1. Your best signing in the off-season? Cliff Byrne has added some well needed experience to our back four.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Ruaidhrí Higgins is going to be a big loss. His ability to pick out a pass is the best in the league.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Roddy Collins Jr. Good attitude but still has a few things to learn in the game yet.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Turner’s Cross. Great ground and we get on well with their fans.
6. Favourite chant? Teenage Kicks – it’s a classic.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? For his good football knowledge and poor fashion sense, it has to be Alan Cawley.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to Shamrock Rovers)? I’d be happy with a draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Us or St Pat’s.
10. Where will you finish? If we don’t win it I’d be happy with a European spot.
Drogheda United (Keith O’Brien)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? The re-signing of Gavin Brennan. It’s great to see a local lad captain his hometown club.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Mick Cooke.
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Cathal Brady — he has the potential though.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Joesph N’Do — genius.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) The Brandywell — we’ve a great record up there.
6. Favourite chant? “We’re the pride of county Louth.”
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Liam Coyle — he always praises Drogheda.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Dundalk)? Tough to call but it’s a good time to play Dundalk, I think. 1-1 draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Pat’s… by at least 10 points.
10. Where will you finish? Tough to say but I’m going to say ninth which will be a great achievement.
Limerick (Tom Clancy)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Local man Shane Duggan. A fine midfielder and a scorer of goals, exactly what Limerick need.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Axel Bossekota. A player fans loved and someone who’d have scored even more goals this season. Joe Gamble also a big loss.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Danny Galbraith. I can see how good he can be but he has yet to deliver even a league goal. A big year for him.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey. Need I explain? We are light in midfield and he is pure quality.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Turner’s Cross. A short trip, rivals, great pitch, and good times in the past.
6. Favourite chant? Don’t really have one. It’s all about what’s in front of me, not around me!
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Damien Richardson because I do a decent impersonation! But I think himself or Dave Barry offer decent opinion.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Bray)? I reckon we’ll scrape past Bray but I’m nervous.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Pat’s, comfortably in my educated opinion!
10. Where will you finish? I don’t see an improvement, but at the same time I don’t see a major fall. Eighth.
St Pat’s (Fergus Brennan)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Keith Fahey of course.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Anto Flood. His performances in the latter half of last season were superb and he is a better all round player than Christy Fagan who remains as our main striker.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Probably Ken Oman as he will have a tough job filling Conor Kenna’s boots.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… We have too many quality midfielders, many of whom can also play a striker’s role. I would therefore go for a defender and the one who impresses me most is Alan Keane of Sligo. If we needed a midfield boost it would be Richie Towell.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) It used to be Dalymount until they got rid of Burdock’s. Now it’s UCD as the queues for the burger van are always short.
6. Favourite chant? “Let’s all do the Bucko, tra la la la.”
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Richard Sadlier
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to Cork)? I dont think we’ll lose but it will be tight against Cork. A win or a score draw most likely.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Sligo or St Pat’s.
10. Where will you finish? First or second.
Sligo Rovers (Mark Mannion)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? I really like the look of Paul O’Conor, think he’ll fit in nicely into the midfield. I have to mention Eric Odhiambo as well for his debut hat-trick against Crusaders!
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? I suppose losing our captain Danny Ventre to Derry was a big loss even if he wasn’t available for a lot of last season though injury. He definitely had a big presence around the dressing room.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Aaron Greene played well in some games and went missing in other games last season – hope his consistency improves this year!
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… It has to be Keith Fahey. The man is a class act.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Does the Aviva count? Three cup final wins in the last four years says it all!
6. Favourite chant? The Joey N’Do chant. He deserves all the praise he gets.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Alan Cawley and his outrageous clothes… he must read the dictionary in his spare time too with some of the words he comes out with!
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Athlone)? Nice little 3-1 home win against Athlone.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Us.
10. Where will you finish? First.
Shamrock Rovers (Declan Watters)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Kieran Marty Waters.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Stephen Rice.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Gary McCabe.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Dundalk. Old school.
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Athlone Town (James Brennan)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Derek Prendergast.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Graham Kelly.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Barry Clancy.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Galway. It’s always a good crowd for atmosphere.
6. Favourite chant? “Ninety years in our shadow” (sung to Longford).
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? They’re all rubbish.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to Sligo)? Lose.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Pat’s.
10. Where will you finish? 9th.
Bohemians (Ciara Molloy)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Jason Byrne — it’ll be great to have him back.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? I’m still disappointed Luke Byrne decided to move to Shamrock Rovers.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Dean Delany was disappointing in the first half of last season. Hopefully he’ll improve!
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… I’d like to see Joey N’Do back in the red and black.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Within Dublin, Tallaght for the atmosphere. Outside it, The Showgrounds in Sligo is lovely.
6. Favourite chant? The classic “Red Army, Black Army.”
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? I’ve never liked any of them — they all seem to hate Bohs for some reason.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to UCD)? Hopefully a win out in UCD, but I’ll be happy with a draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? My heart says St Pat’s or Sligo, my head says Shamrock Rovers.
10. Where will you finish? Somewhere above relegation!
Cork City (James Clancy)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Anthony Elding
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Daryl Horgan
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Nobody really needs to convince me.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Tallaght because it has the best facilities and good banter with Rovers’ fans.
