{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Irish English|date=August 2016}} {{Infobox football league season | season = 2016 | competition = League of Ireland First Division | winners = Limerick | promoted = Limerick<br/>Drogheda United | matches = 112 | total goals = 349 | league topscorer = Gary O'Neil (13 goals)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/ireland-republic/first-division/2016/regular-season/r34028/players/|title=Players|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref> | biggest home win = Limerick 6–1 Cobh Ramblers<br/><small>(19 March 2016)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/03/19/ireland-republic/first-division/limerick-37/cobh-ramblers-football-club/2192143/|title=LIMERICK VS. COBH RAMBLERS 6 - 1|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref><br/>Limerick 7–2 Waterford United<br/><small>(30 April 2016)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/04/30/ireland-republic/first-division/limerick-37/waterford-united-fc/2192167/|title=LIMERICK VS. WATERFORD UNITED 7 - 2|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref>

| biggest away win = Waterford United 1–8 UCD<br/><small>(30 September 2016)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/09/30/ireland-republic/first-division/waterford-united-fc/university-college-dublin-football-club/2192226/|title=WATERFORD UNITED VS. UCD 1 - 8|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref> | highest scoring = {{nobreak|Limerick 7–2 Waterford United}}<br/><small>(30 April 2016)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/04/30/ireland-republic/first-division/limerick-37/waterford-united-fc/2192167/|title=LIMERICK VS. WATERFORD UNITED 7 - 2|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref><br/>Waterford United 1–8 UCD<br/><small>(30 September 2016)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/09/30/ireland-republic/first-division/waterford-united-fc/university-college-dublin-football-club/2192226/|title=WATERFORD UNITED VS. UCD 1 - 8|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=4 November 2016}}</ref> | attendance = 52,987 | average attendance = 477<ref name="30 August 2020">{{cite web |title=From the Archives - extratime.ie League of Ireland Attendance Report 2019 |url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/24005/extratimeie-league-of-ireland-attendance-report-2019/ |website=extratime}}</ref> | prevseason = 2015 | nextseason = 2017 | updated = }}

The '''2016 League of Ireland First Division''' season was the 32nd season of the League of Ireland First Division.

On 28 August, Limerick clinched the title and promotion after a 3–2 win away to UCD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/limerick-seal-premier-division-return-with-plenty-to-spare-35002913.html|title= Limerick seal Premier Division return with plenty to spare|date=28 August 2016|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=29 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/limerick-seal-promotion-premier-division-2952732-Aug2016/|title= Limerick FC seal promotion back to Premier Division with 6 games to spare|date=28 August 2016|work=The 42|accessdate=29 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/limerick-fc-fans-are-super-excited-by-the-clubs-promotion-751972.html|title= Limerick FC fans are super excited by the club's promotion|date=28 August 2016|work=Irish Examiner|accessdate=29 August 2016}}</ref> ==Overview== The First Division has 8 teams. Each team played each other four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 28 matches in the season.

The eight clubs competed for a prize fund of €104,000 with the winners receiving €30,000 and the eighth placed team collecting €8,000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/news/6590-breakdown-of-2016-sse-airtricity-league-prize-money | title=Breakdown of 2016 SSE Airtricity League Prize-Money | publisher=SSE Airtricity League | date=3 March 2016 | accessdate=13 August 2016}}</ref>

==Teams== {{Location map+ |Ireland |alt=Map of the Republic of Ireland with the eight League of Ireland First Division teams |caption=Locations of the First Division teams |float=right |width=280 |places= {{Location map~ |Ireland |label=Athlone Town |background= |position=left|lat_deg=53.43 |lon_deg=-7.95}} {{Location map~ |Ireland |label=Cobh Ramblers |position=left|background= |lat_deg=51.851 |lon_deg=-8.29}} {{Location map~ |Ireland |label=Drogheda United |background= |position=top |lat_deg=53|lat_min=42|lat_sec=50|lat_dir=N|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=6|lon_min=21|lon_sec=1}} {{Location map~ |Ireland |label=Limerick |background= |position=left |lat_deg=52|lat_min=42|lat_sec=15|lat_dir=N|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=8|lon_min=35|lon_sec=15}} {{Location map~ |Ireland |label=Waterford United |background= |position=bottom |lat_dir=N|lat_deg=52 |lat_min=15 |lat_sec=24 |lon_dir=W |lon_deg=7 |lon_min=7 |lon_sec=45}} {{Location map~ |Ireland |marksize=12|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=53|lat_min=20|lat_sec=52|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=6|lon_min=15|lon_sec=35|position=left|background=|label='''Dublin''' }} <!--DUBLIN TEXT IN UPPER LEFT CORNER--> {{Location map~ |Ireland |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat_dir=N|lat_deg=55|lat_min=24|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=10|lon_min=57|position=right|background=|label='''Dublin&nbsp;teams'''<br /><small>Cabinteely<br />Shelbourne<br />UCD</small>}} }} {{Location map+ |Dublin|alt=Map of Dublin with the three League of Ireland First Division Dublin teams |caption=Locations of Dublin First Division teams |float=right |width=280 |places= {{Location map~ |Dublin|lat_deg=53|lat_min=22|lat_sec=3|lat_dir=N|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=6|lon_min=15|lon_sec=7|position=top|background=|label=Shelbourne}} {{Location map~ |Dublin|lat_deg=53|lat_min=18|lat_sec=37|lat_dir=N|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=6|lon_min=13|lon_sec=41|position=left|background=|label=UCD}} {{Location map~ |Dublin|lat_deg=53.289051|lat_dir=N|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=6.161216|position=right|background=|label=Cabinteely }} }} {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Team ! Home city/suburb ! Stadium |- | Athlone Town || Athlone || Athlone Town Stadium |- | Cabinteely || Cabinteely ||Stradbrook Road |- | Cobh Ramblers || Cobh || St. Colman's Park |- | Drogheda United || Drogheda || United Park |- | Limerick || Limerick || Markets Field |- | Shelbourne || Drumcondra, Dublin || Tolka Park |- | UCD || Belfield, Dublin || UCD Bowl |- | Waterford United || Waterford || Waterford RSC |}

