After a big weekend last time out for the opening games of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier and First Divisions, we look forward to a weekend filled with more action in both Divisions as well as the opening game of the Women’s season.
After a big weekend last time out for the opening games of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier and First Divisions, we look forward to a weekend filled with more action in both Divisions as well as the opening game of the Women’s season.
After winning the double in 2022, Shelbourne will travel to Athlone Town for the inaugural President’s Cup contested between the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division teams.
Shels have announced a series of new signings including former Shels player and Dublin GAA star Siobhan Killeen.
Athlone Town also have a number of new signings and Saturday’s game at 4pm at the Athlone Town Stadium, which is live and exclusive on LOITV, will tell us a lot about the season ahead.
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Highlights
St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne
Richmond Park
Friday, 24 February, 2023
19:45
LIVE ON LOITV
We have the first Dublin Derby of the season on Friday night as Damien Duff’s Shelbourne will cross the Liffey to face St Patrick’s Athletic at a sold out Richmond Park.
Both teams gained a point in the opening game though Shels will a little more frustrated having missed guilt edged chances at home to Drogheda United.
Tim Clancy, meanwhile, will be a little more pleased having got a late point against Derry City after Joe Redmond headed home from a corner.
Last season saw some feisty exchanges between the two Dublin sides and their management teams but Clancy believes fans’ focus is on the pitch.
Speaking to the media, He said: “Who cares what’s in the dugout? It’s what is on the pitch that is important.
“People don’t go to games to watch managers or coaches, they go to watch players.”
Watch the sold out game live on www.loitv.ie with the Season Pass for 2023.
Bohemians v Dundalk
Dalymount Park
Friday, 24 February, 2023
19:45
Bohs host Dundalk in their first home game of the season after topping the early SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with a 2-1 win in Cork last year.
Dundalk will be disappointed after a draw with UCD at home in the opening game but Stephen O’Donnell has brought further bodies in the door from the UK with Rayhaan Tulloch joining the club on loan from West Bromwich Albion.
The Lilywhites have also brought in new signings Wasiri Williams and Johannes Yli-Kokko.
Bohs also have another new Polish centre-half after Krystian Nowak arrived into Dalymount before the 11pm transfer deadline on 22 February.
Derry City v Cork City
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Friday, 24 February, 2023
19:45
Derry City welcome Cork City on Friday night to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in their first home league game of the season but will do without Michael Duffy.
Ruaihdri Higgins, however, is backing his deeper squad to deal with the injury set back as Diallo also misses out serving the last game of his suspension.
"We have a really good squad this season however and thankfully we have plenty of quality to deal with those issues. There are a lot of versatile players in our dressing room and I'm more than happy with our options. We're also boosted by the fact that Patrick McEleney came off the bench at Richmond Park and he is raring to go again. It's all about trying to get that first win on the board and sending our supporters home happy," he told Derry City media.
Colin Healy, meanwhile, cut a frustrated figure -
“I thought we looked a small bit nervous in the first half but you have to give credit to Bohs as well, they kept good possession. But with the system that we had (3-5-2) sometimes that allows you to do it. (Patrick) Kirk and (Keith) Buckley we’re getting on the ball very easily. They were running the game. But we changed it at halftime.
"We corrected it. We had a few chances in the second half but we didn’t take them. Overall, I think we need to be better on the ball. We were a bit sloppy and we need to be better than that."
Athlone Town v Finn Harps
Athlone Town Stadium
Friday, 24 February, 2023
19:45
The two standout games in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division on the opening weekend were Athlone’s stunning derby win over Longford Town and Galway United’s late win in Donegal against Finn Harps.
Dave Rogers will be hoping to bounce straight back but suggestions seem that Athlone have done well in their recruitment and Friday night’s clash could tell us even more about how the race for promotion will go this season.
Watch the game live on LOITV!
Full fixtures
Saturday, 25 February at 4pm
President’s Cup
Shelbourne v Athlone Town, Athlone Town Stadium
Friday, 24 February at 7:45pm
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Bohemians v Dundalk, Dalymount Park
Derry City v Cork City, The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, United Park
St Patrick’s Athletic v Shelbourne, Richmond Park
UCD v Sligo Rovers, UCD Bowl
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Athlone Town v Finn Harps, Athlone Town Stadium
Bray Wanderers v Kerry, Carlisle Grounds
Cobh Ramblers v Wexford, St Colman’s Park
Galway United v Treaty United, Eamonn Deacy Park
Waterford v Longford Town, RSC
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