Football League of Ireland 2005

The 2005 Football League of Ireland season began on Friday 18 March 2005 and ended with the FAI Cup Final on Sunday December 4^th. This season saw the Premier Divsision expanded to include twelve teams with the First Division now reduced to ten. This was the opposite to what it had been before. The league's management committee also announced changes regarding the prize money for the season. The total fund was increased from €100,000 to around €450,000. [cite news|title= Eircom League season launched|date=2005-03-14|publisher= rte.ie|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0314/eircomleague.html ] At the end of the season Cork City became league champions but were beaten in the cup final by Drogheda United.

eircom League Season

Premier Division

The season began on 18^th March with four matches getting the season underway. The league's biggest derby between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemian F.C. ended in a 1-1 draw. Bray Wanderers and Derry City both recorded victories but the surprise on the opening day was holders and favourites Shelbourne drew 1-1 at home to U.C.D.. Shelbourne did improve, however, and, at the end of the month, along with Cork City and Bray Wanderers were the early leaders, all on seven points with three games played.

April saw Shelbourne march to the top of the table with victories in all their matches bar one - a 0-0 draw against Derry City. They definitely looked like the team to beat. Meanwhile, at the bottom it looked like that it might be a season of struggle for Finn Harps who had yet to register a victory. It was also a disappointing start for both Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers who were the other two clubs in the bottom three. Shamrock Rovers also entered examinership (a form of administration) due to their financial troubles. It was reported that they were in debt but did have a reasonable chance of surviving so the High Court ruled that an examiner should be appointed. [cite news|title= Examiner appointed to Shamrock Rovers|date=2005-04-12|publisher= rte.ie|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0412/shamrockrovers.html ]

In May there was big developments at both the top and bottom of the table with the bottom the more significant. Shamrock Rovers were deducted eight points for a 'serious breach of the licensing process'. When the club went into examinership it was discovered that they were €2,360,000 in debt and this financial and accounting information was not given when applying for a UEFA License. Many people were of the opinion that they got off lightly, however, as it was expected that they might be automatically relegated to the First Division or suffer expulsion from the league altogether. [cite news|title= Rovers hit the bottom after 8-point deduction|date=2005-05-14|publisher= rte.ie|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0514/shamrockrovers.html ] At the end of the month this left them on three points and last in the table. On the field there was some surprises at the top of the table. Shelbourne, who at the start of the campaign looked like they might stroll to the league title, were beaten in successive matches. The second of these defeats was to Cork City who lead the table after this victory by three points.

Shelbourne's poor form continued into the month of June. A 1-1 draw with U.C.D. was followed by a disappointing home defeat to Shamrock Rovers. They eventually ended their five game winless streak with a 4-2 victory at Waterford but at this stage had certainly handed the initiative over to Cork City who still led the way by three points but had now played a game less. Derry, also, had cut the gap to second place Shelbourne to four points and had two games in hand over them. At the bottom of the table Shamrock Rovers were still bottom and were now five points behind 11^th place Finn Harps after the big relegation clash between the two sides finished 4-1 in the Donegal side's favour. Without doubt Shamrock Rovers were in danger of being relegated for the first time in their history.

At the end of July it looked as there was only one place that the league title was going and that was to Cork. With over half of the campaign gone they were now an incredible fourteen points clear of Shelbourne who had dropped to third place. The only team with any chance of catching Cork appeared to be Derry. They were seven points adrift of the league leaders but did have a game in hand. At the other end Finn Harps were now last. Shamrock Rovers had overtaken them and looked like that they could escape from trouble. At this stage they were just three points behind Waterford United in 10^th place.

It seemed like the title might go to the wire now. With exactly two thirds of the season gone Cork were now just three points ahead of Derry. Shelbourne were definitely out of the title race. They were still fourteen points behind the league leaders. They just seemed to be in a battle for a European spot with Longford, Drogheda and Bohemians who were separated by four points. Shamrock Rovers were out of the bottom two after gaining seven points from their three matches in August. Probably the most important result was the 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Waterford United. Going on Rovers current form, it seemed like they may pull clear from danger leaving Finn Harps and Waterford United to battle to avoid automatic relegation.

With just goal difference separating the top two now it was certainly going to be nail-biting climax to the season but crucially Cork City had played a game less. Shelbourne had now cemented a European spot. They were ten points clear of their nearest rivals. At the foot of the table it looked like a gap was opening up between the bottom two and the rest. It seemed a straight dogfight between Finn Harps and Waterford United to see who would go down automatically and who would enter the relegation/promotion playoff. There was still time for that to change, however, as U.C.D., Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic were still not entirely safe.

Going into the final month of the league season only three goals on goal difference could separate leaders Cork from Derry but the end of October provided a few shocks as both the top two suffered home defeats to relegation battlers. These results coupled with Shamrock Rovers defeat to Bray Wanderers proved disastrous for Rovers as they dropped back down to eleventh place although they had played a game less and were just a point behind Waterford United and three adrift of U.C.D. and St Patrick's Athletic. Finn Harps were all but down at this stage. They were five points behind Rovers with just three games remaining.

