DROGHEDA UNITED kick-off their first League of Ireland title defence this evening (United Park, 5.30pm, live on RTÉ 2) against the club which has done so successfully more times than any of their rivals.

Rovers travel with high hopes for the new campaign, but boss Pat Scully concedes it is United who will be viewed as the team to beat in the months ahead.

"There's quite a contrast between the two clubs at the moment," he says. "Drogheda United probably have the best squad of players in the country that money could buy, and they've built that up over the last few years.

"But we've probably got the best young squad in the league, which is the way we do things, so we're looking forward to it and the players are certainly ready for the challenge."

Rovers are close to full strength, although Pádraig Amond and Aidan Price are still weeks away from full fitness.

Dessie Baker and Dave Tyrrell may start despite slight injury problems and Tadhg Purcell could feature despite having only returned to training three weeks ago after a lay-off.

The champions will be thankful for that strong squad for Shane Barrett, Jason Gavin, Shaun

Maher, Declan O'Brien and Dan Connor are all out.

Paul Doolin has high calibre replacements for every one of them, but he won't have forgotten that Rovers were one of only two clubs to come here last year and win in the league.

... - EMMET MALONE