2020 League of Ireland Premier Division


The 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League for sponsorship reasons, is the 36th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on 14 February 2020 and will conclude on 30 October 2020. The fixtures were announced on 20 December 2019. The season was halted in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland as per directive of the Irish Government and the Football Association of Ireland. The FAI subsequently announced a contingency plan with a view to completing the domestic season at a later date with a reduced number of games. It resumed on 31 July.

Overview

The Premier Division consists of 10 teams. Ordinarily each team plays each other four times for a total of 36 matches in the season. Following a meeting of the Football Association of Ireland regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided that the season would be played on an 18-match basis with teams playing each other twice: once at home and once away.
Shelbourne, the 2019 First Division champions, were promoted to the league for the first time since 2013, replacing fellow Dublin side UCD, who were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division after finishing bottom of the league in 2019.

Teams

Stadia and locations

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
BohemiansDublin Dalymount Park3,640
Cork CityCorkTurners Cross7,845
Derry CityDerry Brandywell Stadium3,700
DundalkDundalkOriel Park4,500
Finn HarpsBallybofeyFinn Park6,000
St Patrick's AthleticDublin Richmond Park5,340
Shamrock RoversDublin Tallaght Stadium8,000
ShelbourneDublin Tolka Park3,700
Sligo RoversSligoThe Showgrounds5,500
WaterfordWaterfordRegional Sports Centre5,500

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.
TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Bohemians Keith Long Keith Buckley O'Neills Des Kelly Interiors
Cork City Neale Fenn Gearoid Morrissey Adidas University College Cork
Derry City Declan Devine Conor McCormack Adidas Diamond Corrugated
Dundalk Vinny Perth Brian Gartland Umbro Fyffes
Finn Harps Ollie Horgan Gareth Harkin Joma KN Group
St Patrick's Athletic Stephen O'Donnell Ian Bermingham Umbro MIG Insurance Brokers
Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley Ronan Finn Umbro JD Sports
Shelbourne Ian Morris Lorcan Fitzgerald Umbro FLYEfit
Sligo Rovers Liam Buckley Kyle Callan-McFadden Joma Avantcard
Waterford John Sheridan Michael O'Connor Umbro 24/7 Cardiac Care

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Teams will play each other twice.

Season statistics

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Patrick HobanDundalk6
2 Graham BurkeShamrock Rovers5
3 Jack ByrneShamrock Rovers4
4 Daniel MandroiuBohemians3
5 Aaron GreeneShamrock Rovers2
5 Michael DuffyDundalk2
5 Stephen MallonDerry City2
5 Jordan FloresDundalk2
5 Ronan CoughlinSligo Rovers2
5 Aaron McEneffShamrock Rovers2
5 Dylan WattsShamrock Rovers2
5 Karl O'SullivanFinn Harps2

Hat-tricks