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The Irish Premier League - formerly the Irish Football League - and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and has historically been the league for the whole of Ireland. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world It should not be confused with the Football League of Ireland, which is the league for the Republic of Ireland. The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or later the eircom League (from the league's sponsorship by Irish telecommunications Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.
The Irish League is the second oldest national league in the world, being formed a week earlier than the Scottish Football League. Founding members The Scottish League's first season of competition was in 1890-91. Only the Football League in England is older. The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs
The Irish League was originally formed as the football league for all of Ireland in 1890 (although most of its member clubs were in fact based in what would become Northern Ireland), but became the league for Northern Ireland in 1921 after partition, with a separate league and association (the Football Association of the Irish Free State - now called the Football Association of Ireland) - being formed for the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland) in the south and west. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Year 1890 ( MDCCCXC) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar The Partition of Ireland took place on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. The Football Association of Ireland ( FAI; Irish: Cumann Peile na h-Éireann) is the governing body for the sport of association football (soccer The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe.
In its first season this league was dismissed by the Belfast Telegraph and News Letter reports of the time as the "Belfast League"because seven of the eight teams came from that city, {The league tables of the time being titled "The Belfast and District League"} and the league - and Irish football - continued to be dominated by Belfast clubs for many years. The Belfast Telegraph is a daily evening newspaper published in Belfast, Northern Ireland by Independent News and Media. The News Letter is one of Northern Ireland 's main daily newspapers published Monday to Saturday The Belfast and District League was a senior football league existing in Northern Ireland between 1890 and 1901
In 1892 Derry Olympic became the second non-Belfast side, but only lasted one season. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Derry Olympic Football Club was a Football (soccer club from Derry, Ireland that was formed in 1891 but became defunct in 1893 In 1900 Derry Celtic joined the league and in 1901 a second Derry team, St Columb's Court was added. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar Derry Celtic Football Club was a football club from Derry, Ireland. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting St Columb's Court lasted just one season, before being replaced by the league's first Dublin team, Bohemians, in 1903. Bohemian FC ( An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach) more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is an Irish Football (soccer club playing in the Year 1903 ( MCMIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting Another Dublin side, Shelbourne, was added in 1904. Shelbourne Football Club ( Irish: Cumann Peile Shelbourne) is an Irish football club playing in the FAI First Division after having Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on In 1911 Glenavon, from the County Armagh town of Lurgan replaced Bohemians, who resigned from the league, but were re-admitted in 1912. Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Lurgan ( is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland with a population of approximately 25000 Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting During 1912 there were three Dublin sides, with the addition of Tritonville, but like Derry Olympic and St Columb's Court before them, they lasted just one season. Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting Derry Celtic also dropped out in 1913, so that when the Irish League split due to partition in 1921, Glenavon was the only non-Belfast team left. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1921 ( MCMXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1921 calendar of the Gregorian calendar
During the 1920s, however, the league expanded and soon achieved a good geographic spread across Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, it was not until 1952 that a team from outside Belfast (Glenavon) was crowned champions. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Derry City, now of the League of Ireland, played in the Irish League from 1929 until 1972 but eventually resigned during the Troubles after the League voted narrowly to continue a ban on their home ground imposed by the security forces, after the security forces had lifted it. Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, The FAI eircom League of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland 's current national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
In 2003, the Irish Football Association took direct charge of Northern Ireland's national league with the creation of the Irish Premier League (IPL). The Irish Football Association ( IFA) is the organising body for football in Northern Ireland, and had historically been the governing body for the whole The Irish Football League retained a separate existence, but controlling only two feeder leagues: the First Division and Second Division. In 2004, the IFA took over control of the remaining IFL divisions and renamed them as the IFA Intermediate League First Division and Second Division, effectively winding up the Irish Football League Ltd as a separate organisation after 114 years.
As of 2007-08, the IPL contains sixteen teams, and the Intermediate League First Division and Second Division contain twelve teams each.
The IFL's records from its days in operation as the league for all of Ireland stand as the records for Northern Ireland (as is the case for the Northern Ireland national football team). The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international football.
Linfield are the current IPL champions.
