The 2026 League of Ireland First Division, known as the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division for sponsorship reasons, is the 42nd season of the League of Ireland First Division for men's football.[1] The competition is scheduled to run from 13 February 2026 and until 16 October 2026.[2]
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13 February 2026 – 16 October 2026 |
| Matches | 94 |
| Goals | 233 (2.48 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Sean Maguire (8 goals) |
| Biggest home win | UCD 4–0 Cobh Ramblers (27 March 2026) Cobh Ramblers 4–0 Treaty United (6 April 2026) Bray Wanderers 5–1 Cobh Ramblers (8 May 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Cobh Ramblers 0–3 Wexford (13 February 2026) Wexford 1–4 Cork City (20 February 2026) Treaty United 0–3 UCD (24 April 2026) |
| Highest scoring | UCD 3–4 Bray Wanderers (15 May 2026) |
| Longest winning run | 4 matches UCD |
| Longest unbeaten run | 11 matches Cork City |
| Longest winless run | 7 matches Bray Wanderers Kerry |
| Longest losing run | 4 matches Finn Harps |
| Highest attendance | 5,366 Cork City 4–2 Kerry (6 April 2026) |
| Lowest attendance | 209 UCD 0–0 Wexford (6 April 2026) |
| Total attendance | 75,660 |
| Average attendance | 970 |
← 2025 2027 →
All statistics correct as of 16 May 2026. | |
Teams
edit
Team changes
editThe 2025 League of Ireland First Division, saw Dundalk promoted after one season in the First Division.[3][4] They replaced Cork City who were relegated from the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division after a single season in the Premier Division.[5]
Stadia and locations
edit| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town | Athlone | Athlone Town Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bray Wanderers | Bray | Carlisle Grounds | 4,000 |
| Cobh Ramblers | Cobh | St. Colman's Park | 3,000 |
| Cork City | Cork | Munster FA Turner's Cross Stadium | 7,485 |
| Finn Harps | Ballybofey | Finn Park | 6,000 |
| Kerry | Tralee | Mounthawk Park | 1,200 |
| Longford Town | Longford | Bishopsgate | 5,097 |
| Treaty United | Limerick | Markets Field | 5,000 |
| UCD | Dublin | UCD Bowl | 3,000 |
| Wexford | Crossabeg | Ferrycarrig Park | 2,500 |
Personnel and kits
editNote: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town |  Ian Ryan |
Oisín Duffy |
Macron | |
| Bray Wanderers | Paul Heffernan |
Jimmy Corcoran |
Capelli Sport[6] | OutdoorLiving.ie |
| Cobh Ramblers | Fran Rockett |
Shane Griffin |
Uhlsport | Caltech Electrical Supplies[7] |
| Cork City |  Barry Robson |
Sean Maguire |
Rebel Army | Zeus Packaging[8] |
| Finn Harps | Kevin McHugh |
Tony McNamee[9] |
Joma | Kernans[10] |
| Kerry | Colin Healy |
Sean McGrath[11] |
Macron[12] | Kerry Airport[13] |
| Longford Town | Wayne Groves |
Dean George |
Umbro | |
| Treaty United | Tommy Barrett |
Mark Walsh[14] |
O'Neills | Trade Electric Group |
| UCD | William O'Connor |
Ronan Finn |
O'Neills | Maples Group |
| Wexford | Stephen Elliott |
Aaron Dobbs |
Macron | Campion Insurance |
Managerial Changes
edit| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of
departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of
appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cobh Ramblers | Richie Holland (interim) |
End of interim spell | 3 November 2025 | Pre-season | Fran Rockett[15] |
3 November 2025 |
| Cork City | Gerard Nash[16] |
Resigned | 23 December 2025 | Barry Robson[17] |
11 January 2026 |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cork City | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 34 | 11 | +23 | 42 | Promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division |
| 2 | UCD | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 28 | 18 | +10 | 30 | Qualification for the First Division play-offs |
| 3 | Cobh Ramblers | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 28 | |
| 4 | Bray Wanderers | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 24 | +8 | 27 | |
| 5 | Wexford | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 23 | 25 | −2 | 25 | |
| 6 | Longford Town | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 22 | |
| 7 | Athlone Town | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 22 | |
| 8 | Finn Harps | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 28 | −11 | 18 | |
| 9 | Kerry | 18 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 17 | 24 | −7 | 16 | |
| 10 | Treaty United | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 27 | −10 | 15 |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2026. Source: SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Results
editTeams play each other four times (twice at home and twice away).
