After what has felt like an eternity, it's finally back.
The League of Ireland returns this weekend, and if trying to conjure pre-season predictions is anything to go by, we’re set for one of the most competitive campaigns in years.
Every team has strengthened, every squad looks like it has something to prove, and yet, after all the speculation, we still have no real idea how this season will pan out.
That’s exactly how we like it.
Predicting the final standings is a fool’s errand, but let’s dive into the biggest talking points ahead of the season.
Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers appear the most likely candidates for the drop – on paper at least.
Both sides operate on tight budgets, but Kevin Doherty and John Russell have already proven that they can punch above their weight.
Last season, Drogheda defied expectations when they looked dead and buried at the halfway point, while Sligo showed flashes of real promise under Russell despite losing key players along the way.
Their managers will need to work their magic once again, but with such fine margins in the league, they’ll have their work cut out for them.
Cork City’s return adds another layer of intrigue. They have goals in their squad – Seani Maguire and Ruairí Keating could form a deadly duo – they also possess some of the league’s brightest young players.
If they can stay defensively solid, they should be safe, but anything less than survival would be a disaster for one of Ireland’s biggest clubs.
Galway United and Waterford will also be wary of the dreaded 'second-season syndrome’.
Both were exceptional last year, but we’ve seen before how teams can struggle once the element of surprise is gone.
However, John Caulfield (Galway) and Keith Long (Waterford) are masters of squeezing the most out of their squads, so writing them off would be premature.
Bohemians have had a strong window. Alan Reynolds has quietly put together an impressive squad, blending proven League of Ireland players with exciting prospects.
They are a hard team to place – anything from a lower mid-table finish to a push for Europe seems possible.
A lot may depend on whether Lys Mousset (pictured), the former Premier League striker, can rediscover his best form. If he clicks, Bohs could surprise a few people.
Then we have last season’s top four, where the real drama begins.
St Patrick’s Athletic are one of the bookies’ favourites, and it’s easy to see why. Stephen Kenny has built a squad that looks ready to challenge.
He moved quickly in the transfer market, adding depth and pace with Simon Power, while the return of Conor Carty should add more goals.
Stephen Kenny speaking about Mason Melia's Tottenham switch at the League of Ireland launch
Mason Melia is another year older and could have another strong season, while Aidan Keena should be settled back home now.
Keeping Romal Palmer was a huge coup. If it all clicks, they’ll be the team to beat.
Derry City have made some of the biggest signings of the off-season, adding Liam Boyce, Carl Winchester, Shane Ferguson, and Gavin Whyte.
On paper, they have a squad capable of winning the title. Last season, they stayed in the race until the final few weeks but ultimately fell short.
There’s a sense that this squad has unfinished business. Tiernan Lynch will hope that his new signings inject the extra quality needed to get over the line.
Shelbourne, last season’s champions, are strangely being seen as outsiders to retain their title.
That may be because they were considered overachievers last year, but anyone doubting Damien Duff does so at their peril. He has strengthened the squad well, adding depth in key areas.
Kerr McKinroy will provide solidity in midfield, but the real excitement is in the attacking additions. The likes of Daniel Kelly, Ryan O’Kane, Ellis Chapman, and Mipo Odubeko give Shels a new level of firepower.
The biggest question is whether Harry Wood can be the difference-maker in their title defence.
Then there’s Shamrock Rovers. What an incredible journey they’ve been on.
Their European exploits took them deep into the winter, meaning they come into the league campaign with very little rest.
Sunday’s clash against Bohemians at the Aviva, with the league’s record crowd expected, is a mouth-watering way to start.
The biggest challenge for Rovers will be handling fatigue later in the season.
They will have to manage fatigue in their opening game in the Aviva after last night’s historic game in Molde, where they came away from the first leg in Norway with a one goal lead after Michael Noonan became the youngest ever scorer in European club competitions.
Unlike in previous years, they may need a fast start to compensate for any burnout later on.
Losing Johnny Kenny, Neil Farugia, and Darragh Burns strips them of some serious pace, and Stephen Bradley will be relying on Danny Mandroiu to bring the spark with one or two new additions still needed.
The beauty of this season is the unpredictability.
Everyone has strengthened. Everyone has a reason to believe.
Even at this early stage, it feels like we’re in for a classic campaign.
The league has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, and this season could be the one that truly establishes it as one of Ireland's most exciting sporting competitions.
We have Shelbourne at home to Derry, Cork at home to Galway and St Pats at home to Drogheda tonight.
Sligo Rovers at home to Waterford tomorrow evening before Sunday’s Dublin Derby at the Aviva which is the perfect way to end the opening weekend, and it will set the tone for what’s to come.
If Shamrock Rovers manage to deal with their upcoming fatigue and start well, they’ll be hard to stop.
If Shelbourne prove last season wasn’t a once off, they’ll be right in the mix.
If St Pat’s or Derry can find consistency, we could have a dramatic four-way battle.
Take your pick, because right now, it’s anyone’s guess.
One thing is certain – the League of Ireland is back, and it’s never been better.
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