# 1948–49 League of Ireland

The 1948–49 League of Ireland was the 28th season of senior football in the Republic of Ireland.
Drumcondra were the defending champions.

## Changes from 1947–48

Two new teams were elected to the League: Sligo Rovers returned after an eight-year absence, while Transport made their début. This resulted in an expansion in size for the first time in six seasons, from eight to ten.
For the first time in the history of the League, there were more teams from outside Dublin (six) than from Dublin (four).

## Teams

| Team | Location | Stadium |
| Bohemians | Dublin (Phibsborough) | Dalymount Park |
| Cork United | Cork | Mardyke |
| Cork Athletic | Cork | Mardyke |
| Drumcondra | Dublin (Clonturk) | Clonturk Park |
| Dundalk | Dundalk | Oriel Park |
| Limerick | Limerick | Markets Field |
| Shamrock Rovers | Dublin (Milltown) | Glenmalure Park |
| Shelbourne | Dublin (Ringsend) | Shelbourne Park |
| Sligo Rovers | Sligo | The Showgrounds |
| Transport | Bray | Carlisle Grounds |
| Waterford | Waterford | Kilcohan Park |

## Season overview

Cork United resigned from the League on 10 October 1948 and disbanded following their participation in the Dublin City Cup. Cork Athletic were founded with a new board and elected in their place.
Drumcondra successfully defended their title.

## Table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Drumcondra | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 34 | 23 | +11 | 29 |
| 2 | Shelbourne | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 39 | 23 | +16 | 23 |
| 3 | Dundalk | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 24 | +9 | 23 |
| 4 | Shamrock Rovers | 18 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 33 | 25 | +8 | 20 |
| 5 | Transport | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 35 | 41 | −6 | 18 |
| 6 | Limerick | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 35 | −8 | 17 |
| 7 | Waterford | 18 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 39 | 34 | +5 | 15 |
| 8 | Sligo Rovers | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 31 | 37 | −6 | 13 |
| 9 | Cork Athletic | 18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 33 | 41 | −8 | 13 |
| 10 | Bohemians | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 28 | 49 | −21 | 9 |

## Results

| Home \ Away | BOH | CAT | DRU | DUN | LIM | SHM | SHE | SLI | TRA | WAT |
| Bohemians | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 0–6 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–2 |
| Cork Athletic | 3–1 | — | 2–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–4 | 2–5 | 3–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 |
| Drumcondra | 3–2 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–4 |
| Dundalk | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 |
| Limerick | 2–1 | 5–2 | 0–1 | 3–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 |
| Shamrock Rovers | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 3–0 | 0–0 | — | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–1 |
| Shelbourne | 0–0 | 0–1 | 3–4 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 1–0 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 |
| Sligo Rovers | 3–1 | 5–2 | 0–1 | 3–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | — | 1–1 | 0–3 |
| Transport | 4–3 | 2–6 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 6–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–3 | — | 2–0 |
| Waterford | 5–2 | 1–0 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 5–0 | — |

## Top goalscorers

| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Bernard Lester | Transport | 12 |
| 1 | Eugene Noonan | Waterford | 12 |
| 1 | Patrick O'Leary | Cork Athletic | 12 |
| 4 | Brendan Carroll | Shelbourne | 10 |
| 4 | George Sergeant | Sligo Rovers | 10 |
| 6 | Kit Lawlor | Drumcondra | 9 |
| 6 | Paddy Mullen | Shamrock Rovers | 9 |
| 8 | Emmet McLoughlin | Bohemians | 8 |
| 8 | Gerry Malone | Shelbourne | 8 |
| 8 | Peadar Walsh | Dundalk | 8 |