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Details of 2009 FAI club licences
The fixture list for the 2009 League of Ireland season has been announced with defending Premier League champions Bohemians taking on Dundalk at Oriel Park in their opening encounter on Friday, 6 March.
An exciting first night of action also sees new St Patrick’s Athletic manager Jeff Kenna take on his old club, Galway United, at Richmond Park, while Shamrock Rovers begin life under new boss Michael O'Neill with a visit to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers. Derry City host Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers take on Cork City to complete a fantastic opening series of Premier Division matches.
Three First Division matches will take place on March 6th, with newly promoted Mervue United beginning life in the division by hosting Athlone Town at Terryland Park. UCD will begin their attempt to bounce straight back into the Premier Division when they host Limerick at the UCD Bowl, while Shelbourne face Wexford Youths at Tolka Park.
Saturday, 7 March, will see Waterford United host Sporting Fingal in a massive match at the RSC, while Kildare County take on Finn Harps and Longford Town take on Monaghan United at Flancare Park.
The 2009 League of Ireland season will conclude on 16 November with a play-off match to decide the promotion/relegation places. The First Division winners will win automatic promotion to the Premier Division for the 2010 season and will be replaced in the First Division by the team that finishes 10th in the Premier Division.
The play-off series will involve four clubs, with the 8th and 9th placed Premier Division teams facing each other, with the losing side facing the winner of a play-off between the 2nd and 3rd placed First Division teams.
The 2009 FAI Ford Cup final has been scheduled for Sunday, 22 November.