The League is currently sponsored by Carnegie. Leeds Metropolitan University is a University with two campuses in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. It has previously been sponsored by the Daily Mirror, Smirnoff and Fiat. The Daily Mirror, often referred to simply as The Mirror, is a British Tabloid daily Newspaper founded in 1903 Smirnoff is a brand of vodka now owned and produced by British drinks company Diageo. Fiat SpA (an Acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin) is an Italian automobile manufacturer
Contents |
Format
Irish Premier League
Each team plays each other twice: once at home and once away, making a total of 30 fixtures per team throughout the season. The League campaign begins in September of each year and continues until the last Saturday in April. Most fixtures are played on Saturday afternoons, with occasional fixtures on Friday evenings, and some mid-week games, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Traditionally, there are Bank Holiday afternoon fixtures on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Tuesday. A bank holiday is a Public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland. Boxing Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, as well as many other members of the Commonwealth New Year's Day is the first day of the Year. On the modern Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1, as it was also in ancient Rome (though Easter Week or Bright Week is the period of seven days from Easter Sunday through the Saturday following
Three points are awarded for a win, and one point for a draw. The team with the most points at the end of the season wins the championship. If two teams finish level on points, goal difference is used to separate them. In Sports such as Ice hockey and football (soccer, goal difference (that is goals scored minus goals conceded is often the first Tiebreaker If teams are still level on goal difference, then the team with the most goals scored is placed highest. Points can be deducted for breaches of rules: for example, fielding an ineligible player.
The sixteen IPL teams also compete for the Irish League Cup: the second-most important cup competition after the Irish Cup. The Irish League Cup is the third-highest rated competition in domestic Northern Irish football competition after the IFA Premiership and Irish Cup The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football.
The League champions qualify to represent Northern Ireland in the following season’s Champions League, and the runners-up qualify for the UEFA Cup. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. If the UEFA Cup place that is reserved for the Irish Cup winners (or runners-up, in the event that the Cup winners have also won the League championship) is taken by the team in second place, then the third-placed team is entered into the UEFA Cup. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. Finally, one place the UEFA Intertoto Cup is reserved for Northern Ireland, and this goes to the next-highest-placed team after the Champions League and UEFA Cup places have been allocated (either third or fourth place). The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. In order to compete in any of these European competitions, however, clubs must possess a UEFA licence. In the event that a team qualifies without such a licence, lower-placed teams may take their place.
The two highest placed teams in the IPL also qualify automatically for the next season’s all-Ireland Setanta Cup. The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of The third- and fourth-placed teams may also qualify if either or both of the winners (or runners-up, in the event that the Cup winners have also finished first or second) of the Irish Cup and League Cup have qualified via the League. The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. The Irish League Cup is the third-highest rated competition in domestic Northern Irish football competition after the IFA Premiership and Irish Cup
IFA Intermediate League
The Intermediate League, as its name implies, has “intermediate” and not “senior” status. The First Division, therefore, is not the equivalent of the old Irish League First Division (which, along with the Irish League Premier Division, was one of two senior divisions that existed from 1995-2003). Clubs that are relegated from the IPL to the First Division lose their senior status and become eligible to compete in intermediate competitions such the Intermediate Cup, Steel & Sons Cup and Bob Radcliffe Cup. The Steel & Sons Cup (also referred to as the Steel Cup) is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East
In both the First and Second Divisions, each team plays each other twice: once at home and once away, making a total of 22 fixtures per team throughout the season. Three points are awarded for a win, and one point for a draw.
The twenty-four Intermediate League teams also compete for the Intermediate League Cup: they are drawn into four groups of six, the winners and runners-up of which qualify for the quarter-finals.
The Intermediate League is currently sponsored by Carnegie. Leeds Metropolitan University is a University with two campuses in Leeds, Yorkshire, England.
