LEAGUE 2019
self, though, will want to improve on last season’s personal tally of six goals.
The same could be said for Mark Doyle, who actually scored nine times last term but also missed many more chances, while Stephen Meaney will be chomping at the bit to make a bigger
GALWAY UNITED MANAGER
Alan Murphy
GROUND
Eamonn Deacy Park
2018
6th
DATES WITH DROGS
Mar 22 (h) May 24 (a) Aug 2 (h)
ODDS
20/1
ONE TO WATCH
Vinny Faherty (pictured)
VERDICT
This time last year Galway were favourites to finish top of the pile in Division 1 - and they ended up sixth as well as seeing promised major investment from the MIddle East fail to materalise. It’s disappointing that their star signing is Faherty - who is joining his home-town club for the fourth time in his career - but surely the Tribesmen will make some sort of progress in the right direction even if it takes fresh investment or another change of manager. 6th One would hope additional funds would be available in the summer if Drogheda are in a position to challenge for promotion
impact after an injury-plagued 2018 and is a genuine option on the evidence of his quality finishing against Drogheda Town last week.
At the other end of the field it’s as you were, with Paul Skinner the number one goalkeeper and Luca Gratzer as his understudy.
Then you have the likes of quick right-sided winger Janabi Amour and tidy central midfielder Eoin McPhillips, both of whom can probably expect to play a little more regularly after fleeting appearances in the previous campaign.
It’s a decent squad, given that Clancy has had a similar budget to work with as last year, but one would hope that additional funds would be made available to him in the summer if Drogheda are in a position to challenge for promotion.
Even with an untried manager in Ian Morris, Shelbourne look to be in the driving seat in that regard as they’ve landed some big signings like Ciaran Kilduff, Conan Byrne and Ryan Brennan and appear to have the largest budget.
The good news for Drogheda is that clubs such as Galway United, Longford Town and Limerick don’t look to be any stronger than 12 months ago and so once again a place in the top four looks to be within reach.
Whether the Boynesiders have the resources to win three play-off games, each over two legs, and gain promotion back to the top flight is another matter entirely.
Then again, they’re capable of beating almost anyone on their day and it would be nice to see them enjoying a run in at least one of the cups along the way.
First comes first, though, and three points against Cobh Ramblers on Friday night would represent a perfect start to the new season.
ATHLONE TOWN MANAGER
Terry Butler
GROUND
Athlone Town Stadium
2018
10th (bottom)
DATES WITH DROGS
Apr 5 (h) June 8 (a) Aug 30 (h)
ODDS
100/1
ONE TO WATCH
Kealan Dillon (pictured)
VERDICT
If there’s one surprise packet who could spring from last year’s also-rans to make an impact, then it’s Athlone. They’ve picked up Gareth McCaffrey, Lloyd Buckley and Dillon from last year’s Drogheda squad, as well as the vastly experienced Darren Meenan, and now have sufficient quality to pose problems for any team in this division. However, there remains a big question mark over a defence that leaked 81 goals in 27 games last season. 7th
40/1
ONE TO WATCH
Ian Turner (pictured)
VERDICT
Cobh progressed all the way to the EA Sports Cup Final last year, eventually losing to Derry City. However, they picked up just 11 points from 13 games at home in the league. Will be looking for a bigger return at St Colman’s Park, but with limited resources still an issue it’s hard to see them making much progress over the campaign as a whole. Will hope to catch Drogheda on the hop in their first game of the season. 8th
VERDICT
Cabinteely unveiled a new underage academy structure on the same day that they confirmed their 2019 first-team squad, but those long-term plans won’t bring any tangible benefit yet and so it could be another struggle for Devlin’s charges. However, they have proved difficult to beat at home, as Drogheda can testify, and United boss Tim Clancy will be pleased his squad only have to travel to Stradbrook once in 2019. 9th
VERDICT
Somehow managed to take points off Finn Harps, Drogheda United and Galway United (twice) last season but look to have stood still during the ensuing months. Athlone Town, who were the only team to finish behind them, have strengthened in the meantime and so it would appear that - with all due respect to their squad - the only thing Wexford are capable of winning in 2019 is the wooden spoon. 10th