The 2017 SSE Airtricity League gets underway tonight.
Dundalk versus Shamrock Rovers is the feature game on the opening night with holders Dundalk welcoming Rovers to their new surface at Oriel park.
UPDATE | Pitch @FinnHarpsFC has passed inspection. Further inspection at 4 pm #CCFC84 https://t.co/o7cJGEqSmK
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) February 24, 2017
A pitch inspection has taken place this morning at Finn Park ahead of their game with Cork City. The result was a pass but it will be assessed again this afternoon.
In the night's other games Bohemians meet Derry City, Galway host Drogheda, Limerick play Sligo Rovers and St Pat's take on Bray.
All the information on the opening weekend's game can be found on the brand new SSE Airtricity League website - https://t.co/pfsLZ2jNeG #LOI pic.twitter.com/OWmnejVrCd
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 24, 2017
There are also three games in the First Division where Athlone host Waterford, Cabinteely play UCD in a south Dublin derby and Longford begin life back in the second-flight away to Shelbourne.
Waterford first team coach Alan Reynolds said that although they are many people's favourites to go up it won't be that easy.
“People are looking at us and thinking that we will do a Limerick on it - and that’s not the case. Limerick have kept eight, nine players and the likes of Longford, UCD and Cobh are all good sides. We just want to look after our own and hopefully we can hit the ground running.”