2022 League of Ireland Premier Division
The 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the 38th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions, having won their nineteenth Premier Division title the previous season.[3] They retained the title on 24 October as a result of Derry City drawing 0-0 away to Sligo Rovers.[4][5]
Season | 2022 |
---|---|
Dates | 18 February – 4 November 2022 |
Champions | Shamrock Rovers (20th title) |
Relegated | Finn Harps |
Matches played | 180 |
Goals scored | 472 (2.62 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Aidan Keena (18 goals) |
Biggest home win | Derry City 7–1 UCD (22nd April 2022) Shelbourne 6-0 Drogheda United (28th October 2022) |
Biggest away win | St Patrick's Athletic 0–4 Derry City (29 April 2022) Drogheda United 0–4 St Patrick's Athletic (6 May 2022) |
Highest scoring | Derry City 7–1 UCD (22nd April 2022) Shelbourne 4–4 St Patrick's Athletic (3 October 2022) |
Longest winning run | Derry City (6 games) |
Longest unbeaten run | Derry City (16 games) |
Longest winless run | UCD (14 games) |
Longest losing run | Finn Harps (4 games) UCD (4 games) Drogheda United (4 games) |
Highest attendance | 7,726 Shamrock Rovers 1–0 Derry City (30 October 2022)[1] |
Lowest attendance | 473 UCD 0–2 Derry City (4 April 2022) |
Total attendance | 486,365 |
Average attendance | 2,687[2] |
← 2021 2023 →
All statistics correct as of 7 November 2022. |
Teams
Ten teams compete in the league – the top eight teams from the previous season and the two teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams were Shelbourne and UCD, after respective top flight absences of one and three years.[6] They replaced Longford Town (relegated after just one year back in the top flight), and Waterford (relegated via play-off after four years back in the top flight).[7][8]
Stadiums and locations
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Bohemians | Dublin (Phibsborough) | Dalymount Park | 3,640 |
Derry City | Derry | Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium | 3,700 |
Drogheda United | Drogheda | Head In The Game Park | 3,500 |
Dundalk | Dundalk | Oriel Park | 4,500 |
Finn Harps | Ballybofey | Finn Park | 6,000 |
St Patrick's Athletic | Dublin (Inchicore) | Richmond Park | 5,340 |
Shamrock Rovers | Dublin (Tallaght) | Tallaght Stadium | 8,000 |
Shelbourne | Dublin (Drumcondra) | Tolka Park | 4,400 |
Sligo Rovers | Sligo | The Showgrounds | 3,873 |
UCD | Dublin (Belfield) | UCD Bowl | 3,000 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bohemians | ![]() |
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O'Neills | Des Kelly Interiors |
Derry City | ![]() |
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O'Neills | Diamond Corrugated |
Drogheda United | ![]() |
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Umbro | Drogheda Credit Union |
Dundalk | ![]() |
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Umbro | Bet Regal |
Finn Harps | ![]() |
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Joma | Guild Esports |
St Patrick's Athletic | ![]() |
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Umbro | Manguard Plus |
Shamrock Rovers | ![]() |
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Umbro | 888sport |
Shelbourne | ![]() |
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Umbro | Hamptons Homes |
Sligo Rovers | ![]() |
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Joma | Avant Money |
UCD | ![]() |
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O'Neills | Jigsaw |
Managerial changes
Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shelbourne | ![]() |
Sacked | 30 October 2021 | Pre-season | ![]() |
3 November 2021 |
Dundalk | ![]() |
End of contract | 30 November 2021 | ![]() |
11 December 2021 | |
St Patrick's Athletic | ![]() |
Moved to Dundalk | 2 December 2021 | ![]() |
2 December 2021 | |
Drogheda United | ![]() |
Moved to St Patrick's Athletic | 2 December 2021 | ![]() |
2 December 2021 | |
Sligo Rovers | ![]() |
Mutual Consent | 22 May 2022 | 6th | ![]() |
22 May 2022 |
Bohemians | ![]() |
Sacked | 30 August 2022 | 6th | ![]() |
30 August 2022 |
Bohemians | ![]() |
Permanent appointment | 14 October 2022 | 6th | ![]() |
14 October 2022 |
League table
Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shamrock Rovers (C) | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 61 | 22 | +39 | 79 | Qualification to Champions League first qualifying round |
