Every new League of Ireland season brings with it some familiar faces appearing in familiar or unfamiliar places, some old faces returning to the league from spells abroad and some new faces appearing in the league for the first time.
The ever-changing scenery of the league - a cause and effect of the FAI-imposed salary cap and the one-year contract policy of the clubs, both of which are necessary forms of caution - can make it difficult to pinpoint players of influence for the coming season, especially with the only barometer of judgement available being internet bios - in the cases of new, unknown players - and a few pre-season games (although clubs involved in the Setanta Cup have the advantage of having had some form of competitive action before the new season kicks off).
So, below is an attempt at outlining the players, old and new, who have the potential to be influential for their respective clubs in 2013.
Bohemians:
Key player: Karl Moore (midfielder)
After arriving in January of last year, Moore grew in stature as the season progressed, his ease in possession and ability to dribble at pace making him not only very difficult to defend against but also a useful outlet for the Bohs defenders when under pressure. Moore also has a good eye for a pass but he will be looking to improve on his goal-scoring ratio. After a goal on his competitive début against Portadown in the Setanta Cup, Moore only netted twice in the Premier Division - both of them in the 4-0 drubbing of former club Shamrock Rovers.
One to watch: Roberto Lopes (defender)
With the close-season departures of Kevin Feely and Evan McMillan to Charlton Athletic and Sligo Rovers respectively, Bohemians manager Aaron Callaghan will turn to 20 year old Lopes to plug the sizeable gap at the back. With only a handful of appearances to his name so far, this season will be Lopes's first as a regular and how he settles into the backline will be crucial to the Gypsies' fate in 2013. But with new signing Stephen Paisley and the evergreen Owen Heary alongside him, Lopes will have plenty of experience to draw from.
New signing: Santiago Falbo (midfielder)
The Argentine, last with Cambaceres in the Argentinian Primera Divsión C, sparked much curiosity when he was announced as a Bohs signing by Callaghan very recently. Barring some videos on YouTube and a pre-season game, very little is known about his ability, so his progress will be watched with interest.
Bray Wanderers:
Key player: Jason Byrne (striker)
The former Bohemians and Shelbourne striker notched 13 vital goals for the Seasiders last season as they narrowly avoided the nerve-jangling promotion/relegation play-off and Bray will need him to be on similar form again this year if they are to successfully avoid the drop once more. Byrne is only seven goals off a career tally of 200 in the league so he will have some personal motivation going into the season - which can only be good for Bray.
One to watch: Bidemi Afolabi (striker)
At six foot four, Afolabi will be hoping to get some first team action this season after signing for Bray's u19s from Clongowes Wood of the Combined Counties Football League (CCFL). The South African represented the CCFL side in the 2012-13 FAI Umbro Inter-League Cup but they failed to register a win in a tough group featuring the North Dublin Schoolboys League (NDSL), the Athletic Union League (AUL) and the Dublin District Schoolboys League (DDSL). They also managed only one goal, which was scored by Afolabi in the 4-1 defeat to the AUL in the CCFL's second game.
New signing: Gary Dempsey (midfielder)
After a season in Division 1 with Waterford United, Dempsey returns to the Carlisle Grounds. This will be his third spell at the club, qualifying Dempsey for prodigal son status. Dempsey's set-piece ability will be a vital asset for Pat Devlin and his experience will be important in the Bray midfield where Devlin will be hoping he will need little time to re-establish his understanding with both Dean Zambra and Kieran 'Marty' Waters.
Cork City:
Key player: Colin Healy (midfielder)
The ex-Irish international's experience will prove vital again in this campaign as Tommy Dunne's Cork look to kick on from their solid midtable showing on their return to the top-flight last season. Comfortable in either a two or a three-man midfield, Healy's reading of the game allows to him to sit in while his partner(s) - one of Gearóid Morrissey or Shane Duggan, or both - get forward to support the front-men or lone striker.
One to watch: Gearóid Morrissey (midfielder)
Morrissey has shone for his hometown club since returning from Blackburn Rovers in 2010 and has forged a perfect understanding with Healy and Duggan in the middle of the park. His passing ability and quick-feet have always been evident but Morrissey will be looking to add more goals to his game, particularly when given more license to attack from a five-man midfield - his cracking opening goal against Cliftonville in the Setanta Cup this season is a sign of things to come.
