It’s that time of the year again. Before a ball is kicked. When the Premier Division table is ranked in alphabetical order and all clubs – from first to 10th place – sit level on points. When every new signing has the potential to be an inspired one. When supporters can still dream of the seemingly endless possibilities.
The 2026 League of Ireland season commences this evening with three matches ushering in a new campaign.
A fourth – due to feature double-winners Shamrock Rovers and newly-promoted Dundalk – was postponed earlier today as the heavy rainfall causing havoc around the country has resulted in a waterlogged surface at Tallaght Stadium.
It has since been announced that the fixture will be played on Monday, February 23 at 8pm.
That means a late switch to the TV schedule, with Virgin Media now showing Derry City and Sligo Rovers in the first of four consecutive home games for the Candystripes, with a renewed sense of optimism at the Ryan McBride Brandywell following the arrival of nine signings.
Jon Daly has taken the reins at the RSC, where Waterford entertain a Shelbourne side hoping to improve on last season’s third-place finish – with the help of Jamestown Analytics – following their mid-season managerial change.
There has been a major turnover of players at Galway United during the winter but Tribesmen boss John Caulfield is intent on proving those who have tipped them as relegation candidates wrong. They welcome Drogheda United, who have recently looked to the US for talent, to Eamonn Deacy Park.
On Sunday afternoon, the Aviva Stadium will host an all-Dublin affair between Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic. The First Division, meanwhile, gets under way in a week’s time.
The Irish Independent will be across tonight’s action to bring you the latest updates followed by on-the-whistle reports and post-match reaction.