LOI has never been better
KEVIN DOHERTY reckons this year’s Premier Division is the best in League of Ireland history.
While old-timers may seek to dispute that claim, pointing to the depth of quality that existed in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Doherty is in a good position to judge, seeing as he was a title winner then, and a manager now.
The Drogheda supremo is fighting a war on two fronts, trying to bridge the gap between a part-time era and a fulltime one, while remaining competitive with his nine top-flight rivals.
Success for The Doc would be Premier Division survival, which may seem unambitious until you examine the facts: Drogheda are the only part-time team in the top flight.
But Doherty said: “We aren’t going to use that as an excuse. We aren’t going to play the plucky underdogs tag.
“We are going to scrap for every point, fight in every game.
“This league is tremendous. Damien Duff was making the point how the future of Irish football lies within the league here.
“And he’d dead right. With crowds rising, with standards also on the up, it’s an incredible time to be part of something like this.
Involved
“I’m loving being involved. I’m 23 years in the league now and this year’s (version) is the best there has been.
“Previous years were good, don’t get me wrong. But we have 10 excellent sides.
“Like way back in
2006, or whenever, you might have four or five part-time teams (within the top tier). Now there is one.”
That is Doherty’s Drogheda.
Yet they too are planning a transition from part-time to full-time on the back of recent investment and hard graft behind the scenes.
“Things are happening in this club, good things,” said Doherty.
“There is a reason to get behind it because it’s exciting times.”
His former club Shels, who Drogheda host this evening, are also on the cusp of something special.
Eight points clear at the top, they have improved incrementally year on year, impressing Doherty with their progress.
“They have been really, really good,” he said.
“You can see what they have done, retaining their best players year on year, adding to their squad with astute signings.
“They’re very wellcoached, extremely fit, extremely well organised.
“Eight points clear at the top — that tells its own story.”
Season
Meanwhile, Duff has vowed that his table-topping Shelbourne side will only get better as the season progresses.
“You’re in with a good shout to win games if you combine defensive resilience with attacking flair,” said Ireland legend
Duff.
“You can score as many as you want, but keep a clean sheet and it only takes one goal to win a game.
“People look at stats, you can look too much into them. I’ve been more than happy with the guys.
“The exciting bit for us, and it’s been the same since I’ve got here, as the season goes, we are going to get better.”