LOI Premier Division: Hopes abound for opening night

The wait is over, the talking is done and excitement is abound ahead of the start of the League of Ireland Men's Premier and First Divisions.

The five matches in the top flight will bring the biggest attendance for an opening night in memory with sold out signs set to appear in all games.

The supporters of Galway United and Waterford FC welcome Premier football back to their county with home games, while the champions flag will once again be risen in Tallaght Stadium.

Derry City begin their attempt at overhauling the hopes at the Ryan McBride Brandywell and the 124th consecutive season of Bohemians at Dalymount Park will also begin.

Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm

Even before the start of the season there is an air of confidence around the dominant Shamrock Rovers.

It doesn't bode well for the rest of the league

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said: "I see a real eagerness in the group this year. I think this time last year I sensed a pressure; I could feel it within the group, I could see tell-tale signs it was there. I don't get that feeling at all this year which is really nice to see.

"We’re so eager to be really successful this year and that’s the aim. We’re going to fight every day to make that happen.

"But I get a nice feeling off the group, regardless of the result against Dundalk, that they’re mentally in a better place than this time last year, they’re a lot freer in their head which is good."

Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Aaron McEneff and Johnny Kenny remain out but are set to return within the next two weeks. Richie Towell is a doubt.

Dundalk have 11 new signings within their group with manager Stephen O'Donnell claiming it's a good match for his new recruits to adapt to life in the League of Ireland.

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