A guide to the 2022 League of Ireland Season

The 2022 League of Ireland kicks off next week with Shamrock Rovers looking to win a third straight title. But can anyone stop them in their tracks? 

The new season is almost upon us. After three barren months with no football, the 2022 League of Ireland campaign will begin on Friday 18^th February with Shamrock Rovers aiming to win their third straight title.

There are two new clubs in the top flight after Waterford lost the promotion/relegation play off at the end of last season. UCD have taken their place – and they will be joined by 2021 First Division champions Shelbourne.

Not many football betting fans will have those two down as 2022 champions – but can anyone else stop the Hoops from finishing top once again?

Shamrock Rovers are favourites again

It will come as absolutely no surprise at all that the bookmakers have Shamrock Rovers as odds on favourite to win the League of Ireland title for a third consecutive year. They finished well ahead of the pack last season and have the return of Jack Byrne to look forward to as well this year.

The midfielder’s season in Cyprus was not really a success, but he will give an extra thrust in the middle of the park that should help the Hoops break through stubborn opponents. Shamrock manager Stephen Bradley guided his team to glory last season after dealing with the departures of some key players – and should be able to do even better in 2022.

Title Challengers

Derry City look to be the main challenger to Shamrock Rovers this season, after finishing the last campaign impressively to qualify for Europe. The Candystripes began 2021 terribly but Ruaidhri Higgins got the club back on track – and the club has invested well during the transfer window,

Michael Duffy and the McEleney brothers, Patrick and Shane, will add some real talent to a squad that was already looking very good. Higgins has brought in a number of other players as well, as Derry aim to break the Hoops’ title stranglehold.

Dundalk could also surprise a few people this season as they enter the 2022 campaign under new ownership. With a local consortium in charge, there is real hope at Oriel Park and the appointment of former captain Stephen O’Donnell has really got the fans onside. 

European hopes

St Pats winning the FAI Cup last season allowed Derry City to sneak into European qualification and both those clubs will be aiming for a repeat performance. But the beginning of the new season will be key to the fortunes of St Patrick’s Athletic in particular. Losing their manager to Dundalk was not ideal and it will be interesting to see how the influx of players perform in the early rounds.

Sligo Rovers and Bohemians will be the other two sides aiming to break into that top three or four.

Sligo managed to finish third last season but will miss Jonny Kenny after his move to Celtic and might not be able to challenge quite as well this year. Bohemians will be desperate to qualify for Europe after missing out on the last day of the season last time. But an overwhelmingly young squad might find the task a little too tough once again.

Relegation worries

The remaining four clubs are expected by most fans to be battling against the drop. UCD do have some very exciting young players in their ranks though, so that might give them the edge over Finn Harps, who have seen some key departures in the off-season. The part-timers will find it as difficult as ever to remain in the top flight.

Drogheda United might be in trouble as well. The relegation play-off seems to be calling their name, although there are a lot of new players that could change the club’s fortunes.

Newly promoted Shelbourne are the other side in for a tough season. But bringing in former international Damien Duff was a bold move and there is hope that he can inspire the players to keep the club up.

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