===Personnel and kits===

<small>Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.</small> {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;" ! Team ! Manager ! Captain ! Kit manufacturer ! Shirt sponsor |- |Athlone Town |{{flagicon|IRL}} Alan Mathews<ref>{{cite web | url=http://athlonetownfc.ie/alan-mathews-appointed-as-1st-team-manager/ | title=Alan Mathews Appointed 1st Team Manager | publisher=Athlone Town Football Club | date=15 May 2015 | accessdate=15 March 2016 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315213321/http://athlonetownfc.ie/alan-mathews-appointed-as-1st-team-manager/ | archivedate=15 March 2016 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> | |Nike |Nitro Sports |- |Cabinteely |{{flagicon|IRL}} Eddie Gormley | |Umbro | |- |Cobh Ramblers |{{flagicon|IRL}} Stephen Henderson |{{flagicon|IRL}} Kevin Mulcahy |Legea |Rathcormac Fuels |- |Drogheda United |{{flagicon|IRL}} Pete Mahon |{{flagicon|IRL}} Sean Thornton |CX+ Sport |Scotch Hall Shopping Center |- |Limerick |{{flagicon|IRL}} Martin Russell |{{flagicon|IRL}} Shane Duggan |Hummel |Galtee Fuels |- |Shelbourne |{{flagicon|IRL}} Kevin Doherty |{{Flagicon|Ireland}}Daire Doyle |Macron |abbeyseals.ie |- |UCD |{{flagicon|IRL}} Collie O'Neill |{{flagicon|IRL}} Gary O'Neill |O'Neills |O'Neills |- |Waterford United |{{flagicon|IRL}} Roddy Collins |{{flagicon|IRL}} Phillip Gorman |Uhlsport | |-

|}

==League table== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=football |source=[https://int.soccerway.com/national/ireland-republic/first-division/2016/regular-season/r34028/ Soccerway], [http://www.extratime.ie/leagues/2022/101/first-division/ extratime.ie] |update=complete

|team1=LIM |team2=DRO |team3=COB |team4=UCD |team5=WAT |team6=SHE |team7=CAB |team8=ATH |result1=P |result2=PO |result3=PO

|win_ATH=3 |draw_ATH=5 |loss_ATH=20|gf_ATH=26 |ga_ATH=62 |win_CAB=4 |draw_CAB=4 |loss_CAB=20|gf_CAB=19 |ga_CAB=54 |win_COB=15|draw_COB=5 |loss_COB=8 |gf_COB=40 |ga_COB=33 |win_DRO=15|draw_DRO=7 |loss_DRO=6 |gf_DRO=42 |ga_DRO=29 |win_LIM=24|draw_LIM=3 |loss_LIM=1 |gf_LIM=86 |ga_LIM=26 |win_SHE=9 |draw_SHE=3 |loss_SHE=16|gf_SHE=36 |ga_SHE=40 |win_UCD=14|draw_UCD=6 |loss_UCD=8 |gf_UCD=57 |ga_UCD=40 |win_WAT=10|draw_WAT=3 |loss_WAT=15|gf_WAT=43 |ga_WAT=65

<!--Status--> |status_LIM=CP |status_DRO=OP

|name_ATH=Athlone Town |name_CAB=Cabinteely |name_COB=Cobh&nbsp;Ramblers |name_DRO=Drogheda United |name_LIM=Limerick |name_SHE=Shelbourne |name_UCD=UCD |name_WAT=Waterford United

