For current news on this topic see: Football League of Ireland 2006 season

FAI National League
Sport	Football
Founded	2006
No. of teams	22
Country	Ireland
Current champions	n/a

The FAI National League is the Republic of Ireland's new national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. It is a revamped continuation of the old league. The merger brought an end to the administration system that was inaugurated in 1921 and replaced it with a new one under the auspices of the FAI. As is planned, the league will contain a total of 22 clubs (20 from the old League of Ireland system and 2 new clubs to replace the now defunct Dublin City FC as well as Limerick FC who failed to receive a First Division licence on appeal) split into the 12-teamed FAI Premiership and the 10-teamed FAI First Division. Two of these First Division clubs have yet to be decided. The league is due to kick off in March 2007. There are worries that the First Division may have to kick off with 8 teams if 2 new suitable replacements cannot be found in time to fill the empty slots. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Football League of Ireland is once again sponsored by eircom and is commonly known as the eircom League in the media. ... new Irish FA crest, This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... // December 1-December 15: The 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar December 10: 33rd Annual Honolulu Marathon December 10-December 17: FIFA Club World Cup in Japan December 31: The NRL will officially retire the nickname Chargers as the Gold Coast Titans take the field in 2007. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... The characters n/a (sometimes N/A) is an abbreviation that is mainly used in information tables. ... The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of Association football (soccer) in the Republic 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 telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ... The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of Association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ... Dublin City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Limerick FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ... The FAI Premiership (FAI Premier league) is a new Irish football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ... The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...

The new league will be managed and marketed entirely by the FAI and improved standards are expected. All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premiership. Those that did not make the cut will play in the FAI First Division, so long as they are in possession of the required licence. The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...

The league includes one club from Northern 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 and 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, being granted entry to the new Premiership recently also. No teams from the Republic play in the northern league. Motto: [citation needed] (French for God and my right)2 Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official language(s) English (de facto), Irish, Ulster Scots 3, NI Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair... Derry City F.C. are a Northern Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ... Official logo of the Carnegie Premier League The Irish Premier League - formerly the Irish Football League - or Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Irish Football Association (IFA) is the organising body for the sport of football (soccer) in Northern Ireland. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Chairman and promotional officers

At the final AGM of the League of Ireland on Friday 8 December 2006, out-going eircom League chairman Paddy McCaul was voted in unopposed as the FAI's new league chairman.^[1] He went on to describe the new venture as "the dawn of a new era". 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. ...

A National Promotion Officer was also appointed with the role of promoting the league to the public throughout the country. The appointment of a League Director as well as the selection of local Club Promotion Officers to each of the 12 Premiership clubs is still to occur. During 2007, the FAI will make €120,000 available to Premiership clubs in order to deploy Club Promotion Officers to market the club and all its activities at local level to boost revenue, attendances, interest in the game, links with other local clubs and organisations promoting soccer in the club’s catchment area.

The Independent Assessment Group, their decision and resulting controversy

On June 29 the clubs of the League of Ireland voted to accept John Delaney's proposals for change in the league system.^1[2] The league make-up for 2007 onward would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by former FAI President Des Casey and appointed by the FAI. This group was to work from a set of pre-determined criteria for selection. Initially former footballer Niall Quinn was a member of the group before becoming manager of Sunderland FC. June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... 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. ... John Delaney is the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland. ... Niall John Quinn (Irish: Níall Seán Ó Cuinn) (Honorary) MBE (b. ... Sunderland Association Football Club is a football club based in Sunderland, on Wearside in the North-East of England. ...

The decision of the Group was finally announced on 11 December in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.^[3] The 21 clubs which took part in the process were ranked on the basis of points scored as a result of their achievements over the past five seasons on the pitch and how they measured up against specific criteria covering areas such as infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing. Twelve football clubs were chosen to participate in the Premiership. A large quantity of speculation surrounded this decision. It was certain that Shelbourne, Derry City, Drogheda United, Cork City, Bohemians, St. Patrick's Athletic, Longford Town, Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers would feature. UCD and Bray Wanderers were next in line. That left one remaining place which was expected to be filled by either Waterford United, Galway United or Dundalk. Out of these three Galway United were selected to participate. December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... CityWest, formerly known as CityTel, provides wireline and cellular telephone and internet services in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ... Shelbourne F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Derry City F.C. are a Northern Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ... Drogheda United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Cork City F.C. is an Irish football (soccer) club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... This article should belong in one or more categories. ... St Patricks Athletic F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Sligo Rovers F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Ruagairí Shligigh) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Shamrock Rovers Football Club is a football club from Dublin playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... University College Dublin Association Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Bray Wanderers A.F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Waterford United is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ... Dundalk FC is an Irish football club from Dundalk, County Louth, that play in the Football League of Ireland. ...

