Stephen Kenny is in his second spell in charge of Derry City

Derry City manager Stephen Kenny is sounding an upbeat note ahead of the start of the League of Ireland campaign on Friday.

The Candystripes kick off their season with a home game against 2007 champions Drogheda United.

Despite the departure of star player Niall McGinn in December, Kenny has been pleased by his team's pre-season.

"The players have worked tremendously hard. We look like we're shaping up well," Kenny told BBC Radio Foyle.

In all seven players have left Derry with the other high-profile departure, Conor Sammon, who has joined Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock.

However, Kenny has been able to plug some of the gaps by signing Liam Kearney from Cork City while David Scullion and Ger O'Brien have also moved from Glentoran and Shamrock Rovers.

In particular, Kenny appears to have high hopes for Kearney who is a direct replacement for winger McCann.

"Liam has looked very impressive in pre-season and while Ger and David might need a little time to settle, hopefully they will prove to be good signings."

The continuing development of young defender James McLean has also delighted Kenny.

It's a bit of a myth to say that there will be a lot fewer full-time teams this season Stephen Kenny

McLean made his debut against Bohemians last July but he has firmly established himself as a member of the first-team squad during the pre-season.

Kenny is also hoping that Sammy Morrow can continue from where he left off at the end of last season, after being injured for most of the campaign.

But while Kenny is pleased with the composition of his squad, he agrees that defending champions Bohemians look to be exceptionally strong again this season.

Bohs did lose players after suffering financial problems following their league and cup double but they have snapped up quality performers Matt Gregg, Joseph Ndo, Paul Keegan and Brian Shelley in recent weeks.

"Bohs will be strong favourites but we want to do extremely well," adds Kenny.

"I was pleased with last season. We qualified for Europe and got to two cup finals.

"We've got to try and improve on last season which will be difficult. We have 36 games this year which is an extra three games so it's going to a real marathon because we will play in excess of 50 or 60 games."

Despite the plethora of stories about cash-strapped League of Ireland clubs, Kenny asserts that eight of this season's 10 Premier Division clubs are full-time outfits.

Kenny signed Liam Kearney to replace Niall McGinn

"Bray Wanderers and Drogheda are the only teams that aren't full-time so it's a bit of a myth to say that there will be a lot less full-time teams this season.

"But there is a levelling out in standards of competitiveness and I think it will be a very, very competitive league."

The most high-profile casualty in recent seasons was 2006 champions Shelbourne, who ended up in the League of Ireland First Division the following year after going into administration.

Other top teams Cork City and Drogheda have also suffered over the past year while teams further down the ranks such as Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers have also endured major crises.

Kenny adds:"There is no doubt a lot of clubs were living way beyond their means and there was some really crazy stuff going on in relation to budgets.

"It's important for Derry City that we progress as a club in all aspects.

"We need the stadium to be developed and to try to continue our full-time set-up if at all possible.

"At the same time, we want to be challenging for trophies and trying to do well in Europe."

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