Airtricity League Live - Gameweek 18

LIVE UPDATES MATCH CENTER

The SSE Airtricity League has returned this weekend after the mid-season break with a full programme of matches in both the Premier and First Divisions which kicked off Thursday.

With the Europa League First Qualifying Round kicking-off next week, Ireland’s four representatives in this competition will hoping to head into Europe on the back of morale boosting victories. The Setanta Ireland cameras will be at Richmond Park to televise St Patrick’s Athletic’s final preparations before they head to Latvia. Saints face Longford Town having gone into the break on the back of three successive wins while Longford suffered their first defeat to a non-top five club when losing to Galway United.

Cork City, who will face KR from Iceland in the Europa League, head north to the Brandywell to face a Derry City side without a win in eight games while Shamrock Rovers, who lost last time out to arch-rivals Bohemians, prepare for their trip to Luxembourg with a trip west to Galway United.

First Division UCD, who will also face Luxembourg opposition in the First Qualifying Round of the Europa League, warm up for that test with an away trip to Cobh Ramblers on Saturday night.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division on Friday evening, Bohemians will look to follow up their excellent victory over Shamrock Rovers with a win over Drogheda United while league leaders Dundalk are home to Limerick, the side that ended their 100 per cent start to the season back in April.

In the First Division on Friday, leaders Finn Harps are away to Shelbourne while second place Wexford Youths are also on the road as they head up the N11 to Cabinteely.