Competitive Season Ahead As Airtricity League Returns
The Airtricity League Of Ireland returns next Friday for the 2013 season. Will Sligo Rovers be the front-runner to retain their league title? Who will be their biggest rival? St Patrick’s Athletic? Shamrock Rovers? Drogheda United? Or will there be a dark-horse going for the league this year?
Who will battle it out for the European places? Who will be battling relegation? 12 teams started last season, only 11 finished, will clubs face more financial difficulty? There’s only one way to find out.
Sligo Rovers:
After winning the league for the first time in 35 years Ian Baraclough and his Sligo Rovers team face the difficult prospect of attempting to retain the championship crown. Danny North will be tasked with providing the goals again as Sligo face an ever competitive battle in their bid for back to back titles.
Drogheda United:
Four points separated Drogheda United and Sligo last term and Mick Cooke and his side will be determined to have a real go again this season. The Drogs may find it hard to cope with increased expectations but if their recent Setanta Cup form is anything to go by they may well cause another surprise.
St Patrick’s Athletic:
2012 was a mixed bag for St Patrick’s Athletic who finished third in the league and suffered FAI Cup final heartache at the hands of Derry City. The Dublin side will be desperate for some silverware this season and Liam Buckley has done well to retain the majority of his panel from last term. With a solid year under their belt the Pats squad will no doubt mount a title challenge once again.
Shamrock Rovers:
After two league titles in a row Shamrock Rovers suffered a setback last season finishing fourth. The loss of Gary Twigg will be felt by new manager Trevor Croly, but Rovers still have the ability to pose a real challenge to any team. The Hoops will be buoyed by the signings of Mark Quigley, Jason McGuinness and Sean O’Connor, three of four players who were shortlisted for the PFAI player of the year last year. Quigley eventually won the award while Rovers midfield maestro Ronan Finn was the fourth and final player shortlisted. The Hoops will strike fear into the hearts of many teams this term.
Derry City:
Derry City finished a respectable fifth place last season, gaining entry into the Europa league in the process. Declan Devine and his cup kings will be looking to transfer their heroics into the league environment and pose a real challenge for the league.
Cork City:
After finishing sixth last season Tommy Dunne and his side will be looking to improve on their form and avoid being dragged into a relegation battle, something they only avoided due to their form at the tail end of last season.
Bohemians:
Bohemians have declined steadily since the 2009 season due to financial irregularities. Aaron Callaghan and his side will be looking to have a season where all the talking will be done on the pitch. It’s a tall order but one that Bohs are capable of.
Shelbourne:
Having reintroduced themselves to the top flight last year, Shelbourne will hope to kick on in 2013 and establishing themselves as the club they once were. While it will be a difficult task, the main priority will be to ensure the club continue moving in the right direction and a solid cup run may well be on the table.
UCD:
Due to their excellent form in the latter half of the season. Martin Russell and his side were able to drag themselves out of the relegation zone. UCD will be looking to start the season as they intend to go on, and avoiding a relegation battle is at the forefront of their minds.
Bray Wanderers:
Bray Wanderers will count themselves fortunate that they avoided relegation last season, largely thanks to the demise of Monaghan United. Avoiding relegation will again prove the priority down by the seaside.
Dundalk:
Dundalk were the main beneficiaries of Monagahan United dropping out of the league last term. Dundalk finished bottom and only winning the relegation play-off against Waterford United saved them. Stephen Kenny has taken over at Oriel Park and he will hope to revive the clubs fortunes both on and off the pitch. The Lilywhites were plagued with debts last term but have done well to add some key experience in the off season. Stephen O’Donnell , John Dillon, Keith Ward and Vinny Faherty will help stave off the threat of relegation while Kenny may have unearthed a gem in former Hibernian youngster Kurtis Byrne.
Limerick:
First division champions Limerick know they face an uphill struggle to compete in the top division but considering the financial troubles that Limerick have undergone in recent years they will be glad to be back in the top flight Stuart Taylor has added a few unknown quantities to his pack and the Munstermen will need to draw on the fighting spirit which saw them stave off the threat of extinction if they are to survive in the big time.
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