| Season | 1996–97 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Kilkenny City |
| Promoted | Drogheda United |
| Top goalscorer | Richie Hale: 13 (Kilkenny City) Tony Izzi: 13 (Cobh Ramblers)[1] |
1997–98 → | |
The1996–97 League of Ireland First Division season was the 12th season of theLeague of Ireland First Division.
The First Division was contested by 10 teams andKilkenny City won the division.[2][3]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilkenny City A.F.C. | 27 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 47 | 20 | +27 | 55 | Promoted toPremier Division |
| 2 | Drogheda United F.C. | 27 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 44 | 27 | +17 | 44 | |
| 3 | Waterford United F.C. | 27 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 41 | 28 | +13 | 44 | Lost promotion/relegation play-off |
| 4 | Athlone Town A.F.C. | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 37 | |
| 5 | Cobh Ramblers F.C. | 27 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 35 | |
| 6 | Galway United F.C. | 27 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 38 | −5 | 35 | |
| 7 | Longford Town F.C. | 27 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 31 | 38 | −7 | 34 | |
| 8 | Monaghan United F.C. | 27 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 46 | −16 | 30 | |
| 9 | St Francis F.C.[a] | 27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 29 | 33 | −4 | 28 | |
| 10 | Limerick F.C. | 27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 55 | −32 | 20 |
Third placedWaterford United played off againstDundalk F.C. who finished in tenth place in the1996–97 League of Ireland Premier Division. The winner would compete in the1997–98 League of Ireland Premier Division.
Dundalk F.C. won 3–1 on aggregate and retained their place in thePremier Division.[2][3]