League of Ireland First Div fixtures released
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The Football Association of Ireland has today released the fixtures for the 2013 Airtricty League First Division.
With yesterday’s welcome confirmation of Cobh Ramblers First Division license, 2013 sees the First Division maintain its eight-team structure with every team playing each other four times.
The league kicks off on the 8th / 9th of March and sees Cobh Ramblers marking their return with a home tie against Wexford Youths in St Colman’s Park.
Roddy Collins will begin life as Athlone Town manager with a home tie against Mervue United.
Having narrowly missed out on promotion last year, Waterford United have regrouped and will once again be one of the main contenders for the First Division crown. This year sees them begin their campaign with a home tie against Peter Hutton’s Finn Harps.
The final fixture of the first round sees Salthill Devon entertain Longford Town in Drom.
Automatic promotion is the prize for winning the league, while second and third place clubs will face a two legged play off on 18th/19th and 25th/26th October.
The winner of this playoff will face the eleventh placed team from the Premier Division, again over two legs, for the final place in the 2014 Airtricity League Premier Division. This playoff will take place on the 28th/29th October and the 1stNovember.
This year’s First Division will see Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers and Longford Town primarily play their home games on Saturday nights with all other clubs opting for Friday nights.
Full details of the 2013 Airtricity League First Division can be found here
Team by Team Fixture Breakdown
About Brian Fitzgerald
Brian Fitzgerald is a Dublin-based reporter who has followed Cork City since the mid 1990's. Brian can be contacted at brifitz@gmail.com or followed on twitter @B_Twitzgerald View Full Profile