SOCCER:The 2009 League of Ireland season was officially launched in Tallaght this afternoon with news that the prize fund across both the Premier and First divisions breaks the €1million barrier with top division clubs set to benefit further from additional TV rights.

The winner of the Premier Division this season will pick up €280,000 with prize money going all the way down to the 10th and last placed club, who will receive €40,000. In the First Division the winner will receive €66,000 while 12th spot secures €7,000

Total prize money across both leagues is up 26 per cent on last season and stands at a total of €1,045,000 - €852,000 for the Premier Division and €193,000 for the First Division.

Premier Division clubs will also benefit from payments for TV rights. All 10 clubs will get an equal share payment of €20,000, while an additional €35,000 has been set aside for clubs with six or more fixtures selected for live television broadcast, or four or more live television fixtures held on nights other than Friday.

This distribution model of television rights has been introduced at the request of the clubs.

“We have a great season to look forward to and I am confident that this season we will continue to show more and more people the talent on offer in the League of Ireland,” said League of Ireland Chairman, Eamon Naughton, during today’s launch at the Maldron Hotel, overlooking Shamrock Rovers’ new ground, Tallaght Stadium.

“We have an exciting eight months of football ahead of us, with new players, new managers, a new club, and a new stadium to look forward to. The 2009 season is sure to be a competitive season.”

Rovers will end two decades on the road when they play their first home match in the Tallaght Stadium against Sligo Rovers on Friday, March 13th. The game will be live on RTÉ2.

Other completed stadium constructions ahead of the new season include new stands at Terryland Park and the RSC and the new St. Anne’s Stand at Turner’s Cross was recently reopened.

Premier Division

1. €280,000
2. €130,000
3. €82,000
4. €60,000
5. €50,000
6. €47,000
7. €45,000
8. €42,000
9. €41,000
10. €40,000

Total €852,000

FIrst Division

1. €66,000
2. €36,000
3. €13,000
4. €11,000
5. €10,000
6. €9,750
7. €9,000
8. €8,500
9. €8,000
10. €7,500
11. €7,250
12. €7,000

Total: €193,000

Total for both leagues: €1,045,000

(Television Bonus: €35,000)