<!--Table settings and rules--> |show_limit=5 |class_rules=1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=competition&id=77&view=rules |title=FIRST DIVISION 2016 - Season rules |publisher=Scoresway |accessdate=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424203405/http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=competition&id=77&view=rules |archive-date=24 April 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|res_col_header=Q |col_P=green1 |text_P=Promotion to League of Ireland Premier Division |col_PO=green2 |text_PO=Qualification for Promotion play-offs }}</onlyinclude>

==Results== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Matches 1–14=== Teams played each other twice (once at home, once away) {{#invoke:sports results|main |matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey |team1=ATH|team2=CAB|team3=COB|team4=DRO|team5=LIM |team6=SHE|team7=UCD|team8=WAT

|name_ATH=Athlone Town |match_ATH_CAB=3–1 |match_ATH_COB=0–2 |match_ATH_DRO=1–2 |match_ATH_LIM=0–5 |match_ATH_SHE=1–3 |match_ATH_UCD=1–2 |match_ATH_WAT=3–3

|name_CAB=Cabinteely |match_CAB_ATH=2–1 |match_CAB_COB=1–2 |match_CAB_DRO=0–0 |match_CAB_LIM=0–2 |match_CAB_SHE=0–4 |match_CAB_UCD=0–0 |match_CAB_WAT=0–2

|name_COB=Cobh Ramblers |match_COB_ATH=2–2 |match_COB_CAB=2–0 |match_COB_DRO=1–1 |match_COB_LIM=0–3 |match_COB_SHE=1–0 |match_COB_UCD=0–2 |match_COB_WAT=4–0

|name_DRO=Drogheda United |match_DRO_ATH=2–2 |match_DRO_CAB=4–0 |match_DRO_COB=1–0 |match_DRO_LIM=0–3 |match_DRO_SHE=1–0 |match_DRO_UCD=1–2 |match_DRO_WAT=2–1

|name_LIM=Limerick |match_LIM_ATH=3–0 |match_LIM_CAB=3–0 |match_LIM_COB=6–1 |match_LIM_DRO=2–2 |match_LIM_SHE=5–1 |match_LIM_UCD=4–1 |match_LIM_WAT=7–2

|name_SHE=Shelbourne |match_SHE_ATH=2–1 |match_SHE_CAB=1–1 |match_SHE_COB=0–1 |match_SHE_DRO=3–0 |match_SHE_LIM=3–4 |match_SHE_UCD=1–2 |match_SHE_WAT=0–2

|name_UCD=UCD |match_UCD_ATH=1–1 |match_UCD_CAB=2–1 |match_UCD_COB=3–1 |match_UCD_DRO=2–2 |match_UCD_LIM=1–2 |match_UCD_SHE=2–0 |match_UCD_WAT=1–3

|name_WAT=Waterford United |match_WAT_ATH=3–0 |match_WAT_CAB=3–1 |match_WAT_COB=1–2 |match_WAT_DRO=1–2 |match_WAT_LIM=2–5 |match_WAT_SHE=1–4 |match_WAT_UCD=3–1

|match_WAT_ATH_note=Waterford were awarded a 3–0 result for the match, with Athlone forfeiting the fixture. Athlone Town were also fined €1,000 and stripped of home advantage for their August clash with Waterford United after they failed to fulfil the First Division fixture between the two sides.<ref name="League of Ireland">{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0609/794459-athlone-fined-1-000-for-failure-to-fulfil-fixture/ |title=FOOTBALL:Athlone Town fined €1,000 for failure to fulfil fixture |date=9 June 2016 |accessdate=2 July 2016}}</ref>

|update=complete |source=[https://int.soccerway.com/national/ireland-republic/first-division/2016/regular-season/r34028/ Soccerway] }} {{col-2}} ===Matches 15–28=== Teams played each other twice (once at home, once away) {{#invoke:sports results|main |matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey |team1=ATH|team2=CAB|team3=COB|team4=DRO|team5=LIM |team6=SHE|team7=UCD|team8=WAT

|name_ATH=Athlone Town |match_ATH_CAB=4–0 |match_ATH_COB=0–2 |match_ATH_DRO=0–1 |match_ATH_LIM=0–2 |match_ATH_SHE=1–0 |match_ATH_UCD=1–1 |match_ATH_WAT=1–3

|name_CAB=Cabinteely |match_CAB_ATH=5–1 |match_CAB_COB=1–3 |match_CAB_DRO=1–0 |match_CAB_LIM=0–1 |match_CAB_SHE=1–2 |match_CAB_UCD=0–2 |match_CAB_WAT=2–0

|name_COB=Cobh Ramblers |match_COB_ATH=2–1 |match_COB_CAB=3–0 |match_COB_DRO=2–1 |match_COB_LIM=2–0 |match_COB_SHE=0–0 |match_COB_UCD=1–1 |match_COB_WAT=3–1

