It's upon us, which means it’s time to try and analyse, predict, and inevitably get most of it wrong.
I’ll work my way from what I believe will be the bottom up, starting with the clubs I fear for, and ending with the ones challenging for the title. Inevitably some, if not most clubs will prove me foolish come November.
Dundalk
It’s been a turbulent few years at Oriel Park, but under Ciaran Kilduff they’ve clawed their way back into the Premier Division at the first time of asking.
A revolving door of owners and plenty off-field drama has certainly not helped things but the pitch upgrade and Kilduff’s calm, reassuring influence seems to have steadied the ship and ease a lot of unsettlement amongst the Dundalk faithful.
They’ve brought in experienced heads like Rob Cornwall, Keith Buckley, and Danny Mullen, forming a spine that should just about keep them up… if they all stay fit. That "if" could be their greatest challenge.
Eoin Kenny and Daryl Horgan will be tasked with providing Mullen. The mid-season window could make or break their campaign.
Sligo Rovers
I always worry about Sligo Rovers. Maybe it’s feelings of the heart overruling my head. But they’ve made some good signings to combat the loss of Owen Elding and Patrick McClean.
Shane Blaney returns, Alex Nolan and Archie Meekison bring attacking intent, while Carl McHugh adds experience in midfield.
They continue to thrive with a young manager who has now gained great experience and continues to punch above his weight, any finish above bottom, much like Dundalk is success.
They lack the resources of others, but clever recruitment and the odd academy gem has served them well in the past. There’s no reason to think we won’t see the same outcomes again with John Russell leading the club.
Galway United
People have Galway pegged for the drop, and I can understand why.
The exits of Rob Slevin and Patrick Hickey, the retirement of Greg Cunningham, and a raft of new, largely unknown faces don’t scream stability.
But writing off John Caulfield is foolish. The man is as reliable as they come. Years of experience and I’ve no doubt he has had success from worse starting positions.
If they are fortunate enough that one or two of the new lads have a bit of Moses Dyer about them, they'll make a good go of it.
Waterford
Jon Daly’s arrival gives Waterford a fresh feel, and he’s made a statement early. Conor Noonan secured permanently, Padraig Amond kept onside, and Conor Carthy added up top. With John Mahon, Been Couto and Luke Heeney giving stability, there's enough nous in the side to stay clear of trouble.
They’ll be looking up rather than down. This squad seems to have greater balance than previous years.
Drogheda United
Kevin Doherty is another reliable manager. Even when Drogheda lose key players, like Daragh Markey to Derry, they always find a way.
Brandon Kavanagh is a clever addition. Setpieces are a trend across the global game at the moment, Shane Farrell and Kavanagh’s deliveries could be key to success with the physicality within their squad. It’s not glamorous, but it works.
I expect them to hang around the fringes of mid-table, awkwardly picking up unexpected points off teams at the top at just the right time.
St Patrick’s Athletic
On paper, this is one of the best squads in the league. Keeping the squad fit and available is their biggest issue.
Injuries have already marred pre-season and their fate may rest on how many games Aidan Keena, Max Mata, Romal Palmer and Simon Power can actually play. Darragh Nugent's arrival gives them a bit of steel in midfield and a welcome help to Jamie Lennon in there. He could become a crucial addition.
They were the big under-achievers of last season and with no European distractions this campaign, it should help them domestically.
Fitness and physicality seemed an issue last season. Stephen Kenny, I’m sure, will have tried to fix those weaknesses for this year’s campaign.
Bohemians
Recruitment has leaned into physicality - Patrick Hickey, Sam Todd, Sadou Diallo.
Douglas James Taylor can become a real asset to them, especially if he starts scoring regularly. Midfield area is as strong as you’ll see in the league with Diallo now added in beside Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney.
They’re building something robust. If they stumble upon a regular goal scorer they could be asking lots of questions at the top end of the table.
Shelbourne
"Jamestown Analytics" are the buzzwords of the off-season. The company are experts in data analysis which Shelbourne have used for their off-season recruitment. A sign of the modern game on our shores.
They, Joey O’Brien and the Shelbourne base will be looking on with anticipation to see if it produces the returns that Hearts, Ipswich (in their promotion winning season), Como and Brighton themselves have enjoyed.
Some unknown signings - and one very familiar one in the form of Will Jarvis - but that's the point and Shelbourne as a club are starting to show a real ambition to challenge regularly now.
If Mipo Odubeko finds consistency in front of goal, they’ve a real shot at the title. They’ve already showed signs of sustained improvement since Joey O’Brien took over and these new recruits could provide that killer edge to help them reclaim the title.
Derry City
A real show of intent in the off season with their recruitment. Darragh Markey, Slevin, James Clarke, Patrick McClean, all have strengthened them well all over the pitch.
The big signing in James McClean returning home adds some star quality and his presence within their dressing room and around the league is sure to be beneficial.
There was a lot of negativity surrounding Derry at times last season but Tiernan Lynch has done brilliantly to tune out all that background noise and they finished in second quite comfortably in the end.
Their home form will be crucial, and they have an added challenge of playing on three different home surfaces this season.
Shamrock Rovers
I was foolish to doubt them this time last year and I’ve decided that as long as Stephen Bradley is the manager of Shamrock Rovers, they will most likely always be my favourites for the title.
Michalel Noonan staying for now could be huge for the top end of the pitch, Mulraney and Byrne add creativity, and Enda Stevens brings experience. Roberto Lopes' World Cup absence might hurt, but they’ve got depth in every position.
They’ve lost some legs in midfield with Nugent and Aaron McEneff exiting the club. I’d expect any future reinforcements to add physicality to the side but until proven otherwise, Rovers remain the team to beat.
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