AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER Division champions St Patrick’s Athletic will meet FAI Cup winners Sligo Rovers in the very first President’s Cup on 2 March.

Richmond Park will host the inaugural match a week before the new league campaign gets underway with the Saints hosting the team they defeated to clinch their first title in 11 years last October.

“President Higgins support for the Airtricity League and Irish soccer is deeply appreciated and the introduction of the President’s Cup will provide us with an exciting game between the league champions and cup winners to start each new season,” said chairman of the National League Executive Committee Eamon Naughton.”

Director of the Airtricity League Fran Gavin added: “President Higgins is a huge supporter of our game and takes the time out from his busy schedule to go to games and meet players, officials and supporters.

“He is really behind this idea and the game will also have a charitable aspect to it.”

Meanwhile, the First Division fixtures for the upcoming season were released today with the opening night seeing Galway FC play Longford Town, Finn Harps welcoming Waterford United and Wexford Youths travelling to Tolka Park to take on Shelbourne on 8 March.

The following night, Shamrock Rovers’ second team will get their first taste of action away to Cobh Ramblers.

Friday, 8 March

• Galway FC v Longford Town, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45 pm
• Finn Harps v Waterford United, Finn Park, 8pm
• Shelbourne v Wexford Youths, 8pm

Saturday, 8 March

• Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers, St. Colman’s Park, 7.45pm

To view the complete Airtricity League 2014 Premier Division fixture list please go to www.airtrictyleague.ie

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