Clubs in Membership (2007-2008)
|
Irish Premier League |
Intermediate League First Division |
Intermediate League Second Division |
Final Premier League Table 2007-08
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linfield | 30 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 71 | 18 | 53 | 74 |
| 2 | Glentoran | 30 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 69 | 24 | 45 | 71 |
| 3 | Cliftonville | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 55 | 32 | 23 | 60 |
| 4 | Lisburn Distillery | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 50 | 28 | 22 | 58 |
| 5 | Portadown | 30 | 15 | 2 | 13 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 47 |
| 6 | Ballymena United | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 42 | 41 | 1 | 44 |
| 7 | Crusaders | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 45 | 47 | -2 | 43 |
| 8 | Newry City | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 45 | 52 | -7 | 43 |
| 9 | Coleraine | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 41 | 50 | -9 | 40 |
| 10 | Dungannon Swifts | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 38 | 44 | -6 | 36 |
| 11 | Donegal Celtic | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 35 |
| 12 | Glenavon | 30 | 9 | 3 | 18 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 30 |
| 13 | Larne | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 44 | 71 | -27 | 25 |
| 14 | Institute | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 23 | 41 | -18 | 23 |
| 15 | Limavady United | 30 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 26 | 57 | -31 | 23 |
| 16 | Armagh City | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 29 | 56 | -27 | 21 |
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
There was no automatic relegation, but the yellow-shaded teams were relegated as a result of not gaining entry to the IFA Premiership, and Bangor were promoted (see section on Reorganisation). Armagh City FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Ballymena United is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Donegal Celtic is a football club playing in the IFA Championship in Northern Ireland. Dungannon Swifts FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Institute FC is a Northern Ireland football club recently promoted into the IFA Premiership. Larne FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Limavady United FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Newry City is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Ards FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Ballyclare Comrades is a Northern Ireland football club playing in The club founded in 1919 hails from Ballyclare, County Antrim and plays Banbridge Town is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Intermediate League. Bangor is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the JJB Sports Premiership Carrick Rangers is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Coagh United is a Northern Ireland Football (soccer club playing in the IFA Championship. Dundela FC ( the Duns) is a football team from east Belfast, Northern Ireland. Harland & Wolff Welders is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Loughgall FC is a football club in Northern Ireland playing in the IFA Championship. Lurgan Celtic is based in Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and plays in the IFA Interim League. Portstewart FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Tobermore United is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Annagh United (The name 'Annagh') is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Ballinamallard United is a Northern Irish football playing in the IFA Championship. Ballymoney United is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Brantwood is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Chimney Corner is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Dergview is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Glebe Rangers FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Moyola Park is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. For the English football team see Oxford United FC Oxford United Stars F PSNI is a Football club in Northern Ireland, associated with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Queen's University Belfast is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Wakehurst is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Interim League. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Ballymena United is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Newry City is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL Dungannon Swifts FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Donegal Celtic is a football club playing in the IFA Championship in Northern Ireland. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Larne FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Institute FC is a Northern Ireland football club recently promoted into the IFA Premiership. Limavady United FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Armagh City FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Bangor is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the JJB Sports Premiership
Linfield qualified for the 2007-08 Champions League as champions. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club
Glentoran qualified for the 2007-08 UEFA Cup as runners-up, along with Cliftonville in third place. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. (Coleraine ordinarily would have qualified through the Irish Cup in place of Cliftonville, but failed to obtain a UEFA licence. Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. )
Lisburn Distillery qualified for the 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup as the fourth-placed team. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for
Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville qualified for the 2009 Setanta Cup as the three highest-placed teams, along with Coleraine, who qualified via the Irish Cup. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football.
Reorganisation
From the 2008-09 season, the League will again be re-organised. It will be renamed as the IFA Premiership and reduced to twelve teams. Places have been awarded to clubs who obtain a "domestic licence" (awarded on the basis of off-the-field criteria) and then according to a complicated points system, taking into account performances in the previous three seasons, and other off-the-field criteria as follows. Each applicant club was assessed by an independent panel and awarded points against the following criteria:
- Sporting
- Finance
- Infrastructure
- Business planning
- Personnel
- Attendances
Fourteen clubs were awarded domestic licences on 24th April 2008 and twelve of these were allocated entry to the new IFA Premiership on 13th May 2008 as follows:
IFA Premiership 2008-09
Two clubs who gained domestic licences missed out: Donegal Celtic and Portadown. Ballymena United is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Bangor is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the JJB Sports Premiership Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Dungannon Swifts FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Institute FC is a Northern Ireland football club recently promoted into the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Newry City is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Donegal Celtic is a football club playing in the IFA Championship in Northern Ireland. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. The latter was excluded after having missed the deadline for submitting applications, and the former was the bottom-ranked team according to the above-mentioned criteria.
Three Premier League clubs were not awarded licences and therefore were ineligible for the new Premiership: Armagh City, Larne and Limavady United. Armagh City FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Larne FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Limavady United FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship.
