RTÉ's coverage of this year's League of Ireland Premier Division will begin with the clash of newly-promoted Dundalk and defending champions Bohemians at Oriel Park on Friday, 6 March.
Bohs completed a memorable league and FAI Cup double in 2008, while Dundalk secured the First Division title with a dramatic final day win over Kildare County.
The national broadcaster has confirmed that this will be the first of 13 live games to be screened on RTÉ Two throughout the season to compliment the return of highlights show MNS (Monday Night Soccer).
LoI fans will also be pleased to hear that the first game at the new Tallaght Stadium between Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers will also be broadcast live on Friday, 13 March.
Michael O'Neill's Shamrock Rovers will be on the nation's screens again the following week as they travel to Dalymount Park to take on arch rivals Bohemians.
MNS will return on Monday 9 March at 8pm, with Con Murphy again at the helm as host.
Sean Connor’s decision to take over at Dundalk means that he will no longer occupy a place on the MNS leather couch, but former St Patrick’s Athletic manager Johnny McDonnell and ex-Longford Town star Sean Prunty will fill the void.
Returning guests include former Cork City and Shelbourne manager Damien Richardson, former Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians boss Roddy Collins, former Irish International and Millwall striker Richard Sadlier, former UCD midfielder Tony McDonnell, former St Patrick’s Athletic defender Colm Foley, former Ireland manager Eoin Hand and Cork City legends Dave Barry and Pat Morley.
Commenting on the announcement of the coverage, Glen Killane, Group Head of Sport RTÉ, said: 'We are committed to bringing Irish domestic soccer to the fans and are glad to continue broadcasting live coverage of games as well as returning MNS to our screens every Monday.
'The availability of live streaming and on-demand match programmes on RTÉ.ie will also enhance coverage so that even those on the other side of the world can keep up to date with the latest goals this season.'
RTÉ.ie will stream all RTÉ Two's coverage live worldwide at www.rte.ie/sport. MNS (www.rte.ie/mns) and live match programmes will also be available on-demand around the world so fans globally will be able to access all the action and keep up to speed with their favourite teams in the League of Ireland.
RTÉ Aertel will also provide the quickest and most reliable latest scores and results over the 2009 season.
