Hearing rumours of some soft cunts out East looking into calling off fixtures tomorrow for a light drizzle
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Bossman Steo looks likely moving to a 3-5-2 formation for the super Saints
Richie Towell has the Biggles fans all worked out by his recent mark that Dalymount is a kip
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When is a kip not a kip?
KOH
LOI Jury: James McCleanâs return, the ones to watch and can anyone stop Shamrock Rovers this season?
Our experts answer the key questions ahead of the new campaign
Daniel McDonnell, David Kelly, Aidan Fitzmaurice, Tony Considine and SeĂĄn OâConnor
February 5 2026 5:00 PM
1 â Who will win the Premier Division this season?
Daniel McDonnell: Thereâs a degree of embarrassment for overlooking Shamrock Rovers last season which might just be behind a lot of predictions that the Hoops will get it done again. It makes the most sense; especially if they add a few more bodies before the window closes. Shelbourne and Derry City are the most likely challengers, and Shels might just have a better squad. I think weâll get a title race but Rovers look best.
David Kelly: Weariness accompanies the prospect of tipping a challenger to match Shelbourneâs rare feat in toppling Shamrock Roversâ eminence; it also attaches itself to the disappointment of so many who have failed miserably to do so. Reluctantly, we advance Derry City to make a game of it.
Aidan Fitzmaurice: Shamrock Rovers. Apart from the 2024 season when Shels won, Rovers have not really had a challenger, but theyâll have that this season in the form of Derry. The Candystripes could pull off a surprise, and Darragh Markey could make an impact there. James McClean will be a factor too, but Derry are too reliant on Michael Duffy for goals. Shels are hard to assess and the St Patâs squad is too light.
Tony Considine: I canât see past Shamrock Rovers making it six titles in seven seasons. They had the strongest squad finishing the league and have since made some good acquisitions to strengthen further. Iâd hope for the leagueâs sake that Derryâs outlay can make a race out of it, but the rest will be scrapping for European places.
SeĂĄn OâConnor: Shamrock Rovers. Everybody will be chasing Stephen Bradleyâs side. Derry finished three points off the Hoops last term and have had a busy window capped off by the return James McClean. While Shels will have aspirations too, itâs hard to look past Rovers. Josh Honohan may have left but the Hoops still have the best squad depth. The arrivals of Jake Mulraney and Enda Stevens, and the return of Jack Byrne, also help.
2 â Who is your tip for Premier Division relegation?
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DMcD: The vibes around Galway United arenât good. Theyâve lost a number of their front-line players and big characters from the dressing room, and John Caulfield has rolled the dice in terms of recruitment. The clubs that are likely to be around them seem to have more experience in important positions.
DK: Dundalkâs dominance of a decade ago seems a distant memory, and it has been to the competitive detriment of the league that nobody has since succeeded them during Roversâ subsequent eminence. Their squad looks pallid from the outside and their rivals for the drop are armed with much more survival experience.
Derry Cityâs James McClean celebrates after the Presidentâs Cup final at Tallaght Stadium. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
AF: Dundalk. Thereâs a lot of brave talk about their ambitions and if they finish safely in mid table, us tipping them for the drop will be remembered. That chat is based on history rather than an assessment of their squad. Their recruitment largely from the First Division and from players released by Premier clubs may be found out.
TC: Having spent my student years in Dundalk, Iâve always kept an eye on them but I expect them to prop up the table come November. While the retention of their First Division-winning manager CiarĂĄn Kilduff is a bonus, thatâs about the only stability at Oriel Park where the next crisis always seems around the corner.
SOâC: Dundalk. The Lilywhites have come back up at the first time of asking but CiarĂĄn Kilduffâs side face a tough task to stay up. They have brought in experience in Danny Mullen, Conor Kearns and ex-Bohs pair Rob Cornwall and Keith Buckley, but itâs hard to see them surviving.
3 â Can anyone stop Cork City in the First Division?
DMcD: No. Kerry FC have recruited well and it could be a bit of a Munster battle because Cobh Ramblers have a decent squad too but Cork City are full-time and simply have better players than the other teams, even if Barry Robson is new to the scene. There have been some complimentary comments about Finn Harps from pre-season opponents.
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DK: There seems to be a growing gap between the tiers; Cork will re-emerge but any internal strife is capable of discommoding them. Whether anyone is suited to take advantage is less certain.
