League of Ireland Premier Division

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

League of Ireland Premier Division
Founded1985
Country Republic of Ireland (9 teams)
Other club(s) from Northern Ireland (1 team)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toLeague of Ireland First Division
Domestic cup(s)FAI Cup
President's Cup
League cup(s)League of Ireland Cup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
UEFA Conference League
Current championsShamrock Rovers (21st title)
(2023)
Most championshipsShamrock Rovers (21 titles)
TV partnersLOITV (Worldwide)
Virgin Media (ROI)
RTÉ2 (ROI & NI)
Websitewww.sseairtricityleague.ie Edit this at Wikidata
Current: 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division

The League of Ireland Premier Division (Irish: Príomhroinn Sraith na hÉireann), also known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the top level division in both the League of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland football league system. The division was formed in 1985 following a reorganisation of the League of Ireland. St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians are the only current League of Ireland clubs never to have been relegated from the Premier Division. The league has been won on multiple occasions by Northern Ireland-based club Derry City, the presence of which within the league makes it a cross-border competition.[1] Since 2003, the Premier Division has operated as a summer league.

History

1980s

The inaugural members of the Premier Division included the League of Ireland's traditional top four clubs – Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Bohemians and Dundalk plus eight other clubs. Shamrock Rovers were the inaugural champions and then retained the title in 1986–87. This saw Rovers complete a four in a row of league titles. Dundalk were champions in 1987–88 and Derry City achieved a treble in 1988–89 by also winning the League of Ireland Cup and the FAI Cup.[2][3][4][5]

1990s

The 1990s saw the re-emergence of St Patrick's Athletic following years of obscurity. During the decade St Pat's won four titles. Brian Kerr guided the club to success in 1989–90 and 1995–96 before Pat Dolan and Liam Buckley added further titles in 1997–98 and 1998–99.[2][3] The 1992–93 season saw Cork City win their first title in dramatic circumstances after a series of three-way play-offs that also involved Bohemians and Shelbourne.[6][7]

2000s

The turn of the century saw Shelbourne win the first of five titles in seven years. Dermot Keely guided Shelbourne to the title in 1999–2000 and 2001–02. Shelbourne won the title in controversial circumstances in 2001–02. They were only declared champions after St Patrick's Athletic were deducted 15 points for fielding Charles Livingstone Mbabazi while he was ineligible.[2][3][8]

The league decided to become a summer league in 2003.[citation needed] Pat Fenlon added further titles in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Fenlon had also been a prominent member of the Shelbourne playing squads in 1999–2000 and 2001–02. As a manager Fenlon would also guide Bohemians to title successes in 2008 and 2009. Cork City denied Shelbourne a third league title in a row when they claimed their second title in 2005, defeating fellow challengers Derry City in a last game decider at Turners Cross.[9]

During the second half of the decade a number of Premier Division clubs suffered financial difficulties. During the 2005 season Shamrock Rovers entered into examinership and it was revealed that the club had debts of nearly €3 million. It was also discovered that Rovers were not paying PAYE and PRSI taxes. As a result of these financial irregularities, Rovers were deducted eight points. This ultimately resulted in the club being relegated to the First Division after they lost the relegation/promotion playoff to Dublin City. This was the first time Rovers' senior team had dropped out of the top level of the Republic of Ireland football league system since the club had joined the League of Ireland in 1922–23.[10][11] During the 2006 season the Revenue Commissioners took High Court action and threatened to have Shelbourne wound up after the club failed to pay more than €104,000 in outstanding taxes.[12][13] Shelbourne also struggled to pay its players during the season. Despite winning the title Shelbourne were subsequently demoted to the First Division due to their financial difficulties. Midway through the season Dublin City also went out of business and withdrew from the league, unable to complete the season.[14] During the 2008 season both Cork City and Drogheda United were deducted ten points after going into administration.[15][16][17] Following the conclusion of the 2009 season both Derry City and Cork City were expelled from the League of Ireland. Derry City were accused of making extra payments to players using unofficial secondary contracts. This was against league rules which placed limits on the amount clubs could spend on players' wages. Cork City had been in serious financial difficulties for several seasons and its holding company was eventually wound up by the High Court. However both clubs were effectively reformed and were subsequently allowed to join the 2010 First Division.[18][19][20][21][22]

2010s

The 2010s have been one of contrasting fortunes for Premier Division clubs. Under Michael O'Neill, Shamrock Rovers finished as Premier Division champions in 2010 and 2011. In 2011 Rovers also created history when they became the first team in League of Ireland history to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Europa League.[23] In 2012 Sligo Rovers won their first Premier Division title and their first top level title in thirty five years.[24][25] St. Patrick's Athletic won their fifth Premier Division in 2013.[26] Under Stephen Kenny, Dundalk emulated Shamrock Rovers, winning the title in 2014 and 2015 titles before qualifying for the group stages of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. This period was led by Dundalk and Cork City, taking both the top spots in the league and the definition of the FAI Cup between 2014 and 2018.

