2002–03 League of Ireland First Division explained

Competition:	League of Ireland First Division
Season:	2002–03
Winners:	Waterford United
League Topscorer:	Kevin McHugh 14 (Finn Harps) Willie Bruton: 14 (Cobh Ramblers) ^[1]
Prevseason:	2001–02
Nextseason:	2003

The 2002–03 League of Ireland First Division season was the 18th season of the League of Ireland First Division. The First Division was contested by 12 teams. Waterford United won the title while Finn Harps won the First Division Cup, a one-off tournament staged this season.

Overview

First Division Cup

Between July and August the 12 teams competed in the First Division Cup. The teams were divided into two regionalised groups and played a single round of games. The two group winners then qualified for the final. On 6 July 2002 Kildare County, the First Division's newest members, made their competitive debut against Limerick at Station Road. Philip Gorman and Shey Zellor scored for County as they won 2–0. County went on to win their regional group and qualify for the final but lost 4–0 on aggregate to Finn Harps.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Final tables

Southern section

Northern section

Final

Finn Harps win 4–0 on aggregate.

Regular season

The regular season began in August ^[5] and concluded in January. It used a round-robin format which saw each team play 22 games. Under manager Jimmy McGeough and with a team that included Dan Connor, Waterford United won the title and were automatically promoted to the 2003 Premier Division.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Final table

Promotion/relegation play-off

The promotion/relegation play-off format was changed this season. It now featured four teams, the second, third and fourth placed teams from the First Division plus Drogheda United, the ninth placed team from the 2002–03 League of Ireland Premier Division.

Semi-finals

1st Legs

2nd Legs

Galway United win 2–1 on aggregate

Drogheda United win 4–2 on aggregate

Final

Drogheda United win 3–2 on aggregate and retain their place in the Premier Division.

See also

• 2002–03 League of Ireland Premier Division

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ireland - List of Topscorers . 6 July 2016 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406093820/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html . 6 April 2012 .
2. Web site: Kildare make impressive start to campaign. www.irishexaminer.com. 10 December 2016. 6 July 2002.
3. Web site: Ireland Cups 2002/03. 10 December 2016. RSSSF.
4. Web site: Kildare face Limerick on Saturday. www.breakingnews.ie. 10 December 2016. 18 August 2002.
5. Web site: Kildare face Limerick on Saturday. www.breakingnews.ie. 10 December 2016. 18 August 2002.
6. Web site: Waterford United sack manager McGeough. www.irishtimes.com. 11 December 2016. 11 December 2003.
7. Book: Graham, Alex. Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. 1-86223-135-4.
8. Web site: (Republic of) Ireland League Tables - Second Level . 10 July 2016 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20090603033056/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/ier2hist.html . 3 June 2009 .