All three League of Ireland competitions will kick off next month following confirmation by the Football Association of Ireland that the suspension of GAA activity will not impact domestic soccer in Ireland in the immediate future.
There had been speculation that the SSE Airtricity Premier Division, First Division and Women’s National League would be the latest sporting competitions to fall victim to the current Covid-19 restrictions after the GAA announced last night that all of their activities will not begin until Easter at the earliest.
However, senior domestic soccer will go ahead as planned in March as it has retained its status as an elite sport, unlike senior intercounty GAA. The FAI today reiterated its stance that the League of Ireland season will go ahead on schedule.
The League of Ireland season is set to commence on March 19 with Premier Division sides officially kicking off the domestic season in Ireland. The First Division will start a week later on March 26 and the Women’s National League begins the next day on March 27.
All games played across the three competitions will be played behind closed doors, placing a significant financial burden on many clubs who were in financially vulnerable positions prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
Shamrock Rovers and Peamount United are the defending champions of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division and Women’s National League respectively.
