| Select Year | ||
Paul Doolin replaced Mathews as manager for the 2009 season, and the side gained a number of positive results early in 2009 – including defeating Roy Keane’s touring Ipswich Town 2-0.
Despite these on pitch results however, the club’s future was left in considerable doubt following a High Court decision on outstanding Revenue receipts. A “winding up” order was issued when no agreement could be reached on tax payments. The club were given several extensions to pay or to appeal, and the club narrowly staved off closure by meeting a final deadline. Doolin left at the end of 2009, after leading the club to a third place finish.
Note 1: Cork City were expelled from Premier Division after its holding company was wound up by the High Court.
Note 2: Derry City were expelled from Premier Division after accusations of players using unofficial secondary contracts.
Note 3: Despite losing the relegation play-off to Drogheda United, Bray Wanderers retained their place in the Premier Division after Cork City and Derry City were relegated.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bohemians (C) | 36 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 62 | 21 | 41 | 77 |
| 2 |  Shamrock Rovers | 36 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 51 | 27 | 24 | 73 |
| 3 |  Cork City (R) [Note 1] | 36 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 28 | 14 | 60 |
| 4 |  Derry City (R) [Note 2] | 36 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 49 | 31 | 18 | 59 |
| 5 |  Dundalk | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 46 | 51 | −5 | 44 |
| 6 |  St. Patrick's Athletic | 36 | 13 | 4 | 19 | 29 | 46 | −17 | 43 |
| 7 |  Sligo Rovers | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 41 | 51 | −10 | 43 |
| 8 |  Galway United | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 36 | 57 | −21 | 42 |
| 9 |  Drogheda United | 36 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 32 | 50 | −18 | 32 |
| 10 |  Bray Wanderers [Note 3] | 36 | 6 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 56 | −26 | 28 |