In contrast three Premier Division clubs – Sporting Fingal, Galway United and Monaghan United – all withdrew from the League of Ireland. Sporting Fingal also went out of business completely.[22][27][28]

Europe

The top team in the Premier Division currently qualifies for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. The second-placed and third placed-teams and winners of the FAI Cup qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round. Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk have both qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Europa League. In 2011, Rovers became the first team in League of Ireland history to reach the group stages and Dundalk repeated the feat in 2016 and 2020. In 2018, UEFA changed the structure of qualification for the Champions League; giving an extra four automatic qualification spots to the top four leagues in Europe.[29] To compensate for that change, an extra round was added to the qualifying stages of the Champions League and the Europa League which made qualification more difficult for League of Ireland clubs. In 2021, the league will have its Europa League qualifying places revoked and replaced by Europa Conference League places as part of UEFA's restructuring of European football.[30]

The Republic of Ireland are currently ranked 35th for the 2023 season with some potential for improvement. The country co-efficient has surpassed three points (3.125) for an individual season and the 2023 ranking score is now over 10 points (10.125) for the first time ever. Between 1998 and 2010, the league's place on the coefficient table rose 15 places, the biggest climb of any league in Europe. Its position of 29th in 2010 was also its highest since 1986. Since June 2010, the league's ranking has declined and it stood at 43rd place at the end of the 2013/2014 season,[31] a drop of 14 places since 2010 and the league's worst ranking since 1998. In the 2000s, the Premier Division's coefficient vastly improved relative to the late 1990s, but at a cost.[32] The introduction of full-time professional football by a number of clubs and the league's decision to become a summer league in 2003, improved the performance of Premier Division clubs in Europe. Increased fitness levels resulted from both, while full-time professionalism retained Irish players within the league, attracted foreign players to the league and generally improved the standard of football. At least one League of Ireland club has progressed to the next round of a European competition in every season from 2003 to 2014.

However, the costs associated with professional football and the pursuit of European success have been blamed for the financial difficulties suffered by Premier Division clubs.[33] This period of improvement came to an end in 2010 with the league's ranking dropping. From 29th in 2010, it dropped to 31st in 2011, 33rd in 2012, 36th in 2013 and 43rd for the 2014 rankings. The league recovered to 40th for the 2015 rankings and finished 41st in the 2016 rankings.

Competition format

There are 10 clubs in the Premier Division. During the course of a season (from February to November) each club plays the others four times (a quadruple round-robin system), twice at their home stadium and twice at that of their opponents, for 36 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, the head-to-head record between the tied teams is taken into consideration (points scored in the matches between the teams, followed by away goals in those matches.)

Promotion and Relegation

A promotion and relegation system has existed between the Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division since 1985–86. The bottom team in the Premier Division is relegated, and the second-from-bottom plays the second-from-top of the First Division for the final spot in the Premier Division.[34] In 1992–93 a promotion/relegation play-off was also introduced.[35][36]

In 2008 Cobh Ramblers were relegated directly from the Premier Division to the 2009 A Championship after they failed to obtain a First Division license.[18] In 2017, to even up the numbers of clubs in the Premier Division and First Division to 10 teams each, the bottom three Premier League teams were relegated and only the First Division champion were promoted.[37]

Current season

Team Home city/suburb Stadium Capacity
Bohemians Dublin (Phibsborough) Dalymount Park 3,400
Cork City Cork Turners Cross 7,485
Derry City Derry Brandywell 3,700
Drogheda United Drogheda United Park 3,500
Dundalk Dundalk Oriel Park 4,500
St Patrick's Athletic Dublin (Inchicore) Richmond Park 5,350
Shamrock Rovers Dublin (Tallaght) Tallaght Stadium 8,000
Shelbourne Dublin (Drumcondra) Tolka Park 3,600
Sligo Rovers Sligo The Showgrounds 4,000
UCD Dublin (Belfield) UCD Bowl 3,000

