Shamrock Rovers' pursuit of unprecedented five-in-a-row begins against Dundalk

Similar to Limerick’s hurlers, Shamrock Rovers have the drive for five preoccupying them in 2024 and it all begins on February 16 at home to Dundalk.

History is in their hands after emulating the feat of the 1980s Hoops team that strung four titles together and manager Stephen Bradley has admitted the allure of being trailblazers fuels their motivation.

Bradley has shrugged off a boardroom rift to remain at the helm and has freshened up his squad with that mission in mind.

Gone are two veterans, goalkeeper Alan Mannus and captain Ronan Finn, but they’ve added Cork City defender Josh Honohan and are poised to complete the capture of Darragh Burns, the MK Dons winger who previously broke through at St Patrick’s Athletic.

They open their title defence with a new stand to house their growing fanbase, the fourth stand at Tallaght spiking the capacity over the 10,000 mark.

Dundalk, under Bradley’s former Arsenal teammate Stephen O’Donnell, will also aim to strengthen after uncertainty over their ownership was recently resolved by Irish-born, Boston-based businessman Brian Ainscough moving his interests from First Division’s outfit Kerry FC to the Louth outfit.

Last season saw a 20% rise in attendances and the opening night, which also includes the First Division kick off, is expected to have a clutch of sell-outs.

That will certainly apply to Eamonn Deacy Park, where Galway United make their top-flight return by welcoming St Pat’s to the west.

Jon Daly’s FAI Cup winners have vowed to close the gap on Rovers, having finished third last season, and continued their strengthening yesterday by adding centre-back Conor Keeley. The highly-rated 26-year-old shone in Drogheda United’s stellar 2023 season and was a wanted man, with