Drogheda United Preview 2012

Last season: 9th (Premier Division)

In: Gabriel Sava, Shane Grimes, Eric Foley, Ryan Brennan, Sean Brennan, Declan O’Brien (all Monaghan United), Derek Prendergast (Bray Wanderers), Paul Crowley (St Patrick’s Athletic), Cathal Brady (Longford Town), Dean Marshall (UCD), Chris Kerr, Johnny Breen (both Dundalk), Peter Hynes (Limerick FC)

Out: Lee Lynch (Sligo Rovers), Peter McMahon, Dinny Corcoran, Robbie Gaul (all Bohemians), Dave Rogers (released), Jordan White (Clyde), Shane Fitzgerald, Robbie Clarke (both released), Shane Dolan (Carrick Rangers)

Manager: Mick Cooke

Stadium: Hunky Dorys Park

Having survived a tricky few years, Drogheda United appear to be on an upward trajectory. Manager Mick Cooke, appointed shortly before the start of last season, has brought stability to the club and with that a new sense of optimism.

The winter saw a number of players follow Cooke from his previous club, top tier new-boys Monaghan United, all of whom were key to Monaghan winning promotion from the First Division last year. The Brennan brothers, Ryan and Sean, will wear Drogheda colours in 2012, along with serial goalscorer Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien. Goalkeeper Gabriel Sava, Eric Foley and Shane Grimes have also arrived from Gortakeegan.

While few will expect The Drogs to challenge for honours in the coming season, they are unlikely to find themselves operating as close to the trapdoor as they did in 2011. If it wasn’t for the disaster at Galway United, the Louth side would have finished bottom last year but they’re a good bet for a midtable finish this time around.

On the down side, they have lost Lee Lynch to Sligo Rovers over the winter, along with Jordan White who returned to Scotland at the end of last season. But overall Cooke has added more good players than he has lost and for the first time in several years the good folk of Drogheda will be looking forward to a league season with a sense of keen anticipation.

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 8th