Daniel McDonnell: Select few will be doing the heavy lifting in latest Irish Premier League story

The number of relatively local subplots to watch has been reduced but there are still some intriguing angles

Matt Doherty can be proud of his longevity. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The beginning of the Premier League season doubles as a reminder that the World Cup is around the corner.

All the players kicking off their campaigns this weekend will be hoping that there’s a trip to the USA coming at the end of it. A small contingent of Irishmen will be among them, with the relegation of Ipswich and Southampton cutting down the top-flight headcount in a manner that would impress a penny-pinching accountant.

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