The 2012 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 28th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The division featured 12 teams. Sligo Rovers were champions, winning their first top league title since 1976–77. Drogheda United finished as runners-up.
Teams Stadia and locations
Team Location Stadium BohemiansPhibsborough Dalymount Park Bray Wanderers Bray Carlisle Grounds Cork City Cork Turners Cross Derry City Derry Brandywell Stadium Drogheda United Drogheda United Park Dundalk Dundalk Oriel Park Monaghan United Monaghan Kingspan Century Park Shamrock Rovers Tallaght Tallaght Stadium Shelbourne Drumcondra Tolka Park Sligo Rovers Sligo The Showgrounds St. Patrick's AthleticInchicore Richmond Park UCDBelfieldUCD Bowl
Personnel and kits Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Bohemians Aaron Callaghan Owen HearyMacronDHLBray Wanderers Pat Devlin Danny O'ConnorAdidasSinnot Autos VolkswagenCork City Tommy Dunne Dan MurrayUmbroClonakilty BlackpuddingDerry City Declan Devine Kevin DeeryHummelDiamond CorrugatedDrogheda United Mick Cooke Paul CrowleyVandanelScotch Hall Shopping CentreDundalk Darius Kierans Chris ShieldsUmbroFyffesMonaghan United Roddy Collins Alan ByrneNikeNoneShamrock Rovers Brian Laws Ken Oman UmbroSEATShelbourne Alan Mathews David CassidyMacronCab 2000Sligo Rovers Ian Baraclough Danny VentreJakoConnolly's VolkswagenSt. Patrick's Athletic Liam Buckley Conor KennaUmbroNissan MotorsUCD Martin Russell Michael LeahyO'NeillsO'Neills Soccer
Managerial changes TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointmentDundalk Ian FosterContract Ended29 October 2011Pre-season Sean McCaffrey23 December 2011Bohemians Pat FenlonSigned by Hibernian25 November 2011Pre-season Aaron Callaghan31 December 2011St. Patrick's Athletic Pete MahonContract Ended2 December 2011Pre-season Liam Buckley2 December 2011Derry City Stephen KennyResigned24 December 2011Pre-season Declan Devine6 January 2012Shamrock Rovers Michael O'NeillSigned by Northern Ireland24 December 2011Pre-season Stephen Kenny27 December 2011 Sligo Rovers Paul CookSigned by Accrington Stanley 13 February 2012Pre-season 27 February 2012Dundalk Sean McCaffreyMutual Consent12 January 201210thStephen KennyN/AShamrock Rovers Stephen KennySacked11 September 20124th Brian Laws17 September 2012Bray Wanderers Keith LongMutual Consent September 20129th Pat DevlinSeptember 2012
Overview There was a mid-season break coinciding with the Republic of Ireland national football team's UEFA Euro 2012 finals campaign. On 18 June 2012, Monaghan United announced their withdrawal from the league. Their record was subsequently expunged. The Premier Division title was won by Sligo Rovers, their first title in thirty five years.
Final table
Results Matches 1–22
Matches 23–33
Promotion/relegation play-off Dundalk, the eleventh placed team from the Premier Division, played Waterford United, the winner of the First Division play-off. The winner of this play off would play in the 2013 Premier Division.
Dundalk win 4–2 on aggregate and retained their place in the Premier Division. Waterford United appealed the result of the playoff, claiming Michael Rafter was ineligible as Dundalk had incorrectly registered him when they signed him earlier that season. However the appeal was unsuccessful.
Awards Top scorers RankScorerClubGoals1 Gary TwiggShamrock Rovers 222 Danny NorthSligo Rovers153 Jason ByrneBray Wanderers14
Player of the Month Month Player Club March Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers April Christopher Forrester St Patrick's Athletic May Jason Byrne Bray Wanderers June Danny North Sligo Rovers July Chris Fagan St Patrick's Athletic August Mark Quigley Sligo Rovers September Jason McGuinness Sligo Rovers October Gary Twigg Shamrock Rovers November Rory Patterson Derry City
See also 2012 League of Ireland First Division 2012 League of Ireland Cup
Notes
References