Alan Cawley: Shamrock Rovers have increased gap between themselves and challengers

RTÉ soccer analyst Alan Cawley believes that the gap may have increased between Shamrock Rovers and their leading challengers as the Hoops seek a historic fifth title in a row.

Stephen Bradley's side, who begin their title defence at home to Dundalk tonight (Live on RTÉ2, 7.35pm), sealed their fourth league triumph in a row in 2023, matching the feat of the celebrated Rovers side of the mid-1980s.

However, they laboured to the title in comparison to the previous years, even going six matches without a win at the beginning of the campaign and failing to make a dent in Europe. At the league's end, there was a sense of an opportunity missed for the chasing pack but that they were nonetheless closing the gap.

But Cawley feels that Rovers' recruitment in the off-season, combined with Pat's losing a couple of key players may see the gap open out further this year.

"Sometimes, I'd be wary about being too bullish in giving pre-season predictions but I'd be very, very strong on Shamrock Rovers this year," Cawley said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

"They've strengthened in the off-season by bringing in Josh Honohan, Aaron McEneff, Darragh Burns on top of all the quality they've already had.

"You'd expect it to come from Derry, where it's been over the last couple of seasons. The points deficit in 2022 was 13 points, they closed that to seven points last year.

"You would think that trend is going in the right direction for the main challengers, but I actually think we could be back to double figures again this year, just with the strength that they (Rovers) have.

"I think Pat's will put up a good showing. They've done very well since Jon Daly has come in and obviously won the FAI Cup last year. But they have lost two key players - Sam Curtis,