Champions Shelbourne to host Derry City in Premier Division 2025 season opener

The new League of Ireland season will kick off on February 14th

Shelbourne celebrate winning the 2024 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Shelbourne celebrate winning the 2024 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

The 2025 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division will get under way on Friday, February 14th, with Derry City travelling to Tolka Park to meet reigning champions Shelbourne.

The sides last met at the Brandywell on November 1st, an action filled night which saw Damien Duff’s team claim the title after a late goal from Harry Wood.

Also in action on the opening night of the new season will be Cork City, fresh from promotion from the first division, who will welcome Galway United to Turner’s Cross.

In the last fixture of the evening, Drogheda United will travel to Richmond Park to play St Patrick’s Athletic.

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On Saturday, February 15th, Sligo Rovers and Waterford meet at the Showgrounds and Bohemians host Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

In the final round of games – scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 1st – Derry City travel to Cork, Bohs go the Drogheda, Sligo Rovers are away to Shamrock Rovers, St Pat’s travel to Shelbourne and Waterford welcome Galway United.

Muireann Duffy

Muireann Duffy

Muireann Duffy is a sports journalist with The Irish Times