Maybe Liam Brady had a point when he claimed that the lack of talent coming through for Ireland was "scary", as this year we couldn't fill a fantasy football squad with Irish internationals. We drafted in two strikers who technically are eligible, so here is this year's Irish fantasy football XI:
Goalkeepers:
Rob Elliot and Shay Given will not be leading the goalkeepers in total points this season. We're sorry to break that to you. Unless Tim Krul and Brad Guzan get injured, don't expect any points from your 'keepers at all.
Defenders:
Thankfully things look a bit better at the back for the Irish XI, lead by last year's top scoring defender Seamus Coleman, although he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the season. O'Shea and Delaney should be starters for their clubs, while Clark and Wilson will no doubt see some action as well.
Midfielders:
Aiden McGeady's strong finish to the last campaign will hopefully see him play a big role for Everton along with James McCarthy, so lets hope Everton do well. Hopefully Robbie Brady recovers from the injuries that hampered an excellent start to last season, and team-mate David Meyler should be key for Hull City as well. The leaves Johnny Walters, who yet again the folks at Fantasy Premier League are convinced is a midfielder, to provide his usual points from the penalty spot.
Forwards
Well, we tried. Shane Long is set to join Southampton for the unusually high fee of £12m, and he will be the only source of points in attack, as both Jutkiewicz and Donnelly are unlikely to feature for their sides.
Be sure to join the Balls.ie fantasy league with the code 1024005-244425.
