IRELAND SOCCER - NEWS

Season Preview 2016 - Waterford United

Manager: Roddy Collins

Stadium: The Regional Sports Centre (R.S.C)

Players in: Eoin Rhodes (New Ross Celtic), Ian Sinnott (Shamrock Rovers AFC), Roddy Collins Jnr (Unattached), Phillip Gorman (Athlone Town), Sean Byrne (Tolka Rovers), Kevin Burns (Cork City), Jimmy Dermody (Wexford Youths), Corey Chambers (Bray Wanderers), Dean Broaders (Wexford Youths).

Players out: Ethan Boyle (Finn Harps), Cory Galvin (Cobh Ramblers), Evan Galvin (Waterford United), Shaun Corcoran (unattached), Shane Dineen (Unattached), Brian Nolan (Unattached), Mark Walsh (Unattached), Sean Duffy (Unattached), Dylan Mernagh (Unattached), Jack Doherty (Unattached), Willie John Kiley (Unattached), Glen Hawe (Tramore AFC), Bobbi Donoghue (Unattached).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Phillip Gorman

With the majority of outfits in the First Division boasting star strikers, it was vital that Roddy Collins managed to capture the services of the attacker who netted the fourth-most goals (nine) in last season's First Division. Gorman's clever play and leadership skills will give the Blues a new edge to their game this season and will give oppositions a variety of tactical aspects to consider on a weekly basis.

 One to Watch: Dean Broaders

The 26 year-old midfielder joined United from rivals Wexford Youths just months after winning the First Division title with Shane Keegan's side. However, injuries disrupted his 2015 season to the extent that he made only a single appearance, as a substitute, away to Cabinteely last April. Roddy Collins and the other members of United's backroom staff will be hoping that Broaders has overcome his injuries and the midfielder can tap into the experience that he attained during his six seasons at Ferrycarrig Park.

How they did last season:

League: There's no dressing it up. Last season's league campaign was extremely disappointing for the Munster club. The Blues finished seventh, just a point behind last placed Cabinteely. United mustered only five wins from 22 games, drawing six and losing 17. They will be hoping for much better this time around as Roddy Colins gears up for his first full season at the Blues helm after taking the reigns from Tommy Griffin last May.

FAI Cup: Second Round

Some may have thought United could use the cup as a welcome distraction from the league. However, that wasn't to be the case as the Blues were dumped out at the second round stage by Leinster Senior League outfit Tolka Rovers.

EA Sports Cup: Second Round

The EA Sports Cup also offered little hope for United, as Munster rivals Cork City beat them 2-0 on a sunny day at the R.S.C. in early April.

What to expect this season:

Most punters are expecting this season to be a particularly compettitve First Division. UCD, Limerick, Shelbourne, Drogheda and some are even suggesting Cobh may be there or there abouts when it comes to fighting for promotion at the end of the season.

Of course , after a shaky pre-season which saw the Blues thumped 8-1 and 7-0 at the hands of last season's Premier Division top two Dundalk and Cork City, many would tip United to struggle once again this season.

However, if United can keep Dean Broaders injury free and Phillip Gorman can find his goalscoring touch, there's no reason why United can't cause an upset and be pushing for promotion towards the later stages of the season.

Title Odds: 25/1

First Game: Drogheda United (United Park), Friday, March 4th, 7:45pm.

Season Preview 2016 - Galway United

Manager: Tommy Dunne

Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park

Players in: Connor Gleeson (Athlone Town), Evan Murphy (Salthill Devon), Armin Aganovic (Mjallby AIF, Sweden), Stephen Folan (Cork City), Kevin Devaney (Sligo Rovers), Eric Foley (Athlone Town), John Sullivan (Bray Wanderers), Vinny Faherty (Limerick), Andrew Connolly (Mervue Utd), Ruairi Keating (Sligo Rovers).

Players Out: Jake Keegan (FC Edmonton) Sam Oji (Unattached), Jason Molloy (Unattached), David O’Leary (Waterford Utd), Ger Hanley (Retired), Conor Barry (Athlone Town), Andy O’Connell (Cobh Ramblers), Tomi Saarelma (Released).

 Key Signing: Armin Aganovic

For the most of last season an area for concern for the Galway faithful was in the centre of defence, an area most Premier Division sides had identified as a weakness in Tommy Dunne’s, particularly from set pieces. Dunne spotted the Swedish central defender in action at the FIFPro tournament in Oslo and subsequently persuaded him to come to Ireland on a one-year contract at Eamonn Deacy Park. He will be hoping the former Mjallby AIF player can be a solution in that area of concern along with another new signing Stephen Folan and also the ever reliable Stephen Walsh to reduce the amount of goals leaked. A big imposing centre back, the 21-year-old certainly looks the part but only time will tell if the hustle and bustle of the League of Ireland will suit him. Aganovic certainly has potential and was one of the standout players in that FIFPro tournament, captaining the Swedish team to victory before being voted the MVP of the tournament.

 One to watch: Conor Melody

Melody was always touted as a future talent while plying his underage football with Mervue United. He represented Ireland at all the age groups while developing at Fahy’s Field, and attracted a lot of attention from clubs across the water, Everton in particular. Unfortunately for the youngster, he suffered a bad injury while playing in an underage tournament for Ireland and that injury set his progress back somewhat. He returned from that injury to play for Salthill Devon in the Airtricity under-19 League before joining Galway United under-19 squad. He featured regularly for the first team in the second half of last season, making nine league appearances and turning in a number of competent performances.

How they did last season:

League: 10^th – survival in the Premier Division was the aim.

FAI Cup: 2015 – reached third round before bowing out 4-1 to winners Dundalk.

