The 2002–03 season would see the League of Ireland Premier Division reduced from 12 to 10 teams.
[2][3] The season is best remembered for the controversy involving allegations of St Patrick's Athletic fielding ineligible players.
St. Pat's originally had 9 points deducted for fielding Paul Marney in the first three games of the season.
It was then discovered by the Shelbourne chief executive, Ollie Byrne, that Charles Livingstone Mbabazi had not been registered by St. Pat's for the first five games of the season and so the club had 15 points deducted, three points for each game.
Longford Town win 6-5 on penalties after extra time and retain their place in the Premier Division.