2006 League of Ireland First Division

The 2006 League of Ireland First Division season was the 22nd season of the League of Ireland First Division. The First Division was contested by 10 teams and Shamrock Rovers won the division. Each team played the other teams four times, totalling 36 games.

League of Ireland First Division
Season2006
ChampionsShamrock Rovers
PromotedGalway United
Top goalscorerPhilip Hughes: 19
(Dundalk)[1][2]
← 2005
2007 →

Club information
Team Manager Main sponsor Kit supplier Stadium Capacity
Athlone Town Michael O'ConnorGanly's HardwareO'NeillsSt. Mel's Park3,000
Cobh Ramblers Stephen HendersonGoodyearUhlsportSt. Colman's Park5,000
Dundalk John GillIJM Timber Frame CompanyDiadoraOriel Park11,000
Finn Harps Anthony GormanHarley's Cheers BarPF SportsFinn Park7,900
Galway United Tony CousinsHarrmack Developments Ltd.UmbroTerryland Park3,500
Kildare County John RyanCelbridge Football ParkUmbroStation Road2,500
Kilkenny City Brendan ReaThe Kilkenny VoiceErreàBuckley Park6,500
Limerick Danny DrewAsian HarvestJakoHogan Park9,000
Monaghan United Mick CookeThe Steering WheelDiadoraCentury Homes Park3,000
Shamrock Rovers Pat ScullyWoodie's DIYUmbroTolka Park10,100

Overview

In March 2006 it was announced that the League of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland would be merging. As part of this arrangement the league would be restructured and membership of the 2007 Premier Division and 2007 First Division would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by a former FAI honorary secretary, Des Casey. Clubs would be assessed on their past five season record in the league. Crucially though, clubs would also be graded on off-field criteria, including attendance, infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing.[2][3] This decision would have a considerable impact on the 2006 First Division which began on March 10 and finished on November 18. The season developed into three-way battle between Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Galway United. Shamrock Rovers eventually emerged as champions while Dundalk finished second and went on to defeat Waterford United in a promotion/relegation play-off.[4][5][2][6] However it was subsequently announced that Dundalk had failed to meet the Independent Assessment Group criteria and they would not be promoted to the Premier Division and that third placed Galway United would be promoted instead.[2][3] The decision proved to be controversial and Dundalk were particularly aggrieved.[7] On 13 December, Mark Kavanagh, a Dundalk fan protesting the decision entered the FAI's headquarters in Merrion Square and allegedly threatened to set himself on fire after pouring petrol on his head and on furniture in the offices and reception area. He gave up the protest after obtaining a meeting with Dundalk manager John Gill.[8] Dundalk eventually accepted the FAI decision and remained in the First Division.[9]

Final table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Shamrock Rovers 36 21 12 3 53 13 +40 72[lower-alpha 1] Promoted to Premier Division
2 Dundalk 36 22 5 9 57 33 +24 71 [lower-alpha 2]
3 Galway United 36 19 12 5 57 25 +32 69 Promoted to Premier Division[lower-alpha 3]
4 Cobh Ramblers 36 16 10 10 50 33 +17 58
5 Limerick 36 14 5 17 38 48 −10 47
6 Finn Harps 36 12 10 14 49 45 +4 46
7 Kildare County 36 11 10 15 38 55 −17 43
8 Athlone Town 36 11 9 16 29 47 −18 42
9 Monaghan United 36 6 9 21 32 64 −32 27
10 Kilkenny City 36 3 8 25 25 65 −40 17
Source: [6][2]
Notes:
  1. Shamrock Rovers were deducted 3 points for fielding a suspended player, Paul Shiels against Dundalk on 23 July.
  2. Dundalk did not meet the criteria set out by the FAI's Independent Assessment Group were not promoted.
  3. Galway United were promoted after passing the criteria set out by the FAI's Independent Assessment Group.

Promotion/Relegation Play-off

Dundalk who finished second played off against Waterford United who finished eleventh in the Premier Division.

1st Leg
22 November 2006 Dundalk 1–1 Waterford United
2nd Leg
25 November 2006 Waterford United 1–2 Dundalk

Dundalk won 3–2 on aggregate but did not meet the criteria set out by the FAI's Independent Assessment Group and were not promoted.[6][2][3]

IAG table
Pos Team Off field On field Total
1 Derry City 370 460 830
2 Cork City 348 460 808
3 Bohemians 372 423 795
4 Shelbourne [note 1] 278 493 771 Relegated to First Division
5 St Patrick's Athletic 364 407 771
6 UCD 374 370 744
7 Drogheda United 300 437 737
8 Shamrock Rovers 346 377 723 Promoted to Premier Division
9 Longford Town 284 430 714
10 Sligo Rovers 360 343 703
11 Bray Wanderers 351 333 684
12 Galway United [note 2] 389 267 656 Promoted to Premier Division
13 Waterford United [note 3] 296 340 636 Remained in Premier Division
14 Dundalk [note 4] 348 247 595 Remained in First Division
15 Finn Harps 310 283 593
16 Cobh Ramblers 315 240 555
17 Monaghan United 331 173 504
18 Kildare County 265 230 495
19 Athlone Town 305 177 482
20 Kilkenny City 266 177 443
21 Limerick - 243 243
22 Dublin City [note 5] - - - Withdrew from league

Source: [2][10][3]

Notes
  1. Shelbourne were relegated to the First Division for financial irregularities.
  2. Galway United were promoted after passing the criteria set out by the FAI's Independent Assessment Group.
  3. Waterford United lost promotion/relegation play-off but subsequently replaced Shelbourne for the 2007 season.
  4. Dundalk's 'on field' results from the previous five seasons dropped their position from eighth to 14th in the IAG table and, as a result, they were not promoted - despite winning the promotion/relegation play-off.
  5. Dublin City withdrew from league on 18 July. All their results were expunged.

Top scorers
Player Club Goals
Philip Hughes Dundalk 19
Conor Gethins Finn Harps/Galway United 16
Tadhg Purcell Shamrock Rovers 12
Barry Moran Galway United 11

Source:[1][2]

  • The clubs that competed in the 2006 League of Ireland.

See also

References
  1. "Ireland - List of Topscorers". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  2. "Ireland 2006". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  3. "Rovers and Galway promoted". www.irishtimes.com. 12 December 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  4. "Galway United -v- Dundalk". www.extratime.ie. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  5. "Blues lose final game and now face Dundalk". Munster Express. 24 November 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  6. "(Republic of) Ireland League Tables - Second Level". www.rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  7. "Dundalks exclusion is scandalous". www.independent.ie. 21 December 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  8. "Fan in FAI protest charged". www.independent.ie. 16 December 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  9. "Dundalk happy to move on". www.independent.ie. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
  10. "FAI name the 12 clubs who will participate in the Premier Division". FAI.ie. 11 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2007.
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