Premier Division fixtures revealed...
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The FAI has published the full fixture list for the 2009 League of Ireland season. This year 10 sides will battle it out in the Premier Division with each team playing each other four times.
Bohemians will begin their Premier Division title defence away to newly promoted Dundalk in what promises to be an enthralling opening encounter on 6 March. The meeting means that Sean Connor’s first competitive game in charge of the Lilywhites will be against his former club.
Pat Fenlon’s side, who won the title by an incredible 19 points last season, will close their campaign with a trip to the Carlisle Grounds to take on Bray Wanderers on 6 November.
New St Patrick’s Athletic manager Jeff Kenna starts with a home game as the Premier Division runners-up travel welcome Galway United, his former club, to Richmond Park. St Pat’s then face a mouth-watering clash with Cork City at Turners Cross on 13 March. On the same night, Bohemians will take on Derry City at Dalymount Park in a re-run of last year’s FAI Cup final.
Shamrock Rovers, under the stewardship of new manager Michael O'Neill, will make history on March 14 (week two) when they welcome Sligo Rovers to the Tallaght Stadium for the first competitive game ever to be played in their new home. Rovers will play all their home games on Saturday nights.
Week three of the season will see Bohemians take on Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park (20 March), while Dundalk face local rivals Drogheda United.
Paul Doolin will commence his stewardship at Cork City with an away trip to Sligo on 7 March, while new Drogheda manager Alan Matthews will take his side to the Brandywell on the opening night to take on Derry City.
The FAI Cup final will take place on Sunday, 22 November.
Premier Division First Week Fixtures In Full:
Friday March 6th - Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers - Carlisle Grounds (7.45pm)
Friday March 6th - Derry City v Drogheda United - Brandywell Stadium (7.45pm)
Friday March 6th - Dundalk v Bohemians - Oriel Park (7.45pm)
Friday March 6th - St. Patrick's Athletic v Galway United - Richmond Park (7.45pm)
Saturday March 7th - Sligo Rovers v Cork City - The Showgrounds (8.00pm)
