Love is in the air as the League of Ireland returns

The kick off of the new season is just days away with the Premier Division starting on Friday with four Valentine's Day matches. Saturday afternoon has a mouth-watering Dublin Derby at Dalymount Park where there will be no love lost between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.

The first games of the season are ones that always draw bumper crowds with the buzz and expectancy at high levels before a ball is kicked. The clubs around the league have been busy on their social media channels this week adding to the hype and we've outlined the novel promotions from some of the clubs.

Shelbourne

The Reds are back in the top flight for the first time since 2013 and the club founded in Ringsend 125 years ago have produced a superb video with journalists John Kenny and Ray Kennedy contributing to the atmospheric piece. Fans along with former and current players including Tony Sheridan, Pearl Slattery and Lorcan Fitzgerald journey from south to north of the Liffey before manager Ian Morris casts a determined eye around Tolka Park.

Cork City

City have roped in celebrity fan Spike O’Sullivan for their Valentine’s night promotion of their home game against Shels. 

Bohemians

The sold out signs have been up in Dalymount for weeks ahead of their first game of the season this Saturday against Shamrock Rovers but the Gypsies very much have the welcome signs out with their new away kit. Bohs have teamed up with Amnesty International to display the iconic image of a family fleeing way on their kit.



The aim is to highlight the call to end the Direct Provision system in this country. The jersey also features the slogan “Love Football, Hate Racism” on the collar.

"We are delighted to unveil this very special shirt today which was made possible by our main club partner, Des Kelly Interiors. Football is a universal language and it can be a vehicle for great good in our society. At the core of the Bohemian identity is inclusiveness and a desire to utilise football as a means to improve our society as a whole,” said Bohs Director Daniel Lambert about their new away strip.

 

The derby day experience at Dalymount is captured superbly in the Zozimus short film that is currently available on RTÉ Player which we would encourage you to check out.

 



Shamrock Rovers

The Hoops have gone with a montage of goals from last season that build up to their penalty shoot-out success in the FAI Cup final in November. 

St. Patrick’s Athletic

It’s time. To march again. The Saints are coming.

Derry City

All roads lead to Dundalk for the Candystripes on Friday – ‘Treat that someone special to a night away this Valentines’. 

Finn Harps

Ollie Horgan has got out his massive pen to encourage the Harps faithful to head to Finn Park on Friday. So do as you told!

 

 

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile