League Of Ireland Premier Division Fixtures 2015

 

PREMIER DIVISION SERIES 1
Friday, March 6, 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, March 7, 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
MONDAY, 9th MARCH – EA SPORTS CUP FIRST ROUND SERIES NO. 2
Fri. 13 March
Bohemians v Galway United, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Limerick ,Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Dundalk, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Bray Wanderers, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 14 March
Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
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SERIES NO. 3
Fri. 20 March
Dundalk v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Drogheda United ,Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 21 March
Bray Wanderers v Bohemians, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Longford Town, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Derry City, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
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SERIES NO. 4 – MIDWEEK – MONDAY/TUESDAY 23rd/24th MARCH
TBC Bohemians v Dundalk, Dalymount Park TBC
TBC Cork City v Galway United, Turner’s Cross TBC
TBC Drogheda United v Limerick, United Park TBC
TBC Longford Town v Bray Wanderers, City Calling Stadium TBC
TBC St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Richmond Park TBC
TBC Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, The Showgrounds TBC
_____
SERIES NO. 5
Fri. 27 March
Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Longford Town, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45pm
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 28 March
Bray Wanderers v Cork City ,Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
March Limerick v St. Patrick’s, Athletic Markets Field 7.00 pm
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SERIES NO. 6
Fri. 3 April
Cork City v Derry City, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Bohemians, United Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 4 April
Limerick v Dundalk, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic City , City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Sligo Rovers v Bray Wanderers, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
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MONDAY /TUESDAY 6th/7th APRIL – EA SPORTS CUP SECOND ROUND SERIES NO. 7
Fri. 10 April
Bohemians v Longford Town, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
April Dundalk v Drogheda United, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Sligo Rovers, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Bray Wanderers v Limerick, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 8
Fri. 17 April
Bohemians v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Bray Wanderers, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Cork City, United Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Limerick, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Longford Town v Sligo Rovers, City Calling Stadium 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
____
SERIES NO. 9
Mon. 20 April
Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers, Carlisle Grounds 7.45 pm
Cork City v Longford Town, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Galway United, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Limerick v Derry City, Markets Field 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 10
Fri. 24 April
Cork City v Dundalk, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Bohemians, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Longford Town, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 25 April
Bray Wanderers v Galway United, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
April Limerick v Shamrock Rovers, Markets Field 7.00 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 11
Fri. 1 May
Bohemians v Cork City, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Bray Wanderers, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 2 May
Longford Town v Derry City, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Sligo Rovers v Limerick, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 12
Fri. 8 May
Bohemians v Limerick, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Sligo Rovers, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Galway United, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Bray Wanderers, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 9 May
Longford Town v Dundalk, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 13
Fri. 15 May
Dundalk v Derry City, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Bohemians, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 16 May
Bray Wanderers v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Cork City, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
MONDAY /TUESDAY 18th/19th MAY – EA SPORTS CUP QUARTER-FINALS SERIES NO. 14
Fri. 22 May
Bohemians v Bray Wanderers, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Sligo Rovers, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Galway United, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Dundalk, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 23 May
Longford Town v Limerick City, Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
_____
WEEKEND ENDING SUNDAY 31st MAY – FAI CUP SECOND ROUND SERIES NO. 15
Fri. 5 June
Bray Wanderers v Longford Town, Carlisle Grounds 7.45 pm
Derry City v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Galway United v Cork City, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Bohemians, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Limerick v Drogheda United, Markets Field 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 16
Fri. 12 June
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Bray Wanderers, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Derry City, United Park 7.45 pm
Longford Town v Galway United, City Calling Stadium 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Limerick, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sligo Rovers v Dundalk, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
MID-SEASON BREAK – SATURDAY 13th JUNE – THURSDAY 25th JUNE (inclusive) – NO FIXTURES SERIES NO. 17
Fri. 26 June
Bohemians v Drogheda United, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Cork City, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Limerick, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Shamrock Rovers, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Longford Town, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 18
