Plenty of Meath players set for Premier kick-off

The runway is clear. The engines are switched on. All the passengers, including a number from Meath, are on board and ready for take-off next Friday and Saturday evenings.

The start of the new League of Ireland Premier Division campaign. The opening round of games take place this weekend and fans around the country - no doubt a substantial amount of them from Meath - will be tuned into WatchLOI to see how various contests pan out over the weekend.

At least there are some live games with the top match live on RTE on Friday evening between defending champions Shamrock Rovers and their nearby rivals from Inchicore, St Patrick's Athletic.

The hope is that there will be spectators at matches later in the season - under what conditions who knows - but for now teams must go about the serious business of winning games in empty stadiums.

The matches will come thick and fast and any club that doesn't have a large squad is sure to struggle.

Many Meath sports fans will keep a close watch on how Trim's Tim Clancy gets on in charge of Drogheda Utd after he guided them to the First Division title last season.

The Meath Chronicle takes a look at each of the teams in the Premier and forecasts how they will fare out knowing all too well how such predictions can be as wide of the mark as a wild, wayward shot.

However, there is a confident vote for Dundalk to win the title they last claimed in 2019.

TEAMS

BOHEMIAN FC

Under manager Keith Long the Gypsies have steadily improved in recent seasons - and they have continued to add to their squad for the 2021 campaign.

At least eight players have signed professional forms from their Academy ranks (an indication of some excellent work going on at under-age level) while they have also secured on-loan striker Bradley Holt from Peterborough.

Another interesting signing is Liam Burt. He, unusually, had spells in Scotland at BOTH Rangers and Celtic as well as Alloa and Dumbarton.

They also have Meath players, Dawson Devoy and James Finnerty although they lost another skilful Royal County player when Evan Ferguson signed for Brighton in January. PREDICTION - Third.

DERRY CITY

Manager Declan Devine has sought to strengthen his squad by making a number of interesting signings including Will Patching who was capped by England at u-16, 17 and 18 levels.

He was part of the Manchester City Youth Academy before moving to Notts County.

Other interesting acquisations by the Brandywell outfit include William Fitzgerald who has moved from Waterford and was part of the Irish u-21 set-up when Stephen Kenny was in charge.

Marc Walsh, who was with Swansea at one stage, has also been added to the squad. Inconsistency dogged the Candystripes last season. They could struggle again. PREDICTION - Seventh.

DROGHEDA UTD

What a challenge awaits Tim Clancy and his team.

The Trim man has shown himself to be a very capable, resourceful manager in the way he took over Drogheda Utd for the 2018 season when the club was at a very low ebb indeed.

The winner of a Meath Chronicle 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award, Clancy has shown great ingenuity in getting the the team back to the top flight.

Drogheda have also a substantial contingent of players from the Royal County including James Clarke, Luke Heeney and Brandon Birmingham.

A major signing was Dane Massey from Dundalk. His experience will be vital but Drogheda could still struggle. Recent arrival Ronan Murray could also be a pivotal player - if he can remain injury-free.

This Friday evening will be a huge for Drogheda when they host Waterford Utd.

It's just a pity there will be no spectators there. PREDICTION - Ninth (Relegation/Promotion play-off).

DUNDALK

They won the first piece of silverware last Friday night - the President's Cup with a penalty shoot-out success against Shamrock Rovers.

They will go into this season without a player who has made huge contributions to their long list of triumphs in recent times - Gary Rogers.

His presence between the posts will be greatly missed although the Lilywhites have signed an interesting replacement in Alessio Abibi, a former Albanian under-age international.

Latvian international Raivas Jurkovskis and Scotsman Sam Stanton are also very significant additions.

In recent weeks confusing messages have emerged from Oriel Park as to who will actually be in charge of team affairs. Now it seems Shane Keegan will be 'manager' and last season's head coach Filippo Giovagnoli will be 'coach'.

Gormanston man Greg Sloggett had a very good 2020 when he emerged as an important player in the Dundalk engine room. He can push on this season and add to his bank of experience - and Dundalk can win the title. PREDICTION - Champions.

