The 2014 Airtricity League First Division fixture list has been published.
The 2014 campaign will kick-off on Friday March 7 with three matches and the final game of Series One will take place on Saturday, March 8.
There will be eight teams in the First Division this season and newcomers Galway FC have been handed a home game against Longford Town, who finished second last season, for their debut match in the Airtricity League.
Finn Harps, under new manager Ollie Horgan, will face Waterford United while Shelbourne, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, begin the return journey to the top flight at Tolka Park against Wexford Youths.
The 2014 season also sees Shamrock Rovers fielding a second team in the Airtricity League and they begin the campaign with an away game against Cobh Ramblers on Saturday, March 8. Shamrock Rovers’ second team will not be eligible for promotion or the play-offs and will not be allowed to enter the EA SPORTS Cup or the FAI Ford Cu
The eight teams will play 28 games over a four round campaign with the final series of games provisionally scheduled for Saturday, October 11 as it is dependent on the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 fixture schedule.
At the end of the season, one team will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division and the next two qualifying sides will take part in a two-legged play-off for the right to play the 11th placed team in the Premier Division for a place in the top flight for the 2015 season
The opening weekend’s First Division fixtures are:
Friday, March 7
Galway FC v Longford Town, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45 pm
Finn Harps v Waterford United, Finn Park, 8pm
Shelbourne v Wexford Youths, Tolka Park, 8pm
Saturday, March 8
Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers, St. Colman’s Park, 7.45pm
To view the complete Airtricity League 2014 Premier Division fixture list please go to www.airtrictyleague.ie
