5

Attack
Though P. Hynes (experienced striker returned in Longford Town where he was top scorer in 2010) and G. Rusk (can play as midfielder too) have gone, the two best strikers from last season D. O'Brien (club legend who was their top scorer in the last two seasons) and G. O'Neill (he has been diagnosed with cancer in 2013 but re-signed for Drogs as a player/coach) stayed at the club. In addition, experienced P. Hughes and young C. Walshe (both played at Shelbourne last year) came in the team.
rating: 3/5

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Manager: Robbie Horgan (age 45)
He was assistant to M. Cooke (who left the team at the end of the last season) in last three seasons, so this will be his first "solo job". He was goalkeeping coach at Sporting Fingal previously.
rating: 2/5

*if they were a big European club: They'd be Trabzonspor. Drogs are officially the brother club of Turkish giants, they share the same team colours.

overall rating: 2.50
They have the most experienced squad in the league, but also one of the smallest. The club also remained without the most experienced coach in the league so his former assistant has been promoted in that place, but even though he knows the club's situation it certainly won't be an easy job for him. Despite the fact that the team is weaker than last year, the Boneysiders are definitely not the worst (even on par with Limerick and Bohemians in my opinion), but they did the worst job as far as the change manager and that can lead to a fight for survival.

A few words about the remaining two teams next week... What are your opinions on this written so far, given that it was written by someone who has never been to Ireland :o

Very impressive.