FINN HARPS

Ollie Horgan has performed miracles over the years in getting Finn Harps into the Premier and keeping them there.

They have signed a host of players from last season such as captain Tony McNamee, Frank Timlin, Shane McEleney, Stephen Folan and Patrick McGarvey.

A very tight budget means the Harps simply can't afford to splash out on big-name signings.

It's never easy for teams when they visit Finn Park, but it looks like Horgan will once again need to sprinkle some magic dust if they are avoid to another relegation dog fight.

The experience of last season could help them escape the drop again.

They will kick-start their campaign to home to Bohs on Saturday. PREDICTION - Eighth.

LONGFORD TOWN

Under former Coventry City player Daire Doyle, Longford Town did extremely well to secure promotion to the Premier at the end of last season when they defeated Shelbourne in the promotion / relegation play-off final.

That was then, this is now and Longford Town face a huge challenge if they they are stay in the top flight.

They have all the facilities required in their Bishopsgate Stadium but have they got the players?

Doyle, who also had spells with a host of League or Ireland clubs, has held onto the bulk of his squad from last season and added a raft of new signings including Aaron Bolger who arrives on loan from Cardiff City.

In their opening six games the Town play four of them at home, starting against Derry on Saturday.

They will need everything they can get to avoid the drop. It could be a battle in vain. PREDICTION - 10th (relegation).

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Hugely impressive champions in 2020 Stephen Bradley's men were only denied a double when they lost to Dundalk in the FAI Cup final last December.

They have taken significant hits by losing last year's PFAI 'Player of the Year' Jack Byrne (transferred to Apoel Nicosia) and the richly talented Aaron McEniff who has gone to Hearts.

Against that, Bradley has significantly strengthened his squad by signing Sean Gannon and Sean Hoare from Dundalk.

They have also added Chris McCann from Ashbourne to their roster. McCann had a spell in England with the likes of Burnley and Wigan Athletic and also played in the US.

He will be a big addition, but losing Byrne and McEniff is huge.PREDICTION - Second.

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit O'Red found the consistency required last season to secure a place in Europe and manager Liam Buckley has put together a squad that could feature prominently again in the league this term.

Ryan De Vries, the New Zealand international who was a very important player for Rovers last season, has re-signed as has the long-serving Regan Donelon while Jamaican international Romeo Parkes has returned after a spell away.

Greg Bolger and David Cawley are among the players who provide experience and know-how while an intriguing signing is Walter Figueira who previously played with Derry City and Waterford and was on the books at Chelsea at one stage.

Goalkeeper Richard Brush has also returned as back up for Ed McGinty. Buckley's boys have a testing start at home to Dundalk on Saturday. PREDICTION - Fourth.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

Stephen O'Donnell is still at the foothills of his managerial career.

His team finished in mid-table at the end of last season and it's difficult to see them breaking into the top four this time around.

However, the ex-Dundalk midfielder has now assembled a strong squad that includes a plethora of talented players including Billy King, Ronan Coughlan, Robbie Benson, Chris Forrester as well as the experienced John Mountney.

The Saints start with a really tough assignment against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night, 7.45pm live on RTE, but they should pick up enough points throughout their campaign to secure another respectable place in the table. PREDICTION - Sixth.

WATERFORD UTD

One of the most intriguing developments the League of Ireland off-season was the appointment of former Irish international and Everton player Kevin Sheedy as manager of Waterford Utd with Mike Newell also part of the management team.

Sheedy has relatively little managerial experience, but Newell has had a fascinating career playing professionally for many clubs in England.

He also has experience managing teams such as Hartlepool Utd, Luton Town, Grimsby Town and Wrexham.

However, the League of Ireland is new to Sheedy and Newell and they will have their work cut out to do as well as Waterford did last season when they finished fifth but they can do it.

The Blues have former Irish international Daryl Murphy in their squad and other talented performers such as 'keeper Brian Murphy while James Mascoll has signed on loan from Bolton. PREDICTION - Fifth.

OPENING ROUND FIXTURES

Friday - Drogheda Utd v Waterford; Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic.

Saturday - Finn Harps v Bohemian FC; Sligo Rovers v Dundalk; Longford Town v Waterford.