League opener between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers pushed back to Saturday afternoon for security reasons

The league opening tie between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers has been moved backto the afternoon of Saturday, February 15^th at 2pm following consultation with An Garda Síochana.

The game had been scheduled to go ahead at Dalymount Park the same time as the rest of the opening round on the Gypsies’ preferred matchnight of Friday at 7.45pm.

However, following consultation between the clubs and the FAI, who had taken advice from the Gardaí, the game will now take place on Saturday afternoon.

News of the arrangement come as a surprise as games between the two sides, both at Dalymount and in Tallaght Stadium, have proceeded with relative peace in recent seasons.

With the game expected to sell out regardless, Bohs added that tickets will not go on general sale until February as preference will be given to season ticket holders.

“After discussions today between both clubs and the FAI, who had consulted with An Garda Síochána, Bohemians' opening SSE Airtricity League fixture against Shamrock Rovers will now take place at 2pm on Saturday February 15,” the Gypsies said on social media.

After discussions today between both clubs and the FAI, who had consulted with An Garda Síochána, Bohemians' opening SSE Airtricity League fixture against Shamrock Rovers will now take place at 2pm on Saturday February 15.

— Bohemian FC (@bfcdublin) January 10, 2020

“Please note that match tickets for this fixture will not go on sale until February.

“This is to allow us to continue selling memberships and season tickets - http://join.bohemians.ie - until January 31 at which point we can determine how many match tickets can go on general sale.”