Mervue United a good bet to retain title but Corrib Rangers will push them close

Sixteen weeks have elapsed since Mervue United clinched a second successive Premier Division title and on Sunday next, they kick off a new campaign as they chase a hat-trick of Brod Trill titles.

It will be a familiar road for the majority of Gary O’Connor’s charges as a seasoned local squad will remain the team to beat.

The players will be listening to a fresh voice as the long serving Paugie Kilgannon has stepped down, but Gary O’Connor is an able replacement and is no stranger to management – he was alongside Ollie Neary as they led the club to a League, Connacht Cup and Michael Byrne treble back in 1995. Ger McGrath will be his assistant as he too brings a long playing career to somewhat of a conclusion. 

Paul Sinnott, Eric Browne, Adam Lee and Dean McDonagh are additions to an already packed squad, so a huge problem for a lot of the players will be getting game time.

In recent seasons Hibernians, Athenry and St Bernard’s have competed competitively at the top end of the table, but based on preseason activity, it is difficult to know if they can maintain their positions.

The Bohermore outfit were just pipped by a point for title honours last season, but after appointing Kevin Cassidy as manager back in May, they suffered a setback when he resigned a few weeks ago.

Last week’s appointment of another long serving club member, Derek O’Loughlin, will bring a bit of stability to a side that have retained the services of seasoned campaigners like Brian Crowe, Brian Griffin and Keith Ward.

As ever the club’s youth side will continue to provide a rich supply of talent and no doubt Dave Mooney and Stephen Killeen will add to the ability of a team that includes Liam Hreherow and Cathal Walsh.

Dave Devlin, Philip Ryan, Conor Cleary and Stephen Gilmore are newcomers that will add a bit of experience to what is a relatively young squad.

Emigration continues to be a blight on Athenry challenge and Packie Byrne, David Carroll and John Grealish are players who have already departed or intend to do so shortly and they just add to the difficulties of Gabriel Glavin’s small squad.

As ever a number of his players are involved in the latter stages of the GAA football and hurling championship and therefore the participation of Alan O’Donovan, Gary Delaney, Seamie Crowe and Benny Lawless could be on hold for a spell.

On the plus side, goalkeeper Kieran Kilkelly and Paddy Quinn are available again, while Glavin was keeping his cards close to his chest as he confirmed the prospects of a few fresh faces joining his squad. 

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.