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Rory Patterson returns to the Brandywell

Former League of Ireland top scorer Rory Patterson has returned home to sign for Derry City ahead of the 2016 SSE Airtricity League season.

Patterson spent three seasons at the Brandywell between 2012 and 2014 when he helped City to victory in the 2012 FAI Cup final, scoring twice in the 3-2 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic.

Patterson then scored 18 league goals the following season as Derry finished fourth in the league as the striker was named on the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year.

But Patterson spent large chunks of the 2014 season on the bench under new manager Roddy Collins and the striker quit the club at the end of the campaign, signing for Australian side Cockburn City before returning to former club FC United of Manchester in October.

Patterson has signed a one-year deal with the Candystripes and will look to bolster their attacking options, which only managed 32 goals in 33 games last season.

Champions Dundalk open three-in-a-row campaign in Bray

League champions Dundalk will begin their quest for three-in-row on Saturday, 5 March as they open their defence of the title away to Bray Wanderers.

Last year's runners-up Cork City start their campaign at home to Bohemians, while newly promoted Wexford Youths make their Premier Division debut at home to the 2014 First Division winners Longford Town.

The first series of matches will feature a north west derby at Finn Park when promoted Finn Harps face neighbours Derry City.

St Patrick’s Athletic, who won the EA SPORTS Cup last season, have a home game against the team they beat in that final, Galway United, while there is a battle of the Rovers at The Showgrounds as Sligo Rovers meet Shamrock Rovers who finished third in 2015.

The mid-season break will take place from Monday, 6 June until Thursday, 23 June inclusive and the Premier Division season will conclude on Friday, 28 October.

The second round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, when the 20 SSE Airtricity League clubs enter the competition, is scheduled for the weekend of 22 May. The semi-finals will take place on the weekend of 2 October and the final is at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 6 November.

The first round of the EA Sports Cup will take place on 21/22 March with the second round on 18/19 April and the quarter-finals on 2 May. The semi-finals are scheduled for 1 August and the final is on Saturday, September 17.

The Premier Division fixtures are subject to change depending on the outcome of the FAI Club Licensing process. The fixtures for the 2016 SSE Airtricity League First Division will be issued in the New Year.

The opening series of matches are as follows:

Friday, 4 March
Cork City v Bohemians, Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm.
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Galway United, Richmond Park, 7.45pm.
Finn Harps v Derry City, Finn Park, 8.00pm.
Wexford Youths v Longford Town, Ferrycarrig Park, 8.00pm.

Saturday, 5 March
Bray Wanderers v Dundalk, Carlisle Grounds, 7.30pm.
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm.