There was heartbreak for Galway United tonight as they make the drop to the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League next season despite a brave second-half comeback.

A leading TV sports broadcaster has warned it could close its Irish operations and move to the UK with the loss of 40 jobs as a result of a planning row.

Cork City remain 18 points clear at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division.

With Cork City and Bray facing off this evening, Dundalk know a draw at Turner’s Cross would, if they can beat Galway United, see the champions close the gap on the leaders and make second place their own in the Premier Division.

Supporters of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers clashed in north central Dublin before tonight’s SSE Airtricity league game at Dalymount Park.

Keith Fahey knows the question is coming and is ready with a firm interception.

Bray Wanderers 2 Longford Town 2

Hopes of a single Galway team to compete in next year’s Airtricity League are starting to dim as one of the four group involved in discussions indicated there has been no progress made in crunch talks.

Stuart Ashton is anxious his Cork City players aren’t spooked by the perceived high stakes of tomorrow night’s Airtricity League meeting with fellow strugglers Bohemians at Turner’s Cross.

Waterford United’s survival in the Airtricity League was confirmed yesterday after an application to wind up the football club was struck out.

New signing Anthony Elding made it two goals in as many games to get champions Sligo Rovers off to the perfect start in defence of their title as they beat FAI Cup holders Derry City 1-0 at the Brandywell as the Airtricity League season kicked off in earnest.

For the faithful, the dawning of the first day of the new Airtricity League season brings with it a familiar quickening of the pulse and the heady sensation that anything is possible.

It's shaping up to be an all Airtricity League last four in the Setanta Sports Cup for the first time in the competition's history following last night's action north and south of the border.

John O’Sullivan was standing guard beside the First Division trophy as the launch of the Airtricity League 2013 season drew to a close in the Aviva Stadium yesterday.

Cork City make their return to the Setanta Cup at Turner’s Cross this evening, with Danske Bank Premiership leaders Cliftonville travelling south, and the Leesiders’ new captain Kevin Murray insists the hosts will be not be holding anything back despite it being their first competitive outing of the year.

High-flying Drogheda United will be looking to get their Airtricity League title challenge back on track having lost for the first time in eight outings to leaders Sligo Rovers last week, getting on the wrong end of a 4-1 hiding.

Keith Long’s Bray Wanderers’ first foray into the Setanta Sports Cup didn’t stretch beyond the first round.

CORK City’s new chief executive Tim Murphy says he wants to see the club become “one of the powerhouses of Irish football”.

D-DAY has dawned in every sense for embattled Galway United.

Monaghan United entertain Galway United in tonight’s Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off first leg at Gortakeegan, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bottom side Drogheda United take on St Patrick's Athletic in tonight’s Airtricity League clash at Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

BOTTOM CLUB Galway United continued their hex on Bohemians as they recorded a valuable victory in their Airtricity League Premier Division encounter at Dalymount Park last night.

UCD open their Airtricity League campaign with a trip to Hunky Dorys Park to face Drogheda United (kick-off 7.45pm).

WHEN Cork City take on Wexford Youths at Turner’s Cross on Friday evening, it won’t just be the opening salvo for both clubs in the Airtricity League First Division season – it will also be a battle of the newly elected TDs.

OPPOSITION to the dreaded vuvuzela is beginning to escalate in England but sporting organisations here in Ireland are, in general, taking a more laissez-faire reaction to the ear-splitting plastic airhorn that provided the soundtrack to the first African-hosted World Cup.

DUNDALK manager Ian Foster last night declined to comment after the club publicly distanced itself from his criticism of the FAI earlier this week.

League leaders St Patrick's Athletic welcome Galway United to Richmond Park for tonight’s Airtricity League clash, kick-off 7.45pm.

Bohemians travel to Richmond Park to take on St Patrick's Athletic in tonight's Airtricity League clash, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United boss Sean Connor travels with a depleted squad to Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in tonight’s Airtricity League clash (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tonight's Airtricity League Premier Division game between Bray Wanderers and Bohemians has been postponed following a pitch inspection at the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray Wanderers will be looking for their first points of the new campaign when they entertain Bohemians in tonight’s Airtricity League clash at the Carlisle Grounds, kick-off 7.45pm.

UCD take on a full-strength Bray Wanderers side in tonight’s Airtricity League clash at the UCD Bowl, kick-off 7.45pm.

St Patrick’s Athletic travel to Tallaght Stadium tonight to take on Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers in the Airtricity League, kick off 8.00pm.

Sligo Rovers open their Airtricity League campaign tonight when they take on Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds (kick-off 7.45pm).

St Patrick’s Athletic take on Galway United in their first Airtricity League game of the season at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.