A big season for both Louth clubs, as the greatest league in the world returns

Thursday 13 February 2025, 12:17 pm

By Darren Donoghue

Tomorrow February 14^th is a big date in the calendar year as people celebrate Valentines Day, but for many league of Ireland fans the wait is nearly over, as there true love makes a return to Friday night lights.

The love story of Irish football has really blossomed in recent years and the 2024 league of Ireland season will go down as one to be remembered.

On the 1^{st of} November 2024, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne were crowned League of Ireland Champions on the final day of the season, with a 1-0 win over Derry City at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. The win put an end to Shamrock Rovers five-in-a-row title ambitions.

But, what we will remember most about the 2024 league of Ireland season was the exciting title race and how competitive it was at the top of the league. At one point with only a couple weeks left in the season, four clubs were in the race for the title.

But the switching to the opposite end of the league, the two Louth teams were in the relegation dog fight. Drogheda United eventually pulled away from Dundalk at 3^rd quarter of the season. Dundalk FC finished bottom of the league and were relegated to Division 1.

Drogheda secured their place in the Premier Division with a 3-1 against Bray Wanderers in Tallaght Stadium in the Premier Division Relegation Play-Off Final. The previous week, Kevin Doherty’s men claimed their second FAI Cup with a 2-0 win over a much fancied Derry City side in the FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium, which capped off a truly remarkably season for the Boynesiders .

But looking ahead to the 2025 season, the league of Ireland is on the crest of a wave. League attendances were at all time high last season and this season, many clubs have sold all their season tickets.

Its hard to say who will win the 2025 league of Ireland Premier Division. In my opinion, there are four or five teams that could win it and maybe a dark horse like Cork City thrown in for good measure. But ultimately, St. Patrick’s Athletic are in a great position to win the league. They finished the season strong last year and with Stephen Kenny at the helm I think they will claim the title.

In the relegation battle unfortunately, I see Drogheda United flirting with relegation at some point. The Boynesiders are also in Europe after their FAI Cup Final heroics, so that might impact their season. But I think they will have enough to stay up and finish mid table.

Sligo Rovers in my opinion look to be in trouble and could find themselves at the bottom of the table at the end of the season.

In Division one Dundalk look favourites to return to the Premier Division. After a catastrophic 2024 season but on and off the field, which almost seen the club cease to exist after financial trouble. John Temple took over ownership of Dundalk FC towards the end of the 2024 and enabled the club to remain as a league of Ireland Club.

Ciarán Kilduff was named as the new Dundalk FC manager back in November. Since his appointment as first team manager, Kilduff has made many signings. While also giving youth players a chance. With a good preseason behind them Dundalk look good for a return to the premier division.

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