After a dramatic curtain closer which saw Shelbourne, in just their third season since promotion to the top tier, claim their first league title win since 2006, the league has had a relatively quiet winter. The players enjoyed their time off over the Christmas break, with a lot of the core group of players for the competing club having secured contracts for this year at the end of the season, a notion that shows that the league is becoming more stable than it was in recent years, with all 10 clubs in the division being Full-time for the very first time in the leagues’ 104-year history.
The big news in the offseason was that of Bohemians hosting their first home game, a special Dublin Derby in the National team’s home, The Aviva Stadium. The curtain raiser aims to bring even more fans to the league as the expected attendance will be multiple times more than that of the ageing Dalymount Park, which looks to be entering its final season as it will get an extreme makeover in the coming years.
Their opponents and old rivals, Shamrock Rovers, have been enjoying a very successful journey through the UEFA Conference League. With wins against Larne, Borac and TNS and draws against Apoel and Rapid Wien secured them a place in the Knockout Phase Play-offs, allowing them and their fans to enjoy a trip to Stamford Bridge and a match against strong Premier League side Chelsea on Christmas week. Although the Hoops lost that match, they finished strong in the League Phase and will play Molde of Norway around the weeks of the opening of the season.
The final big news coming into the season was the announcement of an exclusive four-year deal with Virgin Media Sport to show over 36 Premier Division matches a season, a first for the league and yet another sign that the interest in Irish domestic football is growing stronger year on year.
On top of the Free-To-Air deal that will keep the Premier Division action on our televisions every week, the FAI signed a deal with leading Irish sports network Premier Sports to overhaul the already successful LOITV service. Premier Sports has introduced dedicated apps for both smartphones and smart TVs. This has also come with a decrease in the price of the service and a per-month subscription rather than a per-match one. Off The Ball and Newstalk will also be carrying radio coverage of over 30 exclusive matches this year, starting in week 1.
Shelbourne
2024 Position: 1st
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Quarterfinals (Lost Against Derry City)
2024 European Finish: UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round
2025 European Spot: UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round
Manager: Damien Duff
Home Ground: Tolka Park, Dublin
Players In: Ellis Chapman, Kerr McInroy, Ryan O’Kane, Daniel Kelly, Mipo Odubeko
Players Out: Shane Griffin, Liam Burt, Matty Smith, Dean Williams
After a very long-winded and deserved celebration for a long-awaited League title in Drumcondra, Damien Duff’s Reds got back to training before the end of 2024 with the aim of repeating their success that shocked the Irish football landscape.
Shelbourne has kept quite a lot of their title-winning side, with long-term contracts given to striker Sean Boyd, as well as many of the sides that have kitted out for the North Dublin side the past two seasons. With a decent amount of squad depth in the midfield and attacking departments, Shelbourne still need to find a few more back-ups in defence, especially in the right-back position where 11-time league winner Sean Gannon holds stern.
After the majority of the contracts were signed and announced before the Christmas period, Shelbourne took time to strengthen their squad with the signings of youngster Ryan O’Kane and Daniel Kelly from Dundalk, the former a hot prospect in the league and the latter already a proven league and cup winner for the Lilywhites will bring speed to the side. The star signing was by far Ellis Chapman, one of the standouts for John Russell’s Sligo Rovers side of last season. Liam Burt will return to Shamrock Rovers after a successful loan spell, while Shane Griffin returns to his home county to play for Cobh Ramblers, and Matty Smith moves down to Waterford.
The Reds impressed in front of a big crowd, beating Drogheda 2-0 to claim the club’s first-ever President’s Cup crown. The new signing Mipo Odubeko opened the scoring, and a well-worked corner routine meant Sean Boyd secured the win for the league champions.
First Match: Derry City (H) – Friday 14th February – Virgin Media Two/Virgin Media Play
Shamrock Rovers
2024 Position: 2nd
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Second Round (Lost Against Bohemians)
2024 European Finish: UEFA Conference League Knockout Phase (Still ongoing)
2025 European Spot: UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round
Manager: Stephen Bradley
Home Ground: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin
Players In: Danny Grant, Matthew Healy, Ed McGinty, Adam Matthews, Liam Burt
Players Out: Sean Hoare, Neil Farrugia, Marc McNulty, Richie Towell, Jonny Kenny, Darragh Burns, Markus Poom
While the late push near the end of last season simply wasn’t enough for the Hoops to claim the historic 5-in-a-row, Stephen Bradley’s side forged their own history in Europe instead. The South Dublin side beat Larne, Borac and TNS, with draws against Apoel Nicosia and Rapid Wien allowing them to fully enjoy their trip to Stamford Bridge to play Premier League side Chelsea on Christmas week. Although Chelsea outmatched them on the evening, Shamrock Rovers had done enough to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League Knockout Phase Play-offs, a first for an Irish side.
