League of Ireland Premier Division
 | |
| Country | Republic of Ireland (11 teams) |
|---|---|
| Other club(s) from | Northern Ireland (1 team) |
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | League 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 Europa League Setanta Sports Cup |
| Most championships |
Dundalk F.C. (6) Shelbourne (6) |
| TV partners |
RTÉ 2 Eir Sport |
| Website | SSEAirtricityLeague.ie |
 2016 | |
The League of Ireland Premier Division (Irish: Príomhroinn Sraith na hÉireann), also known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, 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. 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.[1][2][3][4]
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.[1][2] 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.[5][6]
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.[1][2][7] 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.[8]
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 playing PAYE and PRSI. 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.[9][10] 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.[11][12] Shelbourne also struggled to pay it's 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.[13] During the 2008 season both Cork City and Drogheda United were deducted ten points after going into administration.[14][15][16] 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 it's 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.[17][18][19][20][21]
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.[22] In 2012 Sligo Rovers won their first Premier Division title and their first top level title in thirty five years.[23][24] St. Patrick's Athletic won their fifth Premier Division in 2013.[25] 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.
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.[21][26][27]
Europe
The top team in the Premier Division currently qualifies for the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. The second-placed and third placed-teams and winners of the FAI Cup qualify for the UEFA Europa 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.
The League of Ireland Premier Division's UEFA coefficient accumulates to a total value of 5.125 as of September 2013. 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,[28] 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.[29] 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 successs have been blamed for the financial difficulties suffered by Premier Division clubs.[30] 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.
Promotion and relegation
A promotion and relegation system has existed between the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division since 1985–86. In 1992–93 a promotion/relegation play-off was also introduced.[31][32] 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.[17]
2017 clubs
List of winners by season
List of winners by club
| Club | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Dundalk | 6 | 1987–88, 1990–91, 1994–95, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Shelbourne | 6 | 1991–92, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003, 2004, 2006 |
| Shamrock Rovers | 5 | 1985–86, 1986–87, 1993–94, 2010, 2011 |
| St Patrick's Athletic | 5 | 1989–90, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2013 |
| Bohemians | 4 | 2000–01, 2002–03, 2008, 2009 |
| Cork City | 2 | 1992–93, 2005 |
| Derry City | 2 | 1988–89, 1996–97 |
| Drogheda United | 1 | 2007 |
| Sligo Rovers | 1 | 2012 |
Managers
List of wins by manager
| Club | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
 Pat Fenlon |
5 | 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 |
| Stephen Kenny |
4 | 2002–03, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Dermot Keely |
4 | 1986–87, 1994–95, 1999–2000 , 2001–02 |
 Jim McLaughlin |
3 | 1985–86, 1988–89, 1991–92 |
| Liam Buckley |
2 | 1998–99, 2013 |
| Brian Kerr |
2 | 1989–90, 1995–96 |
| Turlough O'Connor |
2 | 1987–88, 1990–91 |
| Michael O'Neill |
2 | 2010, 2011 |
 Ian Baraclough |
1 | 2012 |
| Roddy Collins |
1 | 2000–01 |
| Pat Dolan |
1 | 1997–98 |
| Paul Doolin |
1 | 2007 |
| Felix Healy |
1 | 1996–97 |
| Noel O'Mahony |
1 | 1992–93 |
| Damien Richardson |
1 | 2005 |
| Ray Treacy |
1 | 1993–94 |
Current managers
The Premier Division’s longest current reigning manager is Liam Buckley, who has remained in his position at St Patrick's Athletic since December 2011. The most recent managerial appointment was Alan Mathews to Longford Town.
| Name | Club | Appointed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Buckley | St Patrick's Athletic | 2 December 2011 |
| Stephen Kenny | Dundalk | 22 November 2012 |
| John Caulfield | Cork City | 5 November 2013 |
| Tommy Dunne | Galway United | 26 November 2013 |
| Pat Fenlon | Shamrock Rovers |
6 August 2014 |
| Martin Russell | Limerick | 21 July 2014 |
| Keith Long | Bohemians |
30 October 2014 |
| Johnny McDonnell | Drogheda United | 29 November 2014 |
| Trevor Croly | Bray Wanderers |
11 May 2015 |
| Kenny Shiels | Derry City |
5 November 2015 |
| Dave Robertson | Sligo Rovers | 19 November 2015 |
| Alan Mathews | Longford Town |
22 August 2016 |
Top scorers
Source:[33]
Player of the Year
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.
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.
- 1990's: Bord Gáis (Bord Gáis League Premier Division)
- 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.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Graham, Alex. Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statisical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland - List of League Cup Finals". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland - FA of Ireland Cup 1921/22-1993/94". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ↑ "Two Other Times Cork City And Dundalk Won The League In Dramatic Circumstances". www.balls.ie. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
- ↑ "Long title wait for City ended in most dramatic fashion back in 1993". www.eveningecho.ie. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
- ↑ "St Pats keep mum 'til report published". www.irishexaminer.com. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland 2005". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ "New dawn beckons for Rovers". www.irishexaminer.com. 16 July 2005. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ↑ "Members Club History". www.shamrockrovers.ie. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
- ↑ "Shelbourne given time to settle tax debt". www.rte.ie. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ↑ "Shelbourne clear tax debt". www.rte.ie. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland 2006". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland 2008". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ "Drogheda United seek examinership". breakingnews.ie. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ↑ Emmet Malone (3 December 2008). "Drogheda United officials hold public meeting tonight in effort to save club". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- 1 2 "Ireland 2009". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ↑ "Derry thrown out of League of Ireland". www.rte.ie. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ↑ "Derry City invited back to league". news.bbc.co.uk. 12 November 2009.
- ↑ "Despite heartache for fans and players, the harsh reality is that City got what they deserved". www.independent.ie. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- 1 2 "Ireland 2010". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ↑ "A Brief History of Shamrock Rovers". www.shamrockrovers.ie. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
- ↑ "Sligo Rovers celebrate first title in 35 years". thejournal.ie. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ↑ "Title win sends Sligo wild". www.irishexaminer.com. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ↑ "Super St Patrick's Athletic jumping for joy with league title". www.independent.ie. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ "Ireland 2011". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland 2012". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ↑ UEFA country ranking, xs4all.nl, accessed 13 July 2013
- ↑ Daniel McDonnell (22 June 2009). "Poisoned chalice or holy grail?". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ↑ "Mahon slams rivals on Euro gambles". www.independent.ie. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ↑ "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables - Second Level". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
- ↑ "What Happens (To) Teams That Enter The League Of Ireland First Division?". www.balls.ie. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland - List of Topscorers". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
External links
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