Just over two weeks remain until the commencement of the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign with Shelbourne defending domestic champions and Drogheda United holders of the FAI Cup.
With squads beginning to take shape, The Deck picks out three loanees with the potential to make a major impact in the top flight.
Drogheda United, Sligo Rovers and Waterford may all be fighting to stay in the League of Ireland top flight in 2025. The following players may prove pivotal to their chances of success.
Three EFL Loanees Set to Star in 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division
Josh Thomas – Drogheda United on Loan From Swansea
The 22-year-old centre-forward has already hit the ground running at Drogheda United after hitting a brace in a 3-0 win over Longford Town in the Leinster Senior Cup.
The regional competition was an excellent way to settle the new arrival into the team and he had his goals within 35 minutes to build hopes that he can replace the departed Frantz Pierrot.
The Swansea youngster has failed to build on his early promise after disappointing loan spells at Port Vale and Bromley but should get a regular run of game time at Drogheda United.
He is a regular at underage level for Wales and has impressed when playing for the under-21s so there is potential in Thomas that may help to ease the loss of target man Pierrot. Between the young Welsh forward, Douglas James-Taylor and new arrival Thomas Oluwa, Drogheda United are looking well-equipped to build on an incredible 2024 campaign.
Harvey Lintott – Sligo Rovers on Loan From Northampton Town
Lintott will come in as a direct replacement for the departed John Ross Wilson, who has moved on to First Division side Athlone Town.
Wilson was a reliable performer at right-back for Sligo Rovers but it was clear at times during the 2024 season that this was one of the areas where the defence could be strengthened.
The 21-year-old has racked up 70 appearances since graduating from Gillingham’s academy and then moving on to Northampton Town. However, he has made just one substitute appearance in the third tier in 2024/25.
He has yet to prove that he is capable of being a regular in the third or fourth-tier but the raw talent is there if the Bit O’Red can help him to take the next stage of his career at senior level.
Left-back Reece Hutchinson is the perfect role model for Lintott to elevate his game to the next level. Strong in the tackle and a threat in forward areas, the loanee would do well to take heed of the talented 24-year-old.
Tommy Lonergan – Waterford on Loan From Fleetwood Town
The forward has returned to the League of Ireland after completing a permanent move to Fleetwood Town in February 2024 from St. Patrick Athletic.
His time in England hasn’t worked out with just one goal from 20 matches. He was a part of the Fleetwood Town team that suffered relegation to League Two and despite starting the current campaign in the team, he has lost his place and played in just ten matches in all competitions.
However, there is a player here who is capable of rising to the big occasions and playing at a high level in the EFL.
Lonergan scored a late winner for Pats in their FAI Cup quarter-final win against Finn Harps and came off the bench to score a late winner in the 2023 decider against Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium.
It will be down to him to provide adequate backup in forward areas to Padraig Amond, who despite impressive goal output did appear to need a rest at times in 2024. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international Lonergan may make his League of Ireland Premier Division debut for Waterford against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds in mid-February.