We're set for a full night of action in the top flight on Friday with Derbies and cracking games ahead
After faltering starts on the opening two weekends, amid changeable weather conditions, this feels like it could be the weekend were the new League of Ireland season could truly kick into gear.
There’s two huge Derbies in the top flight with the return of The Louth Derby and Shamrock Rovers’ de-facto league opener at home to St. Pat’s taking centre stage along with a cracker in the Brandywell.
Virgin Media Three will host Dundalk’s clash with Drogheda United while the four other MPD games will be live on LOITV.
Derry City vs Bohemians (19:45 on LOITV and Newstalk / Off the Ball)
Derry City will look to build on an opening night win and their late dramatic draw in their most recent outing, where a stoppage-time penalty rescued a point against newly promoted Dundalk. However, Tiernan Lynch will not have been best pleased with the manner of the performance at home as he looks to bed in his new side.
Bohemians travel to the Brandywell aiming to make a statement after an encouraging start to the season where their opening day draw at the Aviva was followed by an emphatic 4-0 win away to Sligo Rovers.
Shelbourne vs Galway United (19:45 live on LOITV)
Shelbourne have big ambitions this season but have experienced a mixed start with their Shamrock Rovers clash among the games postponed due to weather while they failed to get all three points in the RSC despite their domination in the stats department. So Friday night’s return to Tolka Park will be an opportunity for Joey O’Brien’s fluent side to lay their claim to a challenge in 2026 with the tough visit of Galway United.
United will see this as a chance to upset the odds once more though and will also have felt unlucky not to get an opening day win against Drogheda United while their clash against St. Pat’s was also postponed. John Caulfield has been busy assembling a new mix of experience and fresh faces in Galway and the trip to Tolka Park on Friday will be a fascinating way of seeing where the Tribesmen are at.
Waterford vs Sligo Rovers (19:45 live on LOITV)
Waterford go into Friday’s RSC clash on the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss in Drogheda last weekend and despite picking up a point at home to Shelbourne on the opening night, Jon Daly is still working through building his new side since taking over at the RSC and will see the visit of Sligo Rovers as a big chance to secure a first win of the season.
Sligo Rovers will be looking to jump straight back to action after a dismal 4-0 loss at home to Bohemians last Saturday night where John Russell felt the frustration of a poor performance to open their home campaign. They had a positive performance, however, in Derry the week before where they were unlucky to lose out to a late Josh Thomas goal and will have eyes on a strong result in Waterford on Friday to restart their season.
Dundalk vs Drogheda United (20:00 live on Virgin Media Three)
This local Derby always brings intensity and returns after a year away following Dundalk’s 2024 relegation with Virgin Media Three giving it the headline act on a busy night in the top flight.
Dundalk’s trophy cabinet may be bigger than their local neighbours’ but with Drogheda United’s more recent upsurge in standing in the League of Ireland and the 2024 Men’s FAI Cup win, the battle for Louth has never been more relevant. Dundalk came back to the top table at the first time of asking and with the guidance of Ciaran Kilduff, there seems to be a renewed energy around the Club in 2026 compared to the dark days of 2024.
Kevin Doherty has built a formidable outfit at Sullivan & Lambe Park and the two sides meet each other at a cross roads that has never been more appealing. Will it be Dundalk building with a win towards getting back to where they feel they belong or will Drogheda United secure the bragging rights for another spell.
Shamrock Rovers vs St Patrick’s Athletic (20:00 live on LOITV)
Shamrock Rovers’ title defence finally begins this Friday night after their opening two games were postponed due to heavy rain and they’ll be keen to hit the ground running at Tallaght against South Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic as Jake Mulraney will be set to feature against his old side as a Hoop for the first time.
2025 saw some thrilling clashes between the two Dubliners including a rip roaring 2-2 in Richmond Park and May saw an emphatic 4-0 win for the Champions which signalled their intent for the year ahead but Simon Power’s wonder-goal in their last clash in Inchicore saw the Saints win the last clash.
A game that rarely disappoints added with the mystery of where both sides stand after a false start to 2026 points towards a brilliant night in Tallaght on Friday.
