Finn facing an instant Oriel return with Rovers

RONAN Finn will face an immediate return to Oriel Park after Dundalk were drawn to face Shamrock Rovers at home on the opening night of the SSE Airtricity League season on Friday February 24th.

The 29-year-old midfielder shocked the League of Ireland before Christmas when he opted to leave the champions to return to Tallaght on a three year contract.

Having left Rovers to join Stephen Kenny’s side at the start of the 2015 campaign, Finn (pictured inset) became a fans favourite in helping Dundalk to a league and FAI Cup double in his debut season before adding another league title last season, as well as starring in the club’s Europa League journey.

However, he is likely to face a hostile reception on what will be his second league debut for the Hoops. As the new club captain he is likely to lead Stephen Bradley’s side out on the night, with another former Lilywhite Darren Meenan also in line to feature after his transfer was confirmed in November.

The opening night aside, it is a tough start for Dundalk, who will travel to face Sligo Rovers away in their second outing on Saturday March 4th before hosting First Division champions Limerick FC at Oriel Park six days later.

A trip to face Derry City in their temporary home of Maginn Park in Buncrana will follow on Monday March 13th before St Patrick’s Athletic come to town on St Patrick’s Day.

Then comes the first of the hotly-anticipated clashes with Cork City in Turner’s Cross on Saturday March 25th before the first Louth derby of the season at home to Drogheda Utd on March 31st.

Dundalk will then travel to Ballybofey on April 7th to face a Finn Harps side who they beat 7-0 in the corresponding fixture last season before back-to-back home matches against Bray Wanderers and Bohemians on April 14th and 21st respectively.

A trip to Galway will then conclude the first series of games on April 28th.

Other fixtures of note is the home tie with Cork City on Friday June 2nd – the last game before the mid-season break – and the trip to United Park to face neighbours Drogheda Utd a fortnight late on Friday June 16th.

If Dundalk are to complete their four in-a-row bid then their campaign will conclude away to Galway Utd at Eamonn Deacy Park on the October Bank Holiday weekend.

Dundalk’s pre-season schedule is currently being finalised and is expected to be announced when Stephen Kenny returns from a family holiday in America. Two definite fixtures are the President’s Cup final against Cork City and the Malone Cup tie against Drogheda Utd although the date and venue for those matches has yet to be determined.