Shelbourne will kick off the defence of their Premier Division title at home to Derry CIty when the new term kicks off on St Valentine’s Day.
The fixture lists for the 2025 campaign in the men’s Premier and First Divisions and the Women’s Premier Division were issued today. It was known in advance that Bohemians would host Shamrock Rovers on Sunday February 16 in a ground-breaking fixture at the Aviva Stadium but the opening weekend has also thrown up that clash of close rivals Shels and Derry, while St Patrick’s Athletic are at home to FAI Cup winners Drogheda United on the same night.
Newly promoted Cork City start off life as a top flight side again at home to Galway United, pitting United boss John Caulfield against his former club while Sligo Rovers host Waterford on the opening weekend.
Round three of the fixture list, on February 28, has the clash between current champions Shels and previous title winners Shamrock Rovers.
There will be Monday night fixtures in round 4 (March 3), round 11 (April 21) and round 14 (May 5 while the four clubs due to play in Europe in 2025 – Shels, St Pat’s, Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United – all compete on Monday May 19, a date used to free up time in the calendar later in the season when they are in UEFA competition.
The mid-season break is between May 31 and June 13, with the LOI clubs in action in the second round of the FAI Cup on the weekend of July 20.
The Premier Division will wrap up on Saturday November 1 ahead of the FAI Cup final on Sunday November 9.
In the First Division, new Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff has an intriguing fixture on opening night, against Athlone Town: he led Athlone’s women’s side to a title success last season.
The women’s Premier Division kicks off on March 8 with a derby between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers.