The 2014 Airtricity League Premier Division Fixture List has been released and the opening series of matches on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, feature several attractive match-ups. League champions St Patrick’s Athletic will begin the defence of their title at Turner’s Cross when they face Cork City who are now under the management of John Caulfield. Ironically, the sides met at the same venue in the final game of the 2013 season with Cork winning 4-2. The first series of matches will feature a Louth derby as Drogheda United, runners-up in 2012, host Dundalk who were runners-up in 2013. The sides last met in the FAI Ford Cup semi-final when Drogheda defeated Dundalk 1-0. The name of Drogheda’s home ground has reverted to United Park. New Derry City manager Roddy Collins, who led Athlone Town to the First Division title last season, will open his reign with an away game against one of his former clubs, Shamrock Rovers, who, last season, won both the Setanta Sports Cup and the EA SPORTS Cup. Athlone, who are back in the Premier Division after 18 consecutive seasons in the First Division, mark their return to the top flight with an away game against FAI Ford Cup holders Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday, March 8. Athlone will stage the first ever Premier Division match at Athlone Town Stadium a week later, on Friday, March 14, when they welcome Shamrock Rovers. As in 2013, the first Dublin derby of the new season will feature UCD against Bohemians, with The UCD Bowl the venue in 2014, while Limerick will kick off against a Bray Wanderers side that will be starting their 10th successive season in the top flight.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Cork City v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm
Drogheda United v Dundalk, United Park, 7.45pm
Limerick v Bray Wanderers, Thomond Park, 7.45pm
UCD v Bohemians, The UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm
Full list of fixtures:
http://www.airtricityleague.ie/images/2014-Airtricity-League-Premier-Fixture-List.pdf