New signing: Daryl Kavanagh (striker)
Signed from Shamrock Rovers, Kavanagh will be looking to kick on after a disappointing season with the deposed champions. The former St. Pats man will add some extra fire-power to the squad following the close-season departures of both Vincent Sullivan (Waterford United) and Davin O'Neill (Cobh Ramblers). He has looked good in the Setanta Cup this season with goals against Cliftonville and Crusaders - the latter a wonder strike from 25 yards.
Derry City:
Key player: Rory Patterson (striker)
The loss of David McDaid (York City) and Stephen McLaughlin (Nottingham Forest) has placed a heavy burden on Patterson. The Northern Irish international ended an injury-hit season in 2012 on a memorable high, climbing off the bench to score a brace and secure the FAI Cup for the Foylesiders. Patterson has started this season where he left off, beating Drogheda's Gabriel Sava from distance with a free-kick in the Setanta Cup. Now Declan Devine will be hoping his striker can steer clear of injury to score the goals that can fire Derry up the table.
One to watch: Patrick McEleney (winger)
20 year old McEleney has been as impressive as his compatriot McLaughlin during Derry's rise from promotion hopefuls to FAI Cup champions in the last three seasons. With McLaughlin now at Forest, the spotlight will shine more heavily on McEleney - as well as Barry McNamee - as Devine seeks to build on last season's fifth-placed finish.
New signing: Paddy Kavanagh (winger)
Kavanagh has been signed on the back of an impressive season with Shelbourne who will be sorry to lose him. His turn of pace and trickery make him a handful for defenders while he probably has his eye on a return to the European stage - one he last occupied with Shamrock Rovers in 2010 when he appeared in both legs of the Hoops' Europa League clashes with Juventus. He faces stiff competition for places on the Derry wings.
Drogheda United:
Key player: Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien (striker)
Drogheda's leading marksman last season with twelve goals, Mick Cooke will once again look to the club's all-time top-scorer to lead the line. The signing of Gary O'Neill from Shamrock Rovers will lessen the burden on 'Fabio' - not that it bothers him, as he showed classic opportunism to net the Drogs' equaliser in their Setanta Cup game with Derry. He'll be high up the scoring charts again this season.
One to watch: Paul O'Conor (midfielder)
A signing which is already paying off for Cooke, O'Conor has put in some commanding performances in the Setanta Cup this season, netting two goals. Though he is versatile enough to play in defence, he likes to burst from midfield and link up with the front men too - and with the quality of Drogheda's midfield this season, expect O'Conor to be one of the league's high-scoring midfielders.
New signing: David Cassidy (midfielder)
Another of Shelbourne's key players from last season to seek pastures new, 'Casso' has a fight on his hands to break into Drogheda's midfield. However, he has already shown what he can do with a goal and an assist in a substitute appearance against Portadown, He gives Cooke another option in what is proving to be a strong area of Drogheda's squad.
Dundalk:
Key player: Stephen O'Donnell (midfielder)
An important signing by Stephen Kenny as he goes about re-structuring the Dundalk squad. O'Donnell has vast experience, from winning titles and scoring crucial goals in Europe to relegation scraps. Dundalk have looked to get the ball down and play in pre-season and O'Donnell will be key to that - with Kenny installing him as captain ahead of the new season.
One to watch: Richie Towell (defender/midfielder)
The Irish u21 international can feel slightly aggrieved by how his time in Scottish football came to an end. Pat Fenlon made a number of new signings in January 2012 that saw Towell lose his place, which he never regained. Celtic manager Neil Lennon has spoken highly of him in the past and Kenny will feel that the style of play he is implementing at Dundalk will suit Towell, whose versatility will be useful in the coming months.
New signing: Kurtis Byrne (striker)
Dundalk need goals this season and Byrne has shown in fits and starts that he has goals in him. With the losses of Michael Rafter and Marc Griffin to Derry City, all eyes will turn towards the Scot who played his last football with Brechin City in the first half of this season. The last Scottish striker to come to the League of Ireland from Brechin was Gary Twigg, so Dundalk fans will hope this gives reason to be optimistic.