2023 season

Ten clubs will compete in the 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division, with one promoted from the First Division:

2023 Club 2022 Position First season in
League of Ireland
First season in LOI Premier Division Seasons
in top division
Seasons
in LOI Premier
Division
First season of
current spell in
LOI
No. of seasons
of current spell
in LOI
Top
division
titles
Most
recent top
division title
Bohemians 6th 1921-22 1985-86 103 39 1921-22 103 11 2009
Cork City 1st (FD) 1984-85 1985-86 37 37 2023 1 3 2017
Derry City 2nd 1987-88 1987-88 36 36 2011 13 2 1996-97
Drogheda United 8th 1963-64 1989-90 47 25 2021 3 1 2007
Dundalk 3rd 1926-27 1985-86 89 30 2009 15 14 2019
Shamrock Rovers 1st 1922-23 1985-86 100 38 2007 17 21 2023
Shelbourne 7th 1921-22 1985-86 88 26 2022 2 13 2006
Sligo Rovers 5th 1934-35 1986-87 71 29 2006 18 3 2012
St Patrick's Athletic 4th 1951-52 1985-86 73 39 1951-52 73 8 2013
UCD 9th 1979-80 1985-86 29 22 2022 2 0 -

List of winners by season

Season Champions Runners-up Third place
Athlone Town Drogheda United Dundalk
Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Athlone Town
Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Athlone Town
Shamrock Rovers Galway Un Dundalk
Shamrock Rovers Dundalk Bohemians
Dundalk St Patrick's Athletic Bohemians
Derry City Dundalk Limerick City
St Patrick's Athletic Derry City Dundalk
Dundalk Cork City St Patrick's Athletic
Shelbourne Derry City Cork City
Cork City Bohemians Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers Cork City Galway United
Dundalk Derry City Shelbourne
St Patrick's Athletic Bohemians Sligo Rovers
Derry City Bohemians Shelbourne
St Patrick's Athletic Shelbourne Cork City
St Patrick's Athletic Cork City Shelbourne
Shelbourne Cork City Bohemians
Bohemians Shelbourne Cork City
Shelbourne Shamrock St Patrick's Athletic
Bohemians Shelbourne Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne Bohemians Cork City
Season Champions Runners-up Third place
2004 Shelbourne Cork City Bohemians
2005 Cork City Derry City Shelbourne
2006 Shelbourne Derry City Drogheda United
2007 Drogheda United St Patrick's Athletic Bohemians
2008 Bohemians St Patrick's Athletic Derry City
2009 Bohemians Shamrock Rovers Cork City
2010 Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Sligo Rovers
2011 Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers Derry City
2012 Sligo Rovers Drogheda United St Patrick's Athletic
2013 St Patrick's Athletic Dundalk Sligo Rovers
2014 Dundalk Cork City St Patrick's Athletic
2015 Dundalk Cork City Shamrock Rovers
2016 Dundalk Cork City Derry City
2017 Cork City Dundalk Shamrock Rovers
2018 Dundalk Cork City Shamrock Rovers
2019 Dundalk Shamrock Rovers Bohemians
2020 Shamrock Rovers Bohemians Dundalk
2021 Shamrock Rovers St Patrick's Athletic Sligo Rovers
2022 Shamrock Rovers Derry City Dundalk
2023 Shamrock Rovers Derry City St Patrick's Athletic
2024

Source:[2][3]

Champions

By club

Club Titles Seasons
Shamrock Rovers 11 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1993–94, 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Dundalk 8 1987–88, 1990–91, 1994–95, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
Shelbourne 6 1991–92, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2003, 2004, 2006
St Patrick's Athletic 5 1989–90, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2013
Bohemians 4 2000–01, 2002–03, 2008, 2009
Cork City 3 1992–93, 2005, 2017
Derry City 2 1988–89, 1996–97
Sligo Rovers 1 2012
Drogheda United 1 2007
Athlone Town 1 1982–83

Source:[2][3]

By locations

By province

Province Championships Clubs
Leinster 32 Dundalk (8), Shamrock Rovers (11), Shelbourne (6), St Patrick's Athletic (5), Bohemians (4), Drogheda United (1)
Munster 3 Cork City (3)
Ulster 2 Derry City (2)
Connacht 1 Sligo Rovers (1)

