New Cork City signing Kieran Sadlier has revealed striker Seanie Maguire played a crucial role in his decision to move to Turner’s Cross.

Dave Robertson became the second managerial casualty of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division season after he was axed by Sligo Rovers.

As the League of Ireland season kicks off tonight, all eyes will be on Dundalk’s four-in-a-row title quest even if the manager with history in his grasp won’t countenance personal accolades.

Stephen Kenny has admitted that the Dundalk dressing room was “devastated” after the scoreless draw with BATE Borisov which saw his side exit Europe on Wednesday night.

Derry City manager Peter Hutton expects resurgent Bray Wanderers to be an even tougher nut to crack after securing a new manager.

Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0

Strikers Danny North and Raffaele Cretaro are set to return as Sligo Rovers go in search of goals in their Champions League qualifier this evening (kick-off 6pm).

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:

Still holding maximum points in the league, but smarting from defeat by Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup, champions Sligo Rovers travel to Richmond Park to take on third-placed St Patrick’s Athletic in the big game of the night in the Airtricity Premier Division (kick-off 7:05pm, live on RTE 2).

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

With champions and early pacesetters Sligo Rovers not in action until tomorrow, when the Bit O’Red host Cork City at the Showgrounds, there is an onus on second-placed Derry City to make up some ground at Dundalk this evening.

While the majority of leagues take a break for the duration of international blocs, there’s no such rest for Airtricity League clubs, with a full list of fixtures down for decision today and tomorrow – even if the cruel weather might still force a couple of cancellations.

Cork City bid to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions this season to seven when they take on Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds this evening, but manager Tommy Dunne will have to plan without key defender Dan Murray, ruled out because of work commitments.

Newly-crowned champions Sligo Rovers have, as expected, dominated the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year with five places but there was no place for any member of EA Sports Cup and Europa League bound Drogheda United in the side.

When the final whistle blew and the fans packed into The Showgrounds rushed on to the pitch to celebrate Sligo Rovers’ first league title since 1977, it felt like the centre of the universe was a small town on the north-west coast.

European gains is top of Ian Baraclough’s agenda as Sligo Rovers go into Europa League action tonight in Slovakia, where they are plotting an away victory.

Shamrock Rovers have been drawn against Lithuanian champions FK Ekranas in the Uefa Champions League second qualifying round draw.

SLIGO ROVERS know they need to end their recent poor form against Bohemians to keep their Premier Division title challenge on course at the Showgrounds this evening (7.45pm), the Gypsies having only lost once to the Bit O’Red in the league since Pat Fenlon became manager in 2008.

SLIGO ROVERS moved two points clear in the Airtricity Premier League following a scoreless draw at the Showgrounds.

EA SPORTS Cup holders Sligo Rovers have been drawn against non-league surprise packets Cockhill Celtic in the Second Round of the competition.

Sporting Fingal will attempt to rediscover their home form when they meet Sligo Rovers at Morton Stadium tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The draw for the quarter finals of the EA SPORTS Cup was made today, with current Airtricity League leaders St. Patrick’s Athletic drawn away to Sligo Rovers.

Bray Wanderers travel to Morton Stadium to take on Sporting Fingal in tonight’s Airtricity League Premier Division clash (kick-off 7.45pm).