2018 League of Ireland Premier Division

Last updated

League of Ireland Premier Division
Season2018
Dates16 February – 26 October 2018
Champions Dundalk (13th title)
Relegated Limerick
Bray Wanderers
Champions League Dundalk
Europa League Cork City
Shamrock Rovers Waterford
Matches played180
Goals scored501 (2.78 per match)
Top goalscorer Patrick Hoban (29 Goals)
Biggest home win Dundalk 8-0 Limerick
Biggest away win Bray Wanderers 0-5 Bohemians
Highest scoring Waterford 3-6 Limerick
Highest attendance6,672 [1] Cork City 1–0 Dundalk F.C.
Total attendance384,520
Average attendance2,136 [2]
← 2017
2019 →
All statistics correct as of 2 November 2018.

The 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 34th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on 16 February 2018 and concluded in 26 October 2018. [3]

Contents

On 5 October, Dundalk won the title after a 1–1 draw with St Patrick's Athletic. [4] [5]

Overview

The Premier Division consists of 10 teams. Each team plays each other four times for a total of 36 matches in the season.

Waterford, the 2017 First Division champion, were promoted to the league for the first time since 2007.

On 22 December 2016, the Football Association of Ireland announced that the league would be restructured into two 10-team divisions from the 2018 season onwards, one of the recommendations made in the 2015 Conroy Report. [6]

Teams

Stadia and locations

Dublin map.png
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Locations of Dublin Premier Division teams
TeamLocationStadium
Bohemians Phibsborough Dalymount Park
Bray Wanderers Bray Carlisle Grounds
Cork City Cork Turners Cross
Derry City Derry The Brandywell
Dundalk Dundalk Oriel Park
Limerick Limerick Markets Field
St Patrick's Athletic Inchicore Richmond Park
Shamrock Rovers Tallaght Tallaght Stadium
Sligo Rovers Sligo The Showgrounds
Waterford Waterford RSC

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Bohemians Flag of Ireland.svg Keith Long Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Pender Hummel Mr Green Sport
Bray Wanderers Flag of Ireland.svg Gary Cronin Flag of Ireland.svg Gary McCabe Nike O Driscoll O Neil Insurance
Cork City Flag of Ireland.svg John Caulfield Flag of Ireland.svg Conor McCormack Adidas University College Cork
Derry City Ulster Banner.svg Declan Devine Ulster Banner.svg Gerard Doherty Adidas Diamond Corrugated
Dundalk Flag of Ireland.svg Stephen Kenny Flag of Ireland.svg Stephen O'Donnell CX+ Sport Fyffes
Limerick Flag of Ireland.svg Tommy Barrett Flag of Ireland.svg Shane Duggan Umbro Betsat.com
St Patrick's Athletic Flag of Ireland.svg Liam Buckley Flag of Ireland.svg Ian Bermingham Umbro MIG Insurance Brokers
Shamrock Rovers Flag of Ireland.svg Stephen Bradley Flag of Ireland.svg Ronan Finn New Balance Pepper Money
Sligo Rovers Ulster Banner.svg Gerard Lyttle Flag of Ireland.svg Kyle Callan-McFadden Joma Volkswagen
Waterford Flag of Ireland.svg Alan Reynolds Flag of Ireland.svg Paul Keegan Umbro 21 Bet

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of
departure		Date of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of
appointment
Limerick Flag of England.svg Neil McDonald Signed by Scunthorpe United 4 January 2018 [7] Pre-season Flag of Ireland.svg Tommy Barrett14 January 2018 [8]
Bray Wanderers Flag of Ireland.svg Dave MackeyResigned8 April 2018 [9] 10th Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Kelly10 April 2018 [10]
Bray Wanderers Flag of Ireland.svg Graham KellyEnd of caretaker spell8 July 201810th Flag of Ireland.svg Martin Russell 8 July 2018 [11]
Derry City Ulster Banner.svg Kenny Shiels Sacked27 October 2018 [12] 8th Ulster Banner.svg Declan Devine 16 November 2018

