The League of Ireland returns tonight (16 February) with some exciting fixtures. We look at tonight’s games and the season as a whole.
The dust has barely settled on last season’s League of Ireland football as the 2024 season kicks off this evening.
We take a look at tonight’s fixtures and pick out some important dates for the season ahead, as defending champions Shamrock Rovers try to defend their title, and newcomers Galway United and Waterford look to make their mark.
The story of last season – last season’s winners and losers
Shamrock Rovers won last season’s League of Ireland Premier Division with relative comfort – seven points separated Rovers and second-placed Derry City at the end of the season.
However, the battle for European football provided much entertainment. There were only five points between Derry, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Shelbourne, who each qualified for the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds.
However, both Dundalk and Bohemians – who ended up fifth and sixth, respectively – were hot on their heels. The two clubs earned 58 points, which left them just two points off the European spots.
Meanwhile, Cork City and, in particular, UCD had a dismal 2023. UCD picked up just 11 points across the season. Cork fared slightly better but lost their Premier Division spot to Waterford in a 2-1 play-off defeat at Tallaght Stadium.
Accompanying Waterford from the First Division are Galway United. A whopping 25 points separated champions United from second-placed Waterford, with the Tribesmen losing just two matches last term.
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League of Ireland 2024 – kicks off tonight
The League of Ireland returns tonight, with a full schedule of fixtures kicking off at 7:45 pm.
Reigning champions Shamrock Rovers start their title defence with a home game against Dundalk, who narrowly missed out on European football with a sixth-place finish. Dundalk will hope to avenge their two defeats against Rovers last season.
Last season’s runners-up, Derry City, will look to get off to a good start, taking on Drogheda United at the Brandywell.
St Pats travel to Eamonn Deacy Park to take on Galway United, who make their return to the Premier Division for the first time since their 2017 relegation. United will look to make a strong start after winning the First Division at a canter last season.
Shelbourne also face an away match against newcomers to the league. They travel to the Waterford Regional Sports Centre to play Waterford.
Finally, Bohemian FC will welcome Sligo Rovers to Dalymount Park, their home ground that just received approval for renovations.
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Other key dates – put them in the diary
While the men’s Premier Division kicks off this week, we’ll have to wait a further three weeks for the women’s Premier Division, which begins on 9 March.
That round of fixtures will see champions Peamount United travel to Cork City. Elsewhere, Shelbourne host Sligo Rovers, DLR Waves take on Shamrock Rovers, Wexford play Bohs, and Galway United travel to Athlone Town.
Other key dates include the FAI Cup Final. The women’s final will take place on 20 October at Tallaght Stadium, while the men’s final will take place four weeks later, on 10 November, at the Aviva Stadium.
Furthermore, the ever-exciting relegation/promotion play-off, which sees the second-last-placed team in the Premier Division take on the First Division’s runners-up for a place in the following season’s top flight, is slated for 8 November.
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