The Northern Ireland football league system is categorised into three levels: senior , intermediate and junior . Clubs attain intermediate status by fulfilling certain criteria (e.g. owning or leasing its own enclosed ground). Senior status requires clubs to reach stricter criteria. National leagues exist at senior and intermediate level. All junior leagues and some intermediate are organised on a regional basis.
21-596: The NIFL Development League (prior to 2016, the NIFL Reserve League ) is an intermediate Association football league in Northern Ireland consisting of the reserve teams of the twelve NIFL Premiership clubs. The NIFL Development League is the successor to the NIFL Reserve League , which in turn was the successor to the Irish League B Division Section 2 which was formed in 1977, when
42-436: A Championship Licence, they are not promoted. The NIFL Premiership Development League , which is also an intermediate league, comprises the reserve teams of the twelve senior NIFL Premiership clubs. In 2010-11, a "pyramid" system was introduced, with the possibility of promotion and relegation between the national league and the four regional intermediate leagues, namely: Clubs in these leagues may only gain promotion to
63-710: A number of clubs deciding to join other regional leagues within the league system, thus leaving three regional leagues below the Premier Intermediate League. There are numerous junior leagues in Northern Ireland, including junior divisions of the Northern Amateur League and the Mid-Ulster League. The term "junior" is not related to the age of the players but the fact that the clubs are at amateur level. There
84-625: A pyramid system was introduced, with the possibility of promotion and relegation between the Championship and the four regional intermediate leagues. In 2013, the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) took control of the senior league and the two intermediate divisions below, as well as the Reserve League. In 2016, Championship 1 acquired senior status and was renamed the 'Championship'; Championship 2
105-645: Is Comber Rec F.C. . The "Steel Cup" trophy was donated to the County Antrim FA in 1895 by Mr David Steel. Steel was principal of Steel & Sons Ltd, wholesale jewellers, silversmiths, cutlers, watch-makers and opticians, with premises on Royal Avenue, Belfast . Since 1973 a second trophy has been awarded after the final - the Player of the Match Award. Initially sponsored by the Sunday News ,
126-940: Is one national junior cup competition: the Irish Junior Cup. At regional level, each of the four regional FAs organises its own cup competition. The North East Ulster Football Association runs the County Antrim Junior Shield ; the Mid-Ulster Football Association organises the Mid-Ulster Shield , the North West of Ireland Football Association organises the North-West Junior Cup , and the Fermanagh & Western Football Association organises
147-702: The Irish Cup and the Northern Ireland Football League Cup , although intermediate teams are entitled to enter both. At regional level, three of the four regional FAs organise their own senior cup competition. The North East Ulster Football Association runs the County Antrim Shield ; the Mid-Ulster Football Association organises the Mid-Ulster Cup and the North West of Ireland Football Association organises
168-735: The Mulhern Cup . For each division, its official name and number of clubs is given: At national level, from 1890 until 1915 there was only one league the Irish Football League , which operated at senior level. In 1915, the Irish Intermediate League was created at intermediate level. In 1951, the B Division was also created at intermediate level. By 1954, the Irish Intermediate League had become defunct as many clubs left to join
189-538: The NIFL Championship , which consists of twenty-four semi-professional clubs. Members of the Premiership must possess a domestic licence in order to retain membership and members of the Championship must possess a championship licence. Clubs that wish to be promoted to the Championship from intermediate football must attain a Championship Licence. At national level there are two senior cup competitions:
210-625: The North East Ulster Football Association (also known as the County Antrim & District Football Association ), the Mid-Ulster Football Association, the North West of Ireland Football Association and the Fermanagh & Western Football Association . The Northern Ireland Football League , which is the national league of Northern Ireland, has two senior divisions, the NIFL Premiership and
231-580: The North West Senior Cup . The national league has one intermediate division: the NIFL Premier Intermediate League . Two clubs are automatically promoted from the Premier Intermediate League to the Championship at the end of each season, and two clubs are relegated to the Premier Intermediate League from the Championship. In the event, however, that either of the Premier Intermediate League teams does not possess
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#1732787394322252-712: The Steel & Sons Cup ; the Mid-Ulster Football Association organises the Bob Radcliffe Cup ; and the North West of Ireland Football Association organises the Craig Memorial Cup . The Fermanagh & Western Football Association organised the Fermanagh & Western Intermediate Cup for three seasons, but it is now defunct. In 2023 the Northern Ireland Intermediate League announced that it would cease to exist due to
273-467: The Steel Cup ) is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association (also known as the County Antrim & District Football Association ). The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on 25 December (except when this date falls on a Sunday). The 2006 final, however, broke with tradition when it was staged on
294-655: The B Division split into two sections: Section 1 for intermediate clubs and the other for the reserve teams of senior clubs. Since the foundation of the B Division in 1951, these two categories of teams had competed together. In 1999, Section 1 of the B Division was renamed the Irish League Second Division and Section 2 became the Irish League Reserve League. In 2003, on the formation of the Irish Premier League,
315-759: The B Division. In 1977, the B Division split into Section 1 and Section 2 . In 1995, the Irish Football League split into two senior divisions: the Premier Division and the First Division. In 1999, the B Division Section 1 was renamed the Second Division and Section 2 was renamed the Reserve League. In 2003, the Irish Premier League was created as the single senior league in Northern Ireland. The Irish Football League First Division reverted to intermediate status alongside
336-665: The IFA took direct control and the league was renamed the IFA Reserve League. In 2013, the Northern Ireland Football League took over, and the league was again renamed, to the NIFL Reserve League. In 2016, it became the NIFL Development League, with an age restriction imposed on players. Northern Ireland football league system Regionally, there are four regional football associations:
357-540: The Premier Intermediate League if they win their respective league championship and meet the necessary criteria. If more than one league champion meets the criteria, then only one will be promoted, to be decided by a play-off or series of play-offs. At national level there is one intermediate cup competition: the Intermediate Cup . At regional level, three of the four regional FAs organise their own cup competitions. The North East Ulster Football Association runs
378-481: The Saturday before 25 December as this was a closed date for all other football fixtures in Northern Ireland. The final returned to its original Christmas Day slot in 2007-08. The 2012–13 tournament was declared null after Glentoran II were stripped of their title having fielded an ineligible player in an earlier round. This is the first time in the tournament's history that no winner was declared. The current holder
399-863: The Second Division. In 2004, the IFA Intermediate League (First and Second Divisions) replaced the Irish Football League. In 2008, the IFA Premiership replaced the Irish Premier League, and the IFA Championship and IFA Interim Intermediate League replaced the IFA Intermediate League. In 2009, the IFA Championship was expanded and divided into two divisions and the IFA Interim Intermediate League folded. In 2010,
420-551: The first winner was Tommy Craig of Glentoran II. Since the 1993 final the award has been sponsored by the Belfast News Letter . The home for the final was rotated round the major Irish League venues in Belfast until the late 1950s when Solitude became the regular venue. Since the 1972-73 season Seaview , home of Crusaders , has hosted all the final ties, with the exception of the final and replay in 1975-76 and
441-519: Was renamed the 'Premier Intermediate League'; the Reserve League became the Development League. † Senior clubs' reserve teams have intermediate status and compete against other intermediate teams in many competitions. The women's system currently has six steps. Each step has only one division. There is promotion and relegation between all levels. They are: Steel %26 Sons Cup The Steel & Sons Cup (also referred to as
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