Season | 2021 |
---|---|
Dates | 19 March – 19 November 2021 |
Champions | Shamrock Rovers (19th title) |
Relegated | Longford Town F.C., Waterford |
Champions League | Shamrock Rovers |
Europa Conference League | St Patrick's Athletic Sligo Rovers Derry City |
Matches played | 180 |
Goals scored | 458 (2.54 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Georgie Kelly (21 goals) |
Biggest home win | Bohemians 5–0 Drogheda United (18 June 2021), Finn Harps 5-0 Longford Town (19 November 2021) |
Biggest away win | Waterford 0–7 Drogheda United (8 May 2021) |
Highest scoring | Waterford 0–7 Drogheda United (8 May 2021) |
Longest winning run | Shamrock Rovers (7 games) |
Longest unbeaten run | Shamrock Rovers (11 games) |
Longest winless run | Longford Town (25 games) |
Longest losing run | Waterford (7 games) Longford Town (7 games) |
Highest attendance | 7,765 Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Drogheda United (19 November 2021) |
Lowest attendance | 0 |
← 2020 2022 → All statistics correct as of 20 November 2021. |
The 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, [1] was the 37th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions, [2] having won their sixth league title the previous season. Shamrock Rovers went on to retain the title. [3] [4]
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports in the Republic of Ireland, the FAI met with the National League Executive Committee on 2 January 2021 and a decision was reached to move the start date for the Premier Division until at least 19 March 2021. [5]
Ten teams compete in the league – the top eight teams from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams are Drogheda United and Longford Town, after respective top flight absences of four and five years. They replaced Cork City (relegated after nine years in the top flight), and Shelbourne (relegated via play-off after only a year back in the top flight). [6] [7]
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Bohemians | Dublin (Phibsborough) | Dalymount Park | 3,640 |
Derry City | Derry | Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium | 3,700 |
Drogheda United | Drogheda | Head In The Game Park | 3,500 |
Dundalk | Dundalk | Oriel Park | 4,500 |
Finn Harps | Ballybofey | Finn Park | 6,000 |
Longford Town | Longford | Bishopsgate | 5,097 |
St Patrick's Athletic | Dublin (Inchicore) | Richmond Park | 5,340 |
Shamrock Rovers | Dublin (Tallaght) | Tallaght Stadium | 8,000 |
Sligo Rovers | Sligo | The Showgrounds | 3,873 |
Waterford | Waterford | Regional Sports Centre | 5,500 |
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bohemians | Keith Long | Keith Buckley | O'Neills | Des Kelly Interiors |
Derry City | Ruaidhrí Higgins | Eoin Toal | Adidas | Diamond Corrugated |
Drogheda United | Tim Clancy | Jake Hyland | Umbro | Scotch Hall Shopping Center |
Dundalk | Vinny Perth | Brian Gartland | Umbro | Bet Regal |
Finn Harps | Ollie Horgan | David Webster | Joma | Guild Esports |
Longford Town | John Martin | Dean Zambra | Macron | Bishopsgate |
St Patrick's Athletic | Stephen O'Donnell | Ian Bermingham | Umbro | MIG Insurance Brokers |
Shamrock Rovers | Stephen Bradley | Ronan Finn | Umbro | 888sport |
Sligo Rovers | Liam Buckley | David Cawley | Joma | Avant Money |
Waterford | Marc Bircham | Oscar Brennan | Umbro | WIT Arena |
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dundalk | Filippo Giovagnoli | Change of role | 10 March 2021 | Pre-season | Shane Keegan | 10 March 2021 |
Dundalk | Shane Keegan | Resigned | 19 April 2021 | 9th | Jim Magilton (interim) | 19 April 2021 |
Derry City | Declan Devine | Sacked | 22 April 2021 | 10th | Ruaidhrí Higgins | 23 April 2021 |
Waterford | Kevin Sheedy | Resigned | 5 May 2021 | 10th | Mike Geoghegan (interim) | 5 May 2021 |
Waterford | Mike Geoghegan (interim) | End of interim spell | 12 May 2021 | 10th | Marc Bircham | 12 May 2021 |
Dundalk | Jim Magilton (interim) | End of interim spell | 16 June 2021 | 8th | Vinny Perth | 16 June 2021 |
Longford Town | Daire Doyle | Sacked | 2 November 2021 | 10th | John Martin (interim) | 2 November 2021 |
Waterford | Marc Bircham | Sacked | 23 November 2021 | 9th | Ian Hendon | 24 November 2021 |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shamrock Rovers (C) | 36 | 24 | 6 | 6 | 59 | 28 | +31 | 78 | Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round |
2 | St Patrick's Athletic | 36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 42 | +14 | 62 | Qualification for Europa Conference League second qualifying round [a] |
3 | Sligo Rovers | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 43 | 32 | +11 | 57 | Qualification for Europa Conference League first qualifying round |
4 | Derry City | 36 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 49 | 42 | +7 | 54 | |
5 | Bohemians | 36 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 60 | 46 | +14 | 52 | |
6 | Dundalk | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 44 | 46 | −2 | 48 | |
7 | Drogheda United | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 45 | 43 | +2 | 44 | |
8 | Finn Harps | 36 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 44 | 52 | −8 | 44 | |
9 | Waterford (R) | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 36 | 56 | −20 | 42 | Qualification for relegation play-offs |
10 | Longford Town (R) | 36 | 2 | 9 | 25 | 22 | 71 | −49 | 15 | Relegation to League of Ireland First Division |
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.
