Big season for Royals at home and away

SOCCER

Any new season is an adventure into the unknown. The various soccer campaigns across the water have certainly kicked into action in earnest with the English Premier League programme getting underway last weekend - and there will be a keen focus on how Evan Ferguson fares out.

Ferguson didn't feature as Brighton & Hove Albion got underway with a 3-0 away win over Everton. The nature of that comprehensive victory suggests places on the Seagulls' starting eleven could be ultra competitive this time around as the club opens a new chapter under their 31-year old German manager Fabian Hurzeler.

Ferguson will be hoping the new campaign brings with it more joy than the latter end of last season when he endured a lengthy barren spell without finding the net - but if he was looking to bolster his confidence all Ferguson has to do is refer back to what former Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer said about him last week.

While on a visit to Dublin Shearer referred to Ferguson (below) as "a phenomenal talent" who has what it takes to kick on. "I've seen the stature of him, his movement and I've seen what he's like in front of goals," said Shearer one of the most prolific scorers in English football. Last season also Irish soccer legend Johnny Giles refereed to Ferguson as "the real deal."

The 19-year-old Bettystown man who has 12 caps already for the Republic of Ireland and three goals, will also be seeking to catch the eye of Heimer Hallgrimsson. The new Irish boss is likely to look to Ferguson as his main source of goals starting with the game against England at the Aviva next month.

Another player looking to impress Hallgrimsson is Jamie McGrath. He stared the new campaign with Aberdeen when he fired home a super goal. It's surely good news for McGrath that John O'Shea has agreed to become Hallgrimsson's assistant with the Republic. McGrath was included in O'Shea's squads when the Waterford man took charge of Ireland for four friendly games.

Young Enfield player Luke McNally is back with Burnley this season after loan spells with Stoke City and Coventry. Signed for Burnley by then manager Vincent Kompany for a fee believed to be in the region of €2 million, McNally came on as a substitute in the Clarets' 4-1 victory over Luton Town on day one of their Championship campaign. He too will be seeking to impress new Burnley boss Scott Parker and Mr Hallgrimsson.

Flying high too is Cork City manager Timmy Clancy. His team are running away with the League of Ireland First Division. They lead nearest rivals Athlone Town by 15 points with only one defeat suffered all season. They bolstered their squad further recently with the signing of former Irish international Seani Maguire another player who knows well how to convert chances into goals. Maguire, however, couldn't find the net as City created a host of chances against Derry City in the FAI Cup on Friday evening and ended up losing 1-0.

Still Clancy can start corking the champagne bottles because the league title is in the bag.