Shelbourne will face Kildare County in the opening round of the League of Ireland Division One fixtures should their demotion be confirmed over the coming days.

The league champions, who are meeting tonight to consider their options, have until Friday to formally seek to have last night's decision by the association's licensing body overturned.

In the meantime, the FAI have finally published the fixture list for the new season with Waterford United, who are set to replace Shels in the top flight, due to meet Munster rivals Cork City in the Premier Division.

The 2007 season will kick-off in just over a fortnight on Thursday, March 8th, when Finn Harps travel to Oriel Park to take on Dundalk in the First Division.

"We are delighted to release the fixture list so as we can all once again focus our attention on football," said Fran Gavin, director of the League of Ireland. "This season promises to be an exciting new dawn for Irish football and, like tens of thousands of fans across the country, everybody at the FAI is eagerly awaiting kick-off.

"Following Waterford's decision to accept their invitation to join the Premier League, and pending a possible appeal by Shelbourne with regard to the decision of the First Instance Committee, these are the fixtures for the forthcoming season".

League of Ireland Week One fixtures

Friday, March 9th
Bohemians v Drogheda United, Dalymount Park, 7.45 pm
Derry City v Bray Wanderers, Brandywell Stadium, 7.45 pm
Galway United v Sligo Rovers, Terryland Park, 7.45 pm
UCD v Shamrock Rovers, Belfield Park, 7.45 pm
Waterford United v Cork City, RSC, 7.45 pm

Saturday, March 10th
Longford Town v St Patrick's Athletic, Flancare Park, 7.30 pm

First Division

Thursday, March 8th 
Dundalk v Finn Harps, Oriel Park, 7.45 pm

Friday, March 9th
Athlone Town v Kilkenny City, Lissywoollen, 7.45 pm
Monaghan United v Wexford Youths, Kingspan Century Park, 8pm
Shelbourne v Kildare County, Tolka Park, 8pm

Saturday, March 10th
Cobh Ramblers v Limerick 37, St. Colman's Park, 7.45 pm