League Cup: Reached the final after knocking out Dundalk and Bohemians, before losing out on penalties in the final, played in Eamonn Deacy Park, to St. Patrick’s Athletic

2015 was all about staying in the Premier Division for the Tribesmen, after promotion from the First Division. A bad start, losing six of their opening seven league games, was eventually turned around as they flirted with relegation before some good end of season results (a point away to Champions Dundalk a highlight) had confirmed their Premier Division status before the final game of the season.

The highlight of the season though was the club’s run to the EA Sports Cup final, the club’s first final appearance since 1997, but a penalty shootout defeat by St Patricks Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park in front of over 3,500 supporters, ended in disappointment. There surely are better days ahead though for the club.

What to expect this season:

Galway will need to get off to a better start in their league campaign if they are to consolidate their position in the Premier Division, and will aim for a more comfortable mid-table finish and hope for another good run in either of the cup competitions (it is the 25^th anniversary since their one and only FAI Cup Win in 1991!). Avoiding a battle with the clubs who will be involved in the relegation struggle will be Tommy Dunne’s main objective for the coming season but they have been handed a tough start with trips to St Pats, Sligo Rovers and Derry City from their opening four games.

Dunne may not have the budget of the bigger clubs but he has been quietly putting to together a decent squad for the season ahead. He has retained most of last season’s squad, while also adding some experience along with some young talented players. Galway native Stephen Folan has returned to his hometown club along with fellow Galwegians Vinny Flaherty (from Limerick) and goalkeeper Connor Gleeson (from Ahlone Town), while midfielders John Sullivan and Eric Foley have joined from Bray and Athlone to add further to Dunne’s midfield options. Young Sligo Rovers duo Kevin Devaney and Ruairi Keating have also joined along with Salthill Devon youngster Evan Murphy.

The big question is though who is going to provide the goals as the popular American Jake Keegan signed for the Canada based NASL side FC Edmonton in the close season. Keegan hit 15 goals in last season’s campaign with 12 of those coming in the league. Galway will look to Enda Curran, who did score 12 goals himself in twenty five league appearances last season, and the returning Vinny Faherty who also scored twelve goals in twenty-eight league appearances for Limerick last season.

Title odds: 150/1

First game: St Patricks Athletic (Richmond Park), Friday 4^th March, 7.45pm.

Friendly Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 1 Shelbourne

Gary Shaw's first goal for Shamrock Rovers sealed a 2-1 victory over Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium in the sides' final game before their respective league openers.

Shaw finished emphatically from close range after a farcical own goal from former Rovers full-back Alan Kehoe and a second-half strike from Gavin Boyne had the game poised to end in a stalemate.

The scoreline was unfair on the visitors, who had plenty of chances to win the game themselves during the second half, but Kevin Doherty will be the happier of the two managers following a game that lacked a competitive edge despite a couple of spirited altercations.

The first half began at a slow tempo that would leave any crowd cold regardless of the icy conditions, and when Rovers captain Gary McCabe drove the first chance of the game wide, the sky made its feelings known with a short barrage of hail.

Boyne was next to try his luck with a speculative first-time volley from 30 yards, but there wasn't enough pace on the ball to beat the retreating Barry Murphy in the Hoops goal.

Shels were enjoying a nice spell of dominance and former Rovers winger Lorcan Shannon should have done better when he picked up David O'Connor's clearance on the edge of the box, but he dragged his shot wide.

Boyne did have the ball in the net halfway through the first half as Rovers failed to clear a corner, but it was ruled offside, before Shannon again came close with a looping cross that evaded both Murphy and the far corner of the goal.

The home side took the lead in comic circumstances as, the backline having defended stoutly, Kehoe sliced a hurried clearance high over goalkeeper Greg Murray and into an empty net to put Shelbourne undeservedly in arrears.

The second half proved a more entertaining affair as both sides produced moments of quality, and Mikey Drennan drove narrowly wide from an errant Kehoe clearance before Brandon Miele was denied what appeared a certain penalty.

The skilful winger bamboozled Adam O'Connor on the endline with a smart pirouette and drove into the box before being clipped by the Shels full back, but Tomás Connolly was unimpressed and waved play on.

An injury to Luke Byrne left the Hoops temporarily a man down just past the hour mark, and Shels took full advantage as the lively Kehoe found Boyne unmarked in the box, and he slammed the ball low past a helpless Murphy.

Shelbourne dominated much of the remainder of the contest, and cursed the reflexes of Murphy as he expertly tipped over powerful efforts from both Adam O'Connor and substitute Sodiq Oguntola.

With a raft of second half substitutes threatening to disrupt the flow of the game at times, it turned out to be one of those subs that settled the tie four minutes from time as Shaw headed home from close range.

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy (Craig Hyland 79); Simon Madden (Rob Cornwall 79), Max Blanchard (David Webster 79), David O'Connor (Sean Heaney 59), Luke Byrne (Trevor Clarke 64); Gary McCabe, Killian Brennan (Richie Purdy 65), Gavin Brennan, Brandon Miele; Mikey Drennan (Gareth McCaf, Danny North (Gary Shaw 65).

Subs not used: None.

Booked: Gary McCabe (18).

Shelbourne: Greg Murray, Adam O'Connor, Aidan Collins (Robert O'Reilly 59), Ryan Robinson (Conor Keeley 90), Alan Kehoe; Daire Doyle, Cian Kavanagh (Robert Duggan 79), Gavon Boyne (Gareth Coughlan 83), Lorcan Shannon (Mark Sandford 79), Jamie Doyle (Sodiq Oguntola 71); James English (Carl Walshe 59).

Subs not used: Jack Brady (gk), Dylan Grimes.

Booked: None.

Referee: Tomás Connolly.

Attendance: 500 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gavin Boyne (Shelbourne).