Limerick:
Key player: Joe Gamble (midfielder)
Gamble's experience and passing ability will be crucial to Limerick's hopes in their first season back in the top-flight in 19 years. Stuart Taylor has signed a number of players in the close-season but the Scot will look to the twice capped Irish international to be his eyes on the pitch as Limerick feel their way in the division. A League Cup run would be nice personally for Gamble as it's the one medal he needs to complete the domestic set.
One to watch: Stephen Bradley (midfielder)
Another title winner in the squad and Gamble's partner in midfield, Bradley will relish a return to the top-flight after a season away. With plenty of European experience, Bradley will form a strong core of Limerick's midfield with Gamble - one with the potential to drive Limerick up the table. He is also calm from the penalty spot.
New signing: Axel Bossekota (striker)
Bossekota joins from Motherwell where he made a handful of appearances for the u20s, scoring once in a 4-2 defeat to Hearts, but never made a first-team appearance for the SPL side. Having also had spells with RAEC Mons, KVK Tienen and Ourd-Heverlee Leuven in Belgium, this is Bossekota's opportunity to make a name for himself, with Taylor himself very excited about the Belgian's ability. His brother, Jeremy, has had spells with Derby County and Birmingham City.
St. Patrick's Athletic
Key player: Christy Fagan (striker)
The Saints' top-scorer last season, Liam Buckley will hope that Fagan can either repeat or better his 12 goal haul this year. The forward line has been revamped somewhat with the departing Dean Kelly (Shelbourne) and Vinny Faherty (Dundalk) replaced by the relatively inexperienced Conor Murphy (Derry City) and returning Saint, Jordan Keegan (Scunthorpe United). And with the retained Anto Flood viewed primarily as striker who can hold up the play and bring others into play, the goal-scoring responsibility will fall fully to Fagan.
One to watch: Shane McFaul (midfielder)
McFaul, returning to his boyhood club from a spell in Finland with FC Haka, will be viewed as a player who fits in nicely with Pats' style of play and Buckley will be pleased with his capture. The losses of James Chambers and Sean O'Connor (both Shamrock Rovers) mean McFaul will be an important figure in the Pats midfield this season. Another thing to watch is the development of winger Chris Forrester who is many observers' tip to be the next player from the league to head across the water.
New signing: Killian Brennan (midfielder)A criticism of Pats in many games last season was their inability to change their style of play when faced with stubborn resistance. Of their ten draws in the league in 2012, five ended 0-0 and four more ended 1-1. This was the case even in this season's Setanta Cup where Glentoran stifled Buckley's side over two-legs, drawing 0-0 in Inchicore before nicking a 1-0 win in The Oval. Brennan, who was impressive in both legs, could be the difference in those tight games as he looks to remind everybody of his game-changing abilities following a disappointing season with Shamrock Rovers.
Shamrock Rovers:
Key player: Ronan Finn (midfielder)
In what is a big season for Rovers, Finn needs to be a big player out of a talented pool. Trevor Croly has recruited heavily in the summer but it is the talented former UCD and Sporting Fingal midfielder who will be given the big creative responsibility in Rover's midfield as they set out to reclaim the title. It is also a big season for Finn personally as, at 25, it may be argued that his time to make a big impression on scouts abroad is running out.
One to watch: Barry Murphy (goalkeeper)
After the travails of Oscar Janson last season, it was always going to be important that Croly sign a reliable and experienced goalkeeper - so the signing of former goalkeeper Murphy fits the bill. He has looked solid in Rovers' Setanta Cup games so far - the two goals he has conceded were both just quality finishes: David Scullion's deft chip in the 1-0 defeat to Colraine and Billy Joe Burns' perfect volley in the 4-1 victory over Linfield. A good team is built from the back and Murphy looks a good re-acquisition.
New signing: Karl Sheppard (striker)
Sheppard's return to the League of Ireland comes on the back of a move to Reading that ended without a first-team appearance and only had a loan spell with Accrington Stanley to show for it. Sheppard will be looking to show Brian McDermott what he's missing out on with a strong return to the League of Ireland this season - which will make the Rovers fans happy as they begin life without Gary Twigg. If Sheppard and fellow new signing Mark Quigley hit the heights, the Scot won't be missed.