Teams will play each other four times (twice at home, twice away).
*Note Sligo Rovers were awarded a 3–0 victory by the FAI after Waterford opted out of playing the game due to COVID-19 cases in their squad. [9]
Last updated after fixtures on 19 November 2021.
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Georgie Kelly | Bohemians | 21 |
2 | Danny Mandroiu | Shamrock Rovers | 15 |
3 | Mark Doyle | Drogheda United | 13 |
4 | Patrick Hoban | Dundalk | 12 |
5 | Matty Smith | St Patrick's Athletic | 11 |
Johnny Kenny | Sligo Rovers | ||
Graham Burke | Shamrock Rovers | ||
8 | John Martin | Waterford | 10 |
Tunde Owolabi | Finn Harps | ||
10 | Chris Lyons | Drogheda United | 9 |
Liam Burt | Bohemians |
Last updated after fixtures on 19 November 2021.
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Alan Mannus | Shamrock Rovers | 13 |
2 | Ed McGinty | Sligo Rovers | 12 |
3 | Vítězslav Jaroš | St Patrick's Athletic | 11 |
4 | Nathan Gartside | Derry City | 9 |
5 | James Talbot | Bohemians | 8 |
6 | David Odumosu | Drogheda United | 7 |
7 | Mark McGinley | Finn Harps | 6 |
8 | Peter Cherrie | Dundalk | 5 |
9 | Brian Murphy | Waterford | 3 |
Alessio Abibi | Dundalk |
3 November 2021 | Bray Wanderers | 0–0 | Galway United | Carlisle Grounds |
19:45 IST |
3 November 2021 | Treaty United | 0–3 | UCD | Markets Field |
19:45 IST | Tadhg Ryan 34' (o.g.) Colm Whelan 79', 92' |
7 November 2021 | Galway United | 0–1 (0–1 agg.) | Bray Wanderers | Eamonn Deacy Park |
17:00 IST | Brandon Kavanagh 22' |
7 November 2021 | UCD | 1–2 (4–2 agg.) | Treaty United | UCD Bowl |
17:00 IST | Adam Verdon 67' | Conor Melody 8' Anthony O’Donnell 52' |
19 November 2021 | Bray Wanderers | 0–2 | UCD | Dalymount Park |
19:45 IST | Colm Whelan 68' Paul Doyle 86' | Referee: Oliver Moran |
26 November 2021 | Waterford | 1–2 | UCD | Richmond Park |
19:45 IST | Anthony Wordsworth 5' Niall O'Keeffe 87' | Report | Dara Keane 26' Colm Whelan 34' | Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
Month | Player of the Month | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|
Player | Club | ||
March/April | Chris Forrester | St Patrick's Athletic | [10] |
May | Greg Bolger | Sligo Rovers | [11] |
June | Georgie Kelly | Bohemians | [12] |
July | Dawson Devoy | Bohemians | [13] |
August | Ali Coote | Bohemians | [14] |
September | Georgie Kelly | Bohemians | [15] |
October | Danny Mandroiu | Shamrock Rovers | [16] |
November | Colm Whelan | UCD | [17] |
Award | Winner | Club |
---|---|---|
PFAI Player of the Year | Georgie Kelly | Bohemians |
PFAI Young Player of the Year | Dawson Devoy | Bohemians |
PFAI Premier Division Manager of the Year | Stephen Bradley | Shamrock Rovers |
PFAI Team of the Year | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | James Talbot (Bohemians) | ||||||||||||
Defenders | Ronan Boyce (Derry City) | Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers) | Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers) | James Brown (Drogheda United) | |||||||||
Midfielders | Chris Forrester (St Patrick's Athletic) | Dawson Devoy (Bohemians) | Will Patching (Derry City/Dundalk) | ||||||||||
Forwards | Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers) | Georgie Kelly (Bohemians) | Liam Burt (Bohemians) |
The League of Ireland consists of professional football clubs in the Republic of Ireland and Derry City in Northern Ireland. It is one of the two governing bodies responsible for organising association football in the Republic of Ireland, along with the Football Association of Ireland. It was the name of the top-level football league in the Republic of Ireland from its foundation in 1921 until the introduction of a second division in 1985.
