Season Preview [08 Apr 2003|09:19pm] Last season's expansion of the play-offs led to one of the most competitive First Division promotion races ever and this year, the 12 managers agree, it is likely to be just as tight. With the top team earning automatic promotion and second, third and fourth entering the play-offs with the second last team in the Premier Division, there is a lot at stake which has led to teams seriously strengthening their squads in the run-up to the season. Although a number of manager's admitted that their hands have been tied by the need to improve grounds and develop youth structures before the introduction of club licensing, they still all believe that the play-off system will mean almost all the clubs will have something to play for right up until the final day of the season. "The play-offs are a great idea," Monaghan manager Bobby Browne said. "It keeps things interesting all season." "It will be a tough division. Nearly everyone is capable of getting promotion," was Sligo Rovers' boss Don O'Riordan's view. After last year's short 22 game season, the longer fixture list of 33 games has also been welcomed by all the clubs who believe that the shortened season left very little margin for error. "We had a desperate start and didn't win a game in our first eight. We'd been playing quite well but didn't get a break. But you've got to get points on the board especially in a short season like it was and that's what killed us in the end. We went on a great run of 13 games unbeaten then but we were always playing catch up. If we learnt anything from last season it's that we have to start well and get points on the board," were Browne's feelings. As for who will be in contention, Kildare County are the favourites of many. "Kildare have a strong side, a physical side and in Wayne Russell they have got one of the best keepers in Ireland," was Cobh Ramblers' manager Dave Hill's summation of County. Manager Dermot Keely was the busiest in the transfer market signing eight new players and although, he has tipped Bray Wanderers, Finn Harps and Galway United to finish above his team, many people will disagree and think that the wily Keely is playing mind games. Another manager who was quick to pour water on his team's chances was Galway United boss Tony Mannion. The Tribemen were unlucky not to get promoted last season, but Mannion - who likes to play mind games himself - believes that doing it two years in a row may be too difficult for his young team. "The west of Ireland mentality of being the underdog suits us very well, but now people will look at us differently and maybe we won't respond the way we would like. We made great strides in our development last season and hopefully we can continue," he said. "Last season, the expectation level was very low. We had our own difficulties and the club had just changed hands and it was hard to put the squad together. I wouldn't be jumping up and down about our chances. Other teams have invested heavily in new recruits. It's going to be a challenge." Cobh, who qualified for the play-offs last season have lost a number of players with Andy Noonan joining Dublin City and Mark Clifford joining Waterford United. But manager Hill is still bullish about his team's chances. "We've kept a few and lost a few. It's always on the cards. You have a good season and the players learn a lot and it's a compliment to the club that people want the players now when a couple of years ago they didn't want to know anybody." "It will be very difficult to emulate what we did last year but hopefully we can continue on where we left off. Our attitude will be the same as last year and we will go out to win every game." Monaghan United manager Browne, who's team was one of the strongest finishers last season after a disastrous start believes that Bray Wanderers will be difficult to beat. "I was over watching Bray on Sunday (2-2 against Shamrock Rovers) and they were very strong and I'd say they'll be up there and be champions leaving another three places for the rest of us to fight over." Several other clubs were also tipped heavily with Dublin City and Cobh Ramblers frequently being mentioned among the managers though all the managers are insisting that the play-offs are within reach of almost every team in the Division. Athlone Town boss Jimmy Greene said: "I think that with the play-offs, every team in the League can think in terms of possibly sneaking a play-off spot. In Athlone, we're still developing the new ground and that will be the main focus of our attention again. Funds will be very tight because of it. But we can still improve on last season." Limerick recently lost manager Noel O'Connor who moved to Cork City as Pat Dolan's number two though caretaker manager Mike Kerley will hope to improve on last season's showing at their new home at Pike Rovers while Kilkenny City, who will be managed by Tommy Lynch, will also be looking for an improvement. Dundalk manager Trevor Anderson has made many changes to his playing staff for the season and hopes to make progress after last season's disappointing campaign.

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