League of Ireland B Division
| Country |
 Ireland |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1964 |
| Folded | 2005 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 (1964–1985) 3 (1985–2005) |
| Domestic cup(s) |
FAI Cup FAI Intermediate Cup |
| League cup(s) | Blackthorn Trophy Castrol Trophy Egan C&C Trophy |
The League of Ireland B Division is a former league within the Republic of Ireland football league system. Its debut season was 1964–65. It was originally a second level league. However following the emergence of the League of Ireland First Division in 1985–86 it became a third level league. Like the later A Championship, the League of Ireland B included a mixture of League of Ireland reserve teams and the first teams of emerging clubs. There was no relegation and promotion to and from the senior League of Ireland division. However a number of B Division teams, including Home Farm, Bray Wanderers, Athlone Town, UCD, Longford Town and Monaghan United, were subsequently elected to the senior division. In later seasons the league was usually referred to as the Reserve Division. In 2000 it was replaced by the League of Ireland U21 Division.
The ten founding members in 1964–65 included Home Farm, Bray Wanderers, Athlone Town, Shamrock Rovers B plus the reserve teams of Shelbourne, Bohemians, St Patrick's Athletic, Dundalk, Drumcondra and Drogheda. The 1965-66 season saw the league expanded to include twelve teams. Bray Wanderers dropped out, while Dalkey United, Ormeau and Tullamore Town all joined. Early sponsors of the league included Blackthorn Cider and Castrol. During the early seasons teams competed for two trophies. The Blackthorn Trophy was initially awarded to the overall winners of the league. The Castrol Trophy was awarded to the winners of a single round league. The 1967–68 season saw Belgrove replace Ormeau, Athlone Town win the Castrol Trophy and Shamrock Rovers B win the Blackthorn Trophy. In 1968–69 Athlone Town won both the Castrol Trophy and Blackthorn Trophy, finishing six points clear of St Patrick's Athletic. The following season, 1969–70, saw Athlone Town take up a place in the League of Ireland senior division. In 1970 UCD were elected to the League Of Ireland B Division. Their senior team would continue to play in the B Division until 1979–80 when they were elected to join the Senior Division. Among the players who played for UCD during this time were Kevin Moran and Hugo MacNeill. In the 1978–79 McNeill was UCD's top scorer was with 46 goals. A popular myth also alleges that Sócrates may have played for UCD during time. In 1975 Dublin University also joined and they were coached by Liam Tuohy. Hugo MacNeill would also play for Dublin University
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