Shamrock Rovers Preview 2012

Last season: Champions (Premier Division).

In: Oscar Jansson (Tottenham), Conor Winn (Galway United), Kerrea Gilbert (Yeovil Town), Graham Gartland (St Johnstone), Colin Hawkins (Dundalk), Conor Powell (Sligo Rovers), Aaron Greene (Sligo Rovers), Jack Memery, Killian Brennan (Bohemians), Daryl Kavanagh (St Patrick's Athletic)

Out: Dan Murray (Cork City), Karl Moore (Bohemians), Dean Kelly (St Patrick's Athletic), Jim Paterson (Bristol Rovers), Rohan Ricketts (free agent), Pat Sullivan (no club), Ryan Thompson (free agent), Richard Brush (Sligo Rovers), Pat Flynn (St Patrick's Athletic), Enda Stevens (Aston Villa), Karl Sheppard (Reading FC), Robert Hughes (Waterford United), Craig Hyland (Longford Town), Paddy Kavanagh (Shelbourne)

 
Manager: Stephen Kenny

Stadium: Tallaght Stadium

It will be hard for Shamrock Rovers to better the season just gone. League champions for the second consecutive time, Setanta Cup champions, not to mention becoming the first Irish team to qualify for the group stages of a European football competition which included being 1-0 up in White Hart Lane against Tottenham in the Europa league, albeit for just ten minutes.

There were incredible standout moments throughout the season for the Hoops. Stephen Rice's goal in London, Pat Sullivan's stunner in Belgrade, Dean Kelly's last-gasp goal in Belfield. A lifetime worth of magic memories for the Hoops fans.

The departure of manager Michael O'Neill who has moved on to international management with his native Northern Ireland paved the path for former Derry City boss Stephen Kenny to return to his Tallaght roots and take the reins. Kenny has brought in a new management team which includes Colin Hawkins who will play and coach this term.

Kenny has strengthened his panel particularly in the defensive and goalkeeping departments but he has a choice of midfielders that most League of Ireland managers would envy. With the resources at his disposal and very serious squad of players to choose from, Kenny's toughest job this season could be picking a starting eleven.

One thing is for sure though. Rovers will need to be on their toes from the start. Last season they raised the bar for League of Ireland football. This season they are the scalp that everyone wants. 

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 1st