Fenlon ready for tight title race

Pat Fenlon believes this year’s title will not be a two-horse race between his Bohemians side and arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers despite the demise of Cork City and Derry City.

Speaking at the announcement of a link-up with Clarion Hotels, Fenlon said he believes teams like Sporting Fingal and Sligo Rovers should be taken seriously this season.

"Over the last five years at the start of the season when people would ask who will win the league you could reel off names like: Bohs, Shels, St Pat’s, Rovers, Derry, and Cork, but there is a few of them missing at the moment," said Fenlon.

"I still think there is a fair spread of players throughout the league that have left those clubs. Sligo have a decent squad, St Pat’s have added a lot of quality and Dundalk are building a new team, so I think there will be a good spread of players around the league.

"Obviously people will look at Bohs and Rovers as being the main teams but I don’t think it will be a two-horse race that’s for certain.

Fenlon has added a total of eight players to his squad ahead of a season in which his side will be looking to claim their third successive league title.

"I think with being successful we wanted to try and keep that hunger in the team and the profile of the squad had risen in age and I also wanted to add cover in areas in areas which we struggled last season," he said.

"It’s probably a bit of a headache from my point of view in relation to picking a team but id rather have that then looking to fill gaps.

"Also looking to the future there is a lot of young players at the club which is important for us."