2 | Derry City | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 66 | Qualification to Europa Conference League first qualifying round |
3 | Dundalk | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 53 | 30 | +23 | 66 | |
4 | St Patrick's Athletic | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 57 | 37 | +20 | 61 | |
5 | Sligo Rovers | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 47 | 44 | +3 | 49 | |
6 | Bohemians | 36 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 45 | 46 | −1 | 46 | |
7 | Shelbourne | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 40 | 49 | −9 | 41 | |
8 | Drogheda United | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 34 | 58 | −24 | 38 | |
9 | UCD (O) | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 28 | 67 | −39 | 26 | Qualification to Relegation play-offs |
10 | Finn Harps (R) | 36 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 33 | 71 | −38 | 20 | Relegation to 2023 League of Ireland First Division |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[9]
*Note Sligo Rovers defeated Dundalk 2–0 but the result was overturned by the Football Association of Ireland to a 3–0 win for Dundalk after it was ruled that Sligo had fielded a suspended player.[10]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.
= Leader and UEFA Champions League first qualifying round; = UEFA Conference League first qualifying round; = Qualification to the Relegation play-offs; = Relegation to the League of Ireland First Division
Results
Teams will play each other four times (twice at home, twice away).
Matches 1–18
Matches 19–36
*Note Sligo Rovers defeated Dundalk 2–0 but the result was overturned by the Football Association of Ireland to a 3–0 win for Dundalk after it was ruled that Sligo had fielded a suspended player.[11]
Season statistics
Top scorers
Rank | Player | Club | Goals[12] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | 18 |
2 | ![]() |
St Patrick's Athletic | 14 |
3 | ![]() |
Shamrock Rovers | 11 |
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Derry City | ||
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Shelbourne | ||
6 | ![]() |
Derry City | 10 |
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Shamrock Rovers | ||
8 | ![]() |
Dundalk | 9 |
9 | ![]() |
Bohemians | 8 |
10 | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | 7 |
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Shamrock Fovers | ||
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Shamrock Rovers | ||
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Shelbourne | ||
Clean sheets
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets[13] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Shamrock Rovers | 15 |
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Derry City | ||
3 | ![]() |
Dundalk | 12 |
4 | ![]() |
St Patrick’s Athletic | 10 |
5 | ![]() |
Shelbourne | 8 |
6 | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | 5 |
7 | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | 3 |
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Drogheda United | ||
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Bohemians | ||
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UCD | ||
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Drogheda United | ||
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Finn Harps | ||
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Bohemians |
Play-offs
Bracket
First Division play-off Semi-finals | First Division play-off Final | Promotion/relegation play-off | |||||||||||||
26/29 October 2022 | |||||||||||||||
11 November 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Treaty United | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||
4 November 2022 | UCD | 1 | |||||||||||||
Waterford | 4 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Waterford | 3 | Waterford | 0 | ||||||||||||
26/29 October 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Galway United | 0 | ||||||||||||||
Longford Town | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Galway United | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||
First leg
26 October 2022 | Treaty United | 1–4 | Waterford | Limerick |
19:45 IST | Enda Curran ![]() |
Report | Phoenix Patterson ![]() Phoenix Patterson ![]() Junior Quitirna ![]() Sean Guerins ![]() |
Stadium: Markets Field Referee: Damien MacGraith |
26 October 2022 | Longford Town | 2–2 | Galway United | Longford |
19:45 IST | Jordan Adeyemo ![]() Jordan Adeyemo ![]() |
Report | Mikie Rowe ![]() Mikie Rowe ![]() |