The Hoops will be busy in pre-season, with a match-up against Molde in the Conference League coming just 3 days before they face off against their most prominent foe, the Bohemians. The Dublin Derby has been hailed as a showcase for the league, with Shamrock Rovers looking to start stronger than they did last season, where they dropped points early, which ultimately led to their runner’s up finish.
Stephen Bradley has brought in a small number of signings to try and start the season strong, with Danny Grant crossing the Liffey from Bohemians and Ed McGinty joining from Sligo to start between the sticks for the year. However, there are still a few notable players who are unavailable for week 1, with Jack Byrne and Rory Gaffney still out with injuries.
First Match: Bohemians (A) – Sunday 16th February – Virgin Media Two/Virgin Media Play
St Patrick’s Athletic
2024 Position: 3rd
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Second Round (Lost Against Derry City)
2024 European Finish: UEFA Conference League Playoff Round
2025 European Spot: UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round
Manager: Stephen Kenny
Home Ground: Richmond Park, Dublin
Players In: Joseph Anang, Aiden Keena, Sean Hoare, Simon Power, Al-Amin Kazeem, Romal Palmer, Zach Elbouzedi
Players Out: Keiran Freeman, Conor Keeley, Alex Nolan, Cian Kavanagh
When Stephen Kenny left the Ireland job, it was only a matter of time before he was back in football management, but it was a question of which club. St Patrick’s Athletic had a rollercoaster season, during which cup-winning manager Jon Daly departed in May after a tumultuous start.
Kenny got to work almost immediately, with a strong run in Europe, which brought them one game away from becoming the league’s second representative in the UEFA Conference League. At the time, their league form was still varied, but once the European stages were over, Kenny’s squad gelled, and the Super Saints went on a run of 9 wins in a row to end the season and surge from 7th place in May to a 3rd place finish in November.
Pats made headlines last week when it was announced that young talent Mason Melia will be moving to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the season. The transfer fee of up to €4 million, which is a record for the League of Ireland, will be completed once the Co. Wicklow youngster turns 18 later this year. This is a very big move in terms of the financial side of both the league and St Patricks Athletic.
The Saints have brought in LOI veteran Sean Hoare from Shamrock Rovers, goalkeeper Joseph Anang from West Ham and Aiden Keena, who returns to Ireland after a spell at Cheltenham Town. These signings will bolster an already very strong squad that is tipped to take the title back to Richmond Park in November.
First Match: Drogheda United (H) – Friday 14th February – LOITV
Derry City
2024 Position: 4th
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Runners-Up (Lost Against Drogheda United in Final)
European Finish: UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round
Manager: Tiernan Lynch
Home Ground: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry
Players In: Carl Winchester, Jacob Davenport, Robbie Benson, Liam Boyce, Gavin Whyte, Shane Ferguson
Players Out: Will Patching, Patrick McEleney, Daniel Kelly, Colm Whelan, Ciaran Coll, Tadhg Ryan, Andre Wisdom
Derry City were always in the mix for the title all of last season until the final day, with Ruari Higgins’s side falling flat late on in a title race that they were expected to capitalise on when Shelbourne started slipping.
Out went Higgins, and in came Tiernan Lynch, the long-time manager of Larne, who departed from the Northeastern side while in the midst of their Conference League campaign to join the Candystripes in November. Lynch guided Larne from the NIFL Championship all the way to two successive NIFL Premiership titles, as well as becoming the first Northern Irish side to ever reach a group stage of a European competition. However, European fatigue took over at the start of the NIFL season, and Lynch has departed from a side that is faltering in the league.
Derry has brought in a number of veterans, including Carl Winchester, Robbie Benson and Jacob Davenport, who bring a lot of experience to an already conditioned Derry side. Meanwhile, League legend Patrick McEleney moves to a coaching role while playing for Ballymena in the NIFL Premiership. Winger Daniel Kelly moves on from Derry after a season to champions Shelbourne, and Will Patching moves across the Irish Sea to Carlisle United in EFL League Two.
Derry City will look to move past the disappointment of the end of last season and get back to not only the European places but challenge for the title and bring the league trophy back over the River Foyle for the first time since the mid-90s.
First Match: Shelbourne (A) – Friday 14th February – Virgin Media Two/Virgin Media Play
Galway United
2024 Position: 5th
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Third Round (Lost Against Shelbourne)
Manager: John Caulfield
Home Ground: Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway
Players In: Moses Dyer
Players Out: Maurice Nugent, Karl O’Sullivan, Joe Wright, Conor O’Keeffe, Kyle Fitzgerald
High hopes were set out for the return of both John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan as a manager duo to the Premier Division, and 2023 First Division champions Galway United more than backed that up. The Maroon army recorded the best finish for a newly promoted side since Waterford finished 4th in 2018.
