Tuesday 19 February 2008

First Division Betting

A guide to the minefield of First Divison Betting

9/4 Dundalk
3/1 Waterford Utd
4/1 Shelbourne
10/1 Sporting Fingal
16/1 Limerick 37
20/1 Longford Town
50/1 Kildare County
66/1 Monaghan Utd
66/1 Wexford Youth
80/1 Athlone Town

A rough guide to whats generally available on the high street.


Dundalk

Their early season form last year had most people asuming they would go up last year but an in different spell mid-season saw both Cobh & Harps over take them. They've made some decent signings particularly the five from Shamrock Rovers, lots of experience. They have let Philly Hughes go and have lost last years top scorer Shaun Williams as his loan spell has ended. They start the season as most firms favourite.

Verdict: A watching brief for me.



Waterford Utd.

Waterford had a good enough squad last year to really challenge for the First division title, unfortunatley they were in the Premier division due to Shelbourne's demotion. They havent been overly busy in the tranfser market and with a largely settled side, Gareth Cronin will be happy that his squad will be able to challenge for top spot this year.

Vedict: Champions in waiting.


Shelbourne

I think its fair to say that Dermot Keely has done an excellent job is steering the club through what had to be a very difficult season for all involved with Shelbourne FC. A new season brings with it new challenges and for Shels it is to get back where they belong, in the top flight. There has been a massive triming of the squad that was put toghether last year to keep the club afloat and in fairness looks to be a farily good side. There is a good mixture of youth and experience. Shelbourne will have a say in how this title is decided.

Verdict: Play-offs.


Sporting Fingal

The new kids on the block. They have a good manager in the shape of Liam Buckley. They have also been very busy with Transfers obviously, and have a good deal of experience with the likes of Steve Williams, Chris Deans, Robbie Doyle etc. Its impossible to know how these will all gel and what sort of support they will garner but its exciting to have a new club, albeit at the expense of losing Kilkenny City. Most layers have taken the cautious approach and kept them at a reasonable short price.

Verdict: Top half if all goes well.


Limerick 37

Ultimatley a very dissapointing season last year for the then "Newist Club". They never really challenged. With new investment in the club it will again be very interesting to monitor affairs at the club. They dont appear to have changed much on the field so its hard to make a case for how the same side can challenge this year. Kevin Waters has left to join Waterford and presumably has taken his goals with him.

Verdict: If anything futher away for me this season, mid-table.


Longford Town

A year to forget for Longford, although good news this week that they have at least obtained a first division licence which implies that off the field they are in good health. The majority of the squad from last season have moved on, which is understandable considering the talent the club possesed. The six points lost to accounting irregularities eventually cost them Premier divison status last year. The club have brought in a number of Junior & Intermediate players so its difficult to asses them until the season kicks off. It would be a suprise if they mounted a challenge.

Verdict: Its all about surival.


Kildare County

Kildare havent really had much to shout about in the last few years and I dont think they will have much to horse about this year. None of their pre-season signings excite me terribly. Kildares best finish in the last five years had been 4th and this current crop of players is not as tallented as the 2004 side.

Verdict: Bottom half.


Monaghan Utd

Monaghan posses a decent enough squad without being world beaters, they will look to improve on last years 8th position. I cant see them mounting a challenge but should be above Athlone and Wexford.

Vedict: Bottom half.


Wexford Youths

Appear to have much the same side as last year, possbily a year older and wiser. Mick Wallace's experiment will continue in much the same fashion as last year. Possilby a bit of second season blues. I cant make any case for why they should be any better than last year.

Verdict: Same again.


Athlone Town

Quite enough on the transfer front for Athlone and after a season that promised much last year they seem just as far away from success as ever. They have one of the nicest grounds in the league but that counts for nothing if your not challenging. The club has had some financial difficulites to deal with recently so its probably just about survial in the short term.

Verdict: Same again.

Best of luck....

Thursday 14 February 2008

New Season, Same difference

As the new season approaches rapidly lets look to see who looks most likely to collect the spoils...

