SHAMROCK ROVERS WILL welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Tallaght for a Dublin derby on the opening night of the SSE Airtricity League after the fixtures for new season were announced today.
The new campaign will get underway on Friday 6 March and the clash between the cross-city rivals is the standout fixture of the opening weekend.
Defending champions Dundalk – who will face St. Pat’s in the President’s Cup Final the week previous – welcome First Division champions Longford to Oriel Park while Galway United will mark their return to the top flight by hosting Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park.
There will also be three fixtures on Saturday 7 March as last season’s runners-up, Cork City, make the trip to the Showgrounds to face Sligo Rovers, now under the guidance of Owen Heary.
Bray Wanderers, who will be celebrating their 30th season in the League of Ireland, face Johnny McDonnell’s Drogheda United and Limerick against Bohemians completes the first round of fixtures.
Having played their home games at Thomond Park for the past two seasons, Limerick will make a return to Markets Field for the first time since 1984.
All eyes will, however, be on Tallaght.
Rovers finished fourth last term but have strengthened considerably in the off season, most notably recruiting Keith Fahey and Danny North. The former, however, will be sidelined for the game against his former side as his four bookings from last season carries over.
The mid-season break will take place from 13 June 25 June with the final series of matches set for Friday 30 October.
The fixtures for the First Division season will be issued in the New Year.
Premier Division Series 1 Fixtures:
Friday, 6 March, 2015
- Dundalk v Longford Town, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
- Galway United v Derry City, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
- Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Saturday, 7 March, 2015
- Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United, Carlisle Grounds, 5.45pm
- Limerick v Bohemians, Markets Field, 7pm
- Sligo Rovers v Cork City, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
