NEW FACES IN THE LEAGUE OF IRELAND

The 2017/2018 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland season is gathering pace as 10 clubs scramble to prepare their squads for the season ahead.

Each year plenty of talented players leave the league for pastures new. The likes of Patrick McEleney, Fuad Sule and Warren O’Hora are amongst the stars of last season to emigrate to England.

However, the last two months have seen an influx of new faces to the league. Whilst players leave for England, some arrive from there too.

Last season’s champions Cork City have bolstered their ensemble through the acquisitions of Danny Kane (Huddersfield) and Graham Cummins (St. Johnstone).

Title chasers Dundalk splashed the cash on Karolis Chvedukas, Krizstian

Shamrock Rovers fans put on a display ahead of last year’s Dublin Derby. Credit: Pamphlona

Adorjan and Ross Treacy. Adorjan sticks out, having formerly played for Premier League giants Liverpool. Bohemians have signed Darragh Leahy and Dylan Watts, who arrive from Coventry and Leicester respectively.

The ambitious Shamrock Rovers made arguably the signing of the off-season in full-back Joey O’Brien, an Irish international who spent years at West Ham in England’s top flight.

Former Liverpool striker Adam Morgan, who is still just 23-years-old, made a surprise move from Wrexham to Sligo Rovers as he looks to fire his new club to European football.

St. Patrick’s Athletic, in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, turned to the impressive Kevin Toner of Aston Villa. Toner made three first-team appearances for the Championship outfit.

It will be interesting to see how the new arrivals handle the expectations on their shoulders as the season begins.