By county

County Championships Clubs
County Dublin 23 Shamrock Rovers (9), Shelbourne (6), St Patrick's Athletic (5), Bohemians (4)
County Louth 9 Dundalk (8), Drogheda United (1)
County Cork 3 Cork City (3)
County Londonderry 2 Derry City (2)
County Sligo 1 Sligo Rovers (1)

By city/town

City / Town Championships Clubs
Dublin 23 Shamrock Rovers (9), Shelbourne (6), St Patrick's Athletic (5), Bohemians (4)
Dundalk 8 Dundalk (8)
Cork 3 Cork City (3)
Derry 2 Derry City (2)
Sligo 1 Sligo Rovers (1)
Drogheda 1 Drogheda United (1)

Managers

List of wins by manager

The joint most successful manager in the League of Ireland Premier Division era is Stephen Kenny, having won the title on five occasions, once with Bohemians and four times with Dundalk.
Along with Kenny, Pat Fenlon is the joint most successful manager in the League of Ireland Premier Division era with five titles to his name – three with Shelbourne and twice with Bohemians.
Club Titles Seasons
Republic of Ireland Stephen Kenny 5 2002–03, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
Republic of Ireland Pat Fenlon 5 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Republic of Ireland Stephen Bradley 4 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Republic of Ireland Dermot Keely 4 1986–87, 1994–95, 1999–00, 2001-02
Northern Ireland Jim McLaughlin 3 1985–86, 1988–89, 1991–92
Republic of Ireland Liam Buckley 2 1998–99, 2013
Northern Ireland Michael O'Neill 2 2010, 2011
Republic of Ireland Brian Kerr 2 1989–90, 1995–96
Republic of Ireland Turlough O'Connor 2 1987–88, 1990–91
Republic of Ireland Vinny Perth 1 2019
Republic of Ireland John Caulfield 1 2017
England Ian Baraclough 1 2012
Republic of Ireland Paul Doolin 1 2007
Republic of Ireland Damien Richardson 1 2005
Republic of Ireland Roddy Collins 1 2000–01
Republic of Ireland Pat Dolan 1 1997–98
Northern Ireland Felix Healy 1 1996–97
Republic of Ireland Ray Treacy 1 1993–94
Republic of Ireland Noel O'Mahony 1 1992–93

Current managers

Name Club Appointed
Northern Ireland Declan Devine Bohemians 14 October 2022
Northern Ireland Ruaidhrí Higgins Derry City 23 April 2021
Republic of Ireland Kevin Doherty Drogheda United 2 December 2021
Republic of Ireland Stephen O’Donnell Dundalk 11 December 2021
Republic of Ireland John Caulfield Galway United 21 August 2020
Republic of Ireland Stephen Bradley Shamrock Rovers 7 July 2016
Republic of Ireland Damien Duff Shelbourne 3 November 2021
Republic of Ireland John Russell Sligo Rovers 22 May 2022
Republic of Ireland Jon Daly St Patrick's Athletic 2 May 2023
Republic of Ireland Keith Long Waterford 29 March 2023

