The 1985–86 League of Ireland Premier Division was the first season of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The Premier Division was made up of 12 teams.
Overview The top tier of the League of Ireland was renamed the Premier Division in 1985. The Premier Division was contested by 12 teams and Shamrock Rovers F.C. won the championship. The top 12 teams from the 1984–85 League of Ireland automatically qualified for the Premier Division.
Teams Stadia and locations
Team Hometown/Suburb Stadium ManagerAthlone TownAthloneSt Mel's Park Con FlanaganBohemiansPhibsboroughDalymount Park Billy YoungCork CityCorkTurners Cross Noel O'MahonyDundalkDundalkOriel Park Turlough O'ConnorGalway UnitedGalwayTerryland Park Tony MannionHome FarmDrumcondra, DublinTolka Park Mick LawlorLimerick CityLimerickJackman Park Joe O'MahoneyShamrock RoversMilltown, DublinGlenmalure Park Jim McLaughlinShelbourneHarold's Cross Harold's Cross Stadium Paddy MulliganSt Patrick's AthleticInchicoreRichmond Park Jimmy JacksonWaterford UnitedWaterfordKilcohan Park Alfie HaleUniversity College DublinBelfieldUCD Bowl Theo Dunne
Final Table
Results
Top scorers
RankPlayerClubGoals1Tommy GaynorLimerick City152Paul McGeeGalway United133Colm McGonigleGalway United113Pat MorleyLimerick City113Paul DoolinShamrock Rovers116Eugene DavisBohemians86Martin ReidWaterford United86Dessie GormanDundalk89Mick ByrneShamrock Rovers79Paddy HughesCork City7
League of Ireland clubs in Europe
European Cup
First round After winning the league title in the previous season, Shamrock Rovers received automatic qualification into the first round of the European Cup. Shamrock Rovers were drawn against Hungarian club, Budapest Honvéd, 1984-85 Hungarian League Winners. Budapest Honvéd were the hosts for the first leg and won the game comfortably in a 2-0 defeat of Shamrock Rovers. In the return leg, Shamrock Rovers were defeated once again 3-1, thus eliminating them from the competition.
First leg
Second leg
Budapest Honvéd won 5–1 on aggregate.
UEFA Cup
First round
European Cup Winners Cup
First round FAI Cup Runners-up, Galway United entered the European Cup Winners' Cup in the first round against Danish side, Lyngby BK. Galway United were defeated 1-0 in the away leg in Lyngby BK. In the second leg, United were defeated 3-2 at Terryland Park, ending their European campaign.
See also 1985–86 League of Ireland First Division
References