Sports Direct Irish Premiership: Let the action begin!

And just like that we're back again!

New season, new faces, new managers and even a new title sponsor for the top level of club football in Northern Ireland as the Sports Direct Irish Premiership gets underway this weekend.

Can Larne retain their title? Will Linfield wrestle it back? Or will another side come from the pack and make the Gibson Cup theirs?

Meanwhile, Loughgall return for the first time in 16 years and into a much different footballing landscape from the last time they were here, as the gap between the haves and the have-nots grows ever wider.

But there are always shocks aplenty and that's why it's still so exciting.

Gareth McCullough looks at how the 12 top-flight clubs are shaping up for the forthcoming campaign.

Larne

Winning the first top-flight title in their history will naturally put a target on Larne back this time around.

Having seen pivotal Fuad Sule depart - eventually ending up at Glentoran, Tiernan Lynch has yet to replace his anchorman in midfield, but has acquired Levi Ives from Cliftonville, impressive youngsters Craig Farquhar and Corey Smith, while target man Isaac Westendorf arrives from Newcastle United.

Defeat in the Charity Shield to Crusaders and an earlier than hoped exit from Europe has seen an oddly downbeat start to the campaign, but with the deadliest strike duo in the division - Lee Bonis and Andy Ryan - the Inver Park men have more than enough to retain their title.

Still the team to beat.

IN: Levi Ives (Cliftonville), Isaac Westendorf (Newcastle United), Craig Farquhar (Ballymena United), Ali Omar (Torquay United), Aidan Dowling (Blackburn Rovers), Corey Smith (Dungannnon Swifts), Jaziel Orozco (Real Salt Lake - Loan)

OUT: Fuad Sule (Glentoran), Albert Watson (Carrick Rangers), Graham Kelly (Coleraine), Andrew Mitchell (Carrick Rangers - Permanent), BJ Banda (Finn Harps, Max Greer (Ards), Max Hutchison (Finn Harps), Jamie Pardington (Cheltenham Town), Matthew Lusty (Dungannon Swifts - Loan), Ethan Simpson (Ballyclare Comrades - Loan)

LAST SEASON: 1st

Ballymena United

Jim Ervin replaces his former boss David Jeffrey at Warden Street in his first managerial role and playing five of last season's top six in the opening five games is something of a baptism of fire for the former Linfield and Carrick Rangers defender.

There have been a raft of changes on the pitch too, with David McDaid, Josh Kelly and Ross Redman amongst those departing. The experienced Colin Coates is an astute incoming though, while Marc Walsh and John McGuigan will provide plenty of energy for the Braidmen.

A season of transition maybe? Ballymena would be more than content with the upper tier of that bottom six come the end of the season most likely.

IN: Colin Coates (Cliftonville), Johnny McMurray (Warrenpoint Town), Marc Walsh (Dungannon Swifts), Alex Gawne (Coleraine), Caleb Crawford (Crusaders), John McGuigan (Unattached), TJ Murray (Ards), Fiontan O’Boyle (Crumlin United), Donal Rocks (Cliftonville - Loan), Fraser Taylor (St Mirren - Loan)

OUT: David McDaid (Coleraine), Josh Kelly (Glentoran), Ross Redman (Portadown), Dougie Wilson (Portadown), Craig Farquhar (Larne), David Parkhouse (H&W Welders), Jordan Williamson (Crusaders), George Tipton (Ards), Jake Corbett (Dundela)

LAST SEASON: 9th

Coleraine

By Oran Kearney's own high standards, sixth place last season and a second successive Bet McLean Cup Final defeat is seen as a disappointing campaign.

The former St Mirren Manager has dispensed with the fringe players in his squad and brought David McDaid back to the north coast to add potency to an attack that already boasts last season's top scorer Matthew Shevlin.

The experience of defenders Graham Kelly and Darren Cole, plus young hopes Jake Wallace and Lee Harkin add a different flavour to the squad.

But arguably their best bit of business is keeping Lyndon Kane at Ballycastle Road. The fans demand progress and that sixth place finish has to be bettered this season.

IN: David McDaid (Ballymena United), Graham Kelly (Larne), Darren Cole (Glentoran), Jake Wallace (Fleetwood Town), Lee Harkin (Wolves)

OUT: Alex Gawne (Ballymena United), James McLaughlin (Ards), Eamon Fyfe (Portadown - Loan), Caolan Brennan (Limavady United), Cathair Friel (Unattached)

LAST SEASON: 6th

Glentoran

The Glens go into the new season with their third manager of the calendar year as Warren Feeney takes charge at The Oval, having previously been at the helm of their fierce rivals Linfield.

He's already lost the sparkling talents of current Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin and soon-to-be-capped Terry Devlin, but Fuad Sule, Daire O'Connor and Cammy Palmer are proven Premiership quality.

Having Patrick McClean back from his brief retirement is also a boost and if they Glens can keep everything on an even keel off the pitch, they squad they possess on it is right up their with the best in the league.

A proper title tilt has to be the aim given the investment in East Belfast. Anything less and Feeney is likely to feel the ire of the passionate Glens fanbase.

