I have taken a look at the strips the League of Ireland sides wore during the fantastic 2015 season. The action on the pitch was quality but how did the sides look in their colours?

The following is my ranking of what I feel is the best shirt each club wore during the year. I have considered the shirt’s design, the colour and the sponsors logo which can either make a shirt or ruin one!

Starting at 20 and counting down to number 1.

20. LIMERICK FC (HOME)

It was a season to remember and forget for Limerick as they almost pulled off the greatest of great escapes but it was not to be in the end. Sadly, Limerick fans did not have much to cheer about shirt-wise as their side donned this unimaginative and bland home kit from Italian sportswear company Macron. Having no sponsor on the shirt is hard on the eye too.

20. SHELBOURNE FC (HOME)

Shels fared no better with their kit than Limerick did in 2015. Only the colours of their home shirt differ and the Italian kit maker does not entice any fan of football kits with this bland design. A lack of sponsor does nothing to appeal either. No better than the Limerick shirt and for that reason they are both ranked at 20.

18. CABINTEELY FC (HOME)

Cabo were kitted out in an Umbro number for the 2015 season and of their two shirts, the white home design was more appealing to me. Again, the lack of a sponsor lets them down in terms of how attractive is looks. The Manchester based sportswear company went for a simple approach with this design. The trim below the neckline and at the top of the sleeve add to what is otherwise a very ‘normal’ shirt that does not stand out from the crowd.

17. WEXFORD YOUTHS (HOME)

It was an amazing season for Wexford Youths. Promotion to the Premier Division was something few would have predicted last March. What is very predictable with Youths is the now trademark pink home shirt. Over the years the pink has become easier on the eye and this is not a bad shirt at all. O’Neills have done a nice job with this outfit but sadly the shirt looks like it has been vandalised with far to many logos and needless script on display.

16. COBH RAMBLERS (AWAY)

Plain? Boring? The American sportwer giant Nike must have let an intern design this and told them to ‘keep it simple’. The gas might be great but the sponsor just does not quite fit on this Ramblers away shirt. The shine to the finish is nice and the collar has a nice over lapping detail but the shirt could do with a little more detail.

15. LONGFORD TOWN (HOME)

This is not a bad shirt at all. The sponsor sits well on it. There is a nice collar and the black and red stripes of their home kit that are familiar to Longford Town work well. It is a little on the plain side but Macron get a better mark for this shirt than their previous efforts on this list. Having a sponsor really makes a difference.

14. ATHLONE TOWN (HOME)

Much like Longford’s shirt this is a classic design that will always look well. Nike have done a great job with their home shirt. The sponsor adds to the shirt too. No risks taken with this kit but it works.

13. UCD (HOME)

UCD had a great European adventure this season and came very close to regaining their Premier Division status at the first attempt. Their home kit by O’Neills who also sponsor them is not bad at all. Their traditional blue with a splash of colour on the collar and across the chest works. The upper section of the shirt has a chess board effect and adds to what is a decent shirt although the logo on the front could be a little more subtle.

12. WATERFORD UNITED (HOME)

Waterford United were kitted out in a design by German manufacturer Uhlsport. Their blue home shirt has a white grid effect on it which adds to a shirt splashed with white on a very plain collar design. The sponsor looks sharp and the jersey is not a bad effort at all even if there is room for improvement.

11. CORK CITY (HOME)

City have had some very questionable kits over the years. This home jersey by Nike appeals on a couple of different levels. The design is tasty and works nicely whilst the sponsor’s logo works well. The v-neck collar in white would have been a nice touch but overall not a bad effort.

10. DROGHEDA UNITED (HOME)

This is what I would describe as a traditional shirt by Nike. It is basic but I like it. The home colours of Drogheda work with this one. The sponsor sits well too. Sometimes a simple two toned kit is very pleasing to the eye. This shirt, unlike the Drogs side goes down very well.

9. BRAY WANDERERS (AWAY)

Pretty much the same kit as the Drogheda shirt but the combination of colours in this one works much better for me. Nike could be a little more adventurous in their design but the classic approach shines here.

8. GALWAY UNITED (HOME)

Back to the 70’s with this kit from Macron. I love the detail in the stripes and the 3/4 collar is a class touch. There is a slight variation in the design under arm which is a nice touch too. The sponsor works very well on this one.

7. SLIGO ROVERS(AWAY)

Umbro come up trumps with this one. The design is simple but very nice. The sponsor on the shirt makes it look a little bit messy but overall an attractive shirt. I like the combination of stripes and solid sleeves.

6. ST PATS (HOME)

This shirt is a trip back in time too. The traditonal red and white Pats is presented well by Umbro. The sponsor looks superb on the shirt and Umbro do a fantastic job of making simple look super. The white collar is the cherry on the cake with this design.

5. SHAMROCK ROVERS (HOME)

Warrior have crept into the market of supplying football shirts in recent years and they have done a fantastic job with the Shamrock Rovers home kit. Nice collar, nice detail on the sleeves. The hoops are the right size and the sponsor works. An all round nice shirt.

4 FINN HARPS (AWAY)

Finn Harps had a superb season. They established themselves as contenders to be promoted from the early weeks of the season and they did it in style on the road with this shirt. The angled blue stripe looks fantastic and compliments the blue collar. Italian company Legea have proven their worth with this shirt.

3. DERRY CITY (HOME)

Finn Harp’s neighbours Derry City pipped them to a top three spot with their home shirt. This shirt is very similar to the Sligo Rovers entry from Umbro in this list but the manner in which the sponsor is incorporated in this design and the black collar make it rate higher. A beautiful kit worn by the Candystripes.

2. DUNDALK (AWAY)

Since black football shirts arrived on the scene there have been few that have worked as well as this number Dundalk wore on the road. The sponsors logo is great. The black and white collar is perfect and the wavey angled stripes really work with this shirt. A fantastic effort from Umbro.

BOHEMIANS

Bohs celebrated 125 years in style with this design by Hummel of Denmark. There is little about the kit that I dislike. In fact I don’t think there is anything. The sponsor looks superb, the buttoned collar is class. The solid black sleees with red trim are perfect along with the Hummel ‘arrows’ which can ruin a kit but in this case they give it a little bit more style. The black stitching at the base is a touch that goes beyond the call of duty and gives this shirt one more element of class. The 125 year crest is made for this shirt. If I were to change anything I would remove the words ‘Casino Playground’ below the sponsor’s logo. Other than that this shirt is perfect.

I hope that next season will see our League of Ireland clubs kitted out as well as they were this year.

We have a very stylish league here in Ireland.

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