6. Favourite chant? I don’t really have one particular chant. The chants I like change too often to pick just one.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Richie Sadlier is the best pundit.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Pat’s)? I think we’ll draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? St. Pat’s have strengthened during the close season and I think they’ll retain the title.
10. Where will you finish? Third.
Derry City (Graeme Taylor)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Cliff Byrne has added some well needed experience to our back four.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Ruaidhrí Higgins is going to be a big loss. His ability to pick out a pass is the best in the league.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Roddy Collins Jr. Good attitude but still has a few things to learn in the game yet.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Turner’s Cross. Great ground and we get on well with their fans.
6. Favourite chant? Teenage Kicks – it’s a classic.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? For his good football knowledge and poor fashion sense, it has to be Alan Cawley.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to Shamrock Rovers)? I’d be happy with a draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Us or St Pat’s.
10. Where will you finish? If we don’t win it I’d be happy with a European spot.
Drogheda United (Keith O’Brien)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? The re-signing of Gavin Brennan. It’s great to see a local lad captain his hometown club.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Mick Cooke.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Cathal Brady — he has the potential though.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Joesph N’Do — genius.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) The Brandywell — we’ve a great record up there.
6. Favourite chant? “We’re the pride of county Louth.”
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Liam Coyle — he always praises Drogheda.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Dundalk)? Tough to call but it’s a good time to play Dundalk, I think. 1-1 draw.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Pat’s… by at least 10 points.
10. Where will you finish? Tough to say but I’m going to say ninth which will be a great achievement.
Limerick (Tom Clancy)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Local man Shane Duggan. A fine midfielder and a scorer of goals, exactly what Limerick need.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Axel Bossekota. A player fans loved and someone who’d have scored even more goals this season. Joe Gamble also a big loss.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Danny Galbraith. I can see how good he can be but he has yet to deliver even a league goal. A big year for him.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey. Need I explain? We are light in midfield and he is pure quality.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Turner’s Cross. A short trip, rivals, great pitch, and good times in the past.
6. Favourite chant? Don’t really have one. It’s all about what’s in front of me, not around me!
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Damien Richardson because I do a decent impersonation! But I think himself or Dave Barry offer decent opinion.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Bray)? I reckon we’ll scrape past Bray but I’m nervous.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Pat’s, comfortably in my educated opinion!
10. Where will you finish? I don’t see an improvement, but at the same time I don’t see a major fall. Eighth.
St Pat’s (Fergus Brennan)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Keith Fahey of course.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Anto Flood. His performances in the latter half of last season were superb and he is a better all round player than Christy Fagan who remains as our main striker.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Probably Ken Oman as he will have a tough job filling Conor Kenna’s boots.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… We have too many quality midfielders, many of whom can also play a striker’s role. I would therefore go for a defender and the one who impresses me most is Alan Keane of Sligo. If we needed a midfield boost it would be Richie Towell.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) It used to be Dalymount until they got rid of Burdock’s. Now it’s UCD as the queues for the burger van are always short.
6. Favourite chant? “Let’s all do the Bucko, tra la la la.”
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Richard Sadlier
8. How will you do on opening weekend (away to Cork)? I dont think we’ll lose but it will be tight against Cork. A win or a score draw most likely.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Sligo or St Pat’s.
10. Where will you finish? First or second.
Sligo Rovers (Mark Mannion)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? I really like the look of Paul O’Conor, think he’ll fit in nicely into the midfield. I have to mention Eric Odhiambo as well for his debut hat-trick against Crusaders!
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? I suppose losing our captain Danny Ventre to Derry was a big loss even if he wasn’t available for a lot of last season though injury. He definitely had a big presence around the dressing room.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Aaron Greene played well in some games and went missing in other games last season – hope his consistency improves this year!
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… It has to be Keith Fahey. The man is a class act.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Does the Aviva count? Three cup final wins in the last four years says it all!
6. Favourite chant? The Joey N’Do chant. He deserves all the praise he gets.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? Alan Cawley and his outrageous clothes… he must read the dictionary in his spare time too with some of the words he comes out with!
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Athlone)? Nice little 3-1 home win against Athlone.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Us.
10. Where will you finish? First.
Shamrock Rovers (Declan Watters)
1. Your best signing in the off-season? Kieran Marty Waters.
2. Your biggest loss in the off-season? Stephen Rice.
3. One player who still needs to convince you? Gary McCabe.
4. If you could sign any other player from within the league… Keith Fahey.
5. Favourite away ground (and why?) Dundalk. Old school.
6. Favourite chant? Hold me close.
7. Who’s the best on the MNS / “Soccer Republic” couch? No-one stands out as best but I’ll give them a fair go ahead of the new show.
8. How will you do on opening weekend (home to Derry)? Rovers win.
9. Who’s going to win the league? Shamrock Rovers.
10. Where will you finish? First. Without a shadow.
Bray, Dundalk and UCD fans — it’s not too late for you to have your say. Email sport@thescore.ie if you want to get involved.
Cork City fans hoping good old days are back with return of club icon ‘Johnny C’
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