Shamrock Rovers bid for a second successive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title will begin against St Patrick's Athletic.

The fixtures for the new season - scheduled to get underway on March 19th - were confirmed today.

It comes after meetings today between the FAI and clubs about a financial package to get action back underway.

The Irish Independent reports that a €3.6million package was put to clubs earlier today.

The breakdown would see each Premier Division outfit receive a €215,000 flat rate.

As things stand, the league is due to get underway in mid-March.

Elsewhere on the opening night of action, FAI Cup holders Dundalk are set to travel to The Showgrounds for a meeting with Sligo Rovers.

Finn Harps will host Bohemians at Finn Park, while both promoted sides have been given home fixtures on their return to the top tier.

Drogheda United welcome Waterford, while play-off winners Longford Town take on Derry City in the midlands.

The new schedule has factored in a mid-season break, which is pencilled in for two weeks after May 28th/29th.

The FAI Cup will begin on July 25th, with the final scheduled for the week ending Sunday, November 28th.

The EA Sports Cup has been cancelled, 'as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the late start to the season', the statement says.

Earlier today, the President's Cup final between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk was confirmed for Friday, March 12th.

Details of a streaming service, with fans unlikely to be able to attend for a significant part of the season, have yet to be confirmed.

An announcement is expected in the coming weeks.

Opening night fixtures (Friday, March 19th)

Drogheda United vs Waterford (7.45pm)

Finn Harps vs Bohemians (8pm)

Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick's Athletic (8pm)

Saturday, March 20th 

Longford Town vs Derry City (7.30pm)

Sligo Rovers vs Dundalk (8pm)