The new football season in England is underway and as always, there are plenty of Irish players right through the divisions.
In keeping with recent seasons, Irish representation in the Premier League is lower than we'd like, although promotion and transfer activity has seen some new and returning faces make their way into the top flight.
Lower down, there have been some intriguing moves, not least the news that James McClean has joined Hollywood-backed Wrexham for their assault on League Two.
Here are six Irish storylines to keep an eye on throughout the 2023/24 season in England.
James McClean drops two divisions
After being relegated from the Championship with Wigan Athletic, the Ireland centurion has dropped a further division into League Two to join Wrexham.
McClean is arguably the highest-profile player to join the Welsh outfit since the 2020 takeover of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and along with Ben Foster, will be tasked with bringing some high-level experience into the dressing room.
The Derryman picked up his 100th cap for Ireland back in June, and it will be interesting to see what Stephen Kenny makes of him playing in the fourth tier in England.
McClean's character will always be an asset to a young Irish squad but there is a risk element in dropping so low down the English football pyramid, even if Wrexham's riches suggest that they are on course to ascend the leagues over the coming years.
James McClean in a Wrexham shirt: not what we expected to see at the start of the daypic.twitter.com/NSovJzcqMT
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 4, 2023
Evan Ferguson hoping to avoid second-season syndrome
It isn't often that Irish fans can be genuinely excited about a Premier League-class youngster breaking through, but that would appear to be the case with Evan Ferguson.
The 18-year-old's performances for Brighton drew plaudits from all corners from the moment he found the net against Arsenal on New Year's Eve.
He appeared to adapt flawlessly to the physicality of the Premier League and ended the season with 10 goals to his name in all competitions.
It all looks set up for the Bettystown native to build on his progress, but judging by some of Brighton's pre-season line-ups, Ferguson may have to bide his time once again in order to nail down a starting spot.
With the Seagulls competing in the Europa League though, there should be plenty of opportunity for him to showcase his undoubted talents in a second season of English professional football.
The Irish goalkeeping trio in England
Ireland went into last season with three goalkeepers plying their trade with Premier League clubs, but in their own different ways, each will be disappointed with how the campaign panned out.
Gavin Bazunu was brought to Southampton to be the number one goalkeeper for Ralph Hassenhuttl's side, but it wasn't long before the Saints were dragged into a relegation scrap.
They ultimately went down under the management of Ruben Selles, with Bazunu having been dropped towards the end of the season.
New boss Russell Martin looks set to give the Dubliner a clean slate though, and Bazunu could well benefit from stepping out of the Premier League's glare and into the Championship for a season.
Mark Travers also started the campaign as a Premier League number one, but a 9-0 mauling at the hands of Liverpool saw him lose his place at Bournemouth.
The Maynooth native will also be playing in the Championship this year, on loan at Stoke, where he will hope to establish himself as a number one once again.
Caoimhin Kelleher's situation is arguably the most disappointing as it seemed earlier in the summer that he would leave Liverpool in search of first-team football.
However, with the beginning of the Premier League in sight, it looks like he will be playing second-fiddle to Alisson Becker once more.
With Liverpool playing in the Europa League though, Kelleher could have at least six more opportunities to showcase his talents, as well as any Carabao Cup or FA Cup runs that Liverpool embark on.
The Irish at Burnley
Burnley is a club with a good tradition of giving Irish players plenty of Premier League game-time, and it's hoped that this season will be no different.
Josh Cullen, a favourite of Clarets boss Vincent Kompany, will embark on a first full Premier League campaign, and he's been joined by Dara O'Shea, who has signed from West Bromwich Albion in the hope of establishing himself in the top flight.
Michael Obafemi is also at the club, and while he's shown his eye for goal in a green shirt, he may be more of an impact player as Kompany looks to lead Burnley to Premier League survival at the first attempt.
Dara O'Shea's announcement video with Burnley > all other footballer announcement videos in the history of footballer announcement videospic.twitter.com/odFV4dGjHx
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 23, 2023
A second chance for Nathan Collins
Collins has the distinction of breaking the Irish transfer record twice in the past year, first with his move to Wolves from Burnley, and again with a switch to Brentford this summer.
The fact that he has been moved on from Molineux so swiftly would suggest that Wolves feel they didn't get their money's worth, and they will be glad to have made a small profit on the £20.5 million they paid Burnley for the services of the defender.
Collins may just find that his face fits a bit better at Brentford, where he will line up alongside old Burnley colleague Ben Mee in a team that has impressed since winning promotion back in 2021.
Chiedozie Ogbene at Luton
Ogbene's meteoric rise continues, as the ex-Limerick man embarks on a Premier League campaign with Luton.
While they may be favourites for the drop, the Hatters boast a team of journeymen, most of whom will be relishing a first assault on the top flight.
Ogbene is one of them, and if he can match the kind of displays that he has put together in a green jersey, he may soon become a fans' favourite down at Kenilworth Road.
