Drogheda United will kick off the defence of their League of Ireland title against Shamrock Rovers on Friday, March 7th, and the champions will be trying to break the pattern between the two last season when the away team always won.

Of the potential title contenders, St Patrick's Athletic and Cork City get to ease themselves into the campaign with home games against Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers respectively, while Cobh Ramblers must make the long journey to Donegal for a clash between the two newly promoted sides.

The second round of games throws up a couple of big derbys, with Bohemians playing hosts to St Patrick's Athletic and Finn Harps making the short journey to the Brandywell, where restored City boss Stephen Kenny will face his former number two, Paul Hegarty.

The season wraps up at the end of November with two potentially critical games. Cork City must travel to Dalymount Park for a game against Bohemians, while last season's top two, Drogheda and St Patrick's Athletic, come face to face at United Park.

In the first division, Sporting Fingal's first outing will be away to FAI Cup finalists Longford Town, Wexford Youths take on the other relegates side, Waterford United, and Shelbourne get an early opportunity to renew their old rivalry with Dundalk.

This season's League Cup gets under way towards the end of March, between the third and fourth rounds of league games, while the FAI Cup will get into full swing over the weekend of Sunday, June 8th, to be followed immediately by a one-week, mid-season break. The competition's final is provisionally set for November 30th.

Finn Harps have confirmed that they have secured a loan deal with Drogheda for 21-year-old winger Shaun Williams. Paul Hegarty is hoping the Dubliner will ultimately be allowed to stay for the entire season.