5 Reasons to be Excited About the 2015 LOI Season

The league of Ireland season is approaching fast and clubs are busy preparing, with all clubs now in pre-season training. This is an ideal time to take a look at 5 reasons to be excited about the coming season.

1.      International Caps



Former Manchester United player, Liam Miller

The addition of Liam Miller to Cork City has swelled the ranks of Irish internationals playing in the League of Ireland.  Miller, Keith Fahey, Colin Healy and Stephen Mc Phail have a combined total of 60 caps for Ireland.

With Miller and Healy operating at the heart of Cork City`s midfield and Fahey and Mc Phail doing likewise for Shamrock Rovers, expectations are at fever pitch at both clubs. There is also a hope that their involvement in the league may tempt other Irish internationals to play in the league.

2.      Improving infrastructure

The stadia and general infrastructure of the league has long been derided and pointed to as a major obstacle to development of the league. However, improvements and concrete plans for stadium redevelopment can be seen at many clubs. A plan to redevelop Dalymount Park has been one of the main league of Ireland headlines in the off season.

 It is envisaged Shelbourne and Bohemians would ground share in Dalymount Park, once the currently dilapidated ground is redeveloped. Dublin City Council plans to buy Tolka Park and Dalymount Park from both clubs. The DCC will seek to see a return on investment by building properties on the Tolka Park land and renting Dalymount Park to both Clubs. In turn, the FAI plan to use legacy money from the staging of Euro 2020 games to redevelop Dalymount Park. While giving both clubs a state of the art stadium, the deal will also help reduce both clubs crippling debt to manageable levels and safeguard the futures of two of Ireland’s most successful and oldest clubs.

In other developments, Derry City stands to benefit from a Northern Irish state grant to the tune of £5 million. This money will turn the Brandywell into a purpose built and modern soccer stadium, removing the dog track that currently surrounds the pitch and the famous hill in the playing surface.

An artist's impression of the new Brandywell Stadium with the new look Brandywell Showgrounds in the background

Finn Harps are currently in the end stages of completing a brand new stadium which will not only host club games but underage Ireland international games. Limerick FC plan to move back to their spiritual home at the market fields for the coming season, this is welcome news to the club and their supporters as it has been difficult to generate match day atmosphere at the 28,000 seat Thomand Park.

3.      Richie Towell

Richie Towell auditioning for Cardiff City against Chelsea

Towell was one of the stands out players in the league last season and instrumental in Dundalk's LOI title win. He left Dundalk immediately after the win and has spent the off season in the UK on trial at clubs such as Blackpool, Cardiff City and Motherwell. Dundalk fans had accepted his loss and understood his decision to seek a full time contract in the UK.

Surprisingly, no suitable offer has materialised and it looks increasingly likely Towell will line out in lilywhite colours in 2015. While disappointing for Towell, this is a welcome boast to Dundalk and the league as a whole. It adds to the leagues strong pool of experienced and talented Midfielders.

4.      Fair Play League







UCD set to benefit from Fair Play League

One of the more unexpected reasons to be excited about the 2015 league season is the news that the LOI is in line for an extra Europa League spot due to its performance in the UEFA fair play league. This league takes into account discipline by both domestic leagues and international teams of countries in UEFA. The top three countries receive an additional Europa League spot and currently, Ireland heads the table.

Should the league finish in the top three, UCD will be the beneficiaries of the European spot and the E120,000 prize fund, a welcome cash injection for the now First Division students. While UCD`s chances of European progression may be slim, the LOI sending five teams into European competition would be a welcome boast.

5.      Competitiveness
 

A host of teams set to battle it out for league crown

The 2014 LOI season was one of the most exciting in recent times, decided by a final day show down between Cork City and Dundalk. It was filled with many fairy tales; the redemption of Stephen Kenny after his sacking by Shamrock Rovers, St. Pats long talked about FAI cup Famine ending and the resurrection of Cork City`s fortunes under John Caulfield. The 2015 edition promises even more drama with a number of clubs recruiting strongly in the off season.

Dundalk have retained the bulk of their title winning squad and will put up a serious defence. They will also hope to give a strong showing in the Champions League, following last year’s run in the Europa League where they were unlucky to lose to Hadjuk Split on aggregate.

Shamrock Rovers have added the fire power of Danny North and the skills of Keith Fahey along with other good additions to an already talented squad. Under the management of the experienced Pat Fenlon, beginning his first full season as manager, they are many people’s favourites for the title.

Cork City will look to build on their title challenge of 2015 and have recruited well, most notably signing former Manchester United and Ireland international midfielder Liam Miller. With Bumper crowds in Turners cross and two Irish internationals in midfield, they will certainly have a major say in the destination of the league crown 

St. Patricks Athletic will feel they underperformed last season in the league and will hope to tighten up their defence. They remain a strong team capable of league success despite the loss of Keith Fahey to Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers.

 Outside of these teams Sligo Rovers, under new manager Owen Heary, may be dark horses for the league title. Despite winning the League Cup, they had a disappointing season last year by their recent high standards. Sligo have recruited smartly in the off season, notably managing to sign former Chelsea and Denmark U21 striker Morten Nielson. However, this season may be too early for their youthful squad, a Cup run and a Europa League spot may be more realistic goals.