A new Premier Intermediate League is also planned, presumably to replace the IFA Intermediate League. It is unclear what arrangements will be put in place for promotion and relegation between the Premier League and the leagues below.
List of champions and runners-up
Irish Football League
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1890-91 | Linfield | Ulster |
| 1891-92 | Linfield | Ulster |
| 1892-93 | Linfield | Cliftonville |
| 1893-94 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1894-95 | Linfield | Distillery |
| 1895-96 | Distillery | Cliftonville |
| 1896-97 | Glentoran | Cliftonville/Linfield |
| 1897-98 | Linfield | Cliftonville/Glentoran |
| 1898-99 | Distillery | Linfield |
| 1899-1900 | Belfast Celtic | Distillery/Linfield |
| 1900-01 | Distillery | Glentoran |
| 1901-02 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1902-03 | Distillery | Linfield |
| 1903-04 | Linfield | Distillery/Glentoran |
| 1904-05 | Glentoran | Belfast Celtic |
| 1905-06 | Cliftonville/Distillery (shared) | - |
| 1906-07 | Linfield | Shelbourne |
| 1907-08 | Linfield | Cliftonville/Glentoran |
| 1908-09 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1909-10 | Cliftonville | Belfast Celtic |
| 1910-11 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1911-12 | Glentoran | Distillery |
| 1912-13 | Glentoran | Distillery |
| 1913-14 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1914-15 | Belfast Celtic | Glentoran |
| 1915-19 | no competition due to First World War | |
| 1919-20 | Belfast Celtic | Distillery |
| 1920-21 | Glentoran | Glenavon |
| 1921-22 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1922-23 | Linfield | Queen’s Island |
| 1923-24 | Queen’s Island | Distillery/Glenavon/Linfield |
| 1924-25 | Glentoran | Queen’s Island |
| 1925-26 | Belfast Celtic | Glentoran |
| 1926-27 | Belfast Celtic | Queen’s Island |
| 1927-28 | Belfast Celtic | Linfield |
| 1928-29 | Belfast Celtic | Linfield |
| 1929-30 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1930-31 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1931-32 | Linfield | Derry City |
| 1932-33 | Belfast Celtic | Distillery |
| 1933-34 | Linfield | Belfast Celtic |
| 1934-35 | Linfield | Derry City |
| 1935-36 | Belfast Celtic | Derry City |
| 1936-37 | Belfast Celtic | Derry City |
| 1937-38 | Belfast Celtic | Derry City |
| 1938-39 | Belfast Celtic | Ballymena United |
| 1939-40 | Belfast Celtic | Portadown |
| 1940-47 | no competition due to Second World War | |
| 1947-48 | Belfast Celtic | Linfield |
| 1948-49 | Linfield | Belfast Celtic |
| 1949-50 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1950-51 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1951-52 | Glenavon | Coleraine/Distillery/Glentoran |
| 1952-53 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1953-54 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1954-55 | Linfield | Glenavon |
| 1955-56 | Linfield | Glenavon |
| 1956-57 | Glenavon | Linfield |
| 1957-58 | Ards | Glenavon |
| 1958-59 | Linfield | Glenavon |
| 1959-60 | Glenavon | Glentoran |
| 1960-61 | Linfield | Portadown |
| 1961-62 | Linfield | Portadown |
| 1962-63 | Distillery | Linfield |
| 1963-64 | Glentoran | Coleraine |
| 1964-65 | Derry City | Coleraine |
| 1965-66 | Linfield | Derry City |
| 1966-67 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1967-68 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1968-69 | Linfield | Derry City |
| 1969-70 | Glentoran | Coleraine |
| 1970-71 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1971-72 | Glentoran | Portadown |
| 1972-73 | Crusaders | Ards |
| 1973-74 | Coleraine | Portadown |
| 1974-75 | Linfield | Coleraine |
| 1975-76 | Crusaders | Glentoran |
| 1976-77 | Glentoran | Glenavon |
| 1977-78 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1978-79 | Linfield | Glenavon |
| 1979-80 | Linfield | Ballymena United |
| 1980-81 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1981-82 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1982-83 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1983-84 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1984-85 | Linfield | Coleraine |
| 1985-86 | Linfield | Coleraine |
| 1986-87 | Linfield | Coleraine |
