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THE Premier League makes its much-anticipated return this weekend and with it comes the new fantasy football season.

There’s no better way for fans to put their football management skills to the test and go head-to head with friends and perfect strangers alike with bragging rights and great prizes at up for grabs.

Here at the Killarney Advertiser we are delighted to announce that we will once again be running our hugely popular Serie A-dvertiser league in conjunction with our generous sponsors Brian James and Eason. Last year’s competition attracted a whopping 250 entrants and we’re hoping for even more this time out.

The good news is that the league has simply been renewed from last year, so for last season’s participants all you have to do is visit the Fantasy Premier League website or app and pick your team. You will then be automatically entered into Serie A-dvertiser for the coming campaign.

If this is your first time joining the league, you can sign up by going to ‘Create and join new leagues’ and entering the code 1796307-430526.

Don’t worry if you haven’t joined before the start of Week 1; you can join at any time and your points will simply be carried over. Once again the competition is free to enter and there are some fantastic prizes on offer. A €50 voucher for Brian James will be awarded every month to the highest-scoring manager and Eason’s are kindly sponsoring a hamper of sports books for the leader at Christmas.

The overall winner next May will win the grand prize of a high-end suit from Brian James.

Speaking at the launch, sports columnist Adam Moynihan said it was a very special time of year. “There’s always great hope at the start of a new season,” he said. “You always think your team is perfect and that, like Liverpool, this is going to be your year. Then in Gameweek 1 your best defender breaks his ankle, your star midfielder hands in a transfer request and the brand new striker you had pinned all your hopes on turns out to be a dud. It’s so unpredictable. That’s what’s great about it.”

Pressed on who he thought the pre-tournament favourite was, one name came immediately to mind.

“It’s hard to look past Conor Healy,” Adam said. “He’s the reigning champion for a reason. He’s a fantasy football expert and fellas will find it tough to knock him off his perch. Hopefully someone does, though, because he’s getting a bit too big for his boots.”

“I’d like to say that I have a shot but I think my track record speaks for itself. I’ll be happy with another mid-table finish.”

To enter online:

· Visit fantasy.premierleague.com

· Sign-in/register and pick your team

· Go to Leagues>Create and join new leagues>Join a league>Join private league and enter the code 1796307-430526

To enter on the app:

· Download the Official Premier League app

· Go to Fantasy

· Sign-in/register and pick your team

· Go to Join FPL League>Private and enter the code 1796307-430526
 

 
Above: Killarney Advertiser sports columnist Adam Moynihan, fantasy football league sponsor Brian O'Shea and Killarney Advertiser business development manager Kieran Healy.