Caulfield and Horgan made Eamonn Deacy Park a fortress, picking off teams frequently, including doing the home double against champions Shelbourne and building up points, which at one point had them in the title race near the end of the season. Galway ended the season on a high note and will look to do the same this year.
There wasn’t a massive amount of movement within the squad; however, Caulfield brought Moses Dyer from Vancouver, and Max Wilson joined from Preston North End on loan. Young Phenom Kyle Fitzgerald will depart the club and head for Newcastle United, which is a big loss for Caulfield’s men.
First Match: Cork City (A) – Friday 14th February – LOITV
Sligo Rovers
2024 Position: 6th
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Third Round (Lost Against UCD)
Manager: John Russell
Home Ground: The Showgrounds, Sligo
Players In: Oskar Van Hattum, Ollie Denham, Sam Sargeant, Stephen Mallon, Cian Kavanagh, Jad Hakiki, Matty Wolfe
Players Out: Ellis Chapman, Niall Morahan, Simon Power, JR Wilson, Kailin Barlow, Sean McAteer
John Russell’s tenure as Sligo Rovers manager has been characterised by that of stability, with mid-table finishes the past three seasons and a strong European campaign in 2022 that included a massive upset against Scottish side Motherwell. However, the Bit O’Red have been successful in what has been presented to them, surrounded by a league of massive spending in recent seasons.
Sligo Rovers have brought in notable players such as Waterford keeper Sam Sargeant, Pats forward Cian Kavanagh and young winger Jad Hakiki, who brings speed to the Sligo attack. However, they have lost their star man Ellis Chapman to champions Shelbourne, and other starters for the team, JR Wilson and Niall Moraha, which have both departed over the winter.
This should be the year that Russell brings Sligo to the next step, amid redevelopment of the Showgrounds and a strong local support that is waiting for the replication of those magical 2012 and 2013 campaigns under Ian Baraclough.
First Match: Waterford (H) – Saturday 15th February – LOITV
Waterford
2024 Position: 7th
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Third Round (Lost Against Athlone Town)
Manager: Keith Long
Home Ground: Regional Sports Centre, Waterford
Players In: Matty Smith, Trae Coyle, Andy Boyle, Bradley Wade, Sam Glenfield, Tommy Lonergan, Conan Noonan
Players Out: Romeo Akachukwu, Sam Sargeant, Robbie McCourt, Darragh Power, Connor Parsons, Christie Pattison
Since now imprisoned Fleetwood owner Andrew Pilley took over Waterford FC, there has been nothing but improvement for the southeastern club, even with the turmoil of its holding company, which has now moved ownership to Pilley’s son Jamie last year which took any doubt away from the supporters and the club managed to have a very strong season, staying up and contesting every match against the bigger clubs.
The highlights of the off-season for the Blues have been recruiting league winner Matty Smith as well as veteran Andy Boyle and cup-winning goal scorer Tommy Lonergan, who joins from sister club Fleetwood.
However, manager Keith Long has lost his starting goalkeeper Sam Sargeant and notable players such as Romeo Akachukwu and Robbie McCourt, losses that will be sure to affect the start of the season.
Waterford will look to build on last season and attempt to climb higher on the table and land a place in the European spots, something they have not done since 2018.
First Match: Waterford (A) – Saturday 15th February – LOITV
Bohemians
2024 Position: 8th
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Semi-Finals (Lost Against Derry City)
Manager: Alan Reynolds
Home Ground: Dalymount Park, Dublin
Players In: Niall Morahan, Colm Whelan, John Mountney, Kian Best, Lys Mousset, Conor Parsons, Alex Lacey
Players Out: Declan McDaid, Brian McManus, James Akintunde, Danny Grant, Paddy Kirk
While they may be one of the most famous clubs in the league, having brand deals with the likes of Dublin icon Guinness on their away shirt and Dublin-based rock band Fontaines D.C. on their third strip, Bohemians’ on-pitch success hasn’t been that of fame over the last decade and a half.
A tumultuous start that lost Declan Devine his job and the club in a bad streak midway through the season led to a far-from-ideal finish, Bohemians recruited Ireland U21s assistant manager Alan Reynolds to take the reins and stabilise the North Dublin club for the rest of the season.
Reynolds has recruited well and built up a core team that will hope to bring a trophy back to Dalymount Park in what could potentially be its final season. The ageing ground will be demolished and rebuilt into an 8000-seater modern arena that will hope to support the ever-growing demand for tickets.
