Irish introduce summer fixture switch

Football in the Republic of Ireland entered an historic new era last night with the opening matches of the Eircom League season, running from July until January.

The early start has paved the way for summer football next year. The 2003 season will run from April to November. The three-year experiment has been introduced in an attempt to improve the appeal and finances of domestic football in the Rupublic.

Officials also hope that clubs competing in the early stages of the Champions' League and Uefa Cup will be better prepared as a result.

"The move to summer football will allow us to present the game in more attractive surroundings in better weather," said the League Commissioner, Roy Dooney.

"The challenge we face is to convert the huge interest in football generally in Ireland into more fans who regularly go to live games."

Last season finished in chaos when St Patrick's Athletic, having finished top of the table, had 15 points deducted for fielding ineligible players. Shelbourne were declared champions instead.