2006 League of Ireland - Eircom League Season

Eircom League Season

The eircom League season kicked off on Friday 10 March, however holders Cork City did not start their season until 18 March due to Setanta Sports Cup commitments. Drogheda United raced to an early lead in the Premier Division table, however Derry City FC, Shelbourne FC and Cork City all loomed large.

In the first division, Shamrock Rovers seemed to have no trouble adapting to their new circumstances after being relegated from the Premier Division the previous season as the Dublin club quickly went top of the table. In an extremely tight division Galway United, Limerick FC, Dundalk FC and Cobh Ramblers all had legitimate chances to top the division. Shamrock Rovers effectively clinched the First Division title with a 4–0 win over an apparently demoralised or otherwise unmotivated Finn Harps team at Tolka Park in the penultimate game of the season. The victory rendered Shamrock's lead unassailable to all but an inconceivable chain of results.

Some fans had complained the league felt very disjointed due to the Mid-Season break for the World Cup. St. Patrick's Athletic seemed worse hit as their encouraging early season form deserted them on the return. Shelbourne were the form team throughout July and August and by the start of September had assumed the lead in the race for league honours. Drogheda United and Derry City were still in contention but Cork City had faded, and lay 10 points adrift in 4th place. Stranded at the bottom Waterford United picked up its first win of the season by beating St Patrick's Athletic in Richmond Park on 1 September.