Stadium: Bishopsgate Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan |
Second leg
29 October 2022 | Waterford | 3–3 | Treaty United | Waterford |
19:45 IST | Timi Sobowale ![]() Wassim Aouachria ![]() Phoenix Patterson ![]() |
Report | Mark Ludden ![]() Mark Ludden ![]() Lee Molloy ![]() |
Stadium: RSC Attendance: 2,585 Referee: Paul Norton |
30 October 2022 | Galway United | 3–0 | Longford Town | Galway |
16:00 IST | David Hurley ![]() Mikie Rowe ![]() Rob Manley ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Referee: Damien McGraith |
First Division play-off Final
4 November 2022 | Galway United | 0–3 | Waterford | County Limerick |
19:45 IST | Report | Junior Quitirna ![]() Wassim Aouachria ![]() Junior Quitirna ![]() |
Stadium: Markets Field Referee: Alan Patchell |
Promotion/relegation play-off
11 November 2022 | UCD | 1–0 | Waterford | County Dublin |
19:45 IST | Tommy Lonergan ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 2781 Referee: Rob Harvey |
Awards
Monthly awards
Month | Player of the Month | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|
Player | Club | ||
February | ![]() |
Dundalk | [14] |
March | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | [15] |
April | ![]() |
Derry City | [16] |
May | ![]() |
Dundalk | [17] |
June | ![]() |
Dundalk | [18] |
July | ![]() |
Sligo Rovers | [19] |
August | ![]() |
Shamrock Rovers | [20] |
September | ![]() |
Waterford | [21] |
October | ![]() |
Shamrock Rovers | [22] |
November | ![]() |
Derry City | [23] |
Annual awards
Award | Winner | Club |
---|---|---|
PFAI Player of the Year | Rory Gaffney | Shamrock Rovers |
PFAI Young Player of the Year | Andy Lyons | Shamrock Rovers |
PFAI Premier Division Manager of the Year | Stephen Bradley | Shamrock Rovers |
PFAI Team of the Year | |||||||||||||
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Goalkeeper | ![]() | ||||||||||||
Defenders | ![]() |
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Midfielders | ![]() |
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Forwards | ![]() |
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See also
References
- "Rory Gaffney's winner ensures Shamrock Rovers enjoy the party that little bit more in Tallaght". Irish Times. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- "League of Ireland enjoys huge increase in crowds since last pre-Covid season". the42. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- "Preview: Rovers remain team to beat in 2022 title race". RTE Sport. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- "Shamrock Rovers complete league three-in-a-row after Derry City play out draw with Sligo". The 42. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- "Shamrock Rovers win 20th LOI Premier Division title after Derry City draw with Sligo". Irish Independent. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- "A guide to the 2022 League of Ireland Season". Extra Time. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- Fenton, James (2 October 2021). "Shelbourne seal promotion back to Premier Division". Pundit Arena.
- "UCD secure promotion and cap off a dismal week for Waterford". The Irish Times.
- "Premier Division 2022". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/news/fai-statement/id-4432
- Lhttps://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/news/fai-statement/id-4432
- "Summary - Premier Division - Republic of Ireland - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
- "LOI Premier Division Clean Sheets". Final Whistle. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- Cooney, Gavin. "Dundalk's Steven Bradley scoops Player of the Month prize". The42.
- Team, The42. "Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena earns Player of the Month award". The42.
- "Jamie McGonigle named Soccer Writers' Player of the Month for April!".
- "Dundalk winger Kelly bags Player of Month award for May". RTÉ.ie. 16 June 2022.
- "Dundalk defender Mark Connolly scoops Player of the Month award". 14 July 2022.
- "TheJournal.ie - LOI's top goalscorer claims Player of the Month award for July".
- "TheJournal.ie - Shamrock Rovers' Andy Lyons scoops Player of the Month award for August".
- "Phoenix Patterson rises to win Player of the Month". 13 October 2022.
- Whelan, James (9 November 2022). "Shamrock Rovers striker Rory Gaffney named Player of the Month for October". Irish Examiner.
- Team, The42. "Cameron McJannet named November player of the month after FAI Cup win". The42.