After a two week break, the SSE Airtricity League season returns on Friday evening as the business end of the campaign begins. Here’s 5 things to look forward to over the next four months of domestic action.
Title race
It goes without saying but the narrative of the second-half of the season will revolve around the title race. Dundalk have threatened to pull away from the chasing pack but Cork have stayed within touching distance to ensure the gap at the summit is just three points.
Can Shamrock Rovers and the rest of the chasing pack stop Dundalk? Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The Lilywhites’ title defence couldn’t have gone any better so far and it’s difficult to bet against Stephen Kenny’s side lifting the crown come October but there’s sure to be plenty of twists and turns over the weeks to come.
There are also several other sub-plots set to unfold over the course of the next 16 games. Can Limerick’s move home to Market’s Field help reverse their fortunes or will Sligo Rovers get sucked into a relegation dogfight after a miserable time of it under Owen Heary?
That’s not to forget the First Division either. The race for promotion is as tight as ever with three clubs separated by just two points.
European odysseys
Last week’s Champions League and Europa League draws in Nyon saw the six League of Ireland clubs discover their European fate ahead of this year’s qualifiers. European nights under the lights are like none other and remain a highlight of the season for clubs around the country and this year is sure to be no different.
Dundalk fans at their sides' game against Hadjuk Split last year. Marijo Basic / CROPIX
Marijo Basic / CROPIX / CROPIX
In the Europa League, Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s both have considerable European pedigree and will be determined to prolong their campaign as long as possible. Likewise, Cork City return to the European stage and Turner’s Cross is sure to be rocking when KR Reykjavik visit.
It’s set to be a landmark occasion for First Division side UCD as they play their first European game since 2000 after securing a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play league.
F91 Dudelange are the college’s opponents and the first legs of those games take place next week on Tuesday 30 June and Thursday 2 July with Dundalk in action a couple of weeks later.
Showcase friendlies
They split opinion but hosting friendlies against English and Scottish opposition during the season remains an essential part of any League of Ireland club’s year. Not only does the visit of well-known clubs help boost the coffers but also gives players the chance to impress and entertain those new fans coming through the turnstiles.
Liverpool are coming to Ireland again for a tour of the country. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Visits to UCD, Galway, Cork and Waterford will give Reds fans the chance to watch some of the stars of the future while helping their local club raise some much needed funds through ticket sales.
FAI Cup
The blue-riband competition of the domestic scene comes to a head towards the latter half of the season and it always provides great entertainment. We’ve reach the third round of this year’s edition with all the Premier Division big boys still in the hunt.
Last year’s winners, St. Pat’s, will hope to defend their crown and add some gloss to an otherwise disappointing league campaign to date while there are so many other fascinating story lines with a host of clubs out to end their own cup drought or how about one of the underdogs going all the way?
There have been some shocks already in this year's competition Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The final, which takes place at the Aviva Stadium, is always one of the highlights of the season and with RTÉ showing live coverage of both semi-finals and the decider, interest levels are always high.
Wexford Youths’ Champions League adventure
The Women’s National League doesn’t return until later in the year but before then, Wexford Youths – the national champions – will face face Lithuanian champions Gintra Universitetas, Poland’s KKPK Medyk Konin and Cardiff Met Ladies FC in Group 7 of the Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round.
Wexford will be representing the WNL in Europe. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
It is the first time Wexford will play in the competition and will face all three teams between 11-16 August in Poland. The winners of the group will progress to the Round of 32.
So, there you have it. Without Premier League action for the next few weeks, there is a great way to get your footballing fix by heading down to your local ground on a Friday evening. It’s sure to be an exciting conclusion to the 2015 season and you can be part of it.
5 things we're looking forward to seeing during the second-half of the League of Ireland season
After a two week break, the SSE Airtricity League season returns on Friday evening as the business end of the campaign begins. Here’s 5 things to look forward to over the next four months of domestic action.
Title race
It goes without saying but the narrative of the second-half of the season will revolve around the title race. Dundalk have threatened to pull away from the chasing pack but Cork have stayed within touching distance to ensure the gap at the summit is just three points.
The Lilywhites’ title defence couldn’t have gone any better so far and it’s difficult to bet against Stephen Kenny’s side lifting the crown come October but there’s sure to be plenty of twists and turns over the weeks to come.
There are also several other sub-plots set to unfold over the course of the next 16 games. Can Limerick’s move home to Market’s Field help reverse their fortunes or will Sligo Rovers get sucked into a relegation dogfight after a miserable time of it under Owen Heary?
That’s not to forget the First Division either. The race for promotion is as tight as ever with three clubs separated by just two points.
European odysseys
Last week’s Champions League and Europa League draws in Nyon saw the six League of Ireland clubs discover their European fate ahead of this year’s qualifiers. European nights under the lights are like none other and remain a highlight of the season for clubs around the country and this year is sure to be no different.
Dundalk have been pitted against BATE Borisov in the Champions League first round and although they’ll go into the tie as underdogs, the Lilywhites will be confident of causing an upset.
In the Europa League, Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s both have considerable European pedigree and will be determined to prolong their campaign as long as possible. Likewise, Cork City return to the European stage and Turner’s Cross is sure to be rocking when KR Reykjavik visit.
It’s set to be a landmark occasion for First Division side UCD as they play their first European game since 2000 after securing a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play league.
F91 Dudelange are the college’s opponents and the first legs of those games take place next week on Tuesday 30 June and Thursday 2 July with Dundalk in action a couple of weeks later.
Showcase friendlies
They split opinion but hosting friendlies against English and Scottish opposition during the season remains an essential part of any League of Ireland club’s year. Not only does the visit of well-known clubs help boost the coffers but also gives players the chance to impress and entertain those new fans coming through the turnstiles.
With Premier League and Championship sides yet to return to pre-season, the full schedule of games has yet to be confirmed but already a Liverpool XI has announced they will be embarking on a tour of the country.
Visits to UCD, Galway, Cork and Waterford will give Reds fans the chance to watch some of the stars of the future while helping their local club raise some much needed funds through ticket sales.
FAI Cup
The blue-riband competition of the domestic scene comes to a head towards the latter half of the season and it always provides great entertainment. We’ve reach the third round of this year’s edition with all the Premier Division big boys still in the hunt.
Last year’s winners, St. Pat’s, will hope to defend their crown and add some gloss to an otherwise disappointing league campaign to date while there are so many other fascinating story lines with a host of clubs out to end their own cup drought or how about one of the underdogs going all the way?
The final, which takes place at the Aviva Stadium, is always one of the highlights of the season and with RTÉ showing live coverage of both semi-finals and the decider, interest levels are always high.
Wexford Youths’ Champions League adventure
The Women’s National League doesn’t return until later in the year but before then, Wexford Youths – the national champions – will face face Lithuanian champions Gintra Universitetas, Poland’s KKPK Medyk Konin and Cardiff Met Ladies FC in Group 7 of the Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round.
It is the first time Wexford will play in the competition and will face all three teams between 11-16 August in Poland. The winners of the group will progress to the Round of 32.
So, there you have it. Without Premier League action for the next few weeks, there is a great way to get your footballing fix by heading down to your local ground on a Friday evening. It’s sure to be an exciting conclusion to the 2015 season and you can be part of it.
There are five games tomorrow evening while Bray host Sligo Rovers on Saturday teatime at the Carlisle Grounds.
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Analysis SSE Airtricity League Premier Division domestic matters Talking Points