Stephen Kenny's return has excited Derry City supporters

Southern media pundits are tipping defending champions Drogheda United, Bohemians, Cork City and St Pat's to pull clear of the pack this season.

"We're being viewed as being among the rest," Kenny told BBC Sport ahead of Friday's league opener at UCD.

"But I think we're looking like we're going to be very strong."

Kenny returned to the Brandywell in late December to take over from John Robertson, who was dismissed from the post after only six months in charge.

Dubliner Kenny himself had been sacked at Scottish First Division club Dunfermline Athletic in early December after being in charge at East End Park for little over a year.

Since then, Kenny has been active in the transfer market and his acquisition of Niall McGinn, Aaron Callaghan, Owen Morrison, Clive Delaney, Steven Gray and goalkeeper Darren Quigley boosted a squad that had already welcomed former Republic of Ireland under-21 international Conor Sammon.

In all, eight new faces have arrived at the Brandywell although 2006 FAI Cup final hero Delaney and goalkeeper Gerard Doherty are beginning their second spells at the club.

Kenny now believes that he has a "very good squad".

"I thought I might have to come in and rebuild because we lost a few good players but I'm pleased how things have gone.

"Seventeen out of our squad of 22 are from Derry and the other four have degrees from UCD - Ciaran (Martyn), Clive (Delaney), Conor (Sammon) and Darren (Quigley)."

A Sammon goal knocked then holders Derry out of last season's FAI Cup and the ex-UCD striker appears to be confident that he will be hitting the net some more at the Brandywell.

"We definitely want to be challenging for major honours this season," Sammon told BBC Sport.

"We feel we have got the players here to do that. We've just got to get down to hard work."