Match Officials - SSE Airtricity League of Ireland - Gameweek 1

The officials have been announced for the opening five games of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division 2019.

Paul McLoughlin will take charge of Bohemians opening home clash with Finn Harps. McLoughlin took charge of five games in Dalymount Park last season which Bohemians won two and lost three.

In the Brandywell, John McLoughlin will oversee the encounter of Derry City and UCD. The Candystripes had only one game in 2018 with McLoughlin as referee – the 2-1 away loss to Bray Wanderers in which the official brandished four yellows.

Robert Harvey will officiate Dundalk’s game with Sligo Rovers. Harvey showed the most yellow and red cards in 2018 so the current champions and the Bit o’Red will need to be on their best behaviour for this televised match.

Neil Doyle, who refereed the most league games last season (21), goes straight back into action for St.Patrick’s Athletic’s visit of Cork City. Doyle was in charge of two games last season in Inchicore and it is a bad omen for the Saints as both games ended 1-3 to the away sides – Dundalk and Cork City.

Graham Kelly will be officiating the final league game of the night – Waterford versus Shamrock Rovers. Kelly visited the RSC twice last season to mixed fortunes for the home side. He witnessed the Blues 6-3 loss to Limerick as well as their 1-0 win over Bohemians.

The full list of match officials are as follows:

SSE Airtricity League - Premier Division

Friday, February 15

Bohemians v Finn Harps
Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Assistant 1: Emmet Dynan
Assistant 2: Allen Lynch
Fourth Official: Adriano Reale



Derry City v UCD
Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
Referee: John McLoughlin
Assistant 1: Alan Sherlock 
Assistant 2: Declan Toland
Fourth Official: Michael Connolly

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Robert Harvey
Assistant 1: Robert Clarke
Assistant 2: Darragh Keegan
Fourth Official: Derek Tomney

St. Patrick's Athletic v Cork City
Richmond Park, 7.45pm
Referee: Neil Doyle
Assistant 1: Wayne McDonnell
Assistant 2: Mark Gavin
Fourth Official: Rob Rogers

Waterford v Shamrock Rovers
Regional Sports Centre, 7.45pm
Referee: Graham Kelly
Assistant 1: Trevor Cotter
Assistant 2: Adam Tszampel
Fourth Official: Andrew Mullally