Top scorers

Season Player Club Goals
1985–86 Republic of Ireland Tommy Gaynor Limerick 15
1986–87 Republic of Ireland Mick Byrne Shamrock Rovers 12
1987–88 Northern Ireland Jonathan Speak Derry City 24
1988–89 Northern Ireland Billy Hamilton Limerick 21
1989–90 Republic of Ireland Mark Ennis St. Patrick's Athletic 19
1990–91 Republic of Ireland Peter Hanrahan Dundalk 18
1991–92 Republic of Ireland John Caulfield Cork City 16
1992–93 Republic of Ireland Pat Morley Cork City 20
1993–94 Republic of Ireland Stephen Geoghegan Shamrock Rovers 23
1994–95 Republic of Ireland John Caulfield Cork City 16
1995–96 Republic of Ireland Stephen Geoghegan Shelbourne 19
1996–97 Republic of Ireland Tony Cousins Shamrock Rovers 16
Republic of Ireland Stephen Geoghegan Shelbourne
1997–98 Republic of Ireland Stephen Geoghegan Shelbourne 17
1998–99 Republic of Ireland Trevor Molloy St. Patrick's Athletic 15
1999–00 Republic of Ireland Pat Morley Cork City 20
2000–01 Republic of Ireland Glen Crowe Bohemians 25
2001–02 Republic of Ireland Glen Crowe Bohemians 21
2002–03 Republic of Ireland Glen Crowe Bohemians 18
2003 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne 21
2004 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne 25
2005 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne 22
2006 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne 15
2007 Republic of Ireland David Mooney Longford Town 19
2008 Republic of Ireland David Mooney Longford Town 15
Republic of Ireland Mark Farren Derry City
Republic of Ireland Mark Quigley St Patrick's Athletic
2009 Scotland Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers 24
2010 Scotland Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers 20
2011 Libya Éamon Zayed Derry City 22
2012 Scotland Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers 22
2013 Northern Ireland Rory Patterson Derry City 18
2014 Republic of Ireland Christy Fagan St Patrick's Athletic 20
Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk
2015 Republic of Ireland Richie Towell Dundalk 25
2016 Republic of Ireland Sean Maguire Cork City 18
2017 Republic of Ireland Sean Maguire Cork City 20
2018 Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk 29
2019 England Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe Derry City 14
2020 Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk 10
2021 Republic of Ireland Georgie Kelly Bohemians 21
2022 Republic of Ireland Aidan Keena Sligo Rovers 18
2023 Republic of Ireland Jonathan Afolabi Bohemians 15
Republic of Ireland Jack Moylan Shelbourne

Source:[38]

Player of the Year

Year Player Club
2023 Republic of Ireland Chris Forrester St Patrick's Athletic
2022 Republic of Ireland Rory Gaffney Shamrock Rovers
2021 Republic of Ireland Georgie Kelly Bohemian F.C.
2020 Republic of Ireland Jack Byrne Shamrock Rovers
2019 Republic of Ireland Jack Byrne Shamrock Rovers
2018 Northern Ireland Michael Duffy Dundalk
2017 Republic of Ireland Sean Maguire Cork City
2016 Republic of Ireland Daryl Horgan Dundalk
2015 Republic of Ireland Richie Towell Dundalk
2014 Republic of Ireland Christy Fagan St Patrick's Athletic
2013 Republic of Ireland Killian Brennan St Patrick's Athletic
2012 Republic of Ireland Mark Quigley Sligo Rovers
2011 Libya Éamon Zayed Derry City
2010 Republic of Ireland Richie Ryan Sligo Rovers
2009 Scotland Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers
2008 Republic of Ireland Keith Fahey St. Patrick's Athletic
2007 Republic of Ireland Brian Shelley Drogheda United
2006 Cameroon Joseph N'Do Shelbourne
2005 Republic of Ireland Mark Farren Derry City
2004 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne
2003 Republic of Ireland Jason Byrne Shelbourne
2003 Republic of Ireland Glen Crowe Bohemians
2002 Republic of Ireland Owen Heary Shelbourne
2001 Republic of Ireland Glen Crowe Bohemians
2000 Republic of Ireland Pat Fenlon Shelbourne
1999 Republic of Ireland Paul Osam St. Patrick's Athletic
1998 Republic of Ireland Pat Scully Shelbourne
1997 Republic of Ireland Peter Hutton Derry City
1996 Republic of Ireland Eddie Gormley St. Patrick's Athletic
1995 Northern Ireland Liam Coyle Derry City
1994 Republic of Ireland Stephen Geoghegan Shamrock Rovers
1993 Republic of Ireland Donal O'Brien Derry City
1992 Republic of Ireland Pat Fenlon Bohemians
1991 Republic of Ireland Pat Morley Cork City
1990 Republic of Ireland Mark Ennis St. Patrick's Athletic
1989 Republic of Ireland Paul Doolin Derry City
1988 Republic of Ireland Paddy Dillon St. Patrick's Athletic
1987 Republic of Ireland Mick Byrne Shamrock Rovers
1986 Republic of Ireland Paul Doolin Shamrock Rovers