Centremid's Premier Division Betting Guide


2/1 Drogheda
5/2 Bohemians
9/2 Cork City
6/1 St Pats Ath
7/1 Derry City
16/1 Shamrock Rovers
40/1 Sligo Rovers
66/1 Galway Utd
100/1 Finn Harps
150/1 Bray Wanderers
200/1 UCD
200/1 Cobh Ramblers


Drogheda Utd

They have trimmed the squad if anything but have retained the quality they possesed throughout the team and with Fabio to come back in they have a formidable attack. They retirement of Simon Webb is one notable detraction, if not for his football ability then for his personality, a loss to the game.
Verdit: Would be champions?

Bohemians

Again a trimming of a bulging squad but Pat Fenlon has brought back to the league on its most potent finishers in Jason Bryne. Added to that the craft of Killian Brennan and the steel of Ken Oman, Bohemians are genuine challengers this year.
Verdict: Title Conteders?

Cork City

An Enigma of a club, Damien Richardson departs the club after two seasons of sucess. Alan Matthews has managed a bit of a coup bringing in last years top goalscorer Dave Mooney and shed legend "Georgie Boy" O Callaghan to his spiritual home. Undouted class on the ball, a nut without it.
Verdict: European spot.

St Pats Ath

Another club that has been busy in the close season. Out go a sizeable number of players including the retirement of Colm Foley, another excellent servant of the league. Bobby Ryan is probably the pick of their signings.
Verdict: Futher away than last years 2nd place, outside chance of Europe.

Derry City

Return of the prodical son or a rehashing of past glories? The Fenlon & Robertson experiments failed when the dressing room was lost. Thats one thing Setphen Kenny will have plus some of the best young footballers in the county in Darren Quigley and Conor Salmon, a testatement to Pete Mahon on one level. Derry have lost quality in other areas though with departure of Ken Oman and Killian Brennan back to Dublin.
Verdict: League Cup Winners.

Shamrock Rovers

Probably the pick of the non fulltime clubs, Pat Scully is proving himself to be an excellent manager, particularly in the way he has dealt with Ger Rowe recently. Again there has been a trimming of the squad to some extent but with the likes of Dessie Baker & Darragh Maquire throwing on the hoops this year, quality has been maintained.
Verdict: Outisde chance of a European spot.

Sligo Rovers

Sligo had a horrid finish to last season picking up just 1 point from their last 7 games after a pretty decent spell midway through. Hard to know what to expect this season. Couple of intersting signings in Anto Murphy & Alan Moore, but the loss of Adam Hughes to Drogheda is big. Possilby a season of struggle for the bit'o'red.
Verdict: 7th-8th - Cup Run.

Galway Utd

Goals seem to on the agenda with Galways signings bringing in a talented if not firey Jay O Shea from Bray & Mark Leech from Drogheda. Only Waterford scored less goals in the top flight last year. If Galway can put some home form together this year it could be an interesting battle for bragging rights out west.
Verdcit: Push for a top six spot.

Finn Harps

A good late surge saw Finn Harps claim their place with the elite after putting Waterford to the sword in the play off. The signing of Gary Beckett from Derry interests me the most. His goals dried up somewhat but he is such an intellegnet player, his experince will be invaulable to a side hoping to establish themselves as a Premier Club.
Verdict: Outside of the relegation zone.

Bray Wanderers

A very talented, if young side. Eddie Gormley has got Bray playing attractive attacking football and with most of his young players tied down with long term contracts Eddie is building for the future. However he has made a couple of good signings in Gavin Whelan and Andy Myler. Partiularly Myler as his experience and strength will help to bring on young players, something that wouldnt have been lost on Gormley.
Verdict: Top 8 finish.

Cobh Ramblers

Quiet enough on the transfer front last seasons First division champs will probably feel better the devil you know. They will look to Davin O Neill to continue in the rich vien of form he showed last year.
Verdict: Should be safe enough, maybe a cup run.

UCD

They have lost a lot of talent this years with Darren Quigley & Conor Salmon going north to Derry, added to this the considerable loss of Tony McDonnell to retirment and its looks to be a long season for UCD.
Verdict: Unless Pete Mahon can magic something it looks like relegations for UCD.