Season Preview 2014 - Drogheda United

Manager: Robbie Horgan

Stadium: United Park

Players In: David Ryan (Limerick), Paul Andrews (Shelbourne), Ciarán McGuigan (Syrianska), Austin McCann (Glebe North), Paul Crowley (Shelbourne), Daire Doyle (Bray Wanderers), Philly Hughes (Shelbourne), Carl Walshe (Shelbourne)

Players Out: Gabriel Sava (Dundalk), Alan Byrne (Athlone Town), Phillip Hand (Shelbourne), Derek Prendergast (Athlone Town), Paul O’Conor (Sligo Rovers), Jason Marks (Athlone Town), Ryan Brennan (Shamrock Rovers), David Cassidy (Bray Wanderers), Graham Rusk (Athlone Town), Peter Hynes (Longford Town)

Extratime.ie key Man: Gavin Brennan

Recently named captain for the upcoming season, United’s expectations rely heavily on the local winger. Having scored eiight league goals last year, Brennan will be aiming to reach double figures this campaign as Drogheda look for a top-half finish.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Gavan Holohan

The former Hull City man arrived at United Park during the summer of last season but saw his number of appearances limited in the league. A versatile player, the 22 year-old can play at right-back but is expected to line-up in an advanced role in the Drogheda midfield.

How they did last season:

League: 8th

FAI Cup: Runners-up

EA Sports Cup: Runners-up

Setanta Sports Cup: Runners-up

Top League Goalscorer: Declan O’Brien- 14 goals

What to expect for 2014:

While a mass exodus was feared following the departure of Mick Cooke at the tail end of last season, new Drogheda United manager Robbie Horgan has kept the majority of last year’s successful squad together as he operates on a reduced budget.

However, with a panel of only 18 players, Horgan is expected to bring some members of the Club’s under-19 squad through as the season develops but concerns remain over the depth of quality at his disposal.

During the course of preseason, the Boynesiders have recorded substantial victories over Waterford United and Pheonix United while the Jim Malone Cup was retained on penalties against local rivals Dundalk. Despite those promising results, the real litmus test for the season ahead may have been the EA Sports Cup thrashing to Shamrock Rovers, a 5-1 defeat encapsulating the gulf in class between the sides.

Given the small number of Drogheda’s squad, a similar finish of 8^th last season appears likely but if they can avoid injuries and with the experienced strike partnership of Philly Hughes and Declan O’Brien, United may have enough match winners for a top-half finish.

Title Odds: 80/1 (Paddy Power)

First Game: vs Dundalk (United Park- Fri 7^th March 2014)