Dundalk finished the 33-round season in 11th position, requiring them to play a promotion/relegation play-off against Waterford United of the First Division; a tie which they won on aggregate, thus retaining their place in the Premier Division for the 2013 season.

[2] Manager Sean McCaffrey resigned in July with the club rooted to the bottom of the table and financial losses mounting.

He was replaced by his assistant, Darius Kierans, in a caretaker role.

[3] The club's owner, Gerry Matthews put the club up for sale, and with the assistance of a Supporters Trust, it was taken over by local businessmen Andy Connolly and Paul Brown (owners of the team's official sponsors, Fastfix) before the end of the season.

[4] Dundalk won the play-off 4–2 on aggregate and remained in the Premier Division