A – Astro
We start off on a bad note unfortunately with news that the number of astro pitches has jumped from two to five in the First Division for next season with work on a new Bray Wanderers surface having started in the last couple of weeks.
Cobh Ramblers played their first home games of this year in Turner's Cross as they waited for their new surface to be laid. They joined Kerry FC and Athlone Town in having an artificial surface.
Dundalk's relegation means 50% of the 2025 competition will be played on astro.
B – Basement
There was a real battle to avoid bottom spot in the First Division this year.
It had looked like Kerry FC were going to avoid it in their second year as a League of Ireland club with Longford Town enduring a miserable campaign.
Town have struggled to compete with some of the financial firepower around the league.
They did manage to avoid the embarrassment of slipping to 10th place by taking five points from their final three games to leapfrog the Kingdom.
C – Capacity
Time to look to the positives. The promotion/relegation play-off between Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United was moved from Richmond Park due to ticket demand.
The capacity in Inchicore was not sufficient so the game was switched to Tallaght Stadium. A crowd of 5,573 was present as Drogheda United defeated Bray Wanderers 3-1.
D – Developments
Wexford FC received €2 million in funding from the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund for the development of the new stadium in Wexford Town. They are partnering with Wexford County Council for the project.
The vision is a 6,000-seater stadium at SETU's Wexford campus. The move could be transformative for Wexford as they move closer to the town and look to boost their attendances.
There is genuine ambition from the club to slowly build with the stadium project key to their future.
E – Dean Ebbe
The striker returned to the Republic of Ireland after six years in Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar to finish top scorer in the league.
Ebbe has always been a terrific number nine, holding up the ball and finishing chances when they arrive.
After bagging 15 goals for Athlone Town, Dundalk have snapped him up for next season. Expect him to top the charts once again.
F – FC32
Cobh Ramblers were taken over this year having previously been 100% member owned. USA-based group FC32 answered the call after an appeal for investment by Cobh in December 2022. The deal was announced in October.
They also own Austrian side SKN St Pölten, who compete in 2. Liga, the second highest division in the country. The takeover will help Cobh adjust to the increasing financial demands within the league.
G – Gateway.
The league has never been this young. The oldest squad in the league was Athlone Town at an average age of 24. Every other side varied from 21-23. This year's league will produce dozens of future Premier Division players and others who'll venture abroad. There is plenty of debate on the standard of this year's competition but there is no denying it is a breeding ground for talent.
H – Kaylem Harnett
And here's an example. One of the biggest prospects in the country, never mind the First Division. The 17-year-old Leaving Cert student played 26 times for Wexford and scored four goals from midfield. He has starred at Under-15 and Under-17 level internationally and more games at the First Division will continue to help his development. He spent some of this month on trial with Premier League side Brentford, however.
I – International
Athlone Town had seven nations represented in their squad this year as they reached the play-offs. There was more foreign players registered that didn't play but El Salvador, Brazil, Jamaica, Italy, Botswana and Albania featured as well as a host of Americans. Their Valeo FC partnership continues to lead to such an array of players in their squad.
J – Jake O'Brien's transfer bounce
What has Jake O'Brien got to do with this year's division? The now-Everton defender provided Cork City with a transfer boost after his move from Lyon to the Premier League side invoked a small sell-on clause. The Rebels and some junior sides in Cork were the ones to benefit. City received around €300,000 which helped owner Dermot Usher balance the books somewhat. Usher has invested €1.4m into Cork since taking over and made two expensive acquisitions mid-season in Ruairi Keating and Sean Maguire after O'Brien's transfer.
K – Ryan Kelliher
The star of Kerry FC's season. He bagged 17 goals in all competitions including two against Bohemians in the FAI Cup. Strikers that score goals are proving very hard to find at Premier Division level. While Kelliher was reported to be under contract, he appeared on the PFAI free agent list last month but Kerry have now tied him down - he penned a new contract last week that will keep him there for 2025.
L – Long-term concerns
There is worry over the future of the second tier staying competitive after a UEFA directive that solidarity payments are given to top-flight clubs in the majority and not shared among the two tiers. The FAI has issued the UEFA funding on a 50-50 basis since its introduction but new regulations will see it shared on a 85-15 basis to the Premier clubs, according to the Irish Independent. The current figure of €1.4m is set to jump to €4m, meaning the Premier Division clubs, of which eight have investment from ownership groups, millionaires and billionaires, will become richer, while the First Division sides will see their income fall. The clubs are currently in discussions with the FAI to find a solution, with the possibility of an increase in First Division prize money from the association for 2025.
M – Million reasons
A total of 1,001,630 fans went to games in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division, First Division, SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, men's and women's FAI Cups, the All-Island Cup and European matches involving LOI clubs. The First Division played its part, with plenty to thank Cork City for. They will be missed next season as Dundalk take their place.
N – New managers
Clubs stood loyal to a lot of managers over the year. Just Ian Ryan (Bray Wanderers) and Stephen Henderson (Longford Town) parted ways during the season.