League table

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1 Dundalk (C)3627638520+6587Qualification to Champions League first qualifying round
2 Cork City 3624577127+4477Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round [lower-alpha 1]
3 Shamrock Rovers 36188105727+3062
4 Waterford 36185135244+859
5 St Patrick's Athletic 36155165147+450Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round [lower-alpha 1]
6 Bohemians 36139145245+748
7 Sligo Rovers 36126183850−1242
8 Derry City 36133204770−2342
9 Limerick (R)3676232575−5027Qualification to Relegation play-offs
10 Bray Wanderers (R)3653282396−7318Relegation to League of Ireland First Division
Source: SSE Airtricity League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored. [13]
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Since the winners of the 2018 FAI Cup, Dundalk, qualified for European competition based on their league position, the spot awarded to the Cup winner (Europa League first qualifying round) would normally pass to the next best-placed team (the fourth-placed team). However, as Waterford were adjudged by UEFA to have not passed the "three-year rule" as they were reformed in 2016, the spot was passed to the fifth-placed team.

Results

Matches 1–18

Teams played each other twice (once at home, once away).

Home \ Away BOH BRW COR DER DUN LIM STP SHM SLI WAT
Bohemians —2–10–20–10–20–00–13–12–20–1
Bray Wanderers 1–3—0–42–10–20–11–21–01–22–2
Cork City 3–04–0—4–21–02–11–01–01–02–0
Derry City 3–15–10–0—1–45–02–10–00–21–0
Dundalk 3–00–01–02–2—8–05–02–12–11–0
Limerick 1–11–01–10–30–3—0–10–11–20–2
St Patrick's Athletic 2–25–02–35–20–01–0—2–02–01–0
Shamrock Rovers 1–26–03–06–10–01–11–0—1–01–1
Sligo Rovers 0–22–11–42–10–20–10–00–0—1–2
Waterford 1–03–02–12–12–13–62–02–11–1—
Source: SSE Airtricity League, Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Matches 19–36

Teams will play each other twice (once home, once away).

Home \ Away BOH BRW COR DER DUN LIM STP SHM SLI WAT
Bohemians —6–04–21–21–15–01–01–10–31–3
Bray Wanderers 0–5—1–32–11–30–23–10–32–10–0
Cork City 1–05–1—5–00–13–01–10–01–23–0
Derry City 0–22–00–3—0–42–12–10–11–21–2
Dundalk 2–05–02–13–2—4–01–11–25–02–0
Limerick 1–12–10–20–10–1—0–40–21–32–1
St Patrick's Athletic 1–33–01–35–01–32–1—0–10–33–0
Shamrock Rovers 0–15–00–02–02–55–03–0—2–03–1
Sligo Rovers 1–12–10–20–20–20–01–22–0—2–3
Waterford 1–12–01–24–01–24–12–00–11–0—
Source: SSE Airtricity League, Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

Promotion/relegation playoff

Limerick, the ninth-placed team from the Premier Division took part in a two-legged play-off against Finn Harps, the winners of the 2018 First Division play-off, to decide who will play in the 2019 Premier Division.

29 October 2018 Finn Harps 1–0 Limerick Finn Park
19:45 GMT McCourt Soccerball shade.svg35' (pen.) Report Attendance: 2,379
Referee: Robert Harvey
2 November 2018 Limerick 0–2 Finn Harps Markets Field
19:45 GMT Report Timlin Soccerball shade.svg45+1'
Boyle Soccerball shade.svg80'		Referee: Graham Kelly

Finn Harps won 3–0 on aggregate and were promoted to 2019 Premier Division. Limerick were relegated to the 2019 First Division.

