1st Division Odds

[Longfordian]

The First is a good bit stronger than it was then though imo. Due to Cork and Shels demotions largely but with wages coming down the "smaller" clubs can build better squads.

[Lim till i die]

Shels and Waterford are looking like definites for the two automatic promotion spots

[Sam_Heggy]

The First is a good bit stronger than it was then though imo. Due to Cork and Shels demotions largely but with wages coming down the "smaller" clubs can build better squads.

Is it though?
Cobh had a cracking side and to a lesser extent so did Shels, Dundalk and Limerick.

[Jofspring]

Shels where poor that year and Limerick where no great shakes either if memory serves me right. Dundalk had a decent side alright I think. Cobh weren't anything brilliant either but where an efficient team and Davin O Neill played excellent for them that season.

[Lim till i die]

Harps are my Monaghan of this year.

The First is stronger than it's been in years.

Sticking my neck out at this very early stage I'd go:

Waterford
Shels

gap

Cork
Harps
Limerick
Monaghan

Big Gap

Longford
Wexford
Athlone
Mervue
Salthill

It's still a bit early though.

[sixesandsevens]

I think Monaghan will be there or there abouts again with Waterford and shels. Surely this time shels have the quality to make back to the premier

[legendz]

Last seasons First Division was very strong. Without Derry, this season's league won't be as good as last but it'll still be tough. For the passing interest I have in watching Limerick, not being my club of course, there'll be some good games to look forward to. Mainly the two Munster derbies and Shel's, I'll see about the two northern teams, they could be in for a good season.

[Lim till i die]

The First Division is much, much, MUCH stronger this year than it was last year.

[legendz]

I don't agree. I was impressed with all the top 6 from last season. Derry are gone, the division is less one good team. Up until late in the season, Limerick and Cork still had an outside chance of making the play-offs.

[Longfordian]

A lot of the teams in the division have strengthened significantly since last season. As a whole it definitely looks stronger.

[Lim till i die]

Limerick and Shels both have much better sides then they had at the start of last season.

Harps look much better.

Waterford had a fairly flaky centre back, they've signed Kenny Browne.

Cork are unrecognisable from the team that started last season.

[Jofspring]

Waterford
Shels,
Cork,
Limerick,
Harps,
Monaghan

I wouldn't put much points wise between those teams at that. Last season one or two losses could put you out of it or right back into it going into the last few weeks. There wasn't much between Shels, Limerick, Monaghan, Cork and Waterford last season and I think all have strengthened nicely.

[CSFShels]

I was more worried about Cork than Waterford. What is everyone's enthusiasm towards them based on? I've no doubt they'll be there or there abouts but they don't stink of favourites to me.

[Jofspring]

I was more worried about Cork than Waterford. What is everyone's enthusiasm towards them based on? I've no doubt they'll be there or there abouts but they don't stink of favourites to me.

Waterford where a decent side last season but i think they have strengthened really well where it was needed. Cork had an excellent base for a team last season and if they cut out the silly mistakes they will be a very good side this year.

[Lim till i die]

Personally I just think they're a rock solid unit and have been for a few years all the time knocking on the door. Hendo has been there and done it before aswell.

Whereas Cork have a jury still out manager and a chocolate hands in goals.

[CSFShels]

Waterford where a decent side last season but i think they have strengthened really well where it was needed. Cork had an excellent base for a team last season and if they cut out the silly mistakes they will be a very good side this year.

I dunno, I'd have placed Cork above them in the worried about stakes. The way I see it us and Cork will be the top 2, with Limerick and Waterford right behind us fighting all the way. Don't think any 2 sides will pull away and be assured promotion from early on. Maybe 1 side will take it by the scruff of the neck but 1 max.

[legendz]

Sure we'll see as the season goes on. I wouldn't read a whole lot into pre-season.
Agreed on Shels, Limerick, Monaghan, Cork and Waterford. It'll be close between that 5 again and Derry not being there make it a bit easier.

[Lim till i die]

How Vinny Sullivan settles with Cork will be very important aswell. If Cummins does himself a fairly serious injury at any stage, based on last year, they might aswell just forfeit games.

[Lim till i die]

Sure we'll see as the season goes on. I wouldn't read a whole lot into pre-season.

I'm looking at the squads rather than the pre season to be honest.

Limerick for example, last seasons first game they lined up:

Dave Ryan
Boyle
Deady
White
Cahill
Tracy
Kelly
Judge
Kavanagh
Clarke
Tierney

This season it will probably be:

Barry Ryan
White
Purcell
McCarthy
Frost
Breen
O'Leary
Judge
Sheehan
Quinn
O'Flynn

With an actual bench of decent players to back it up.

It's a pretty drastic improvement, Cork would show similar.

[legendz]

Cork and Limerick will kick on alright, I'm not denying that. Waterford and Monaghan similarly did well like that last season, kicking on from the season before.