When Giovanni Trapattoni said, on more than one occasion, that Ireland was a country without a league, it prompted an apoplectic backlash from players, managers and supporters in the domestic game.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:

Derry City 4 Dundalk 0

Bray Wanderers 0 Sligo Rovers 0

Next season's Airtricity League Premier Division will comprise of 12 clubs, the FAI has confirmed today.

Airtricity Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers, bidding for a first league success since 1978, can keep on course for the title by collecting another vital three points in tonight’s clash with Shelbourne at Tolka Park (8 pm).

Munster Senior League duo Douglas Hall and Everton will be seeking to upset Airtricity League opposition in their FAI Ford Cup second round ties tomorrow.

Monaghan United officials declared their intent to fulfil their fixtures this season despite a cash-flow crisis which as engulfing the club.

A 77th-minute David McDaid goal earned 10-man Derry City a share of the points against Shamrock Rovers in their absorbing Airtricity Premier Division encounter at Tallaght Stadium last night.

THERE aren’t many fans who revere an 8-1 defeat but as the years went by, Estonians looked back with increasing fondness on their match against Latvia in August 1942.

ROHAN RICKETTS grabbed an opportunistic winner to leave champions Shamrock Rovers within 90 minutes of retaining their title after they all but ended Derry’s challenge at Tallaght Stadium last night.

SHAMROCK ROVERS moved level on points with Sligo Rovers on top of the Airtricity Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over second from bottom Drogheda United at the Tallaght Stadium yesterday.

HAVING knocked the glide out of Sligo’s stride, Bohemians now turn their attentions to new league leaders Derry City.

DERRY CITY and Shamrock Rovers both have the opportunity to move to the top of the Airtricity Premier Division when they host St Patrick’s Athletic and UCD respectively in tonight’s clashes.

A BRILLIANTLY struck 64th minute opportunist goal by winger Jake Kelly gave Bray Wanderers a deserved victory over leaders Shamrock Rovers in a hugely entertaining Airtricity Premier Division clash at a windswept Carlisle Grounds last night.

SHAMROCK ROVERS will be hoping to at least keep their two-point lead at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division when they take on Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds tonight (7.45).

CHAMPIONS Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division when they take on Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium tonight.

SHAMROCK ROVERS will begin the defence of their title with a home game against Dundalk on Friday, March 4.

THE climax of the domestic season is almost upon us and, for once, we find ourselves hoping that the storm precedes the calm.

Bohemians 0 Sligo Rovers 1

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC boss Pete Mahon has demanded that his side keep a hold of top spot in the Airtricity Premier Division when they take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park tonight (7.45pm).

AT the home of Munster rugby last night, Sunderland’s Premier League class proved the difference against a local XI — but Limerick city picked up a bonus point on a good night for the city.

INSPIRED by two goals each from Gary Twigg and James Chambers, Shamrock Rovers moved back to the top of the Airtricity Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over an outclassed Dundalk in yesterday’s rearranged clash at Tallaght Stadium.

WITH leaders St Pat’s not in action until tomorrow, when they travel to the Showgrounds to play Sligo Rovers, Sporting Fingal have a chance to go top of the Airtricity Premier Division tonight when they resume their campaign by hosting UCD at Morton Stadium (all games 7.45pm unless stated).

AFTER suffering two consecutive league defeats, Bohemians travel to Oriel Park this evening boosted by their Setanta Cup semi-final victory over Linfield.

WITH the lead changing hands on almost a match to match basis, Sporting Fingal have the opportunity to go back to the top of the Airtricity Premier Division if they can overcome UCD at the Belfield Bowl this evening.

Bray Wanderers 0 St. Patrick’s Athletic 4