IN: Fuad Sule (Larne), Daire O'Connor (Ayr United), Cammy Palmer (Linfield), Patrick McClean (Out of retirement), Josh Kelly (Ballymena United)

OUT: Conor McMenamin (St Mirren), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Danny Purkis (Carrick Rangers), Joe Crowe (Carrick Rangers), Darren Cole (Coleraine), Mal Smith (Crusaders), Hrvoje Plum (Unattached), Ally Roy (East Kilbride), Ben Cushnie (Bangor - Loan), Jake White (Dundela - Loan), William Garrett (Retired)

LAST SEASON: 3rd

Linfield

Rarely does a season go by without David Healy coming for some from of criticism from sections of the Linfield support - that's despite winning five titles in just under seven seasons at Windsor Park.

It's water off a duck's back to Northern Ireland's record goalscorer who just gets on with the job. The job he has this season to wrestle the Gibson Cup back from new kids on the block Larne.

He'll have to do it without the vast experience of defenders Jimmy Callacher and Niall Quinn, but Mattthew Fitzpatrick's 19 league goals for Glenavon last season sees him move to South Belfast.

A fully fit Darragh McBrien could be one of the signings of the season, though Healy will be looking to add to his defensive options before the end of the window.

IN: Matthew Fitzpatrick (Glenavon), Darragh McBrien (Dungannon Swifts), Daniel Finlayson (St Mirren - Permanent), Jack Scott (Wolves), John Robertson (FC Edinburgh)

OUT: Jimmy Callacher (Crusaders), Niall Quinn (Glenavon), Cammy Palmer (Glentoran), Sam Roscoe (Altrincham), Kyle Lafferty (Johnstone Burgh), Ethan Devine (Dungannon Swifts - Loan)

LAST SEASON: 2nd

Newry City

A season of change at the border club as assistant to Darren Mullen for the last six years, Gary Boyle, steps up to replace the former boss after a remarkably successful decade at his hometown club.

Boyle, alongside his new deputy, former Northern Ireland international Michael O'Connor, has been backed in the transfer market with no fewer than 11 new arrivals. Among them are last season's top scorers for their individual clubs - Adam Salley (Ards - loan), Adam Carroll (Warrenpoint Town) and Lee Newell (Rathfriland).

The astute acquisitions of Liam Bagnall and Ciaran O'Connor will add steel to the side who finished 10th last time out

It's the first time the club has had successive top-flight seasons since 2011, and while many seem to be tipping them for a relegation fight, Boyle is optimistic about moving in the other direction.

IN: Adam Salley (Portadown), Ciaran O'Connor (Unattached), Liam Bagnall (Unattached), Barney McKeown (Portadown), Michael O'Connor (Glenavon - Player/Assistant Manager), Adam Carroll (Warrenpoint Town), Tom Murphy Crusaders), Georgie Poynton (Glebe North), Lee Newell (Rathfriland), Jordan Mooney (Unattached), Daragh Owens (Glebe North)

OUT: James Teelan (Crusaders), Dale Montgomery (Portadown), Declan Carville (Annagh United), Ola Adeyemo (Longford Town), Niall Brady (Banbridge Town), Ebuka Kwelele (Banbridge Town)

LAST SEASON: 10th

Crusaders

Fifth place is not where the Shore Road side want to be and to that end, Stephen Baxter moved quickly in the window to freshen up his squad.

The signing of Jimmy Callacher, still one of the best defenders in the league, is a coup, while James Teelan and Lloyd Anderson give the Crues different options both in the short and medium term.

But the return of Ben Kennedy from long-term injury is like a new signing for the Hatchetmen and Billy Joe Burns, Philip Lowry and Paul Heatley are still up there with the best about.

Some fantastic European performances and a comprehensive Charity Shield win at Larne have led to the Crues being very much in conversations about the possible destination of this season's title.

If they can add regular goals from the striking department, then that certainly isn't beyond possible.

IN: Jimmy Callacher (Linfield), James Teelan (Newry City), Lloyd Anderson (Carrick Rangers), Jordan Williamson (Crusaders), Mal Smith (Glentoran), Mikhail Kennedy (Dergview)

OUT: Chris Hegarty (Dungannon Swifts), Gary Thompson (Portadown), Dean Ebbe (Manchester 1962), Tom Murphy (Newry City), Lewis Patterson (H&W Welders), Aidan Steele (Ards), Caleb Crawford (Ballymena United)

LAST SEASON: 5th

Cliftonville

One of five Premiership clubs beginning the new season with a different man in the dugout.

Following an apparently never-ending selection process, Jim Magilton was handed the reins at Solitude - an appointment that wasn't universally popular amongst the Reds support it has to be said.

Magilton's had to contend with the expected departure of last season's NIFWA Young Player of the Year Sean Moore to West Ham, while Levi Ives becomes the latest Cliftonville man to pitch up at Larne.

Some more fresh faces and the return from injury sooner rather than later of the fantastic Ryan Curran would certainly benefit Magilton. But you get the feeling this campaign might be a tricky one to navigate for the North Belfast side.

