League of Ireland First Division

History

Inaugural season

In 1985 five teams – Bray Wanderers, Cobh Ramblers, Derry City, EMFA and Newcastle United – were elected to join the League of Ireland. All five subsequently participated in the inaugural 1985–86 First Division season, along with Monaghan United from the League of Ireland B Division and four clubs – Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Longford Town and Sligo Rovers – who were relegated following the 1984–85 League of Ireland season. Bray Wanderers were the inaugural First Division champions.

Europe

As a second level division, clubs playing in the First Division cannot qualify directly for Europe. However First Division clubs have qualified for Europe after winning the FAI Cup. In 1989–90 Bray Wanderers qualified for the 1990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup after winning the 1989–90 FAI Cup final. As a result, they became the first First Division team to play in Europe. In 1993–94 Sligo Rovers qualified for the 1994–95 European Cup Winners' Cup after winning the 1993–94 FAI Cup final. Rovers were also the 1993–94 First Division champions and were promoted to the 1994–95 Premier Division. As a result, they were actually a Premier Division club when they played in Europe. Bray Wanderers qualified for the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup after winning the 1999 FAI Cup Final. However, after finishing eleventh in the 1998–99 Premier Division, they were relegated to 1999–2000 First Division and as a result they were playing in the First Division when they subsequently embarked on their European campaign.

In 2009 Sporting Fingal qualified for the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League after winning the 2009 FAI Cup Final. They were also promoted to the 2010 Premier Division after winning the promotion/relegation play-off. In 2015 UCD qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League via the UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking system. After the FAI finished third in the 2014–15 rankings, they nominated UCD for the extra European place.

Promotion and relegation

A promotion and relegation system has existed between the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division since 1985–86. In 1992–93 a promotion/relegation play-off was also introduced. Between 2008 and 2011, A Championship teams were also eligible for promotion to the First Division. During this time both Mervue United and Salthill Devon were both promoted to the First Division from the A Championship. There is no formal promotion and relegation relationship between the First Division and the three third level provincial leagues – the Leinster Senior League Senior Division, the Munster Senior League and the Ulster Senior League. However provincial level teams have been invited to join the division. In 1990–91 St James's Gate were invited to join and in 1996–97 they were replaced by St Francis. In 2015, Cabinteely became the most recent team to accept an invite. All three clubs were recruited from the Leinster Senior League. Treaty United from the Munster senior league joined the first division in 2021, replacing Shamrock Rovers second team. Newly established Kerry were awarded their license in November 2022, confirming their place for the 2023 season.

2026 clubs

List of winners by season

Source:

Attendance

List of winners by club

(D): Club Dissolved

Source:

Top scorers

Source:

;Notes

• Including 2 goals in playoffs
• Including 3 goals in playoffs

References

References

1. Graham, Alex. (14 May 2024). "Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005". Soccer Baooks Limited.
2. "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables - Second Level". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
3. "Ireland 2009". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
4. (15 January 2015). "Ireland leading UEFA Fair Play League". SSE Airtricity League.
5. (8 May 2015). "UCD set for Europa League after topping Fair Play standings". The Irish Times.
6. "Ireland 2008". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
7. (20 February 2015). "What Happens (To) Teams That Enter The League of Ireland First Division?". [[Balls.ie]].
8. (28 January 2015). "Cabinteely FC will play in First Division in 2015 after FAI awards new licence". RTE Sport.
9. (28 January 2015). "Cabinteely get green light to compete in League of Ireland First Division". Irish Independent.
10. (16 November 2022). "Kerry FC approved to join League of Ireland in 2023". RTE Sport.
11. "Honours list - Men's First Division".
12. "ATTENDANCES".
13. "From the Archives - extratime.ie League of Ireland Attendance Report 2019".
14. (20 December 2022). "League of Ireland enjoys huge increase in crowds since last pre-Covid season".
15. "League of Ireland attendances up by 20 per cent as nearly 1 million attend domestic matches in 2023". The Irish Times.
16. "LEAGUE ATTENDANCE".
17. "LOI Premier Division attendances rise by 8% in 2025".
18. "League Report: Cork City 2 - 0 Kerry FC".
19. "📰 Match Report {{!}} Dundalk FC 3–0 Finn Harps".
20. "Ireland – List of Topscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.