
After years of domestic dominance and European adventures under Stephen Kenny the fact that Dundalk FC find themselves in the First Division takes some getting your head around. Board room mismanagement in recent years eventually caught up with the Lilywhites last season as they finished bottom of the Premier Division table but it was off the field where the clubs supporters suffered the greater trauma with the Louth outfit coming within hours of going out of existence entirely before a last-gasp takeover was secured by John Temple.
Even after the local Barrister stepped in there was major doubts over whether the club would receive a license to play in the league in 2025, but not only have the Lilywhites been given the green light to compete but Temple and co have managed to attract club legend Ciaran Kilduff back to Oriel Park to manage the first team while the Kildare native has been supported in the transfer market.
After the likes of Dean Ebbe, Enda Minogue and Harry Groome were snapped up from rival First Division clubs there seemed to be an expectancy forming around the league that Dundalk would bounce back and bounce back quickly. However, the signings appear to have dried up slightly in recent weeks with a lot of the clubs younger albeit promising players being promoted to the first team squad.
Looking at the makeup of their squad at the moment, Dundalk appear to be a centre-half short and the fact they have been playing with the idea of bringing Richie Towell to the club would suggest they are also a body light in the middle of the park.
Up top, Ebbe’s arrival from Athlone should ensure they have no problem scoring goals given he was the leagues top marksman last season.
Dundalk aren’t the only team who have splashed the cash though with Cobh Ramblers making a major splash in the off-season market. The well-traveled Mick McDermott has been appointed manager while Ramblers have picked up a batch of players deemed excess to recruitments by near neighbors Cork City who won the division at a canter last season.
A nasty pre-season injury to Jack Doherty is a major blow but perhaps that’s why Cobh moved to sign Barry Coffey in recent days, a player who has been a goal scoring machine from midfield at this level for Cork City.
Of course, it’s a big ask for any club to go from 8th place also-rans to title challengers in the space of one season but at 11/2 there does look to be some each-way value about Cobh Ramblers.
Despite losing a couple of key players to Dundalk, Athlone Town have responded well with the acquisitions of some tasty players such as Declan McDaid, Dean Williams and JR Wilson to name a few. The Midlanders have shown steady progression in recent seasons and will once again be targeting a place in the play-offs.
UCD are usually very reliable at this level and having finished best of the rest behind Cork City last season this young group should be a lot stronger next season. Ronan Finn didn’t play as many games as he’d have liked due to injury but with a full pre-season under his belt he could have a major say.
The signing of Brian McMannus from Bohemians is also a serious piece of business by the Students given he was being described as one of the best midfielders in the country just a few years ago when he was playing for Damien Duff at Shelbourne, do note it was the Duffer who made those comments though.
Dundalk don’t look as strong as recent winning sides of the division so UCD will be hopeful that they can push the border boys close next season.
Wexford FC have opted to make a change in the dugout despite again qualifying for the play-offs last season while they also reached the last four of the FAI Cup. James Keddy has been replaced by former Premier League and Ireland star Stephen Elliott.
The ex-Sunderland man is taking up his first senior management position having served as the Head of Academies at St.Patrick’s Athletic. Elliott has done well to keep star man Aaron Dobbs while Robbie McCourt has stepped down from the top-flight to join the Leinster club. Thomas Oluwa’s move to Drogheda is a blow but a top-five finish should be well within Wexford’s grasp again next term.
Despite reaching the play-off final last season Bray Wanderers look significantly weaker heading into 2025.
Finn Harps showed some much needed improvement under Darren Murphy last season and may harbor hopes of sneaking into a play-off place but anything beyond that seems unlikely while Treaty United, Longford Town and Kerry FC are expected to be battling it out to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon next season.
PREDICTION: Dundalk (2/1) – While I don’t expect it to be a cakewalk for Dundalk next season they probably are the most likely winners. The fact they’ve largely maintained a full-time set up is a proven advantage in the second-tier.
However, you would worry about possible off-field distractions and drama given what’s gone on at the club in recent years while they do look light in a few areas.
Last week’s Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Usher Celtic was something of a wakeup call that a return to the Premier Division may not be as straight forward as many imagined.
UCD look a steady Eddy proposition while Cobh Ramblers are perhaps the most intriguing team in the line up.
LOI FIRST DIVISION OUTRIGHT: Dundalk 2/1, UCD 5/1, Athlone Town 11/2, Cobh Ramblers 11/2, Wexford FC 8/1, Bray Wanderers 10/1, Finn Harps 12/1, Longford Town 33/1, Treaty United 33/1, Kerry FC 33/1.