Irish Football League
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This image is a candidate for speedy deletion. It may be deleted after Friday, August 24 2007.
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. It should not be confused with the Football League of Ireland, which is the league for the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish League is the second oldest national league in the world, being formed a week earlier than the Scottish Football League. Only the Football League in England is older.
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.
In its first season this league was dismissed by the Belfast Telegraph and News Letter reports of the time as the "Belfast League"[citation needed]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.
In 1892 Derry Olympic became the second non-Belfast side, but only lasted one season. In 1900 Derry Celtic joined the league and in 1901 a second Derry team, St Columb's Court was added. St Columb's Court lasted just one season, before being replaced by the league's first Dublin team, Bohemians, in 1903. Another Dublin side, Shelbourne, was added in 1904. In 1911 Glenavon, from the County Armagh town of Lurgan replaced Bohemians, who resigned from the league, but were re-admitted in 1912. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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 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).
Linfield are the current IPL champions.
The League is currently sponsored by Carnegie. It has previously been sponsored by the Daily Mirror, Smirnoff and Fiat.
Contents |
[edit] 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.
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. 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 League champions qualify to represent Northern Ireland in the following season’s Champions League, and the runners-up qualify for the UEFA Cup. 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. 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). 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 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.
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.
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.
[edit] Clubs in Membership (2007-2008)
|
Irish Premier League |
Intermediate League First Division |
Intermediate League Second Division |
[edit] 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).
Linfield qualified for the 2007-08 Champions League as champions.
Glentoran qualified for the 2007-08 UEFA Cup as runners-up, along with Cliftonville in third place. (Coleraine ordinarily would have qualified through the Irish Cup in place of Cliftonville, but failed to obtain a UEFA licence.)
Lisburn Distillery qualified for the 2008 UEFA Intertoto Cup as the fourth-placed team.
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.
[edit] 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. 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.
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.
[edit] List of champions and runners-up
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] 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 |
[edit] History and Trivia
The first Irish League champions were Linfield,The first runners-up were Ulster. 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 League was suspended from 1915 to 1919 because of the First World War.) 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. 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). 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. Down(3) | 107 | 1890- |
| Glenavon | Lurgan, Co. Armagh | 85 | 1911-2004, 2005- |
| Portadown | Portadown, Co. Armagh | 77 | 1924-2008 |
| Ards | Newtownards, Co. Down(4) | 76 | 1923-2006 |
| Coleraine | Coleraine, Co. Londonderry | 74 | 1927- |
| Ballymena (United)(5) | Ballymena, Co. Antrim | 73 | 1928- |
| Bangor | Bangor, Co. Down | 69 | 1927-2003, 2008- |
| Crusaders | Belfast | 58 | 1949-2005, 2006- |
| Larne | Larne, Co. Antrim | 53 | 1923-40, 1972-2008 |
| Newry Town/City(6) | Newry, Co. Down | 42 | 1923-40, 1983- |
| Belfast Celtic | Belfast | 38 | 1896-1920, 1924-49 |
| Derry City | Derry | 36 | 1929-72 |
| Carrick Rangers | Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim | 20 | 1983-2003 |
| Omagh Town | Omagh, Co. Tyrone | 15 | 1990-2005 |
| Ballyclare Comrades | Ballyclare, Co. 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. Tyrone | 11 | 1997- |
| Limavady United | Limavady, Co. Londonderry | 11 | 1997-2008 |
| Queen's Island | Belfast | 8 | 1921-29 |
| Institute | Drumahoe, Co. Londonderry | 8 | 1999-2006, 2007- |
| Armagh City | Armagh, Co. Armagh | 7 | 1999-2003, 2005-08 |
| Ulster | Belfast | 6 | 1890-94, 1901-03 |
| Barn | Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim | 5 | 1923-28 |
| Loughgall | Loughgall, Co. 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. 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. 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.
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.
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. During this period, three southern clubs participated in the League: Bohemians, Shelbourne and Tritonville. The highest place achieved by any of these clubs was second, by Shelbourne in 1906-07.
No club from outside Belfast won the League championship until Glenavon took it to Co. Armagh in 1951-52. 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. Of the 106 championships, the title has only been taken out of Belfast on ten occasions. The most successful provincial club is Portadown, with four championships.
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 longest gap between Irish League championships was 77 seasons (excluding the 11 suspended seasons) between Cliftonville’s wins in 1909-10 and 1997-98.
The record for consecutive titles is six, held jointly by Belfast Celtic (1935-40 and 1947-48) and Linfield (1981-87).
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
- Irish Premier League Website
- Irish Football Club Project
- Irish FA Website
- nifootball.co.uk (fixtures, results and tables of all leagues)
