The 2016 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 32nd season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on 4 March 2016 and concluded on 28 October 2016; the relegation play-offs followed on 31 October and 4 November 2016. The prize fund for the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions was €475,500 for the 2016 season.
Dundalk successfully defended its title for the third consecutive season on 23 October after a 2–1 win against Bohemians.
Overview The Premier Division consisted of 12 teams. Each team played each other three times, a total of 33 matches in the season.
Wexford Youths, the 2015 First Division champion, entered the top level for the first time in their history. Finn Harps were promoted after winning the promotion/relegation playoffs.
The 12 clubs competed for €371,500 in prize money ranging from €110,000 for the winners to €17,000 for the team finishing bottom of the table.
Teams
Team Home city/suburb Stadium Bohemians Phibsborough, Dublin Dalymount Park Bray Wanderers Bray Carlisle Grounds Cork City Cork Turner's Cross Derry City Derry Brandywell Stadium Dundalk Dundalk Oriel Park Finn Harps Ballybofey Finn Park Galway United Galway Eamonn Deacy Park Longford Town Longford City Calling Stadium Shamrock Rovers Tallaght, Dublin Tallaght Stadium Sligo Rovers Sligo The Showgrounds St Patrick's Athletic Inchicore, Dublin Richmond Park Wexford Youths Crossabeg Ferrycarrig Park
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 Keith Long Derek PenderHummelMr GreenBray Wanderers Harry Kenny Conor KennaNikeSonas BathroomsCork City John Caulfield John DunleavyNikeClonakilty SausagesDerry City Kenny Shiels Ryan McBrideHummelDiamond CorrugatedDundalk Stephen Kenny Stephen O'DonnellCX+ SportFyffesFinn Harps Ollie Horgan Kevin McHughLegea McGettigan GroupGalway United Tommy Dunne Ryan ConnollyUhlsportComer Property ManagementLongford Town Tony Cousins Mark SalmonMacronCity CallingShamrock Rovers Pat Fenlon Conor KennaNew BalancePepperSligo Rovers Dave Robertson Gavin PeersJomaVolkswagenSt Patrick's Athletic Liam Buckley Ger O'BrienUmbroClune Construction Company L.P.Wexford Youths Shane Keegan Graham DoyleBodibroSBOBET
League table
Results
Matches 1–22 Teams played each other twice (once at home, once away).
Matches 23–33 Teams played each other once.
Promotion/relegation playoffs Wexford Youths, the eleventh-placed team from the Premier Division took part in a two-legged play-off against Drogheda United, the winners of the 2016 First Division play-off, to decide who will play in the 2017 Premier Division.
First leg
Second leg
Drogheda United are promoted to the 2017 Premier Division; Wexford Youths are relegated to the 2017 First Division.
Top scorers
RankPlayerClubGoals1 Sean MaguireCork City182 Rory PattersonDerry City173 David McMillanDundalk164 Vincent FahertyGalway United125 Conan ByrneSt Patrick's Athletic116 Raffaele CretaroSligo Rovers10 Kurtis ByrneBohemians10 Christy FaganSt Patrick's Athletic10 Gary McCabeShamrock Rovers1010 Daryl HorganDundalk9
See also 2016 FAI Cup 2016 League of Ireland Cup 2016 League of Ireland First Division
References
External links Official website Full Results and Fixtures