Fri. 3 July
Cork City v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Dundalk, United Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 4 July
Longford Town v Bohemians, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Limerick v Bray Wanderers, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Galway United, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 19
Fri. 10 July
Cork City v Drogheda United, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 11 July
Bray Wanderers v Derry City, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Galway United, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Longford Town, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 20
Fri. 17 July
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Limerick, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v St. Patrick’s Athletic, United Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Dundalk, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 18 July
Longford Town v Cork City, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 21
Fri. 24 July
Bohemians v Derry City, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Cork City, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Bray Wanderers, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Limerick, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 25 July
Longford Town v Drogheda United, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Sligo Rovers v St. Patrick’s Athletic, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 22
Fri. 31 July
Cork City v Bohemians, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Longford Town, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 1 August
Bray Wanderers v Dundalk, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Sligo Rovers, Markets Field 7.00 pm
_____
MONDAY 3rd AUGUST – EA SPORTS CUP SEMI-FINALS SERIES NO. 23
Fri. 7 August
Dundalk v Longford Town, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Derry City, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Bohemians, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Cork City, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
______
SERIES NO. 24
Fri. 14 August
Bohemians v Galway United, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Limerick, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Dundalk, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Bray Wanderers, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers, City Calling Stadium 8.00 pm
_____
SERIES NO.25
Mon. 17 August
Bray Wanderers v Bohemians, Carlisle Grounds 7.45 pm
Dundalk v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Drogheda United, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Limerick v Longford Town, Markets Field 7.45 pm
Sligo Rovers v Derry City, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
____
WEEKEND ENDING SUNDAY 23rd AUGUST – FAI CUP THIRD ROUND SERIES NO. 26
Fri. 28 August
Bohemians v Dundalk, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Cork City v Galway United, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Limerick, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 29 August
Longford Town v Bray Wanderers, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 27
Sat. 5 September
Bray Wanderers v Cork City, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell Stadium TBC
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park TBC
Galway United v Longford Town, Eamonn Deacy Park TBC
Limerick v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians, Tallaght Stadium TBC
_____
WEEKEND ENDING SUNDAY 13th SEPTEMBER – FAI CUP QUARTER-FINALS SERIES NO. 28
Fri. 18 September
Bohemians v Longford Town, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Drogheda United, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Sligo Rovers, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 19 September
Bray Wanderers v Limerick, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
_____
SATURDAY, 19th SEPTEMBER – EA SPORTS CUP FINAL SERIES NO. 29
Fri. 25 September
Cork City v Derry City, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Bohemians, United Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 26 September
Limerick v Dundalk, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
Sligo Rovers v Bray Wanderers, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SUNDAY, 4th OCTOBER – FAI CUP SEMI-FINALS SERIES NO. 30
Fri. 9 October
Bohemians v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Derry City v Bray Wanderers, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Cork City, United Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Limerick, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium 8.00 pm
Sat. 10 October
Longford Town v Sligo Rovers, City Calling Stadium 7.30 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 31
Fri. 16 October
Cork City v Longford Town, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Galway United, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Drogheda United, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 17 October
Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Derry City, Markets Field 7.00 pm
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
SERIES NO. 32
Fri. 23 October
Cork City v Dundalk, Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Derry City v Bohemians, Brandywell Stadium 7.45 pm
Drogheda United v Longford Town, United Park 7.45 pm
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers, Richmond Park 7.45 pm
Sat. 24 October
Bray Wanderers v Galway United, Carlisle Grounds 5.45 pm
Limerick v Shamrock Rovers, Markets Field 7.00 pm
____
SERIES NO. 33
Fri. 30 October
Bohemians v Cork City, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Dundalk v Bray Wanderers, Oriel Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Eamonn Deacy Park 7.45 pm
Longford Town v Derry City, City Calling Stadium 7.45 pm
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United, Tallaght Stadium 7.45 pm
Sligo Rovers v Limerick, The Showgrounds 7.45 pm
_____
FIRST DIVISION PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF
Fri. /Sat. 23/24 October
Third placed Club v Second placed Club
Fri. 30 October
Second placed Club v Third placed Club
(Winning Club to play the Eleventh placed Premier Division Club in the Promotion/Relegation Play-off Final)
_____
PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FINAL
Mon. 2 November
First Leg
Fri. 6 November
Second Leg
OR
Wed. 11 November
Second Leg (if one or both of the Clubs qualify for the FAI Cup Final)
____
SUNDAY, 8th NOVEMBER – FAI CUP FINAL – AVIVA STADIUM

