Football Season Guide

Shamrock have established themselves as a solid top four club over the last few seasons but the Hoops, who saw Dundalk surpass their tally of five Premier League titles last season, are now determined to make an extra step forward and claim their sixth domestic championship. Lead by young manager Stephen Bradley, who took over as interim midway through the previous season and was confirmed as their new permanent boss in November, has lead a winter squad overhaul during which he trimmed the squad but also brought in promising players. For starters, he was happy to let go of several players who featured heavily last season, such as Patrick Cregg, David O'Connor and Gary McCabe, while the players that joined may lack Irish Premier League experience, but all have the experience of playing in very competitive leagues, with the likes of Daniel Devine, Paul Corry and David McAllister all spending years playing in the third and fourth tier of English football. With Derry not expected to maintain their last season's level, Shamrock and Cork are seen as the sole two sides that have realistic hopes of ending Dundalk's recent domestic dominance.