| 1987-88 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1988-89 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 1989-90 | Portadown | Glenavon |
| 1990-91 | Portadown | Bangor |
| 1991-92 | Glentoran | Portadown |
| 1992-93 | Linfield | Crusaders |
| 1993-94 | Linfield | Portadown |
| 1994-95 | Crusaders | Glenavon |
| 1995-96 | Portadown | Crusaders |
| 1996-97 | Crusaders | Coleraine |
| 1997-98 | Cliftonville | Linfield |
| 1998-99 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 1999-2000 | Linfield | Coleraine |
| 2000-01 | Linfield | Glenavon |
| 2001-02 | Portadown | Glentoran |
| 2002-03 | Glentoran | Portadown |
Irish Premier League
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | Linfield | Portadown |
| 2004-05 | Glentoran | Linfield |
| 2005-06 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 2006-07 | Linfield | Glentoran |
| 2007-08 | Linfield | Glentoran |
Performance by club
| Team | Wins | Last win | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linfield | 48 | 2007/08 |
| 2 | Glentoran | 22 | 2004/05 |
| 3 | Belfast Celtic | 19 | 1947/48 |
| 4 | Lisburn Distillery | 5 + 1 shared | 1962/63 |
| 5 | Crusaders | 4 | 1996/97 |
| = | Portadown | 4 | 2001/02 |
| 7 | Glenavon | 3 | 1959/60 |
| 8 | Cliftonville | 2 + 1 shared | 1997/98 |
| 9 | Ards | 1 | 1957/58 |
| = | Coleraine | 1 | 1973/74 |
| = | Derry City | 1 | 1964/65 |
| = | Queen's Island | 1 | 1923/24 |
History and Trivia
The first Irish League champions were Linfield,The first runners-up were Ulster. Ulster ( Ulaidh ˈkwɪɟɪ ˈʌlˠu / ˈʌlˠi is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in addition to Connacht, Munster and Leinster Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Shelbourne Football Club ( Irish: Cumann Peile Shelbourne) is an Irish football club playing in the FAI First Division after having World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, Ballymena United is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL Ards FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Bangor is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the JJB Sports Premiership After the first season, the league expanded to ten clubs, but shrank after only one season to six clubs for the 1892-93 season. Only four clubs competed in 1892-93 and 1893-94, then six clubs for the following season, until a membership of eight was achieved for the 1901-02 season. With the exception of one season (1912-13) in which there were ten clubs, membership stayed at eight until the southern clubs resigned in 1920, anticipating the formation of the separate Football League of Ireland in what would become the Irish Free State. The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or later the eircom League (from the league's sponsorship by Irish telecommunications The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by (The League was suspended from 1915 to 1919 because of the First World War. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All ) Only five and six clubs competed in 1920-21 and from 1921-23 respectively, but expansion began with the admission of four new clubs in 1923, another two in 1924 and a further two in 1927, giving a membership of fourteen from 1927 until the League was suspended in 1940 because of the Second World War. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including When the League resumed in 1947 it was reduced to twelve clubs, and stayed at this number until 1983 when membership was increased to fourteen. In 1990, a further two clubs brought the membership to sixteen, and the League was divided into two divisions (the Premier and First Divisions) of eight in 1995, with promotion and relegation between the two. In 1997, membership increased again to eighteen, with ten in the Premier Division and eight in the First Division. Between 1999 and 2003, the League had a record twenty clubs in membership. From 1999 to 2002, ten clubs each competed in the Premier and First Divisions and in 2002-03 there were twelve in the Premier Division and eight in the First Division. In 2003, with the creation of the Irish Premier League, the senior league was reduced to a single division of sixteen clubs, although for the first time with relegation to, and promotion from, a league below (a rump Irish Football League in 2003-04 and subsequently the IFA Intermediate League).
