The 2023 League of Ireland First Division season was the 39th season of the League of Ireland First Division, the second tier of the Republic of Ireland's association football league.
The winners (Galway United) were promoted to the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division. The runners-up (Waterford) were also promoted after winning the League of Ireland Premier Division play-off.
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.
Teams
Team changes Cork City were promoted to the 2023 Premier Division as 2022 First Division champions. Finn Harps were relegated from the 2022 Premier Division.
Additional teams Newly formed Kerry F.C. successfully applied for a First Division licence to compete in the 2023 season.
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 sponsorAthlone Town Dario Castelo Aaron Connolly Umbro Hayden & Co. SolicitorsBray Wanderers Ian Ryan Dane Massey Nike VisualPrintCobh Ramblers Shane Keegan John Kavanagh Uhlsport McCarthy Insurance GroupFinn Harps Darren Murphy Ryan Rainey Joma So-Lo StoresGalway United John Caulfield Conor McCormack O'Neill's Comer Property ManagementKerry Billy Dennehy Matt Keane New Balance Kerry AirportLongford Town Stephen Henderson Shane Elworthy Macron BishopsgateTreaty United Tommy Barrett Jack Lynch Umbro Derrin HomesWaterford Keith Long Eddie Nolan Umbro DG FOODS LTDWexford James Keddy Ethan Boyle Summa Sports Campion Insurance
Managerial changes TeamOutgoing managerManner ofdepartureDate of vacancyPosition in tableIncoming managerDate ofappointmentWaterford Danny SearleSacked27 March 20235th Keith Long29 March 2023Athlone Town Dermot LennonMutual Consent15 April 20235th Gordon Brett15 April 2023Athlone Town Gordon BrettChange of Role15 May 20235th Emilio Williams19 May 2023Finn Harps Dave RogersMutual Consent 23 September 20239th Darren Murphy27 September 2023
League table
Season statistics Top scorers Rank Player Club Goals1 Ronan CoughlanWaterford332 David HurleyGalway United213 Frantz PierrotAthlone Town204 Stephen WalshGalway United145 Aaron DobbsWexford F.C.13 Jack DohertyCobh Ramblers7 Enda CurranTreaty United128 Wilson WaweruCobh Ramblers119 Valerii DoliaAthlone Town10 Roland IdowuWaterford F.C. Cristian MăgerușanLongford Town
League of Ireland Premier Division play-off
Bracket
Quarter-finals First leg
Second leg
Semi-final
Final
Attendances
# Club Average 1 Galway United 2,012 2 Waterford 1,878 3 Finn Harps 1,135 4 Cobh Ramblers 1,003 5 Athlone Town 872 6 Kerry 782 7 Wexford 693 8 Longford Town 684 9 Bray 681 10 Treaty United 642
Source:https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/archive/irl/aveirl23.htm
See also 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division 2023 FAI Cup
References