New season kicks off on Friday night with Shamrock Rovers hosting Dundalk on Virgin Media Two
By Aaron Behan
As the kick-off for the 2026 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division approaches, defending champions Shamrock Rovers will be looking to bring another league title to Tallaght. However, after a busy winter, other clubs have strengthened their squads over the off-season along with high-profile arrivals and departures that are set to shake up the league.
Key signings for Derry City, Shelbourne, Bohemians, and St. Patrick’s Athletic could impact the title and European picture, while Sligo Rovers, Drogheda United, Galway United, and Waterford aim to move up the table. We also have the return of the newly promoted Dundalk awho re expected to battle to stay in the Division but have grand ambitions to grow back to their old selves. With the new squads largely settled, here’s a look at how each club shapes up ahead of the new season.
Bohemians
Bohemians have made key signings as they aim to bring silverware to Dalymount Park ahead of its redevelopment. Midfielder Sadou Diallo and defender Sam Todd have arrived from Derry City, alongside midfielder Patrick Hickey from Galway United and left-back Ryan Burke from Waterford. Bohs have also brought in two Irish youth internationals on loan: midfielder Senan Mullen from Torino and forward Harry Vaughan from Hull City, both of whom should bring quality and energy to the side.
Club captain and Bohs legend Keith Buckley is the most notable departure alongside Rob Cornwall and James Talbot, having signed for Dundalk on a free transfer. Overall, Bohs have strengthened their squad defensively and in midfield and could be one to watch this season.
Derry City
2025 runners-up Derry City have been incredibly active in the transfer market, with a title charge firmly on the cards after falling short last season. 103-capped Irish international James McClean has returned to his boyhood club and is sure to add valuable experience both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
McClean is joined by his brother Patrick, who was solid for Sligo Rovers last year. Loanee Josh Thomas has arrived from Swansea to add firepower up top, linking up with former Bohs forward James Clarke and ex-Drogheda playmaker Darragh Markey. Midfielder James Olayinka and defender Robert Slevin have also put pen to paper. Notable departures from the club include midfielder Sadou Diallo, defenders Ronan Boyce, Sam Todd and Hayden Cann, as well as striker Daniel Mullen. At this stage, Derry appear set to give Shamrock Rovers a strong challenge in the 2026 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
Drogheda United
Drogheda United exceeded expectations last season after starting as relegation favourites and finishing a respectable sixth after holding top spot on multiple occasions. Drogs will be looking to replicate their strong start to the 2025 season and have strengthened their squad across multiple areas. Central defender Leo Burney and winger Mark Doyle have arrived from the United States, with the latter returning to his former club five years after his first spell. Other arrivals include full-back Edwin Agbaje from Sligo and midfielder Brandon Kavanagh from St. Pats, both of whom were regulars for their sides last season.
Notable departures of long-time midfield servants Luke Heeney to Waterford and Darragh Markey to Derry will provide challenges for the side that at times struggled to create chances last year. However, Drogheda appear well-placed to push for a European spot this season.
Dundalk
Dundalk are back into the top flight at the first time of asking, finishing ten points clear as Champions in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division. The side, which won five SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division titles between 2014 and 2019, will be looking to re-establish themselves in the top division, aided by key signings.
Defender Robert Cornwall has signed from Bohemians and will play in front of 2024 league-winning keeper Conor Kearns, who has arrived on loan from Shelbourne. Former Galway United winger Bobby Burns has also been brought in and will link up with ex-Derry striker Daniel Mullen. Proven leader Keith Buckley has joined following his departure from Bohemians, bringing much-needed experience to Dundalk as they aim to remain competitive in the top flight.
Galway United
Galway United started last season strongly but struggled for form in the second half of the campaign. The club has been active in the transfer market, and will hope that new arrivals can strengthen the squad. Keeper Evan Watts has returned for another loan spell, replacing the departing Brendan Clarke. Forwards Nicolas Chateau and Francely Lomboto are expected to bring goals to a team which struggled after the departure of Moses Dyer.
