1985–86 League of Ireland First Division

The 1985–86 League of Ireland First Division season was the first season of the League of Ireland First Division. The inaugural First Division featured ten teams. Bray Wanderers won the title.

League of Ireland First Division

Season	1985–86
Champions	Bray Wanderers
Promoted	Sligo Rovers
Top goalscorer	Con McLoughlin: 11 (Finn Harps) Harry McLoughlin: 11 (Sligo Rovers) [1]
1986–87 →

Overview

In 1985 five teams – Bray Wanderers, Cobh Ramblers, Derry City, E.M.F.A. and Newcastle United – were elected to join the League of Ireland. All five subsequently participated in the inaugural 1985–86 First Division season, along with Monaghan United from the League of Ireland B Division and four clubs – Drogheda United, Finn Harps, Longford Town and Sligo Rovers – who were relegated following the 1984–85 League of Ireland season. Bray Wanderers were the inaugural First Division champions.^[2][3][4]

Final table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
1	Bray Wanderers (C)	18	11	6	1	30	10	+20	28	Promotion to the Premier Division
2	Sligo Rovers	18	11	5	2	32	13	+19	27
3	Longford Town	18	10	5	3	29	23	+6	25
4	Derry City	18	8	6	4	31	18	+13	22
5	Drogheda United	18	5	8	5	20	18	+2	18
6	Cobh Ramblers	18	5	5	8	14	25	−11	15
7	Finn Harps	18	3	7	8	23	31	−8	13
8	Newcastle United[a]	18	5	3	10	21	33	−12	13
9	Monaghan United	18	4	3	11	19	32	−13	11
10	E.M.F.A.	18	1	6	11	21	37	−16	8

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
(C) Champions
Notes:

1. Newcastle United F.C. changed their club name to Newcastlewest F.C. for the 1986–87 season.

See also

• 1985–86 League of Ireland Premier Division