Premier Division fixtures released
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The 2012 Airtricity Premier Division fixtures have been confirmed by the FAI. The first round of games, scheduled for Friday March 2nd, pitch up some interesting fixtures including a repeat of November's FAI Cup Final between Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers.
Newly promoted Shels will host Paul Cook's Sligo at Tolka Park, hoping that they can perform as well as they did at the Aviva Stadium that night, even after being reduced to ten men in the first half. They may face an even tougher task though.
Sligo have been busy over the winter months in terms of transfers, capturing high profile players including St Pat's goalkeeper Gary Rodgers and Romauld 'The King of Benin' Boco, who will be embarking on his third spell at the club.
Champions Shamrock Rovers kick off their campaign against Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park while last year's other major contenders Derry City will host Bohemians at the Brandywell.
Cork City will make the trip to Dublin to play UCD in their first game back in the top flight since their third place finish in 2009. Bray, who stayed in the top flight in 2010 due to Cork's enforced demotion to the First Division, travel to Richmond Park to play St. Pat's.
Roddy Collins' Monaghan United will begin their season at home to Dundalk before difficult away games against Shamrock Rovers and St. Pat's over the following two game weeks.
Some may look to their rivals as inspiring the biggest games of the season and there won't be long to wait for some crackers. Friday March 9th Bohemians are due to welcome city rivals Shels to Dalymount Park and the following week Drogheda and Dundalk will contest the first Louth derby of the year in the third round of games (March 16th).
Those inclined to flick to the final page of a book before they even begin might be tempted to look further down the line towards the final day of the season. Sligo Rovers host Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds on October 26th in a game that could have an awful lot riding on it by then.
The First Division fixtures will be issued on February 12th of next year pending confirmation participating teams.
The full set of fixtures are available here: http://www.airtricityleague.ie/images/stories/2012_Airtricity_League_Premier_Division_Fixture_List.pdf
