DUNDALK'S historic Europa League campaign last year has given the SSE Airtricity League a massive platform to build on in terms of attracting more followers and this season has the makings of what could be the best in many years.
Stephen Kenny’s side are favourites to make it four Premier Division titles in-a-row, but the likes of Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and, to a lesser extent, Derry City will be in there challenging.
The champions, who have laid a much-needed new 4G pitch at Oriel Park, have lost big players during the winter break, with Europa League heroes Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle both joining Championship side Preston.
Another man who played a major role in their league success last year was Ronan Finn, and he has departed to re-join Shamrock Rovers.
Despite the departures, Kenny has added to his squad, with the likes of Niclas Vemmelund joining from Derry, youngsters Jamie McGrath and Sean Hoare coming from St Patrick’s Athletic, ex-Chelsea starlet Conor Clifford returning home from England and Thomas Stewart linking up with Kenny for a third time after returning from the United States.
Another former Candystripe favourite – Michael Duffy – has also linked up with Kenny again, after Dundalk signed him from Scottish giants Celtic on a two-year deal, and the 22-year-old can’t wait for the season to get underway,
“We have a big squad and it’s a good squad. Everyone is going to have to fight for their places every week, which is good,” said Duffy.
“We need a big squad because there’s going to be a lot of games coming up, I don’t know the exact number but we have a lot of games before the break in June.
“Three games a week is always tough, so we need a big squad and everyone will need to be ready when called upon.”
Although things didn’t work out at Parkhead, the talented winger still hasn’t given up hope of returning to cross-channel football and he believes working and playing with Kenny’s men will help him achieve that.
“Going back across the water is the plan, but at the minute I’m looking to just enjoy things at Dundalk, which during pre-season has been great; I’m getting on with everyone and I’m enjoying it.
“But my plan is to get my head down, work hard and hopefully I’ll play a lot this year, get back scoring goals and then see what happens.
“I’m signed with Dundalk for two years, so I’m hopeful I can enjoy my time at Dundalk and we can continue winning things.
“Look, we know that everyone will be out to stop us, especially Cork, Rovers and Derry. There is going to be a lot of teams challenging for the league, but I feel we have the squad here and I just can’t wait for it to start now and I’m looking forward to Friday night.”
The 22-year-old will again be teaming up with good friend Patrick McEleney and he hopes their link-up play from their days at the Brandywell will continue in 2017.
“‘Fats’ has helped me a lot at the start since joining Dundalk and I felt in the President’s Cup game against Cork, although we lost, I felt I linked up well with him,” he said.
“At stages it just reminded me of the days when we used to play at Derry with each other, so it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to that.”
While everyone is predicting that last season’s top four – Dundalk, Cork, Derry and Shamrock Rovers – probably won’t change, the likes of Bray Wanderers, who finished the 2016 campaign very strongly, and Sligo Rovers and St Pat’s Athletic will have other ideas.
Recent seasons have produced a surprise side and this season is unlikely to be different. It could be newly-promoted Limerick, who will be a hard team to beat under Martin Russell’s clever management. Another side looking to improve in 2017 will be Galway United, who have appointed former Wexford Youths gaffer Shane Keegan.
Bohemians, who have lost quite a few players, may find things tough this year, but Keith Long will be looking to give Dalymount Park a good send off.
With three teams getting relegated this season, Cork boss John Caulfield believes teams will be a lot more defensively minded and he might not be far wrong with that assessment. Two of those teams he might be talking about are Finn Harps and Drogheda United.
Harps, under Ollie Horgan’s stewardship, had a great 2016 season to stay well away from the relegation zone but, despite the arrival of former Celtic winger Paddy McCourt, the Donegal men know it’s going to be even tougher this season to avoid the dreaded drop.
Pete Mahon will have to use all his managerial experience and knowhow to ensure Drogheda’s
stay in the top flight isn’t just for one season, after their memorable play-off win over Wexford Youths.
With so many teams strengthening this year, the 2017 campaign has the potential to be a cracking season at both ends of the table and it may entice more casual fans to visit the likes of Maginn Park, Oriel Park, Turner’s Cross, Richmond Park, Finn Park, Dalymount and Markets Field to support their local team.
