2016 League of Ireland Premier Division explained

Competition:League of Ireland Premier Division
Season:2016
Winners:Dundalk (12th title)
Relegated:Longford Town
Wexford Youths
Continentalcup1:Champions League
Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:Dundalk
Continentalcup2:Europa League
Continentalcup2 Qualifiers:Cork City
Derry City
Shamrock Rovers
Matches:198
Total Goals:511
League Topscorer:Sean Maguire (18 goals)
Biggest Home Win:Cork City 6–0 Longford Town
(14 March 2016)[1]
Biggest Away Win:Finn Harps 0–7 Dundalk
(13 May 2016)[2]
Highest Scoring:
(14 October 2016)[3]
Attendance:291,258
Average Attendance:1,471[4]
Highest Attendance:5,453[5] Cork City 1–0 Dundalk F.C.
Prevseason:2015
Nextseason:2017

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[6] 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.[7]

Dundalk successfully defended its title for the third consecutive season on 23 October after a 2–1 win against Bohemians.[8] [9] [10]

Overview

The Premier Division consisted of 12 teams. Each team played each other three times, a total of 33 matches in the season.

Wexford Youths, the 2015 First Division champion, entered the top level for the first time in their history. Finn Harps were promoted after winning the promotion/relegation playoffs.

The 12 clubs competed for €371,500 in prize money ranging from €110,000 for the winners to €17,000 for the team finishing bottom of the table.[11]

Teams

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 Keith Long Derek PenderHummelMr Green
Bray Wanderers Harry Kenny Conor KennaNikeSonas Bathrooms
Cork City John Caulfield John DunleavyNikeClonakilty Sausages
Derry City Kenny Shiels Ryan McBrideHummelDiamond Corrugated
Dundalk Stephen Kenny Stephen O'DonnellCX+ SportFyffes
Finn Harps Ollie Horgan Kevin McHughLegeaMcGettigan Group
Galway United Tommy Dunne Ryan ConnollyUhlsportComer Property Management
Longford Town Tony Cousins Mark SalmonMacronCity Calling
Shamrock Rovers Pat Fenlon Conor KennaNew BalancePepper
Sligo Rovers Dave Robertson Gavin PeersJomaVolkswagen
St Patrick's Athletic Liam Buckley Ger O'BrienUmbroClune Construction Company L.P.
Wexford Youths Shane Keegan Graham DoyleBodibroSBOBET

League table

Results

Matches 1–22

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

Matches 23–33

Teams played each other once.

Promotion/relegation playoffs

Wexford Youths, the eleventh-placed team from the Premier Division took part in a two-legged play-off against Drogheda United, the winners of the 2016 First Division play-off, to decide who will play in the 2017 Premier Division.

Second leg

Drogheda United are promoted to the 2017 Premier Division; Wexford Youths are relegated to the 2017 First Division.

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals[12]
1 Sean MaguireCork City18
2 Rory PattersonDerry City17
3 David McMillanDundalk16
4 Vincent FahertyGalway United12
5 Conan ByrneSt Patrick's Athletic11
6 Raffaele CretaroSligo Rovers10
Kurtis ByrneBohemians10
Christy FaganSt Patrick's Athletic10
Gary McCabeShamrock Rovers10
10 Daryl HorganDundalk9

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CORK CITY VS. LONGFORD TOWN 6 - 0. Soccerway. 30 October 2016.
  2. Web site: FINN HARPS VS. DUNDALK 0 - 7. Soccerway. 30 October 2016.
  3. Web site: WEXFORD YOUTHS VS. GALWAY UNITED 5 - 4. Soccerway. 30 October 2016.
  4. Web site: League of Ireland Attendances 2016 - The Final Story (Updated) . extratime . 31 August 2019.
  5. Web site: League of Ireland Attendances 2016 - The Final Story (Updated) . extra time . 1 February 2021.
  6. Web site: 2016 season to kick-off on March 4 . SSE Airtricity League . 24 November 2015 . 15 March 2016.
  7. Web site: Breakdown of 2016 SSE Airtricity League Prize-Money . SSE Airtricity League . 3 March 2016 . 13 August 2016.
  8. Web site: Three-in-a-row for Dundalk as Kenny's men wrap up Premier Division title. 24 October 2016. The 42. 24 October 2016.
  9. Web site: Dundalk are crowned the Airtricity League Premier Division champions for the third time in a row. 23 October 2016. Irish Independent. 24 October 2016.
  10. Web site: Dundalk crowned champions after beating Bohemians. 23 October 2016. RTÉ Sport. 24 October 2016.
  11. Web site: Breakdown of 2016 SSE Airtricity League Prize-Money . SSE Airtricity League . 3 March 2016 . 13 August 2016.
  12. Web site: Member associations - Republic of Ireland - League  – UEFA.com. 8 July 2016.