The League of Ireland contains two of the most unpredictable set of divisions in football, anyone can beat anyone, average players can transcend into good ones overnight and great players can quickly become a liability.
The twists and turns the league provides is what makes football so entertaining, and the early parts of this season have not failed to deliver.
We asked our writers for the biggest surprises from the 2026 LOI campaign so far…
St Pats Look Like a Stephen Kenny Team
Preseason League of Ireland predictions can be summed up in a nutshell with St Patrick’s Athletic being title favorites in 2025. Kenny’s side didn’t get close to challenging Shamrock Rovers, ultimatily failing to qualify for Europe.
A lack of ability to find the back of the net was evident. When top scorer Mason Melia departed for Tottenham Hotspur everything indicated to those problems getting worse.
Those indications were wrong, no side has scored more than St Pats this season and instead of relying solely on Melia, Ryan Edmondson, Aidan Keena and Max Mata have all got on the score sheet this season.
Kenny’s side are finally getting their title charge, sitting a point behind first-place Bohemians going into the international break
Derry City’s McClean Problem
James McClean’s return to Derry City was meant to feel like one of those perfect League of Ireland homecomings where the star comes back and starts running the show. So far, not quite.
The 103 cap Ireland international rejoined his hometown club in January after helping Wrexham to back to back promotions, but has opened with six league appearances with performances many would consider below par, with Derry having taken just nine points from their first eight games.
That says two things. One, sentiment does not win you matches. Two, the LOI is better than plenty still give it credit for. You do not just arrive with international pedigree, edge and a famous left foot and start running the show. The league can humble you. And honestly, these are great signs for the league.
Tiernan Lynch has a decision to make, move McClean out of midfield or drop him all together. Continuing with this failed experiment may cost him his job.
Dundalk Averting Expectations
Coming into the 2026 League of Ireland season, many people had First Division Champions Dundalk to be in the relegation battle, but the County Louth side have had a better start than what most expected, currently sitting fifth, on eleven points, with two wins, five draws and only one loss.
The Lilywhites have traveled to Derry, Tallaght, Galway and Phibsborough, coming away with a point in each game. Dundalk drew with Drogheda United, and beat Waterford and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park this season. The Lilywhites only loss came away to St.Pats in Inchicore, losing 4 – 0.
Daryl Horgan’s age certainly isn’t showing with two goals and four assists so far this season. Ronan Teahan, Danny Mullen and Eoin Kenny have all impressed in the opening weeks.
Athlone Town’s Resurgence
The Town finished rock bottom of the First Division in 2025, amassing a points total of just 20. Already in 2026 they’ve accumulated 10 points, and sit third behind only Cork City and Bray Wanderers.
New signing Patrick Ferry has impressed, scoring two goals in six. Aaron Connolly is seemingly back to his best, and Kyle O’Connor performances at left-back have been applauded across the division.
The highly talented Cillian Tollett has been getting his first taste of consistent minutes in senior football, scoring the winner away to Kerry FC, if he can hit the levels his underage performances suggest he can, Ian Ryan’s men could be a shoe in for a play-off spot.
Murphy’s Rise Causes Murray’s Fall
In what was a disappointing 2025 for Cork City, one shining light was teenage star Matthew Murray. The only notable moments for City fans was their FAI cup run, where Matthew Murray played a crucial part, clocking the man of the match award against rivals; Waterford.
His dynamism, skill and creativity was a joy to behold for City fans and it was felt as though a rare silver lining in relegation had been found, that this special talent could now get proper, consistent game time. However, this hasn’t proved to be the case.
Cillian Murphy has gone from being Cork’s answer to Hollywood, to now, Cork’s answer to football. Murphy has stole the show for City in the early weeks of the season, at the tender age of 16. This leaves Matthew Murray stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Murphy has started every game other than the season opener against Treaty United, while Murray has only managed just a few minutes off the bench. The 18 year-old has been left in the shadows as a new star has taken his spotlight at the cross.