 

 

   

Richard Barrett

 

                              5 Reasons to be Excited About the 2015 LOI Season

The league of Ireland season is approaching fast and clubs are busy preparing, with all clubs now in pre-season training. This is an ideal time to take a look at 5 reasons to be excited about the coming season.

1.      International Caps



Former Manchester United player, Liam Miller

The addition of Liam Miller to Cork City has swelled the ranks of Irish internationals playing in the League of Ireland.  Miller, Keith Fahey, Colin Healy and Stephen Mc Phail have a combined total of 60 caps for Ireland.

With Miller and Healy operating at the heart of Cork City`s midfield and Fahey and Mc Phail doing likewise for Shamrock Rovers, expectations are at fever pitch at both clubs. There is also a hope that their involvement in the league may tempt other Irish internationals to play in the league.

2.      Improving infrastructure

The stadia and general infrastructure of the league has long been derided and pointed to as a major obstacle to development of the league. However, improvements and concrete plans for stadium redevelopment can be seen at many clubs. A plan to redevelop Dalymount Park has been one of the main league of Ireland headlines in the off season.

 It is envisaged Shelbourne and Bohemians would ground share in Dalymount Park, once the currently dilapidated ground is redeveloped. Dublin City Council plans to buy Tolka Park and Dalymount Park from both clubs. The DCC will seek to see a return on investment by building properties on the Tolka Park land and renting Dalymount Park to both Clubs. In turn, the FAI plan to use legacy money from the staging of Euro 2020 games to redevelop Dalymount Park. While giving both clubs a state of the art stadium, the deal will also help reduce both clubs crippling debt to manageable levels and safeguard the futures of two of Ireland’s most successful and oldest clubs.

In other developments, Derry City stands to benefit from a Northern Irish state grant to the tune of £5 million. This money will turn the Brandywell into a purpose built and modern soccer stadium, removing the dog track that currently surrounds the pitch and the famous hill in the playing surface.

An artist's impression of the new Brandywell Stadium with the new look Brandywell Showgrounds in the background

Finn Harps are currently in the end stages of completing a brand new stadium which will not only host club games but underage Ireland international games. Limerick FC plan to move back to their spiritual home at the market fields for the coming season, this is welcome news to the club and their supporters as it has been difficult to generate match day atmosphere at the 28,000 seat Thomand Park.

3.      Richie Towell

Richie Towell auditioning for Cardiff City against Chelsea

Towell was one of the stands out players in the league last season and instrumental in Dundalk's LOI title win. He left Dundalk immediately after the win and has spent the off season in the UK on trial at clubs such as Blackpool, Cardiff City and Motherwell. Dundalk fans had accepted his loss and understood his decision to seek a full time contract in the UK.

Surprisingly, no suitable offer has materialised and it looks increasingly likely Towell will line out in lilywhite colours in 2015. While disappointing for Towell, this is a welcome boast to Dundalk and the league as a whole. It adds to the leagues strong pool of experienced and talented Midfielders.

4.      Fair Play League







UCD set to benefit from Fair Play League

One of the more unexpected reasons to be excited about the 2015 league season is the news that the LOI is in line for an extra Europa League spot due to its performance in the UEFA fair play league. This league takes into account discipline by both domestic leagues and international teams of countries in UEFA. The top three countries receive an additional Europa League spot and currently, Ireland heads the table.

Should the league finish in the top three, UCD will be the beneficiaries of the European spot and the E120,000 prize fund, a welcome cash injection for the now First Division students. While UCD`s chances of European progression may be slim, the LOI sending five teams into European competition would be a welcome boast.

5.      Competitiveness
 

A host of teams set to battle it out for league crown

The 2014 LOI season was one of the most exciting in recent times, decided by a final day show down between Cork City and Dundalk. It was filled with many fairy tales; the redemption of Stephen Kenny after his sacking by Shamrock Rovers, St. Pats long talked about FAI cup Famine ending and the resurrection of Cork City`s fortunes under John Caulfield. The 2015 edition promises even more drama with a number of clubs recruiting strongly in the off season.

Dundalk have retained the bulk of their title winning squad and will put up a serious defence. They will also hope to give a strong showing in the Champions League, following last year’s run in the Europa League where they were unlucky to lose to Hadjuk Split on aggregate.

Shamrock Rovers have added the fire power of Danny North and the skills of Keith Fahey along with other good additions to an already talented squad. Under the management of the experienced Pat Fenlon, beginning his first full season as manager, they are many people’s favourites for the title.

Cork City will look to build on their title challenge of 2015 and have recruited well, most notably signing former Manchester United and Ireland international midfielder Liam Miller. With Bumper crowds in Turners cross and two Irish internationals in midfield, they will certainly have a major say in the destination of the league crown 

St. Patricks Athletic will feel they underperformed last season in the league and will hope to tighten up their defence. They remain a strong team capable of league success despite the loss of Keith Fahey to Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers.

 Outside of these teams Sligo Rovers, under new manager Owen Heary, may be dark horses for the league title. Despite winning the League Cup, they had a disappointing season last year by their recent high standards. Sligo have recruited smartly in the off season, notably managing to sign former Chelsea and Denmark U21 striker Morten Nielson. However, this season may be too early for their youthful squad, a Cup run and a Europa League spot may be more realistic goals.