Four clubs – Cliftonville, Glentoran, Linfield and Lisburn Distillery – have retained membership of the League since its inception in 1890: 118 years and 107 seasons (due to eleven suspended seasons). Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. All the League members from 1890 until the end of the 2007-08 season (Irish Football League 1890-2003, Irish Premier League 2003-08) are as follow (current members shown in bold):
| Club | From | No. of seasons | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliftonville | Belfast | 107 | 1890- |
| Glentoran | Belfast | 107 | 1890- |
| Linfield | Belfast | 107 | 1890- |
| (Lisburn) Distillery(2) | Belfast/Ballyskeagh, Co. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Ballyskeagh (from the Irish Baile Sgeicheach) is a small Village in County Down, Northern Ireland, near Lambeg and Down(3) | 107 | 1890- |
| Glenavon | Lurgan, Co. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Lurgan ( is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland with a population of approximately 25000 Armagh | 85 | 1911-2004, 2005- |
| Portadown | Portadown, Co. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Portadown ( is a former market town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Armagh | 77 | 1924-2008 |
| Ards | Newtownards, Co. Ards FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Newtownards (Baile Nua na hArda is a large Town in County Down, Northern Ireland. Down(4) | 76 | 1923-2006 |
| Coleraine | Coleraine, Co. Coleraine FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership (IPL Coleraine ( is a large Town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland near to the mouth of the River Bann. Londonderry | 74 | 1927- |
| Ballymena (United)(5) | Ballymena, Co. Ballymena United is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Ballymena ( is a Town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Antrim | 73 | 1928- |
| Bangor | Bangor, Co. Bangor is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the JJB Sports Premiership Bangor (Beannchor is a large Town in County Down, Northern Ireland, with a population of 76403 people in the 2001 Census, making it the Down | 69 | 1927-2003, 2008- |
| Crusaders | Belfast | 58 | 1949-2005, 2006- |
| Larne | Larne, Co. Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Larne FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Larne (&mdashthe domain of a Viking chieftain is a substantial seaport and industrial Town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland Antrim | 53 | 1923-40, 1972-2008 |
| Newry Town/City(6) | Newry, Co. Newry City is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Newry ( short form An tIúr, "The Yew" is the fourth largest city in Northern Ireland and eighth on the island of Ireland. Down | 42 | 1923-40, 1983- |
| Belfast Celtic | Belfast | 38 | 1896-1920, 1924-49 |
| Derry City | Derry | 36 | 1929-72 |
| Carrick Rangers | Carrickfergus, Co. Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, Carrick Rangers is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Carrickfergus ( is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Antrim | 20 | 1983-2003 |
| Omagh Town | Omagh, Co. Omagh Town FC was a Northern Ireland football club playing in the Irish Football League. Omagh (pronounced /'omæ/) is the County town of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen Tyrone | 15 | 1990-2005 |
| Ballyclare Comrades | Ballyclare, Co. Ballyclare Comrades is a Northern Ireland football club playing in The club founded in 1919 hails from Ballyclare, County Antrim and plays Ballyclare (in Irish: Bealach Cláir, ie way or pass of the plain is a small Town in the Six Mile Valley, County Antrim, Antrim | 13 | 1990-2003 |
| Bohemians | Dublin | 13 | 1902-11, 1912-20 |
| Derry Celtic | Derry | 13 | 1900-13 |
| Shelbourne | Dublin | 12 | 1904-20 |
| Dungannon Swifts | Dungannon, Co. Bohemian FC ( An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach) more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is an Irish Football (soccer club playing in the Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Derry Celtic Football Club was a football club from Derry, Ireland. Shelbourne Football Club ( Irish: Cumann Peile Shelbourne) is an Irish football club playing in the FAI First Division after having Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Dungannon Swifts FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Dungannon ( is a Town in County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It is the third largest town in the County (next to Omagh and Strabane Tyrone | 11 | 1997- |
| Limavady United | Limavady, Co. Limavady United FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Championship. Limavady (lɪmə'vadi ( is a Market town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, with Benevenagh as a backdrop Londonderry | 11 | 1997-2008 |
| Queen's Island | Belfast | 8 | 1921-29 |
| Institute | Drumahoe, Co. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Institute FC is a Northern Ireland football club recently promoted into the IFA Premiership. Drumahoe ( Droim na hUamha in Irish, 'Ridge of the cave' is village in County Londonderry. Londonderry | 8 | 1999-2006, 2007- |
| Armagh City | Armagh, Co. Armagh City FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. The City of Armagh ( is an ancient religious site of worship of both celtic paganism and Christianity and the oldest of the five cities in Northern Ireland, Armagh | 7 | 1999-2003, 2005-08 |
| Ulster | Belfast | 6 | 1890-94, 1901-03 |
