2009 League of Ireland season launched
The 2009 League of Ireland season was officially launched in Dublin today, kicking off eight months of football action in the presence of guest of honour, UEFA General Secretary David Taylor.
The 2009 season was launched at the Maldron Hotel, which overlooks the new Tallaght Stadium, future home of Shamrock Rovers. The Hoops will end two decades on the road when they play their first home match in the stadium against Sligo Rovers on Friday, March 13.
The Tallaght Stadium is the latest in a series of infrastructural developments that will benefit the League of Ireland. Following on from the recent construction of new stands at Terryland Park and the RSC, the new St. Anne’s Stand at Turner’s Cross, home of Cork City, was recently reopened.
With top tier sponsors eircom, Newstalk and the Irish Daily Star, together with official suppliers Umbro, Boylesports, Lucozade Sports and the National Dairy Council, the prize fund for the 2009 season will stand at over €1m and will represent a 26% increase on last season.
Speaking at the launch League of Ireland Chairman Eamon Naughton said: “We have a great season to look forward to and I am confident that this season we will continue to show more and more people the talent on offer in the League of Ireland.
"We have an exciting eight months of football ahead of us, with new players, new managers, a new club, and a new stadium."