IN: David Odomosu (St Patrick's Athletic - Loan), Ben Wilson (Brighton & Hove Albion)

OUT: Levi Ives (Larne), Sean Moore (West Ham United), Colin Coates (Ballymena United), Declan Breen (Ballyclare Comrades), Donal Rocks (Ballymena United - Loan), Michael Morgan (Ballyclare Comrades - Loan), Aaron Traynor (Unattached), Gerard Doherty (Unattached)

LAST SEASON: 4th

Glenavon

A superb run of results saw the Lurgan Blues make the European Play-Off spot - even more remarkable given their poor mid-season form that led to rumours of Gary Hamilton's departure from Mourneview Park at one stage.

While Niall Quinn arrives from Linfield laden with medals throughout a sterling career, Hamilton is without the services of top scorer Matthew Fitzpatrick who went the other wat in a separate deal.

His 19 league goals will be hard to replace and the Glenavon boss has turned to lower league prospects to fill that particular hole.

On their day, Glenavon are capable of beating anyone in the division, but they're also capable of losing to any of the other sides too. They showed both sides last season.

Sorting out that Jekyll and Hyde form will be Hamilton's first port of call.

IN: Niall Quinn (Linfield), Stephen Teggart (Portadown), Johnny McCullough (Portadown), Bobby Dene (Dergview), Odhran Smyth (Annagh United), Tiernan Mulvenna (Crewe United), Andy Mooney (Crumlin United), Jackson Nesbitt (Bourneview Mill)

OUT: Matthew Fitzpatrick (Linfield), Eoin Bradley (Portadown), Michael O'Connor (Newry City AFC - Player/Assistant Manager), Andrew Doyle (Rathcoole), Jack Harvey (Crewe United)

LAST SEASON: 7th

Loughgall

The Villagers return to the top league for the first time in 16 years by virtue of being comfortably the best team in the Championship last season.

Dean Smith, who will manage in the Premiership for the first time, has repaid their title win by retaining the squad that got them here while adding some new faces.

As the newly-promoted club, the County Armagh men were always destined to be tagged with the favourites for relegation tag. That doesn't seem to bother them in the slightest.

In Ben Murdock, they already have a Premiership-class centre-back and captain and they're quietly confident of proving people wrong this season.

A win in their opening match, away to Newry City, will go a long way towards doing that.

IN: Caolan McAleer (Ballinamallard United), Alberto Balde (Portadown), James Carroll (Warrenpoint Town), Oran Brogan (Dergview)

OUT: None

LAST SEASON: Championship winners

Carrick Rangers

Fast starts in each of the last two seasons have seen Carrick basically safe by the turn of the year.

But late season tail-offs have also meant Stuart King's side finishing lower in the final table than what they are capable of. The former Linfield and Ballymena man will aim to rectify that this time.

Having lost Jim Ervin to his first managerial role at Ballymena and the talented Lloyd Anderson to Crusaders, King has gone for proven Premiership quality and experience in his transfer dealings.

Albert Watson arrives having played his part in Larne's title win, while Dany Purkis will provide a goal threat by being given regular game time that he didn't get at Glentoran.

IN: Danny Purkis (Glentoran), Albert Watson (Larne), Joe Crowe (Glentoran), Andrew Mitchell (Larne - Permanent Deal), Ben McCauley (PSNI)

OUT: Lloyd Anderson (Crusaders), Jim Ervin (Retired) Aaron Hogg (Portadown), Ronan Kalla (Knockbreda), Jamal Dupree (Ards)

LAST SEASON: 8th

Dungannon Swifts

Surviving by the skin of their teeth in the relegation play-off against Annagh United under Dean Shiels led to Rodney McAree returning to his hometown club for a second spell as boss.

He's determined not to be in the same situation again - one that threatened to end the Tyrone club's 20-year (and counting) stay in the top flight.

McAree's completely freshened the panel, with 9 first-teamers out the door and the same coming in - amongst them Chris Hegarty coming back to Stangmore, the signings of Warrenpoint duo Conor Mitchell and Kealan Dillon, plus getting Ethan Devine on loan from Linfield as part of the Darragh McBrien deal that saw him go to Windsor Park.

It seems to be something of a reset at the Swifts and going back to what they know. McAree is an excellent manager, as shown by his improvement of Glentoran when he took over.

IN: Chris Hegarty (Crusaders), Kealan Dillon (Warrenpoint Town), Conor Mitchell (Warrenpoint Town), Niall Owens (CSU Bakersfield), Leonel Alves (Cova de Piedade), Ryan Harpur (Annagh United - Player/Coach), Andy Whiteside (Institute), Ethan Devine (Linfield - Loan), Matthew Lusty (Larne - Loan)

OUT: Darragh McBrien (Linfield), Corey Smith (Larne), Michael O'Connor (Ytterhogdals IK), Caolin Coyle (Portadown), Ryan Mayse (Portadown), Michael Ruddy (Ards), Marc Walsh (Ballymena United), Joe McCready (Limavady United), Gerardo Bruna (Unattached)

LAST SEASON: 11th