1938–39 League of Ireland
# 1938–39 League of Ireland

The 1938–39 League of Ireland was the eighteenth season of the League of Ireland. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions.

Shamrock Rovers won their sixth title, and in doing so, became the first team to successfully defend their title.

## Overview

Cork folded during the previous season, with Cork City taking their place.

## Teams

| Team | Location | Stadium |
| - | - | - |
| Bohemians | Dublin (Phibsborough) | Dalymount Park |
| Bray Unknowns | Bray | Carlisle Grounds |
| Brideville | Dublin (The Liberties) | Harold's Cross Stadium |
| Cork City | Cork | Mardyke |
| Drumcondra | Dublin (Clonturk) | Clonturk Park |
| Dundalk | Dundalk | Oriel Park |
| Limerick | Limerick | Markets Field |
| St. James's Gate | Dublin (Crumlin) | St. James's Park |
| Shamrock Rovers | Dublin (Milltown) | Glenmalure Park |
| Shelbourne | Dublin (Ringsend) | Shelbourne Park |
| Sligo Rovers | Sligo | The Showgrounds |
| Waterford | Waterford | Kilcohan Park |

## Table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Shamrock Rovers | 22 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 60 | 32 | +28 | 36 |
| 2 | Sligo Rovers | 22 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 27 |
| 3 | Dundalk | 22 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 48 | 31 | +17 | 27 |
| 4 | St James's Gate | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 59 | 48 | +11 | 23 |
| 5 | Limerick | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 36 | 38 | −2 | 22 |
| 6 | Shelbourne | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 40 | 48 | −8 | 22 |
| 7 | Bohemians | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 41 | 46 | −5 | 20 |
| 8 | Drumcondra | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 38 | 45 | −7 | 18 |
| 9 | Bray Unknowns | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 18 |
| 10 | Brideville | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 37 | 49 | −12 | 18 |
| 11 | Cork City | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 39 | 49 | −10 | 17 |
| 12 | Waterford | 22 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 59 | −23 | 16 |

## Results

| Home \ Away | BOH | BRY | BRI | COC | DRU | DUN | LIM | SHM | SHE | SLI | STG | WAT |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Bohemians | — | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–3 |
| Bray Unknowns | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 2–2 |
| Brideville | 3–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 2–5 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 5–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 |
| Cork City | 3–0 | 4–2 | 4–0 | — | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–5 | 3–2 |
| Drumcondra | 0–1 | 1–4 | 2–1 | 0–1 | — | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 |
| Dundalk | 3–2 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 0–2 | 5–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
| Limerick | 0–2 | 7–0 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 3–2 | 2–1 | — | 0–2 | 4–2 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 3–2 |
| Shamrock Rovers | 2–2 | 5–3 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–2 | 0–0 | — | 0–1 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 |
| Shelbourne | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 3–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | — | 3–2 | 3–1 | 4–1 |
| Sligo Rovers | 4–0 | 2–1 | 6–1 | 4–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 3–2 | — | 5–1 | 7–1 |
| St James's Gate | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–5 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 2–3 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 7–3 | 3–0 | — | 4–1 |
| Waterford | 4–7 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | — |

## Top goalscorers

| Pos | Player | Club | Goals |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Patrick Bradshaw | St James's Gate | 22 |