The final of the day league would prove to be an exciting affair. With Derry taking full advantage of Cork City's draw against Shelbourne the previous weekend, they were now top. All they needed was a point to seal their first league title since 1997. The only trouble was that their final match was away to their title rivals Cork. What a game there was in prospect. One thing was certain was that the trophy would be leaving Dublin for the first time since Derry's last title. Unfortunately for Shamrock Rovers there would be no last day drama for them. They were consigned to a relegation /promotion playoff after a 2-1 defeat to Waterford United. Finn Harps were also officially relegated on the penultimate day.

The 18^th of November arrived and all eyes were on Turner's Cross for the league title decider. Cork City started the better and nearly scored inside thirty seconds when John O'Flynn headed just over the crossbar. They were not to be denied however, and struck the deserved lead goal when O'Flynn headed home from a Roy O'Donovan cross. Cork dominated the rest of the opening half but it seemed that the second killer goal woul just not come. It didn't until the 16^th minute of the second half when Denis Behan set up Liam Kearney to score. Derry never gave up, however, and were close to pulling a goal back but Michael Devine managed to pull off a fine save from a Pat McCourt header. It was to be Cork City's day, though, as they went on to see the match out and clinch their second league title. [cite news|title= Cork City clinch eircom League crown|date=2005-11-18|publisher= rte.ie|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1118/corkcity1.html ] The final table looked like this:

Awards

*PFAI eircom League Player of the Year
**Mark Farren - Derry City

*PFAI eircom League Young Player of the Year
**Pat McCourt - Derry City

Off-Field Issues

Shamrock Rovers

In April Shamrock Rovers financial difficulties really came to light. The High Court ruled that an examiner should be appointed at the club. He discovered that they had debts amounting to €2,360,000 . The following month it was made public that this information was not given by the club when they applied for a UEFA License for the new season. This was a very serious breach of the rules and many people expected a severe punishment for them .Punishments such as immediate relegation or even complete expulsion from the league were talked about. Eventually the authorities decided that the club should be docked eight points. At the time it seemed that Rovers had got off lightly but at the end of the season these points proved crucial in condemning the club to a relegation/promotion playoff which of course they lost. [cite news|title= Rovers hit the bottom after 8-point deduction|date= 2005-05-14|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0514/shamrockrovers.html ] This certainly did not help the financial situation at the club and they were danger of going out of business. Fortunately for the club, a fans trust was able to take over the club and keep them from becoming extinct. [cite news|title= New dawn beckons for Rovers |date= 2005-07-16|publisher= irish examiner.ie |url= http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2005/07/16/story612671464.asp ] Towards the end of the season Roddy Collins was sacked as manager of the club despite having a year left on his contract. He was replaced by Alan O'Neill for the playoff games. Roddy Collins took this dismissal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal. A settlement was eventually reached the following year.. [cite news|title= Sacked Shamrock Rovers manager settles unfair dismissal claim|date= 2006-11-17|publisher= ireland.com|url= http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2006/1117/1163702728072.html ]

Prize Money

The prize funds for the season more than quadrupled. The top clubs also got a financial from the Setanta Cup. The following table shows how eircom League prize money was distributed for the season. [cite news|title= Cash bonanza for eircom League clubs|date= 2005-03-07|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0307/eircomleague.html ]

Attendances

Attendance figures increased this season in relation to previous seasons. The total attendance over all competitions for the season was 520,000 - a 6% increase on the previous season. The highest league attendance of the season came at Turner's Cross for the title decider at the end of the season between Cork City and Derry City. 8,000 spectators were at the game. The biggest attendance of the season came in the FAI Cup Final. 24,521 people made the journey to Lansdowne Road to watch the final. [cite news|title= Soccer viewing and attendance figures up|date= 2005-12-10|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1210/eircomleague.html ]

Media Coverage

The FAI agreed a new TV Rights deal for this season. This deal will run until 2009. The main terms of the agreement are:
*At least 29 games live each season
**RTÉ 8 matches (5 league and 3 FAI Cup)
**TG4 11 (7 league and 5 FAI Cup)
**Setanta 10 (all league)
*This allowed the increase in prize money. [cite news|title= FAI agrees unique TV rights deal
date= 2005-02-25|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0225/eircomleague.html ]
*Home clubs in 17 live games will receive €5,000
*Home clubs in other 12 live matches will get €2,000. [cite news|title= Cash bonanza for eircom League clubs|date= 2005-03-07|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0307/eircomleague.html ]

TV viewing figures for the season proved to be in excess of 1 million. In the end 44 matches were televised live with the highest viewing figure of 355,000 for the league title decider. 285,000 people watched the FAI Cup Final. [cite news|title= Soccer viewing and attendance figures up|date= 2005-12-10|publisher= rte.ie|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1210/eircomleague.html ]

See also

*Setanta Sports Cup 2005
*FAI Cup 2005
*Football League of Ireland Cup 2005

References

External links

* [http://www.soccerbot.com Soccerbot]
* [http://www.fai.ie FAI Website]
* [http://www.irishfootballonline.com Irish Football Online]
* [http://www.rissc.co.uk RISSC Website]