The end of the year did bring changes at Wexford and Cobh Ramblers. Treaty United's Tommy Barrett remains the longest-serving boss in the division as he takes charge of a fifth campaign in 2025.
O - Oliver Moran
Referee Oliver Moran was by far the busiest this season. He took charge of 15 games, issued the most yellow cards (72), four red cards and also the joint-most amount of the penalties (five).
P - Professionals
First Division sides aiming for promotion have to look at the bigger picture now. Going forward every Premier Division side must have a minimum of 14 professionals, with a one-year exemption for those who've just gone up. Four clubs in the First Division met the criteria in 2024 according to the PFAI where there are no such rules, but they must consider how they can bridge the gap if they do achieve promotion. Amateur teams remain in the First Division. The days of them being able to compete for promotion may be ending, however. That's why we have seen the likes of the Cobh takeover.
Q – Qualified
Bray Wanderers emerged as the surprise finalist in the play-off despite being fifth in the table. Ian Ryan resigned in May with his move from Wexford FC failing to work out. Paul Heffernan aided by Lorcan Fitzgerald took over until the latter left his role as first-team coach.
Wanderers still ended the season well to secure a play-off and defeated UCD and Athlone to bag a place in the final. They brought a great following to matches in the UCD Bowl, Dalymount Park and Tallaght Stadium. The amalgamation with Cabinteely remains a sore point; those matches reminded everyone of the potential of the Seagulls.
R – Red mist
Athlone Town's Dylan Hand had the unique record of being sent off three times in the season. Treaty United had six red cards over the course of the campaign and it certainly didn't help their efforts this year as they missed out on the play-offs. The Athlone Town midfielder and Treaty made up 50% of the red cards in the league this campaign.
S – Suspension
One of the longest bans in memory in the First Division came as UCD's Harry Curtis received a ten-match suspension for using "discriminatory language" in a clash with Kerry. Dundalk goalkeeper George Shelvey received a similar ban following a red card after their defeat to Drogheda United earlier as the FAI came down hard on such offences. The UCD youngster accepted the ban and the club promised to help educate him on such matters.
T – Town's centenary
Longford celebrated 100 years in existence this year. Unfortunately it was a campaign to forget for the midlanders. They went 12 games without victory at the start of the season and had that managerial change. Having mixed with the likes of Drogheda United and Shelbourne and reached the Premier Division in recent years, relegating the now-Premier Division champions in 2020, they've been left behind somewhat. Their 100-year birthday was marked with a game against Manchester United legends where over 3,000 fans attended Bishopsgate. But they struggled with crowds for league matches.
U – Jaden Umeh
A moment of history this year as Jaden Umeh became Cork City's youngster ever goal-scorer at the age of 15 by scoring against Wexford.
He made 15 appearances, finding the net twice, before joining Portuguese side Benfica. His older brother Franco is on the books at Crystal Palace having already left the Rebels and has been on the bench six times in the Premier League.
V – Veteran
Greg Bolger played 31 games as he made a return to City this season for a second spell. In a young man's league, the Wexford man provided leadership and experience in the middle of the park. Tim Clancy rewarded Bolger with an extension so he will be back in the top flight next year as he approaches a 37th birthday. One of the greats of the League of Ireland in the last two decades.
W – Wade and Walsh
Cork City have had plenty of 'keeping woes in recent seasons with the relegation season seeing them change goalkeeper constantly. Brad Wade brought stability for the First Division champions and there was disappointment that he will not stay on at Turner's Cross after being unhappy at the terms of a new contract.
Elsewhere Sligo Rovers stopper Conor Walsh shone during a loan spell at Wexford in the second half of the season as they won six games on the spin from August onwards and reached the FAI Cup semi-finals. He will return to his parent club next year where he could be set to take the number one spot at the age of 19 as Ed McGinty's future is unclear with Shamrock Rovers interest.
X – X for the Cross closing
The nickname for Cork City's home Turner's Cross, which closed in April and left the eventual First Division champions on the road for two months.
The Munster FA said "extensive damage" was caused to the surface caused by Cork derby clash in April. Cobh were playing games at the venue as well early in the year as work on St Colman's Park's new pitch was carried out. The stadium reopened in May. It was something of a lowlight in the year.
Y – Young Player of the Year
"My goodness, gracious me"
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) July 12, 2024
Cathal O'Sullivan, again. #LOI | @CorkCityFC pic.twitter.com/yhZFFPceTl
Cathal O'Sullivan was nominated for this award in their entire League of Ireland, not just the First Division, so impressive were his performances.
The 17-year-old scored some stunning goals, notching seven in 28 ganes, with his cultured left-foot and class on the ball showing why his future is bright.
Dropping to the First Division was a huge setback for City, but it was a superb platform for O'Sullivan to shine this year. He will be one to watch in next year's Premier Division.
Z – Zilch
Kerry FC failed to win a game on the road. Apologies to the Kingdom but it is worth noting they didn't pick up three points on their travels and it will sure to be a target next year.
It is not easy joining the league as a new side and it remains very early days. The Kerry project will take time to build; the FAI Cup quarter-final with Bohemians where they came so close to an upset on penalties was an example of their growth.
