Premier Division: Club-by-club guide as 2024 LOI season kicks-off
BOHEMIANS
Manager: Declan Devine (since Oct ’22)
Owners(s): 100% fans-owned.
Last season finish: Sixth.
Ins: Dayle Rooney (Drogheda United), Rob Cornwall (Northern Colorado Hailstorm), Sten Reinkort, Martin Miller and Michael Lilander (Flora Tallinn), Kacper Chorazka (ASIL Lysi), Brian McManus (Shelbourne).
Outs: Dean Williams (Shelbourne), Kris Twardek (Atletico Ottawa), John O'Sullivan (Shelbourne), Kacper Radkowski (Waterford), Krystian Nowak, Ali Coote (Detroit City), Jonathan Afolabi (Kortrijk, Belgium), Chris Lotefa (Finn Harps - loan).
Looking up or down? Two sixth placed finishes on the spin indicate stagnation and the nature of their latest FAI Cup final defeat to St Pat’s stung. Trouble may be brewing unless they start well.
Player to watch: Sten Reinkort – Replacing Afolabi is a challenge but one of their three arrivals from Estonia will lead the line and he’s got pedigree.
Verdict: 4th.
DERRY CITY
Manager: Ruaidhrí Higgins (since April ’21)
Owners(s): Billionaire Philip O’Doherty.
Last season finish: Runners-up.
Ins: Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban (Dundalk).
Outs: Cian Kavanagh and Brandon Kavanagh (St Patrick's Athletic), Evan McLaughlin (Cork City), Jamie McGonigle (Coleraine), Liam Mullan (Institute - loan), Caoimhin Porter (Institute - loan), Jack Lemoignan (Harland & Wolff Welders), Daithi McCallion (Ballymena United - loan).
Looking up or down? While they closed the gap on the champions, Derry failed to sustain a serious title challenge. It’s hard to see another meek tilt being tolerated by an ambitious owner.
Player to watch: Pat Hoban – Underappreciated at the club he earned legendary status, the striker will want to prove Stevie O’Donnell wrong. Fitness will be vital.
Verdict: 2nd.
DR
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