|name_DRO=Drogheda United |match_DRO_ATH=1–0 |match_DRO_CAB=1–0 |match_DRO_COB=2–0 |match_DRO_LIM=3–3 |match_DRO_SHE=2–0 |match_DRO_UCD=1–2 |match_DRO_WAT=2–0

|name_LIM=Limerick |match_LIM_ATH=1–0 |match_LIM_CAB=2–0 |match_LIM_COB=2–0 |match_LIM_DRO=2–1 |match_LIM_SHE=2–0 |match_LIM_UCD=4–3 |match_LIM_WAT=4–0

|name_SHE=Shelbourne |match_SHE_ATH=3–0 |match_SHE_CAB=2–1 |match_SHE_COB=2–0 |match_SHE_DRO=0–2 |match_SHE_LIM=1–1 |match_SHE_UCD=1–2 |match_SHE_WAT=0–1

|name_UCD=UCD |match_UCD_ATH=5–1 |match_UCD_CAB=4–1 |match_UCD_COB=0–1 |match_UCD_DRO=1–1 |match_UCD_LIM=2–3 |match_UCD_SHE=3–2 |match_UCD_WAT=2–1

|name_WAT=Waterford United |match_WAT_ATH=3–0 |match_WAT_CAB=0–0 |match_WAT_COB=2–2 |match_WAT_DRO=1–3 |match_WAT_LIM=1–5 |match_WAT_SHE=2–1 |match_WAT_UCD=1–8

|match_ATH_WAT_note=This match was played in Waterford, due to the earlier league ruling that stripped Athlone of home field advantage due to the non-fulfillment of a previous fixture between the two sides.

|update=complete |source=[https://int.soccerway.com/national/ireland-republic/first-division/2016/regular-season/r34028/ Soccerway] }}

{{Col-end}}

==Promotion/relegation playoffs== ===First Division=== {{footballbox collapsible |nobars = 1 |date = {{Start date|2016|10|22|df=y}} |time = 19:15 IST (UTC+01:00) |team1 = Cobh Ramblers |score = 0–2 |report = [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/22/ireland-republic/first-division/cobh-ramblers-football-club/drogheda-united-football-club/2192405/?ICID=PL_MS_01 Report] |team2 = Drogheda United |goals1 = |goals2 = * Griffin {{goal|60}} * McCaffrey {{goal|62}} |stadium = St Colman's Park |location = Cobh |attendance = 1,550 |referee = Andrew Mullally }} {{footballbox collapsible |nobars = 1 |date = {{Start date|2016|10|28|df=y}} |time = 19:45 IST (UTC+01:00) |team1 = Drogheda United |score = 1–2 |aggregatescore = 3–2 |report = [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/28/ireland-republic/first-division/drogheda-united-football-club/cobh-ramblers-football-club/2192406/ Report] |team2 = Cobh Ramblers |goals1 = McCaffrey {{goal|60}} |goals2 = * Ellis {{goal|1}} * Comerford {{goal|9}} |stadium = United Park |location = Drogheda |attendance = 1,873 |referee = Andrew Mullally }} ''Drogheda United advanced to the promotion/relegation play-offs against Wexford Youths.''

===First Division vs Premier Division=== {{footballbox collapsible |nobars = 1 |date = {{Start date|2016|10|31|df=y}} |time = 19:45 GMT |team1 = Wexford Youths |score = 2–0 |report = [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/10/31/ireland-republic/play-offs-12/wexford-youths-fc/drogheda-united-football-club/2367744/?ICID=PL_MS_01 Report] |team2 = Drogheda United |goals1 = * Furlong {{goal|66}} * Chin {{goal|90+1}} |goals2 = |stadium = Ferrycarrig Park |location = Crossabeg |attendance = |referee = Raymond Matthews }} {{footballbox collapsible |nobars = 1 |date = {{Start date|2016|11|4|df=y}} |time = 19:45 GMT |team1 = Drogheda United |score = 3–0 |aggregatescore = 3–2 |report = [https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/11/04/ireland-republic/play-offs-12/drogheda-united-football-club/wexford-youths-fc/2367745/?ICID=PL_MS_02 Report] |team2 = Wexford Youths |goals1 = * Brennan {{goal|45+1}} * Farragher {{goal|58}} * Thornton {{goal|78|pen.}} |goals2 = |stadium = United Park |location = Drogheda |attendance = |referee = }} ''Drogheda United are promoted to the 2017 Premier Division; Wexford Youths are relegated to the 2017 First Division.''

==See also== * 2016 League of Ireland Premier Division * 2016 League of Ireland Cup

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

{{League of Ireland First Division}} {{2016 in Republic of Ireland association football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 League of Ireland First Division}} Category:2016 League of Ireland First Division Category:League of Ireland First Division seasons Ireland Ireland