Preview: Hoops the team to beat as 2024 League of Ireland campaign kicks off

Shamrock Rovers are, once again, the team to beat as the 2024 SSE Airtricity League Men's Premier Division kicks off on Friday night.

Stephen Bradley's side made history in 2023 by securing the record-equalling four-in-a-row, and a very deserving accolade for a team that has set the standard and exceeded expectations over the past four years.

The drive for five begins at home in the season opener as they take on Dundalk on Friday night in what could be Rovers' biggest league attendance since moving to their new home at Tallaght Stadium.

With four stands now open and increasing its stature as the best League of Ireland ground in the country, Rovers could see close to nine thousand through the gates, which would be the biggest home league crowd since their first game at the RDS back in 1991 where 25,000 turned up.

Friday’s opponents will harbour their own ambitions of challenging for this year’s title, to bring back the glory days of recent times to Oriel Park, however, it remains to be seen if Stephen O’Donnell’s emerging outfit can bridge the very big gap between the two sides.

The real threat to Rovers securing their fifth title in a row is most likely to come from the 2023 main challengers, Derry City and St Patrick’s Athletic, however, if Friday night’s President’s Cup final is any indicator, it would appear that the gap between the Hoops and Saints has widened.

It could be argued that Rovers biggest threat last season came from within, as they stuttered out of the blocks in the opening round of fixtures.

They got there in the end, however, and with a bit to spare, and it will be the other clubs who will rue the 2023 campaign, which was there for the taking with Derry, St Pat’s and early frontrunners, Bohemians, unable to