Season statistics

As of 2 November 2018

Scoring

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Flag of Ireland.svg Patrick Hoban Dundalk 29
2 Flag of Ireland.svg Kieran Sadlier Cork City 16
3 Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Cummins Cork City 15
4 Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Burke Shamrock Rovers 13
Ulster Banner.svg Michael Duffy Dundalk 13
6 Flag of England.svg Daniel Carr Shamrock Rovers 11
Flag of Ireland.svg Daniel Corcoran Bohemians 11
8 Flag of Ireland.svg Courtney Duffus Waterford 10
Ulster Banner.svg Aaron McEneff Derry City 10
10 Flag of Ireland.svg Robbie Benson Dundalk 9

Last updated: 2 November 2018.
Source: SSEAirtricity League

Hat-tricks

PlayerForAgainstResultDateRef
Flag of Ireland.svg Dinny Corcoran Bohemians Bray Wanderers 5–0 (A)19 October 2018 [14]
Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Cummins Cork City Sligo Rovers 4–1 (A)24 February 2018 [14]
Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Burke 4 Shamrock Rovers Derry City 6-1 (H)9 March 2018 [15]
Flag of Ireland.svg Ronan Hale Derry City Limerick 5–0 (H)12 March 2018 [16]
Flag of Ireland.svg Patrick Hoban Dundalk Limerick 4–0 (H)8 June 2018 [17]

Discipline

Club

  • Most yellow cards: 94 [18]
    • Sligo Rovers
  • Most red cards: 7 [18]
    • Waterford

Awards

Player of the Month

MonthPlayerClubReferences
February Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Cummins Cork City [19]
March Flag of Ireland.svg Graham Burke Shamrock Rovers [20]
April Ulster Banner.svg Michael Duffy Dundalk [21]
May Flag of Ireland.svg Seán Hoare Dundalk [22]
June Flag of Ireland.svg Patrick Hoban Dundalk [23]
July Flag of Ireland.svg Gavin Bazunu Shamrock Rovers [24]
August Ulster Banner.svg Michael Duffy Dundalk [25]
September Flag of Ireland.svg Chris Shields Dundalk [26]
October/November Flag of Ireland.svg Patrick McEleney Dundalk [27]

Player of the Year

PlayerClubReference
Ulster Banner.svg Michael Duffy Dundalk [28]

Goalkeeper of the Year

PlayerClubReference
Flag of Ireland.svg Shane Supple Bohemians [29]

See also

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References

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  3. ↑ "Best player? Relegation candidates? Our writers' predictions for the 2018 League of Ireland season". The 42. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "Dundalk crowned as league champions for 13th time as they claim a point against St Pat's". Irish Independent. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "Champions! Hoban delivers dramatic 90th minute equaliser as Dundalk secure fourth title in five seasons". The 42. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  6. ↑ Mackey, Liam (23 December 2016). "It's three down, one up for LOI season". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "Limerick lose manager McDonald to Scunthorpe". RTÉ Sport. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "Former player Tommy Barrett takes over Limerick job". RTÉ Sport. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Dave Mackey resigns as Bray boss". RTÉ Sport. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Graham Kelly named as Bray 'caretaker manager'". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Gallagher, Aaron. "Russell confirmed new Bray boss as club face fight for survival with three wins in 21 games". the42.ie. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  12. ↑ Derry axe Shiels
  13. ↑ "Premier Division 2017 - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  14. 1 2 Goulden, David. "Cummins hat-trick maintains flawless Cork start". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  15. ↑ "Shamrock Rovers vs. Derry City 6 - 1". soccerway.com. 9 March 2018.
  16. ↑ Ferry, Gary. "Derry mark Brandywell return with five goals". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  17. ↑ McLaughlin, Gavin. "Hoban bags hat-trick as Dundalk return to top". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Premier Division statistics". SSE Airtricity League. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  19. ↑ "GRAHAM CUMMINS NAMED SSE AIRTRICITY PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY". SSE Airtricity. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "GRAHAM BURKE NAMED SSE AIRTRICITY PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH". SSE Airtricity. 13 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "In-form Duffy wins monthly award for first time". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  22. ↑ O'Hehir, Paul. "Dundalk defender Sean Hoare scoops Player of the Month award for May". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "PATRICK HOBAN WINS JUNE PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD". SSE Airtricity League. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  24. ↑ "ROVERS KEEPER BAZUNU WINS PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD". SSE Airtricity League. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
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  26. ↑ "Third time's a charm for Shields". Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. 18 October 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  27. ↑ "Third time's a charm for Shields". Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  28. ↑ "Goalkeeper of the Year". The42.ie. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  29. ↑ "Goalkeeper of the Year". Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2019.