Five defensive signings - Gianfranco Facchineri, Wasiri Williams, Kristopher Twardek, Arthur Parker, and Al-Amin Kazeem are expected to provide stability at the back, while Matty Wolfe will seek to revitalise the midfield. Other big names who have departed the club include Irish international midfielder Greg Cunningham (retired), Jeannot Esua (Sligo Rovers), Bobby Burns (Dundalk), Rob Slevin (Derry City), Garry Buckley (Cobh Ramblers), Vincent Borden (Kerry), and Patrick Hickey (Bohs). John Caulfield will be hoping that this reshuffling can push his side towards a top-half finish.
Shamrock Rovers
Defending Champions Shamrock Rovers will be seeking to reclaim their crown this season while targeting another European run. There are, however, some notable departures from the 2025 title-winning side. Full-back Josh Honohan completed a move to England, where he will ply his trade for Lincoln City. Midfielder Aaron McEneff also moved to Glentoran, while Darragh Nugent and Conan Noonan transferred to league rivals St. Pats and Waterford, respectively.
To strengthen their squad, the champions brought in former St. Pats winger Jake Mulraney and signed loanee midfielder Conor Malley on a permanent basis. Most notably, former Irish international Enda Stevens has returned to the club, and is expected to fill the gap left by Honohan while Adam Brennan has followed the same path as Liam Scales from UCD after impressing as a Student in 2025.
The Champions will be starting off the season as favourites and with the return of Jack Byrne, the Hoops will be hoping to start well and stay out in front in 2026.
Shelbourne
Shelbourne will aim to maintain the strong form they showed at the end of last season, both in Europe and domestically, and could mount a title challenge. Key departures from the club include 2024 title-winning captain Mark Coyle to Coleraine, and promising centre-half Lewis Temple to Bolton Wanderers while league-winning keeper Conor Kearns also completed a loan move to Dundalk.
Shels have retained last year’s loanees James Norris and Wessel Speel for the 2026 season, and have added record-signing central defender Odhrán Casey from Cliftonville, winger Maill Lundgren from Degerfors, and striker Rodrigo Freitas from Varzim. These new signings provide competition and squad depth in all areas as the Reds aim to push up the table.
St. Patrick’s Athletic
St. Pats will be disappointed to have finished last season without silverware or a European spot, and will be looking to improve this year. Promising youngster Mason Melia left for Tottenham Hotspur following last February’s agreement, with Pats receiving a seven-figure sum for the teenager.
The club has made attacking signings following his departure, bringing in two forwards: former England youth international Ryan Edmondson and ex-Sligo Rovers talisman Max Mata. Wing-back Ronan Boyce has also signed from Derry City, along with midfielder Darragh Nugent from Shamrock Rovers - both of whom could prove vital this season. Other notable departures from the club include Conor Carty, Brandon Kavanagh, and Jake Mulraney. If the new signings can hit the ground running, Stephen Kenny’s side could enjoy greater success this season and challenge for a European spot.
Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers struggled throughout the first half of last season, narrowly avoiding the relegation play-off on the final day. PFAI Young Player of the Year Owen Elding finally completed a long-speculated move abroad, signing with Hibernian. It will be vital for Sligo Rovers to find goals elsewhere to avoid another relegation battle.
Winger Ryan O’Kane has signed permanently following his loan spell, while other attacking reinforcements include striker Mai Traore on loan from Notts County and wide man Jeannot Esua from Galway United. Defender Shane Blaney has returned to the club on loan and will look to shore up a defence that conceded 54 goals last season. Other notable departures include central defenders John Mahon and Patrick McClean, as well as midfielder Matty Wolfe.
Waterford
Waterford started last season strongly, but a series of poor results resulted in a relegation play-off against Bray Wanderers, in which they managed to retain their place in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division. Defensive pairing Ryan Burke and Kacper Radkowski have both departed, replaced with John Mahon from Sligo Rovers and Hayden Cann from Derry City. Full-back Benny Couto has also arrived from Cork City, while midfield regular James Olayinka departed for the Brandywell. Luke Heeney (Drogheda) and Evan McLaughlin (Cork) have been brought in to strengthen the midfield.
New wide threats Jørgen Voilås and Jordan Faria are expected to add creativity, alongside Conan Noonan, who completed a permanent transfer from Shamrock Rovers following a successful loan spell. With these reinforcements and star man Padraig Amond leading the line, Jon Daly’s side aims to push for a top-half finish.
