The 2009 League of Ireland season was officially launched today, kicking-off eight months of top class football action. UEFA General Secretary David Taylor was the guest of honour at the official launch of the 2009 season.

The 2009 season was launched at the Maldron Hotel, which overlooks the new Tallaght Stadium, which will be home to Shamrock Rovers. The Hoops will end two decades on the road when they play their first home match in the Tallaght Stadium against Sligo Rovers on Friday, March 13th (live on RTE Two).

The Tallaght Stadium is the latest in a long line of infrastructural developments that will benefit the League of Ireland. Following on from the recent construction of new stands at Terryland Park and the RSC, the new St. Anne’s Stand at Turner’s Cross, home of Cork City, was recently reopened.

With top tier sponsors eircom, Newstalk and the Irish Daily Star, together with official suppliers Umbro, Boylesports, Lucozade Sports and the National Dairy Council, the prize fund will once again rise for League of Ireland clubs. The prize fund for the 2009 season will stand at over €1m and will represent a 26% increase on last season. Subsidies for all clubs will also rise. The prize fund will be distributed in a more equal manner, in order to ensure greater stability. The new prize fund model ensures that increased funding will be made available for each league position in 2009.

Speaking at the launch of the 2009 League of Ireland season, League of Ireland Chairman Eamon Naughton said:

“We have a great season to look forward to and I am confident that this season we will continue to show more and more people the talent on offer in the League of Ireland. We have an exciting eight months of football ahead of us, with new players, new managers, a new club, and a new stadium to look forward to. The 2009 season is sure to be a competitive season – may the best team win!”

These figures include an equal share television payment of €20,000 to each Premier Division club. In addition, an extra €35,000 has been set aside for clubs with six or more fixtures selected for live television broadcast, or four or more live television fixtures held on nights other than Friday. This television distribution model is being introduced at the request of the clubs.