| Barn | Carrickfergus, Co. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Barn United FC is an amateur football club from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland playing in the Northern Amateur Football League. Carrickfergus ( is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Antrim | 5 | 1923-28 |
| Loughgall | Loughgall, Co. Loughgall FC is a football club in Northern Ireland playing in the IFA Championship. Loughgall (in Irish Loch Gall) is a small Village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Armagh | 3 | 2004-07 |
| North Staffordshire Regiment | Army team | 3 | 1896-99 |
| Donegal Celtic | Belfast | 2 | 2006-08 |
| Ligoneil | Belfast | 2 | 1891-92, 1893-94 |
| Oldpark | Belfast | 2 | 1890-92 |
| Belfast YMCA | Belfast | 1 | 1891-92 |
| Clarence | Belfast | 1 | 1890-91 |
| Derry Olympic | Derry | 1 | 1892-93 |
| King's Own Scottish Borderers | Army team | 1 | 1903-04 |
| Milford | Milford, Co. The North Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's was an Infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 with antecedents dating from 1756 The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Donegal Celtic is a football club playing in the IFA Championship in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Derry Olympic Football Club was a Football (soccer club from Derry, Ireland that was formed in 1891 but became defunct in 1893 The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an Infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Armagh | 1 | 1890-91 |
| Lancashire Fusiliers | Army team | 1 | 1891-92 |
| Milltown | Belfast | 1 | 1891-92 |
| Royal Scots | Army team | 1 | 1899-1900 |
| St Columb's Court | Derry | 1 | 1901-02 |
| Tritonville | Dublin | 1 | 1912-13 |
Before goal difference was introduced, if the top two teams finished the season with the same number of points, the championship title was decided by a play-off. The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British Infantry Regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment, once known as the Royal Regiment of Foot, was the oldest and therefore most senior Infantry Regiment of the line The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. In Sports such as Ice hockey and football (soccer, goal difference (that is goals scored minus goals conceded is often the first Tiebreaker Nine such championship play-offs took place over the years as follow:
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1895-96 | Distillery | 2-1 | Cliftonville |
| 1898-99 | Distillery | 2-0 | Linfield |
| 1904-05 | Glentoran | 3-1 | Belfast Celtic |
| 1905-06 | Cliftonville | 0-0 | Distillery |
| Replay | Cliftonville | 3-3 | Distillery |
| 1910-11 | Linfield | 3-2 | Glentoran |
| 1937-38 | Belfast Celtic | 2-2 | Derry City |
| Replay | Belfast Celtic | 3-1 | Derry City |
| 1949-50 | Linfield | 2-0 | Glentoran |
| 1960-61 | Linfield | 2-0 | Portadown |
| 1961-62 | Linfield | 3-1 | Portadown |
On one occasion – 1905-06 – the championship title was shared after Cliftonville and Distillery could not be separated after two play-off matches. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Lisburn Distillery is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership.
Linfield was the first team to win the championship on goal difference in 1992-93, when they finished level on 66 points each with Crusaders, but eight goals better with a +34 goal difference to Crusaders' +26. Crusaders FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership.
Linfield have won the League championship the most times (48).
From 1890 to 1921, when the Irish League was an all-Ireland competition, no southern clubs (from what would become the Irish Free State and later the Republic of Ireland) ever won the championship. The Irish Free State (Saorstát Éireann (1922&ndash1937 was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. During this period, three southern clubs participated in the League: Bohemians, Shelbourne and Tritonville. Bohemian FC ( An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach) more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is an Irish Football (soccer club playing in the Shelbourne Football Club ( Irish: Cumann Peile Shelbourne) is an Irish football club playing in the FAI First Division after having The highest place achieved by any of these clubs was second, by Shelbourne in 1906-07. Shelbourne Football Club ( Irish: Cumann Peile Shelbourne) is an Irish football club playing in the FAI First Division after having
No club from outside Belfast won the League championship until Glenavon took it to Co. Armagh in 1951-52. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Glenavon FC is a Northern Ireland football club playing in the IFA Premiership. County Armagh ( Contae Ard Mhacha in Irish - from the height of Macha) is a county in Ulster in the north east of Ireland In 1957-58, Ards became the first team from Co. Down to win the League, and in 1964-65, Derry City were the first Co. Londonderry team to do so. Ards FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship. County Down, ( Ulster Scots: Coontie Doun. is one of the nine counties that form the province of Ulster and one of six counties that form Derry City Football Club ( Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire, kʊmən̪ˠ pɛlʲə xahəɾʲ ɣɛɾʲə is an Irish football club based in Derry, Of the 106 championships, the title has only been taken out of Belfast on ten occasions. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. The most successful provincial club is Portadown, with four championships. Portadown is a Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Championship.
