Preview of first division

**garykelly** · 10/03/2006, 1:57 PM

yeah the first division is seriously competitive this year. prob go down to the last day to sort it all out.

I think(in no order) Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Limerick and Galway will all do well. Kilkenny city, kildare et al probably wont do so well. Kilkenny will probably fade this season, but there were very good last year. something tell me cobh & finn harps will be the dissapointments of the first division season.

In fairness to galway, i dont see them as being over confident or anything. they been progressively building both on and off the pitch in recent years and their finishing in the promotion places would be a natural progression as opposed to a surprise.

my table would be

Shamrock Rovers
Galway United
Dundalk
Limerick
Finn Harps
Cobh Ramblers
Athlone Town
Kilkenny City
Kildare County
Monaghan

**JC_GUFC** · 10/03/2006, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by LFC in Exile

Definitely don't agree with that.

I am also smiling (as I am every season) at Galway's confidence. I can't see what its based on. Murphy really is the only difference to last season. And he's not as brilliant as Galway lads think he is. Cretaro was a good signing but I can't see how - in a division which has become even tougher this year with Harps and Rovers and Limerick and Cobh signing good quality premier standard players Galway can be so confident.

Then again they do this every year so I suppose it's teh only time to get to be happy about anything.

Ouch the truth hurts!

In fairness I don't think too many United fans were this confident last season! United were the form team in the league at the end of last season and came very close to nabbing the playoff spot. The signings we've made have strengthened the squad which was our main problem last season.
We're by no means certainties but we've got our best chance in years. I'm really looking forward to this season though because it looks like it will be the best First Division ever!

Dundalk, Cobh & Limerick (as well as United) all have better teams/squads than last year and Harps and Rovers will definitely be there or thereabouts. Kilkenny went on a fantastic run admittedly and would have won the league on their form in the second half of the season so presumably Rovers are going to be strong but every team will be up for playing Rovers so it could prove to be tougher for them.

Anyway best of luck to all teams, hopefully the crowds will also improve along with the standards!

J