Seani Maguire can help Cork City dominate the First Division. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
AF: No. Bray Wanderers could be strong and itâs hard to know what to make of Finn Harps. With the right mix between home-grown teenagers and imported talent, Harps could click. However, Cork have a priceless goal machine in Seani Maguire and experience in other areas too.
TC: Bray were unlucky in last yearâs promotion/relegation play-off, making a better fist of it against Waterford than many expected. They could build on that but itâs hard to see past Cork if Seani Maguire stays fit. Like Dundalk, the Leesiders seem to be caught in that no manâs land of being too good for the second tier but not good enough for the top one.
SOâC: Itâs very unlikely. With strikers like Seani Maguire and RuairĂ Keating as well as experienced defenders in Fiacre Kelleher and Rory Feely, it will take something remarkable to stop Cork securing the title and promotion. Cobh Ramblers threatened Dundalk at times last term, but under new boss Barry Robson, City are favorites.
4 â Which player are you most looking forward to watching?
DMcD: There are higher-profile examples than Jad Hakiki, but it will be interesting to see if he can build on the promise of an outstanding first year at Sligo Rovers. Others might have been tempted to jump ship but a 21-year-old that was viewed as having high potential at Shelbourne is thriving from getting first-team minutes.
Sligo Roversâ Jad Hakiki is one to watch. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
DK: There is a hope in Inchicore that the gifted Romal Palmer can steer clear of the successive injuries that have pock-marked his career. And anyone who is not intoxicated by the return of hometown hero James McClean simply does not possess a beating pulse.
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AF: Shelbourneâs Rodrigo Freitas. The new signingâs reputation as a goalscorer in Portugalâs third tier makes him an intriguing prospect. If he gets service, he can aim for the Golden Boot. Michael Noonan is an obvious choice while Bohs watchers have been hugely impressed with their young signing from UCD, Hugh Martin.
TC: I expect Sadou Diallo to have a positive impact in the Bohs midfield. Iâm more looking forward to seeing how Harry Vaughan gets on with the club and whether he, Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney can work together or if it will be two from three. James McCleanâs Derry return is also interesting.
SOâC: Harry Vaughan. Alan Reynoldsâ decision to bring SeĂĄn Grehan in on loan for the first half of last season paid dividends and the Bohs boss will hope Vaughan can do the same again over the next five months. The attacking midfielder (21), on loan from Hull until the end of June, is eager to kick on.
5 â What is one thing you would like to see happen this year?
DMcD: The eyes staying on the ball as regards the importance of academy development. It was a step forward to get government funding but that was only the beginning, and the next phase is for deadlines to be met in appointing full-time staff around the country. Itâs so important to get this right.
DK: A proper title race involving more than two teams might be a fantasy, but we live in hope.
AF: Time being called on gamesmanship. Almost every week someone goes down apparently injured, but everyone knows the player is not. This allows both squads time to discuss new tactics when the ref stops play for treatment. This farce has to be stopped.
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TC: A nice European draw for Bohs in whatâs planned to be the last season in Dalymount. Having missed the chance to travel on the last two occasions when we qualified for Europe, due to Covid restrictions, the anticipation of a few days away would be nice.
SOâC: More good news for facilities. While it was a positive to see so many sold-out signs up at the likes of Dalymount Park, Richmond Park and United Park last year, it was also a reminder of the potential that exists to increase crowd numbers. If you build it, they will come.
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Match is off lads, enjoy your evenings
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damn, needed a handy win before 4 tough games
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Hopefully a few more bodies in and up and ready to go for Shels now
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Assume Bradley will be moaning about this
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Last year a game was called too late and this year its called too early. Boiling piss since 1899.
KOH
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Thatâs one of the big disadvantages of playing on a council pitch.
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Jimmy macs boys a goal down to the barmen and students of sligo.
GUFC should be leading at HT. Have had the best of the chances.
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Waterford getting bateâ¤ď¸
Itâs a Dublin thing
Wet pitch ( sone injury)
Donât play 
Tell me about itđ
But weâd a bit of craic anyways up there and tbe way down
And Dave Hurley misses a penalty.
Theyâll regret this one yet.
Derryâs floodlights are awful.
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As predictable as night following day, we concede a sloppy goal in the 91st minute.
I fucking hate football.
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Fucking useless bastards. A game they should be winning 2-0 and they shit the togs.
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Naz is back
1 more defender would be nice
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