A total of 12 different teams have won the championship.
In the early years, Army regiments stationed in Ireland participated in the League: the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1891-92; the North Staffordshire Regiment for three seasons from 1896-99; the Royal Scots in 1899-1900 and the King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1903-04. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British Infantry Regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal The North Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's was an Infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1881 with antecedents dating from 1756 The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment, once known as the Royal Regiment of Foot, was the oldest and therefore most senior Infantry Regiment of the line The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an Infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division.
The longest gap between Irish League championships was 77 seasons (excluding the 11 suspended seasons) between Cliftonville’s wins in 1909-10 and 1997-98. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership.
The record for consecutive titles is six, held jointly by Belfast Celtic (1935-40 and 1947-48) and Linfield (1981-87). Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until
Historically, with relatively few league fixtures each season, the Irish League organised a number of other competitions for its members. While some of these enjoyed considerable prestige over the years, they have been phased out over recent seasons due to fixture congestion caused by the expansion of the league and reduced spectator interest. These competitions were: the City Cup; the Gold Cup; the Ulster Cup and the Floodlit Cup. The Gold Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Ireland and from 1921 onwards just for Northern Ireland. The Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs
In addition, clubs still compete in their respective regional cup competitions: the County Antrim Shield (for clubs within the jurisdiction of the North-East Ulster F. The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition A. (also known as the County Antrim & District F. A. ); the Mid-Ulster Cup (for clubs within the jurisdiction of the Mid-Ulster F. A. ); and the North-West Senior Cup (for clubs within the jurisdiction of the North-Western F. A. ).
In 1961-62, Linfield famously achieved the feat of winning seven trophies: the Irish League; Irish Cup; City Cup, Gold Cup; Ulster Cup; County Antrim Shield; and North-South Cup. The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. The Gold Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Ireland and from 1921 onwards just for Northern Ireland. The Ulster Cup was an annual football competition held by the Irish Football League for senior clubs The County Antrim Shield is a Northern Irish football competition
Under the current system of 30 games and 3 points for a win (1990-95 and 2003 to date), the highest total points in one season was 77 (out of a possible 90) achieved by Glentoran in 1991-92. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast.
The longest system in place was 22 games and 2 points for a win (1924-27 and 1947-83). Under that system, the record for most points was 40 (out of a possible 44), achieved twice by Linfield, in 1955-56 and 1977-78.
Comparing all the various systems, in terms of the ratio of points obtained per points available, the best record was Linfield’s in 1891-92 when, over 16 games, they obtained 30 points from a possible 32 (a ration of 0. 94).
On the following occasions, teams have completed a league campaign unbeaten:
| Season | Team | No. of games played |
|---|---|---|
| 1892-93 | Linfield | 10 |
| 1894-95 | Linfield | 6 |
| 1903-04 | Linfield | 14 |
| 1921-22 | Linfield | 10 |
| 1926-27 | Belfast Celtic | 22 |
| 1928-29 | Belfast Celtic | 26 |
| 1980-81 | Glentoran | 22 |
The first ever Irish League match to be broadcast live on television took place on 24th September 2007 when Sky Television showed Cliftonville and Linfield draw 2-2 at Solitude. Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Belfast Celtic Football Club was a former Irish football club that was founded in 1891, and was one of the most successful teams in Ireland until Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club playing in East Belfast. British Sky Broadcasting ( BSkyB — Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( the Reds) is an Irish League football team playing in the IFA Premiership. Solitude is a football Stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the home ground of Cliftonville F
Notes
- Note (1): Title shared after two play-off matches ended in draws.
- Note (2): Changed name from Distillery to Lisburn Distillery in 1999.
- Note (3): Moved from Belfast to Ballyskeagh in 1980.
- Note (4): Sold home ground in Newtownards in 2002, and subsequently played in Carrickfergus, Belfast and Bangor.
- Note (5): Known as Ballymena until 1934.
- Note (6): Changed name from Newry Town to Newry City in 2004.
External links
- Irish Premier League Website
- Irish Football Club Project
- Irish FA Website
- nifootball.co.uk (fixtures, results and tables of all leagues)