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Airtricity League

Brandywell date as Sligo begin title defence

The fixture list for the 2013 Airtricity League Premier Division season was announced this afternoon — and the champions are at Derry City.

CHAMPIONS SLIGO ROVERS begin their title defence title next season with a tricky away test against FAI Cup holders Derry City.

The fixture list for the 2013 Airtricity League Premier Division season was released today with a host of intriguing clashes lined up for opening night on Friday 8 March.

Stephen Kenny’s first competitive match as Dundalk manager will be against some familiar faces with his former employers Shamrock Rovers the opposition in Oriel Park. Rovers, under new management themselves in Trevor Croly, sacked Kenny in September just nine months after bringing him in on a long-term contract to replace Michael O’Neill.

The round ball returns to Thomond Park with a Munster derby as First Division champions Limerick FC host Tommy Dunne’s Cork City in the first game in their new home, while last season’s second and third-placed clubs meet when St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Drogheda United to Inchicore.

Bohemians kick off the new campaign with a Dublin derby against UCD, while Shelbourne make the first spring trip to the seaside when they visit Bray Wanderers.

And the fixture list has also throwm up a potential heavyweight clash on the final day of the season with Shamrock Rovers, the bookies’ early favourites, hosting Sligo in Tallaght.

The FAI have confirmed the dates for next season’s EA Sports Cup, which begins with first-round matches on 11 March, and the FAI Ford Cup which kicks-off when the junior and intermediate clubs do battle in the first round on 31 March.

This year’s mid-season break will take place from 17 – 26 June.

The FAI also confirmed that the format for the 2013 Premier Division season will be the same as in 2012, though the fixture list released today remains provisional, subject to the outcome of the FAI Club Licensing process.

The fixtures for the 2013 Airtricity League First Division will be issued in due course.

2013 Premier Division fixtures (8 March)

  • Bohemians v UCD, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
  • Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
  • Derry City v Sligo Rovers, Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
  • Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
  • Limerick v Cork City, Thomond Park, 7.45pm
  • St. Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United, Richmond Park, 7.45pm

See the full 2013 Premier Division fixture list here >