Football League of Ireland
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. It should not be confused with the Irish League, which is the league in Northern Ireland.
Note, however, that the Football League of Ireland includes one club from N.Ireland, Derry City. Derry City formerly played in the Irish Football League, but was forced to leave that league following the 1972-73 season because of safety & security concerns. Derry City joined the Republic's league at the second level in 1985, after a special dispensation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and UEFA. It won promotion in 1987, and has stayed in the top flight ever since.
Formed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in 1921, the league originally contained 8 teams and was first won by St. James' Gate FC. Today the league operates on a two divisional structure (changing in 1985), with 12 teams in the Premier Division and 10 in the First.
Until recently the league followed the pattern of the other leagues in the British Isles of starting their league campaigns towards the end of Summer and playing through the Winter until late Spring and playing no league games during the height of Summer. However, due to the league's seeming inability to compete with the FA Premier League in England and the Scottish Premier League (many Irish football fans prefer to follow English or Scottish clubs' fortunes rather than their local clubs) the league has switched to playing Summer football (like the Scandinavian leagues for example).
Clubs are promoted and relegated between the Premier and First divisions at the end of each season. Also, the club who finishes bottom of the First must reapply for league membership.
Table of contents |
Clubs in Membership
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Premier Division |
First Division |
List of Winners of the League
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Footnotes
Note 1: St. Patrick's Athletic were deducted fifteen points for use of an ineligible player, thus falling to the 3rd position and allowing Shelbourne to capture the title.
External link
| Football League of Ireland 2005 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Premier Division
Bohemians |
Bray Wanderers |
Cork City |
Derry City |
Drogheda United |
Finn Harps | | ||
| First Division
Athlone Town |
Cobh Ramblers |
Dublin City |
Dundalk |
Galway United | | ||
| Association Football in Ireland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland
Football Association of Ireland – National Team – Football League | ||
| Northern Ireland
Irish Football Association – National Team – Football League |