| |
|
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 10 teams in the Premier Division and 12 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 Scandanavian leagues for example).
Clubs are promoted between the Premier and First divisions at the end of each season. Also, the club who finishes bottom of the First must re-apply for league membership.
| Table of contents |
|
2 List of Winners of the League 3 External Link |
Athlone Town
Bohemian
Bray Wanderers
Cobh Ramblers
Cork City
Derry City
Drogheda United
Dublin City
Dundalk
Finn Harps
Galway United
Kildare County
Kilkenny City
Limerick
Longford Town
Monaghan United
Saint Patrick's Athletic
Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne
Sligo Rovers
UCD
Waterford United
Clubs in Membership
List of Winners of the League
External Link