Attendance

Season Total Average Highest Ref.
2005 7,000 [39]
2006 257,745 1,562 6,080 [note 1][40]
2007
2008 6,870 [41]
2009 6,000 [42]
2010 5,500 [43]
2011 5,916 [44]
2012 281,925 1,575 6,097 [note 2][45][46]
2013 307,355 1,552 4,703 [note 3][45][47]
2014 295,384 1,523 6,219 [note 4][45][48]
2015 324,332 1,638 6,900 [note 5][49][50]
2016 291,258 1,471 5,453 [51][52]
2017 377,362 1,906 6,983 [53][54]
2018 384,520 2,136 6,672 [55][56]
2019 375,705 2,087 7,021 [57][58]
2020 65,700 2,986 7,522 [note 6][59][60]
2021 7,765 [61]
2022 486,365 2,687 7,726 [57][62]
2023 596,196 3,294 8,021 [63]
Key
  Record high
  Record low
* Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Trophy

The trophy

The current League of Ireland trophy was unveiled on 31 October 2007 by the Football Association of Ireland. It stands at 91 cm (36 inches) tall with a circumference of 83 cm (33 inches). It is a Sterling Silver trophy consisting of silver and a mass of other metals including copper. The design of the trophy consists of a silver football at the top, which is encompassed by the cup itself. Drogheda United were the first team to receive the newly created trophy on 2 November 2007.[citation needed]

Sponsorship

The Premier Division has been sponsored since the early 1990s. The sponsor has been able to determine the league's sponsorship name. There have been three sponsors since the league's formation.

  • 1990s: Bord Gáis (Bord Gáis League Premier Division) and Harp Lager
  • 2000–2008: Eircom (Eircom League Premier Division)
  • 2010–present: SSE Airtricity (Airtricity League Premier Division)

The league had no title sponsor in 2009, but had a number of secondary sponsors including Newstalk and Electronic Arts. As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Premier Division has a number of official partners and suppliers. The official ball supplier for the league is Umbro. The official drink for the league is Lucozade. The official radio and newspaper partners are Newstalk and Irish Daily Star.[citation needed]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Figures do not include results from matches played against Dublin City F.C. who withdrew midway through the season". www.researchgate.net.
  2. ^ "Figures include results from matches played against Monaghan United who withdrew midway through the season". www.researchgate.net.
  3. ^ "One attendance figure is missing from the 2013 season". www.researchgate.net.
  4. ^ "Four attendance figures are missing from the 2014 season". www.researchgate.net.
  5. ^ "League of Ireland match attendances show encouraging rise for 2015". Newstalk.
  6. ^ Total attendance and average attendance figures only account for the first four weeks of the season after which no spectators were allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e Graham, Alex. Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
  3. ^ a b c d e "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Ireland - List of League Cup Finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Ireland - FA of Ireland Cup 1921/22-1993/94". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Two Other Times Cork City And Dundalk Won The League In Dramatic Circumstances". Balls.ie. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Long title wait for City ended in most dramatic fashion back in 1993". EveningEcho.ie. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  8. ^ "St Pats keep mum 'til report published". www.irishexaminer.com. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Ireland 2005". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  10. ^ "New dawn beckons for Rovers". www.irishexaminer.com. 16 July 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
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  12. ^ "Shelbourne given time to settle tax debt". www.rte.ie. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Shelbourne clear tax debt". www.rte.ie. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Ireland 2006". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Ireland 2008". RSSSF. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
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  17. ^ Malone, Emmet (3 December 2008). "Drogheda United officials hold public meeting tonight in effort to save club". IrishTimes.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
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  29. ^ "Europe's top four leagues to get four guaranteed Champions League spots". The42.ie. 26 August 2016.
  30. ^ Barry Glendenning (25 September 2019). "Uefa's Europa Conference League likely only to keep big fish happy". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  31. ^ UEFA country ranking Archived 16 March 2021 at the Wayback Machine, xs4all.nl, accessed 13 July 2013
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  33. ^ "Mahon slams rivals on Euro gambles". www.independent.ie. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  34. ^ Blake, Ben (30 November 2017). "SSE Airtricity League release new promotion/relegation format for 2018 campaign". The42.ie.
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  40. ^ "DERRY'S GAME WITH CORK BEST ATTENDED". tribune.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
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  46. ^ "Sligo Rovers 0 - 2 Shamrock Rovers". Extratime.ie.
  47. ^ "Shamrock Rovers 0 - 4 St Patrick's Athletic". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  48. ^ "League Report: Cork City 1 - 0 Bohemians". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  49. ^ "League of Ireland attendances saw an increase for the 2015 season". newstalk. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  50. ^ "League Report: Cork City 1 - 2 Dundalk". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  51. ^ "League of Ireland Attendances 2016 - The Final Story (Updated)". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
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External links