Fans set to see a new-look Slane in season opener

It will be very much an unfamiliar line-up for any supporter taking in their first match of the new season.

In the dug-out is recently appointed manager Dan Thornton and on the pitch are precious few familiar faces.

Just a handful of last season’s promotion-winning squad have stayed on at the club while the boss has brought in around 15 new signings, with a couple more still in the pipe-line.

Slane begin their Intermediate A campaign with a local derby at Seapatrick on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm) and most of their players will be making their league debuts for the club.

Amongst those to arrive at the club are former Dollingstown duo Adam Montgomery and Michael McClean, who both have experience of winning Intermediate A - knowledge that could come in handy in an otherwise young panel.

“Most of the people I’ve signed are between 19 and 23 so it’s very much been about building for the future,” said Thornton.

“The club needed an overhaul in terms of the squad. It’s taken four nights a week over the past two months to get that sorted but we have done that and with one or two more players, we’ll have a good squad there.

“Now it’s a case of trying to keep all the lads happy, but that’s my job.
“I’ve brought a lot of my own players in from Downshire as well. My goalkeeper Scott Hamilton, for example, signed last week and brings a lot of experience, having played for Hearts in Scotland and Crusaders as well. We’ll need that experience in our young squad.”

Thornton is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the season ahead, especially after Dollingstown dropped down from the NIFL.

“It’s going to be a very tough league,” he said.