The 2006 League of Ireland First Division season was the 22nd season of the League of Ireland First Division. The First Division was contested by 10 teams and Shamrock Rovers won the division. Each team played the other teams four times, totalling 36 games.
Club information Team Manager Main sponsor Kit supplier Stadium Capacity Athlone Town Michael O'Connor Ganly's Hardware O'Neills St. Mel's Park 3,000 Cobh Ramblers Stephen Henderson Goodyear Uhlsport St. Colman's Park 5,000 Dundalk John Gill IJM Timber Frame Company Diadora Oriel Park 11,000 Finn Harps Anthony Gorman Harley's Cheers Bar PF Sports Finn Park 7,900 Galway United Tony Cousins Harrmack Developments Ltd. Umbro Terryland Park 3,500 Kildare County John Ryan Celbridge Football Park Umbro Station Road 2,500 Kilkenny City Adrian Fitzpatrick The Kilkenny Voice Umbro Buckley Park 6,500 Limerick Danny Drew Asian Harvest Jako Hogan Park 9,000 Monaghan United Mick Cooke The Steering Wheel Diadora Century Homes Park 3,000 Shamrock Rovers Pat Scully Woodie's DIY Umbro Tolka Park 10,100
Overview In March 2006 it was announced that the League of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland would be merging. As part of this arrangement the league would be restructured and membership of the 2007 Premier Division and 2007 First Division would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by a former FAI honorary secretary, Des Casey. Clubs would be assessed on their past five season record in the league. Crucially though, clubs would also be graded on off-field criteria, including attendance, infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing. This decision would have a considerable impact on the 2006 First Division which began on March 10 and finished on November 18. The season developed into three-way battle between Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Galway United. Shamrock Rovers eventually emerged as champions while Dundalk finished second and went on to defeat Waterford United in a promotion/relegation play-off. However it was subsequently announced that Dundalk had failed to meet the Independent Assessment Group criteria and they would not be promoted to the Premier Division and that third placed Galway United would be promoted instead. The decision proved to be controversial and Dundalk were particularly aggrieved. On 13 December, Mark 'Maxi' Kavanagh, a Dundalk fan protesting the decision entered the FAI's headquarters in Merrion Square and allegedly threatened to set himself on fire after pouring petrol on his head and on furniture in the offices and reception area. He gave up the protest after obtaining a meeting with Dundalk manager John Gill. Dundalk eventually accepted the FAI decision and remained in the First Division.
Final table
Promotion/relegation play-off Dundalk who finished second played off against Waterford United who finished eleventh in the Premier Division. 1st Leg
2nd Leg
Dundalk won 3–2 on aggregate but did not meet the criteria set out by the FAI's Independent Assessment Group and were not promoted.
IAG table
Notes
Top scorers PlayerClubGoals Philip Hughes Dundalk19 Conor Gethins Finn Harps/Galway United16 Tadhg Purcell Shamrock Rovers12 Barry Moran Galway United11
Gallery
See also 2006 League of Ireland Premier Division 2006 League of Ireland Cup
References