1985–86 League of Ireland
The 1985–86 League of Ireland was the first season of the Premier Division and First Division. The Premier Division was made up of 12 teams, while the First Division was made up of 10 teams. 6 new teams were elected to the League of Ireland, all participating in the First Division.
Contents
Overview
Premier Division
The Premier Division was contested by 12 teams and Shamrock Rovers F.C. won the championship. The top 12 teams from the 1984–85 League of Ireland automatically qualified for the Premier Division.
First Division
The First Division was contested by 10 teams and Bray Wanderers A.F.C. won the division.
Teams
Stadia and locations
Premier Division
| Team | Base | Stadium | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone Town | Athlone | St Mel's Park |  Con Flanagan |
| Bohemians | Dublin | Dalymount Park | Billy Young |
| Cork City | Cork | Turners Cross | Noel O'Mahoney |
| Dundalk | Dundalk | Oriel Park | Turlough O'Connor |
| Galway United | Galway | Terryland Park | Tony Mannion |
| Home Farm | Dublin | Tolka Park | Mick Lawlor |
| Limerick | Limerick | Jackman Park | Joe O'Mahoney |
| Shamrock Rovers | Dublin | Glenmalure Park |  Jim McLaughlin |
| Shelbourne | Dublin | Harold's Cross Stadium | Paddy Mulligan |
| St Patrick's Athletic | Dublin | Richmond Park | Jimmy Jackson |
| Waterford United | Waterford | Kilcohan Park | Alfie Hale |
| UCD | Dublin | UCD Bowl |
Premier Division
| Pos | Club | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Notes |
| 1 | Shamrock Rovers F.C. | 33 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 44 | 17 | +27 | 1986-87 European Cup First round |
| 2 | Galway United F.C. | 31 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 42 | 19 | +23 | 1986-87 UEFA Cup First round |
| 3 | Dundalk F.C. | 30 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 36 | 16 | +20 | |
| 4 | Bohemian F.C. | 27 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 27 | 22 | +5 | |
| 5 | Waterford United F.C. | 26 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 27 | 25 | +2 | 1986-87 European Cup Winners' Cup First rounda |
| 6 | St Patrick's Athletic F.C. | 25 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 23 | 19 | +4 | |
| 7 | Limerick F.C. | 24 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 45 | 28 | +17 | |
| 8 | Athlone Town A.F.C. | 19 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 23 | 27 | -4 | |
| 9 | Home Farm F.C. | 15 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 30 | -15 | |
| 10 | Cork City F.C. | 13 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 23 | 44 | -21 | |
| 11 | Shelbourne F.C. | 13 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 40 | -25 | Relegation to the 1986-87 League of Ireland First Division |
| 12 | University College Dublin A.F.C. | 8 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 51 | -32 | Relegation to the 1986-87 League of Ireland First Division |
a: Waterford United qualified for the first round of the 1986-87 European Cup Winners' Cup by virtue of playing in the 1986 FAI Cup against European Cup-bound team Shamrock Rovers.
First Division
| Pos | Club | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 1 | Bray Wanderers A.F.C. | 28 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 30 | 10 | +20 | Promotion to the 1986-87 League of Ireland First Division |
| 2 | Sligo Rovers F.C. | 27 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 32 | 13 | +19 | Promotion to the 1986-87 League of Ireland First Division |
| 3 | Longford Town F.C. | 25 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 29 | 23 | +6 | |
| 4 | Derry City F.C. | 22 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 18 | +13 | |
| 5 | Drogheda United F.C. | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 20 | 18 | +2 | |
| 6 | Cobh Ramblers F.C. | 15 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 25 | -11 | |
| 7 | Finn Harps F.C. | 13 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 31 | -8 | |
| 8 | Newcastle United F.C.* | 13 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 33 | -12 | |
| 9 | Monaghan United F.C. | 11 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 19 | 32 | -13 | |
| 10 | E.M.F.A. | 8 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 37 | -16 |
'*'Newcastle United F.C. changed their club name to Newcastlewest F.C. for next season.
League of Ireland clubs in Europe 1985-86
European Cup
First round
After winning the league title in the previous season, Shamrock Rovers received automatic qualification into the First round of the European Cup. Shamrock Rovers were drawn against Hungarian club, Budapest Honvéd, 1984-85 Hungarian League Winners. Budapest Honvéd were the hosts for the first leg and won the game comfortably in a 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers. In the return leg, Shamrock Rovers were defeated once again 3-1, thus eliminating them from the competition.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Budapest Honvéd  |
5-1 | Shamrock Rovers |
2 - 0 | 3 - 1 |
First leg
| 18 September 1985 | Budapest Honvéd  |
2 – 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
Bozsik Stadion, Budapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dajka  36'Détári 67' |
Report |
Second leg
| 2 October 1985 | Shamrock Rovers |
1 – 3 | Budapest Honvéd |
Glenmalure Park, Dublin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coady 84' |
Report | Détári 69', 74' Cseh 85' |
Budapest Honvéd won 5–1 on aggregate.
UEFA Cup
First round
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohemians |
4-7 |  Dundee United |
2 - 5 | 2 - 2 |
European Cup Winners Cup
First round
FAI Cup Runner-ups, Galway United entered the European Cup Winners' Cup in the First round against Danish side, Lyngby BK. Galway United were defeated 1-0 in the away leg in Lyngby BK. In the second leg, United were defeated 3-2 at Terryland Park, ending their European campaign.
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lyngby BK  |
4-2 | Galway United |
1 - 0 | 3 - 2 |
