Back in Business

So we’re off again. The 2011 campaign will bring with it many twists and turns no doubt, but there’s a certain sense of relief to getting back on the field yet again this year.

A particularly testing off-season for a lot of clubs has finally come to a thankful halt. And when Friday night comes around and the floodlights are shining in the distance as you approach the opening match night, I’m sure you’ll be grateful to have some competitive football to talk about, too.

Writing these columns are always difficult, because one must do their best to be positive ahead of a new campaign. My one personal ambition is to write about the good stuff more than the bad this year, but there must be a reference to the fixture debacle first.

Speaking to a well-known player that has been around the league almost fifteen years recently, he summed it up perfectly by saying it’s a “shambles” first and foremost, but also “expected, because something equally ridiculous happens every year.”

How must Monaghan United feel after thinking they were up instead of Galway United, only to be brought back down to earth (also known as the First Division) with a shattering thud? And then to top it all off, the magical fixture machine has given them a bye on the opening weekend of the campaign, meaning they’ll be the only side not involved on Friday night after also losing their wily manager to Drogheda United yesterday.

There is no point getting into a debate about who should be in the Premier Division and who should be in the First, because it would go on until death do us part. There are always going to be some criticisms directed towards the licensing committee, but why do they leave it so late to announce their plans?

Anyway, the lop-sided nature of the 11 team First Division shouldn’t detract a whole lot for what promises to be a captivating title race. Six teams can lay realistic claims to replicating Derry City last season, and although there’s likely to be a massive gap between those six and the bottom five, any of the half dozen could end up on top.

That’s not exactly the case in the top tier, where only three teams can really fancy their chances. Shamrock Rovers go into the league as rightful favourites, but Sligo will have a big say in that, with Dundalk’s attacking prowess also likely to cause ruptures.

Michael O’Neill has strengthened his squad from last season’s triumph, while Paul Cook has also added a couple of first-class players despite the Liverpudlian refusing to agree with his side’s newly-bestowed title of second favourites. Ian Foster, meanwhile, is likely to see his side bang in an insurmountable amount of goals at Oriel Park, though there are concerns over the Lilywhites’ strength in depth at the back.

All in all, there is quite a lot of promise ahead of the year. Financial misdemeanours aside, there has been a steady stream of transfers and with many new faces at most clubs, there is a definite air of freshness on the field.

In a league that is so difficult to predict, I’m unlikely to be right but here’s where I think teams will finish this season (I wouldn’t put someone else’s money on it!)

Premier Division
Shamrock Rovers
Sligo Rovers
Dundalk
St Patrick’s Athletic
Bohemians
Derry
UCD
Bray Wanderers
Galway United
Drogheda United

First Division
Shelbourne
Cork City
Waterford United
Limerick
Monaghan United
Wexford Youths
Finn Harps
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Mervue United
Salthill Devon