| Select Year | ||
The 2006 season was one of mixed fortunes for Cork City. A relatively solid start to the season led to the club reaching the Setanta Sports Cup final in April, where an extra-time goal led to Cup Final defeat at the hands of Drogheda United for the second time in a matter of months. The club went on to face Cypriot Side Apollon Limassol in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League, who they defeated 2-1 over two legs. Next up were the famous Red Star Belgrade who inflicted a 1-0 defeat on City at Turner’s Cross, while a 3-0 loss in the away leg saw the club bow out 4-0 on aggregate.
The European campaign took its toll as the club then went 5 games without a win which saw them lose ground in the title race. Despite this, results combined to leave the club only a matter of points behind going into the last few games, but a final day defeat away to Derry City saw the club finish the season in 4th place with the prospect of playing in the Intertoto Cup in the coming season.
Note 1: Shelbourne were relegated to the First Division for financial irregularities.
Note 2: Bohemians were deducted three points for fielding Jason McGuinness while he was suspended.
Note 3: Dublin City withdrew from league on 18 July 2006. All their results were expunged.
Note 4: Waterford lost promotion/relegation play-off but subsequently replaced Shelbourne for the 2007 season.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shelbourne (C) (R) [Note 1] | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 60 | 27 | 33 | 62 |
| 2 |  Derry City | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 46 | 20 | 26 | 62 |
| 3 |  Drogheda United | 30 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 37 | 23 | 14 | 58 |
| 4 |  Cork City | 30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 56 |
| 5 |  Sligo Rovers | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 33 | 42 | −09 | 40 |
| 6 |  UCD | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 38 |
| 7 |  St. Patrick's Athletic | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 32 | 29 | 3 | 37 |
| 8 |  Longford Town | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 23 | 27 | −04 | 34 |
| 9 |  Bohemians [Note 2] | 30 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 29 | 34 | −05 | 29 |
| 10 |  Bray Wanderers | 30 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 22 | 64 | −42 | 17 |
| 11 |  Dublin City (R) [Note 3] | 17 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 24 | –13 | 15 |
| 12 |  Waterford (R) [Note 4] | 30 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 20 | 58 | −38 | 12 |