Positions by round
editTo preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Promotion to 2027 League of Ireland Premier Division | |
| Qualification for League of Ireland Premier Division play-off |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 May 2026. Source: SSE Airtricity Men's First Division
Season statistics
editTop scorers
edit- As of 16 May 2026
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[18] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Maguire |
Cork City | 8 |
| 2 | Ciaran Behan |
UCD | 7 |
| Ben McCormack |
Bray Wanderers | ||
| Dylan McGlade |
Cobh Ramblers | ||
 Hans Mpongo |
Cork City | ||
| 6 | Cian Curtis |
Treaty United | 6 |
| Jake Doyle |
Wexford | ||
| Hugh Smith |
UCD | ||
| 9 | Cillian Tollett |
Athlone Town | 5 |
| Mikie Walsh-Rowe |
Wexford |
Hat-tricks
edit| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan McGlade |
Cobh Ramblers | Treaty United | 4–0 (H) | 6 April 2026 | [19] |
| Sean Maguire |
Cork City | Kerry | 4–2 (H) | [20] | |
| Ben McCormack |
Bray Wanderers | Cobh Ramblers | 5–1 (H) | 8 May 2026 | [21] |
| Hans Mpongo |
Cork City | UCD | 3–1 (H) | [22] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "League of Ireland season to begin earlier in 2026". RTÉ. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ↑ "2026 SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Fixture List". League of Ireland. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ↑ "Dundalk dispatch Finn Harps to seal promotion to Premier Division". RTE Sport. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ "Richie Towell: Dundalk delight but readiness for Premier Division return a concern". RTE Sport. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ "Shels nab late winner to confirm Cork City's relegation". RTE Sport. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bray Wanderers FC x Capelli Sport". Capelli Sport. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Caltech Electrical Supplies Proud New Premier Partner / Front of Shirt Sponsor of Cobh Ramblers FC". Cobh Ramblers. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "City & Zeus Extend Partnership!". Cork City. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Tony McNamee Named Club Captain". Finn Harps. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Kernans Renew Sponsorship for 2026". Finn Harps. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ Brennan, Paul (5 February 2025). "Sean McGrath will captain Kerry FC for 2025 League of Ireland season". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Macron become Kerry FC's new Technical Kit Partner". Kerry FC. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Kerry Airport Ireland Announced as Proud Front-of-Jersey Sponsor of Kerry FC Kit". Kerry. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Treaty United confirm captain for 2024 SSE Airtricity League season". www.limerickleader.ie. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Cobh Ramblers FC Appoint Fran Rockett as Men's Senior Head Coach - Cobh Ramblers Football Club". Cobh Ramblers. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Ger Nash Steps Down". Cork City. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Barry Robson Becomes Cork City FC Manager". Cork City. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "2026 League of Ireland First Division | Top Scorers". Extra Time. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ O'Connell, Dylan (6 April 2026). "McGlade's hat-trick helps Cobh hammer toothless Treaty for first home win". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
- ↑ "Over 5,000 watch leaders Cork hit Kerry with devastating revival in Munster derby". RTÉ Sport. 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Gorman, Daniel (8 May 2026). "Bray Wanderers end winless run with emphatic 5-1 win over Cobh Ramblers". Irish Independent.
- ↑ Barry, Stephen (8 May 2026). "First Div: Cork dispatch UCD in top of the table clash amid renewed protests". RTÉ Sport.