2023 League of Ireland First Division
The 2023 League of Ireland First Division season is the 39th season of the League of Ireland First Division, the second tier of the Republic of Ireland's association football league.
| Season | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17 February 2023 – 20 October 2023 |
| Matches played | 180 |
← 2022 2024 →
All statistics correct as of 21 March 2023. | |
Overview
The First Division has 10 teams. Each side plays each other four times for a total of 36 matches in the season. The team that finishes in first place achieve automatic promotion to the Premier Division. Teams finishing second to fifth place will enter the play-offs to determine the side to contest for a place in the 2024 Premier Division against the ninth placed (second last) Premier Division team.[1][2]
Teams
Team changes
Cork City were promoted to the Premier League as champions.[3] Finn Harps were relegated from the 2022 Premier Division.[4]
Additional teams
Newly formed Kerry F.C. successfully applied for a First Division licence to compete in the 2023 season.[5]
Stadia and locations
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town | Athlone | Athlone Town Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bray Wanderers | Bray | Carlisle Grounds | 4,000 |
| Cobh Ramblers | Cobh | St. Colman's Park | 3,000 |
| Finn Harps | Ballybofey | Finn Park | 6,000 |
| Galway United | Galway | Eamonn Deacy Park | 5,000 |
| Kerry | Tralee | Mounthawk Park | 1,200 |
| Longford Town | Longford | Bishopsgate | 5,097 |
| Treaty United | Limerick | Markets Field | 5,000 |
| Waterford | Waterford | RSC | 5,160 |
| Wexford | Crossabeg | Ferrycarrig Park | 2,500 |
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.
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town |  Gordon Brett |
Aaron Connolly |
 Umbro |
Hayden & Co. Solicitors |
| Bray Wanderers | Pat Devlin |
Hugh Douglas |
 Nike |
MyClub |
| Cobh Ramblers | Shane Keegan |
John Kavanagh |
 Joma |
McCarthy Insurance Group |
| Finn Harps | Dave Rogers |
Keith Cowan |
Joma |
So-Lo Stores |
| Galway United | John Caulfield |
Conor McCormack |
O'Neill's |
Comer Property Management |
| Kerry | Billy Dennehy |
Matt Keane |
New Balance |
Kerry Airport |
| Longford Town | Gary Cronin |
Sam Verdon |
Macron |
Bishopsgate |
| Treaty United | Tommy Barrett |
Jack Lynch |
Umbro |
Derrin Homes |
| Waterford | Keith Long |
Eddie Nolan |
Umbro |
DG FOODS LTD |
| Wexford | Ian Ryan |
Joe Manley |
Umbro |
Campion Insurance |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Harps | Ollie Horgan |
Mutual Consent | 9 November 2022 | Pre-season | Dave Rogers |
2 December 2022 |
| Waterford | Danny Searle |
Sacked | 27 March 2023 | 5th | Keith Long |
29 March 2023 |
| Athlone Town | Dermot Lennon |
Mutual Consent | 15 April 2023 | 5th | Gordon Brett |
15 April 2023 |
| Athlone Town | Gordon Brett |
Mutual Consent | 15 May 2023 | 5th | TBC |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galway United | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 4 | +30 | 33 | Promotion to League of Ireland Premier Division |
| 2 | Waterford | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 11 | +17 | 26 | Qualification to Promotion play-offs |
| 3 | Athlone Town | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 16 | |
| 4 | Bray Wanderers | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 17 | −3 | 16 | |
| 5 | Cobh Ramblers | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 15 | |
| 6 | Finn Harps | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 17 | −5 | 14 | |
| 7 | Wexford | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 19 | −8 | 11 | |
| 8 | Treaty United | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 18 | −5 | 10 | |
| 9 | Longford Town | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 13 | −4 | 8 | |
| 10 | Kerry | 11 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 30 | −24 | 2 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
References
- "2023 League of Ireland First Division". Extra Time. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "League of Ireland Mens First Division - Overview". SSE Airtricity League. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Cork City lift First Division title at packed Turner's Cross after win over Bray". The 42. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Finn Harps relegated as UCD claim relegation play-off place". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- "Kerry FC secure licence to join League of Ireland". The 42. Retrieved 21 March 2023.