The 2010 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 26th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The division was made up of 10 teams. Shamrock Rovers were champions while Bohemians finished as runners-up.
Christopher Stephen Forrester is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for St Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He has also previously played for Bohemians, Peterborough United, Aberdeen and the Republic of Ireland under-21's. In March 2016 he was called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad but has yet to be capped.
The 2012 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 28th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The division featured 12 teams. Sligo Rovers were champions, winning their first top league title since 1976–77. Drogheda United finished as runners-up.
The 2016 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 32nd season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on 4 March 2016 and concluded on 28 October 2016; the relegation play-offs followed on 31 October and 4 November 2016. The prize fund for the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions was €475,500 for the 2016 season.
The 2016 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2016 EA Sports Cup, was the 43rd season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams.
The 2018 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2018 EA Sports Cup, was the 45th season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams. Derry City won the cup for a record 11th time.
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The 2019 League of Ireland season was Bohemian Football Club's 129th year in their history and their 35th consecutive season in the League of Ireland Premier Division since it became the top tier of Irish football. Bohemians participated in various domestic cups this season, including the FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup and the Leinster Senior Cup. Bohemians also competed in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
The 2019 season was St. Patrick's Athletic F.C.'s 90th year in existence and was the Supersaint's 68th consecutive season in the top-flight of Irish football. It was the first season Harry Kenny took charge of the club, following Liam Buckley's spell in charge for the previous seven seasons. The fixtures were announced on 19 December 2018, with the Saints facing Cork City at home on the opening day of the season for the second year in a row, with the Inchicore side set to play champions Dundalk away from home on the final night of the season. Harry Kenny left his post on 24 August following a 3–1 loss away to bottom of the table UCD in the FAI Cup. He was replaced by Stephen O'Donnell on 31 August, his first managerial role. Pats finished 5th in the league and won the Leinster Senior Cup, playing the semi-final and final with their underage sides after the league season had ended for the senior team.
The League of Ireland U17 Division is the under-17 division of the League of Ireland. Like the Premier Division, the First Division and the National U19 League the National U17 League is currently sponsored by SSE Airtricity and as a result it is also known as the SSE Airtricity National U17 League.
FAI High-Performance Director Ruud Dokter and then Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane officially launched the inaugural SSE Airtricity National U17 League at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown on 27 July 2015.
The 2019 FAI Cup was the 99th edition of the annual Republic of Ireland's cup competition. Forty teams participated in the competition, including all teams from the Premier Division and First Division. The competition began on 19 April 2019 with the first of five rounds and ended on 3 November 2019 with the final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a nominally neutral venue, which has hosted the final since 2010.
The 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League for sponsorship reasons, was the 36th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division.
The 2020 League of Ireland season was Bohemian Football Club's 130th year in their history and their 36th consecutive season in the League of Ireland Premier Division since it became the top tier of Irish football. Bohemians were due to participate in both national domestic cup competitions this season, namely the FAI Cup and the EA Sports Cup. The latter was deferred indefinitely due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Bohemians competed in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in seven years as they qualified with a third-place finish the previous season.
The 2021 League of Ireland season was Bohemian Football Club's 131st year in their history and their 37th consecutive season in the League of Ireland Premier Division since it became the top tier of Irish football. Bohemians participated in the FAI Cup, the national domestic cup competition, reaching their first final since 2008. Bohemians also competed in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League where they set a record for Irish clubs with four consecutive victories in European competition.
The 2021 season was St Patrick's Athletic F.C.'s 92nd year in existence and is the Supersaint's 70th consecutive season in the top-flight of Irish football. It was the second full season with Stephen O'Donnell as manager, having taken over from Harry Kenny on 31 August 2019. Pre-season training for the squad began on 1 February 2021, the same day the league fixtures were announced, with the Saints revealed to be playing rivals Shamrock Rovers away in the opening game of the season on 19 March. The 2021 editions of the League of Ireland Cup and the Leinster Senior Cup were cancelled due to the delay in the start to the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The season was a hugely successful one for the club, as they secured a 2nd-place finish, securing UEFA Europa Conference League football for 2022, as well as winning the 2021 FAI Cup in front of an Aviva Stadium FAI Cup Final record crowd of 37,126.
The 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, was the 38th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions, having won their nineteenth Premier Division title the previous season. They retained the title on 24 October as a result of Derry City drawing 0-0 away to Sligo Rovers.
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The 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, was the 39th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985.
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