2017 League of Ireland Premier Division


The 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division was the 33rd season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The league began on Friday 24 February 2017 and concluded on 27 October 2017. Fixtures were announced on 9 December 2016.
On 17 October, Cork City won the title after a 0-0 draw at home to Derry City.

Overview

The Premier Division consists of 12 teams. Each team plays each other three times for a total of 33 matches in the season.
Limerick, the 2016 First Division champion and Drogheda United, winners of the promotion/relegation playoffs, were promoted to the league, both bouncing straight back after having been relegated the previous season.
On 22 December 2016, the Football Association of Ireland announced that the league would be restructured into two 10-team divisions from the 2018 season onwards, one of the recommendations made in the 2015 Conroy Report. This meant the cancellation of the promotion/relegation playoff and relegation at the end of the 2017 season of 3 teams, with only the champions of the First Division promoted in return.

Teams

Stadia and locations

TeamLocationStadium
BohemiansPhibsboroughDalymount Park
Bray WanderersBrayCarlisle Grounds
Cork CityCorkTurners Cross
Derry CityBuncranaMaginn Park
Drogheda UnitedDroghedaUnited Park
DundalkDundalkOriel Park
Finn HarpsBallybofeyFinn Park
Galway UnitedGalwayEamonn Deacy Park
LimerickLimerickMarkets Field
Shamrock RoversTallaghtTallaght Stadium
Sligo RoversSligoThe Showgrounds
St Patrick's AthleticInchicoreRichmond 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.
TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Bohemians Keith Long Derek PenderHummelMr Green
Bray Wanderers Harry Kenny Conor KennaNikeSonas Bathrooms
Cork City John Caulfield John DunleavyNikeUniversity College Cork
Derry City Kenny Shiels Gerard DohertyHummelDiamond Corrugated
Drogheda United Pete Mahon Sean ThorntonCX+ SportScotch Hall Shopping Center
Dundalk Stephen Kenny Stephen O'DonnellCX+ SportFyffes
Finn Harps Ollie Horgan Ciaran CollJomaMcGettigan Group
Galway United Shane Keegan Colm HorganUhlsportComer Property Management
Limerick Neil McDonald Shane DugganHummel
Shamrock Rovers Stephen Bradley Ronan FinnNew BalancePepper Asset Servicing
Sligo Rovers Gerard Lyttle Craig RoddanJomaVolkswagen
St Patrick's Athletic Liam Buckley Ian BerminghamUmbroPieta House

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Matches 1–22

Teams played each other twice.

Matches 23–33

Teams played each other once.

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Sean MaguireCork City20
2 David McMillanDundalk16
3 Dinny CorcoranBohemians15
3 Gary McCabeBray Wanderers15
5 Rodrigo TosiLimerick City14
6 Ronan MurrayGalway United13
7 Aaron GreeneBray Wanderers12
8 Gary ShawShamrock Rovers11
9 Patrick McEleneyDundalk10
9 Barry McNameeDerry City10
9 Kurtis ByrneBohemians10