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2018 League of Ireland Premier Division

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League of Ireland Premier Division
Season2018
Dates16 February – 26 October 2018
ChampionsDundalk (13th title)
RelegatedLimerick
Bray Wanderers
Champions LeagueDundalk
Europa LeagueCork City
Shamrock Rovers Waterford
Matches played180
Goals scored501 (2.78 per match)
Top goalscorerPatrick Hoban (29 Goals)
Biggest home winDundalk 8-0 Limerick
Biggest away winBray Wanderers 0-5 Bohemians
Highest scoringWaterford 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 on 26 October 2018.[3]

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

Overview

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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

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Stadia and locations

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Locations of Premier Division teams
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Locations of Dublin Premier Division teams
Team Location Stadium
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

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

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of
departure 		Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of
appointment
Limerick England Neil McDonald Signed by Scunthorpe United 4 January 2018[7] Pre-season Republic of Ireland Tommy Barrett 14 January 2018[8]
Bray Wanderers Republic of Ireland Dave Mackey Resigned 8 April 2018[9] 10th Republic of Ireland Graham Kelly 10 April 2018[10]
Bray Wanderers Republic of Ireland Graham Kelly End of caretaker spell 8 July 2018 10th Republic of Ireland Martin Russell 8 July 2018[11]
Derry City Northern Ireland Kenny Shiels Sacked 27 October 2018 [12] 8th Northern Ireland Declan Devine 16 November 2018

League table

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Dundalk (C) 36 27 6 3 85 20 +65 87 Qualification to Champions League first qualifying round
2 Cork City 36 24 5 7 71 27 +44 77 Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round[a]
3 Shamrock Rovers 36 18 8 10 57 27 +30 62
4 Waterford 36 18 5 13 52 44 +8 59
5 St Patrick's Athletic 36 15 5 16 51 47 +4 50 Qualification to Europa League first qualifying round[a]
6 Bohemians 36 13 9 14 52 45 +7 48
7 Sligo Rovers 36 12 6 18 38 50 −12 42
8 Derry City 36 13 3 20 47 70 −23 42
9 Limerick (R) 36 7 6 23 25 75 −50 27 Qualification to Relegation play-offs
10 Bray Wanderers (R) 36 5 3 28 23 96 −73 18 Relegation to League of Ireland First Division
Source: SSE Airtricity League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[13]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b 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

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Matches 1–18

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

Home \ Away BOH BRW COR DER DUN LIM STP SHM SLI WAT
Bohemians — 2–1 0–2 0–1 0–2 0–0 0–1 3–1 2–2 0–1
Bray Wanderers 1–3 — 0–4 2–1 0–2 0–1 1–2 1–0 1–2 2–2
Cork City 3–0 4–0 — 4–2 1–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 2–0
Derry City 3–1 5–1 0–0 — 1–4 5–0 2–1 0–0 0–2 1–0
Dundalk 3–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 — 8–0 5–0 2–1 2–1 1–0
Limerick 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–3 0–3 — 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–2
St Patrick's Athletic 2–2 5–0 2–3 5–2 0–0 1–0 — 2–0 2–0 1–0
Shamrock Rovers 1–2 6–0 3–0 6–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 — 1–0 1–1
Sligo Rovers 0–2 2–1 1–4 2–1 0–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 — 1–2
Waterford 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–1 2–1 3–6 2–0 2–1 1–1 —
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

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

Home \ Away BOH BRW COR DER DUN LIM STP SHM SLI WAT
Bohemians — 6–0 4–2 1–2 1–1 5–0 1–0 1–1 0–3 1–3
Bray Wanderers 0–5 — 1–3 2–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–3 2–1 0–0
Cork City 1–0 5–1 — 5–0 0–1 3–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 3–0
Derry City 0–2 2–0 0–3 — 0–4 2–1 2–1 0–1 1–2 1–2
Dundalk 2–0 5–0 2–1 3–2 — 4–0 1–1 1–2 5–0 2–0
Limerick 1–1 2–1 0–2 0–1 0–1 — 0–4 0–2 1–3 2–1
St Patrick's Athletic 1–3 3–0 1–3 5–0 1–3 2–1 — 0–1 0–3 3–0
Shamrock Rovers 0–1 5–0 0–0 2–0 2–5 5–0 3–0 — 2–0 3–1
Sligo Rovers 1–1 2–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–0 1–2 2–0 — 2–3
Waterford 1–1 2–0 1–2 4–0 1–2 4–1 2–0 0–1 1–0 —
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

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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 35' (pen.) Report Attendance: 2,379
Referee: Robert Harvey
2 November 2018 Limerick 0–2 Finn Harps Markets Field
19:45 GMT Report Timlin 45+1'
Boyle 80'		 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

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As of 2 November 2018

Scoring

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Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1 Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk 29
2 Republic of Ireland Kieran Sadlier Cork City 16
3 Republic of Ireland Graham Cummins Cork City 15
4 Republic of Ireland Graham Burke Shamrock Rovers 13
Northern Ireland Michael Duffy Dundalk 13
6 England Daniel Carr Shamrock Rovers 11
Republic of Ireland Daniel Corcoran Bohemians 11
8 Republic of Ireland Courtney Duffus Waterford 10
Northern Ireland Aaron McEneff Derry City 10
10 Republic of Ireland Robbie Benson Dundalk 9

Last updated: 2 November 2018.
Source: SSEAirtricity League

Hat-tricks

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Player For Against Result Date Ref
Republic of Ireland Dinny Corcoran Bohemians Bray Wanderers 5–0 (A) 19 October 2018 [14]
Republic of Ireland Graham Cummins Cork City Sligo Rovers 4–1 (A) 24 February 2018 [14]
Republic of Ireland Graham Burke4 Shamrock Rovers Derry City 6-1 (H) 9 March 2018 [15]
Republic of Ireland Ronan Hale Derry City Limerick 5–0 (H) 12 March 2018 [16]
Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk Limerick 4–0 (H) 8 June 2018 [17]

Discipline

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Club

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

Awards

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Player of the Month

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Month Player Club References
February Republic of Ireland Graham Cummins Cork City [19]
March Republic of Ireland Graham Burke Shamrock Rovers [20]
April Northern Ireland Michael Duffy Dundalk [21]
May Republic of Ireland Seán Hoare Dundalk [22]
June Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban Dundalk [23]
July Republic of Ireland Gavin Bazunu Shamrock Rovers [24]
August Northern Ireland Michael Duffy Dundalk [25]
September Republic of Ireland Chris Shields Dundalk [26]
October/November Republic of Ireland Patrick McEleney Dundalk [27]

Player of the Year

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Player Club Reference
Northern Ireland Michael Duffy Dundalk [28]

Goalkeeper of the Year

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Player Club Reference
Republic of Ireland Shane Supple Bohemians [29]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "extratime.ie League of Ireland Attendance Report 2018". extra time. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  2. ^ "extratime.ie League of Ireland Attendance Report 2018". extratime. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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.
  25. ^ "Dundalk's Duffy on the double". Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland. 13 September 2018. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  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.
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