LOI veteran John Mountney joins the club, and young, experienced players Niall Morahan and Colm Whelan will join him. But by far, the signing that got the most airtime was that of former Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset, who once cost a transfer fee of £10 million. A signing that could very much solve Bohemians’ scoring problems of last season and bring them back to title contention.
First Match: Shamrock Rovers (H) – Sunday 16th February – Virgin Media Two/Virgin Media Play
Drogheda United
2024 Position: 9th (Won Promotion/Relegation Play-off against Bray Wanderers)
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Winners (Won Against Derry City in Final)
2025 European Spot: UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round
Manager: Kevin Doherty
Home Ground: Sullivan and Lambe Park, Drogheda
Players In: Owen Lambe, Conor Keeley, Paul Doyle, Kieran Cruise, Thomas Oluwa
Players Out: Andrew Wogan, Frantz Pierrot, Jack Keaney, Adam Foley, Gary Deegan, David Webster
It can be said that Drogheda United were punching above their weight all of last season. But the Claret and Blue Army more than backed up that label as a part-team club that performed better near the end of the season than many other clubs.
Drogheda went on a magical cup run that brought home their second FAI Cup title in the club’s history after a dominant win against Derry City. A week later, they backed up that win with a successful defence of their Premier Division status with a win against Bray Wanderers in the Promotion/Relegation Play-off at Tallaght Stadium.
Drogs will move to full-time status in 2025, with manager Kevin Doherty ditching his job as a Postman and focusing on the club full-time. The rest of the players have been given full-time contracts and are prepared to make the move forward for the year. Speaking to the Irish Sun, Doherty said: “Everyone else is full-time, so we’re not gaining an advantage on anyone by being full-time, we just don’t have that disadvantage anymore.”
Long-time Drog Ryan Brennan replaces the retiring Gary Deegan as club captain. Deegan will join Bohemians in a coaching role in their academy setup. Brennan leads the older core of the team that has lost cup semi-final hero Adam Foley as well as striker Frantz Pierrot, who departs for Bosnia.
Doherty has brought Elicha Ahui from Walsall back in. The 21-year-old joins for the full season on loan from the League Two club. On top of this, three youngsters have come in to bolster the side. Douglas James-Taylor was retained; however, the striker from Walsall will be on the sidelines for the first few years.
Drogheda looked under-prepared at both the Jim Malone Cup friendly against Dundalk and the President’s Cup against Shelbourne. United lost both of those games and were fairly dominated by both sides. Drogheda’s goal for the season would be to finish mid-table and forge a strong path in the European qualifiers.
First Match: St Patrick’s Athletic (A) – Friday 14th February – LOITV
Cork City
2024 Position: 1st (First Division)
2024 FAI Cup Finish: Third Round (Lost Against Derry City)
Manager: Tim Clancy
Home Ground: Turners Cross, Cork
Players In: Kitt Nelson, Milan Mbeng, Freddie Anderson, Rio Shipston, Conor Brann, Tein Troost, Benny Cuoto, Alex Nolan, Harry Nevin,
Players Out: Cian Coleman, Barry Coffey, Niall Brookwell, Brad Wade, John O’Donovan, Cian Bargary, Aidan Dowling, Jack Doherty, Cian Murphy
After getting relegated just two seasons ago in a dramatic Promotion/Relegation Play-off, Cork City was always going to be the favourite to bounce back into the First Division. The Rebels started the season with a 17-game unbeaten streak, an indication of things to come, with another 12-game unbeaten run to close the season and secure promotion back to the top tier of Irish football.
Midway through last season’s promotion run, Cork strengthened their squad with fan favourites Ruari Keating and Sean Maguire returning to Turners Cross, both of whom hope to continue their good form from the end of the season into the Premier Division.
The Rebel Army has also kept on many of their First Division winning side of last year, giving them contracts for the season and promoting many of their academy players into the First Team squad. These positive movements within the club also help to keep the Cork City squad full-time, with manager Tim Clancy given a 2-year contract to try and bring back the glories of 2017 and add a fourth title for the 40-year-old club.
Cork City would want to break the streak of flip-flopping between the two divisions. The Rebel Army’s goal would obviously be to stay up, but with a strong core squad, there is a strong feeling that the second city club could climb the table even more.
First Match: Galway United (H) – Friday 14th February – LOITVThe opening weekend, which promises to be the start of a new era that is meant to usher in a new era for Irish football, begins on Friday, February 14th, with champions Shelbourne facing Derry City in Tolka Park, a reverse fixture of the one which saw the Reds take home the title back in November. This is the first fixture of Virgin Media’s new deal, with the game being shown on Virgin Media Two. The weekend closes on Sunday with the big event at the Aviva, where rivalries are renewed between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, also live on Virgin Media Two.
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