Airtricity League Live - Gameweek 1

Extratime.ie Live Update Center

The 2014 SSE Airtricity League season kicks off on Friday evening with four Premier Division games and three First Division matches taking place. Extratime.ie will bring you all the goals, news and reaction from all seven grounds.

The 2013 Premier Division champions St Patrick’s Athletic start the season where they finished last season’s campaign away to Cork City at Turner’s Cross where a big crowd is expected for John Caulfield’s first game in charge of the home side.  St Pat’s have already claimed the first trophy of the season after beating Sligo Rovers last Sunday to win the inaugural President’s Cup with a goal from Ireland international Keith Fahey whose return has generated massive interest in the coming season.

Drogheda United, who lost three cup finals last season, also have a new manager with former goalkeeper and assistant manager Robbie Horgan taking over from Mick Cooke. The Boynesiders begin with a Co Louth derby against Dundalk who were runners-up to St Pat’s in 2013. Dundalk have retained the core of last season’s team and strengthened it with the addition of players like Daryl Horgan and David McMillan as Stephen Kenny looks to push them on from last season.

At Thomond Park, Limerick, who are just back from a pre-season camp in Spain, begin against Bray Wanderers. The same meeting between the sides last season produced an eight goal thriller as they shared the points. Bray are beginning their tenth successive season in the Premier Division having survived a promotion-relegation play-off with Longford Town and they are now managed by Alan Mathews following the departure of Pat Devlin during the close-season.

The first Dublin derby of the season takes place at The UCD Bowl where UCD entertain northside rivals Bohemians. Former Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan is now in charge of the College while Owen Heary is now firmly installed in the Dalymount hot-seat after starting his UEFA Pro-Licence course last month.

In the First Division, President Michael D Higgins will be in attendance at Eamonn Deacy Park to watch the debut of Galway with the newcomers facing a tough baptism of fire against one of the favourites to win promotion, Longford Town. Elsewhere in the First Division Finn Harps meet Waterford United at Finn Park and relegated Shelbourne begin the journey back to the top flight with a home game against Wexford Youths at Tolka Park.

Tonight’s fixtures are:

Premier Division

Cork City v St. Patrick's Athletic - Preview | Live Updates

Drogheda United v Dundalk - Preview | Live Updates

Limerick v Bray Wanderers - Preview | Live Updates

UCD v Bohemians - Preview | Live Updates

First Division

Galway v Longford Town - Preview | Live Updates

Finn Harps v Waterford United - Preview | Live Updates

Shelbourne v Wexford Youths - Preview | Live Updates

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