Shelbourne:
Key player: Philly Hughes (striker)
Who else but the nomad who has found a home at Tolka Park? This will be the first time he begins a third consecutive season with the same club and despite a career largely spent jumping from club-to-club for varying reasons - some of which were beyond his control - Hughes has still notched an impressive 130 goals in the league. But with a number of key players leaving from last season, Hughes could find chances at even more of a premium this year - which is why it will be important for the Reds faithful that he takes them.
One to watch: Sean Brennan (midfielder)
This could be an important signing for Alan Matthews as he looks to contend with the loss of his first-choice midfield. David Cassidy (Drogheda United) and Kevin Dawson (Yeovil Town) both left the club, and add in the departures of wingers Paddy Kavanagh (Derry City), Barry Clancy (Athlone Town) and Conan Byrne (St. Pats) and the rebuilding job Matthews has isn't exactly envious. Brennan is a goal-scoring midfielder and how he and Glen Cronin combine will be critical to Shels' chances this season.
New signing: Graham Gartland (defender)
The zenith of Gartland's career remains the two FAI Cups he picked up with Longford Town in 2003 and 2004 and the league title he won with Drogheda United in 2008. Since leaving the Drogs, he has endured a frustrating time as his return to Scotland with St. Johnstone was punctuated by injury. Last season he featured very little for hometown club Shamrock Rovers as they toiled under Stephen Kenny, so this move has the potential to be beneficial for both sides as Matthews needs a commanding centre-back to replace Stephen Paisley (Bohemians) and Gartland needs to get back to playing regular football.
Sligo Rovers:
Key player: Evan McMillan (defender)
Ian Baraclough has been prudent in the transfer window, his best business coming in retaining the majority of his title-winning squad. However, he did lose two crucial cogs in Mark Quigley and Jason McGuinness (both Shamrock Rovers), and it is the later whom McMillan will be replacing - though his ability to operate as a centre-forward proved useful for UCD last season, so expect him to pick up some of the scoring slack left by Quigley, particularly from set-pieces.
One to watch: Liam Martin (striker)
Martin joined the club as part of the Sligo Rovers scholarship scheme in 2011 and made his début as a substitute in the 5-0 victory over Dundalk in October 2011. Baraclough has given him a chance in pre-season and he has responded, notching six goals in five games, including a hat-trick in the 7-0 hammering of Castlebar Celtic, so the 19 year old will be quietly confident of taking any opportunities he gets during the season.
New signing: Anthony Elding (striker)
An interesting acquisition by Baraclough, Elding is well-travelled having played for 13 clubs before arriving at the Showgrounds. He has over 120 career goals, though, and if Baraclough can successfully partner the former Grimbsy man with last season's top-scorer Danny North - also an ex-Grimsby front-man - Sligo fans can expect the pair to potentially score 30 goals between them, which would go some way to the Bit o' Red retaining their title.
UCD:
Key player: David McMillan (striker)
After returning from Australia in July of last season, he rejoined UCD and helped the Students avoid the relegation play-off by scoring eight goals in 15 games - and one only wonders how high UCD could have climbed had he been there for the entirety of the campaign. Having lost a number of key players from last season, Martin Russell will look to the 24 year old to help propel a classically young UCD squad away from the drop-zone.
One to watch: Barry McCabe (midfielder)
A part of the UCD scholarship programme since he was 17, McCabe made his League of Ireland début last season in the 1-0 defeat to Drogheda and made twelve appearances in total, with five coming as a substitute. The Students' philosophy has always been to promote from within and with Paul O'Conor having moved on to Drogheda United in the close-season, it looks like McCabe will be handed the task of replacing him in the UCD midfield.
New signing: Dinny Corcoran (striker)
UCD will be the 24 year old's sixth club already and the Donabate native will be looking to settle down and start playing the sort of football that earned him Irish call-ups at under-age level. He has a keen eye for goal, demonstrated best during a loan spell at Shelbourne in 2010, and the Students' style of football may get the best out of Corcoran's ability.
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