League of Ireland - First Division 2025

League of Ireland First Division Title Winners

The team that tops the League of Ireland First Division table is crowned the title winner, earning a trophy and promotion to the Premier Division for the next season.

Betting on the title winner is common, with odds typically available from preseason until one team establishes a significant lead. Currently, Cork City leads the standings, closely followed by Galway.

League of Ireland First Division Promotion

Four teams participate in the end-of-season playoffs in the First Division. If you wager on a team to earn promotion and they do so through the playoffs, your bet will be successful. Additionally, you can predict the teams that will finish in the playoff positions from second to fifth.

League of Ireland First Division Relegation

There is no relegation in the League of Ireland First Division. However, some bookmakers may provide the opportunity to bet on the team that will finish bottom of the league. In the 2022 season, Athlone Town, with just two points from their first 13 matches, appear likely to finish 9th out of 9.

League of Ireland First Division Top Teams

History of the League of Ireland First Division

The League of Ireland First Division was formed in 1985, along with the Premier Division. It came about as the FAI embarked on restructuring the domestic game in the Republic of Ireland. The inaugural campaign featured 10 teams, with two winning automatic promotions to the top flight. The promotion/relegation play-off was introduced in 1992/93.

Most Successful Sides

Drogheda United are the most successful side in the history of the League of Ireland First Division, having finished on top of the pile on five occasions. 

They are followed in the all-time rankings by Waterford, who have won the league four times. UCD, Limerick and Bray Wanderers have been crowned First Division champions three times each. Athlone Town, Dundalk, Derry City, Shelbourne, and Sligo Rovers have each triumphed twice. Longford Town, Wexford Youths, Cork City, Cobh Ramblers, Shamrock Rovers, Finn Harps, Dublin City, Kilkenny City and Galway United have all finished top of the league table once.

League of Ireland First Division Best Players

Best Current Players

Cork City and Galway United are the two teams flying high towards the top of the table this season. Ally Gilchrist, Aaron Bolger and Matthew Srbely have been stalwarts for Cork, while Galway has relied on Diego Portillo, Conor O'Keeffe and Manu Dimas.

In historical terms, Con McLoughlin of Finn Harps finished as the League of Ireland First Division top scorer on no fewer than four occasions. Longford Town's David O'Sullivan notched 42 goals in 2013 and 2014 combined, while the Serbian striker Aleksandar Krstic became a cult hero at Derry City after scoring 18 goals in the First Division in 1986/87.

Betting on League of Ireland First Division Players

Match Betting

Football primarily revolves around team dynamics, leading to popular markets focusing on team performance such as match winner, total goals, both teams to score, and handicap scoreline.

However, there are also betting opportunities centered around individual players. Predicting a goalscorer is a prevalent choice, typically categorized into 'first', 'last', and 'anytime' goalscorer. Additionally, options may include player assists, hat-tricks, shots, and cards, although availability may vary for the League of Ireland First Division. Combination wagers, like betting on Finn Harps to win against Longford Town with David Webster scoring anytime, provide further betting options.

Player Outrights

We had a look at team outright markets above. It is also possible to place similarly long-term bets on individual footballers. One of the most popular choices revolves around the top scorer prize, which is given to the player that ends the season with the most goals.