The clash of the champions will be the first match of the 2009 League of Ireland season to be televised live, when RTÉ Two travel to Oriel Park to broadcast the visit of Premier Division champions Bohemians to the home of First Division champions Dundalk.

RTÉ today confirmed that it will broadcast Dundalk v Bohemians on RTÉ Two on March 6th, the opening night of the 2009 season. This will be the first of 13 live League and Cup games to be broadcast on RTÉ Two in the 2009 season.

The following week Shamrock Rovers’ first match in the new Tallaght Stadium will also be broadcast live on RTÉ Two. The Hoops will complete their long-awaited move to the Tallaght Stadium when they take on Sligo Rovers in one of the most eagerly-anticipated Irish football matches of recent years.

Today’s announcement also brings the opening of the Tallaght Stadium one day closer as the match will be brought forward one day to Friday, March 13th, in order to facilitate live television coverage.

Michael O’Neill’s new-look Rovers team will be on the nation’s screens again on week three of the new season, when RTÉ Two broadcasts live coverage of their visit to Dalymount Park to face arch rivals Bohemians. Always a highlight of the season, the Dublin derby has added spice this season as Rovers look to put an early dent into the Gypsies’ attempts to successfully defend their title.

As well as broadcasting live coverage of League of Ireland fixtures during the opening period of the season, the hour-long dedicated Irish soccer programme, MNS (Monday Night Soccer), will also make a return to RTÉ television for the 2009 season. Hosted by Con Murphy, MNS will be broadcast on RTÉ Two at 8pm each Monday throughout the season, beginning on March 9th.

Further announcements on live television coverage will be made over the coming weeks.