Galway had issued a statement on their website prior to the official announcement that claimed they would be playing in the Premiership but the club then said that it was only a conclusion they themselves reached after carrying out their own assessment of criteria. Their geographical status and facilites strengthened their case for inclusion.

The final selection sparked controversy in Dundalk. Despite the fact that Dundalk FC had won the promotion/relegation play-off in November 2006, they were one of the teams omitted from the 2007 FAI Premiership. Dundalk, though, argued that they had the right to compete in the Premiership following their play-off defeat of Waterford United. "What was the point of the league taking our players and fans all the way down to Waterford if it counted for nothing?", questioned one official. Yet, in spite of this, Dundalk were instead chosen to play in the FAI First Division. Meanwhile, Galway United, who finished the season in 3rd place behind Dundalk's 2nd were chosen for the Premiership. This infuriated Dundalk fans and on 13 December 2006 a disgruntled fan protested the Independent Assessment Group's decision by entering the the headquarters of the FAI in Dublin and dousing the reception area in petrol whilst threatening to set it alight. After about an hour the stand-off that developed ended peacefullly.^[4] WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Dundalk FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The FAI Premiership (FAI Premier league) is a new Irish football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ... Waterford United is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ... Galway United FC was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ... -1... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of Association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ...

Ranking system

Entry into the FAI Premiership was determined by the ranking in points of the former League of Ireland teams by the Independent Assessment Group conforming to a number of selection criteria. The twelve highest ranked teams were entered into the FAI Premiership for 2007, while the remainder made up the FAI First Division. The FAI Premiership (FAI Premier league) is a new Irish football league created following the merging of the FAI and the 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. ... The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...

Entry criteria and points allocation

There is a 50-50 sporting/non-sporting breakdown to reinforce the FAI's position that on and off-pitch standards are of equal importance.

Participation licences

Participation by teams was also subject to the granting of specific participation licences. Participation in the Premiership is subject to the attaining of an 'A' licence, while participation in the First Division is subject to the attaining of a 'B' licence. Currently, 12 clubs have been granted 'A' licences and 8 clubs have been designated 'B' licences. The licence system is compulsory under UEFA rules and sets a lower caliber threshold for participation in an attempt to maintain a consistent standard of quality, as well as promote development. UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...

Selection of clubs

Image File history File links AthloneTown. ... Athlone Town A.F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Image File history File links Cobhramblers. ... Cobh Ramblers F.C. (CRFC) is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Image File history File links DundalkFC.png‎ Dundalk FC club crest. ... Dundalk FC is an Irish football club from Dundalk, County Louth, that play in the Football League of Ireland. ... Image File history File links FinnHarps. ... Finn Harps F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Kildare County FC This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ... Kildare County F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Image File history File links Kilkennycity. ... Kilkenny City F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Eircom League Divison 1. ... Image File history File links Monutd. ... Monaghan United F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Image File history File links WaterfordUnited. ... Waterford United is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...

Possible two new clubs

Following on from Dublin City's withdrawal from the League of Ireland Premier Division in the middle of the 2006 season, the number of clubs in the old league was reduced to twenty-one (eleven in the old Premier Division). This left an extra gap to fill which was taken by a club that would have otherwise played in the new FAI First Division. That in turn requires a new club to be accepted into the league to fill the slot and make up the numbers in the First Division. Dublin City F.C. was an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...

Furthermore, on 15 December 2006 it was revealed that Limerick FC, who were benchmarked to play in the First Division for the 2007 season subject to a successful licence appeal, were not granted the requisite licence by the FAI's Club Licensing First Instance Committee. They appealled to the Club Licensing Appeal Board but the initial decision was upheld.^[5] The club licensing process governed by UEFA is now in its fourth year and sets out to ensure certain minimum standards are in place at every club. With almost €4,000 in outstanding fines, a below-par youth system and no stadium until a long-term lease on Hogan Park can be agreed, Limerick FC appear to have reached the end of the road. The ruling means Limerick could be without a senior soccer side next year for the first time in 70 years, but John Delaney, the FAI's chief executive, although disappointed, has urged prospective applicants from the area to make a case for inclusion in the new FAI-run league. Eager to welcome applications for a licence from other clubs in the Limerick area, he stated, "We want a healthy Limerick based club in the new eircom League of Ireland and if interested entities seek a licence, we would assess them carefully for their suitability to meet the criteria required to play in the league." December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Limerick FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 52. ...

The identity of the possible new clubs remain unknown. Nevertheless, outside of Limerick, there is a growing support for a senior club in County Wexford led by millionaire construction magnate Mick Wallace.^[6] However, other early indications point to a club from the south or west, in particular County Mayo or County Kerry. If the FAI are not successful in finding replacements, they may have to start the 2007 season with only 8 First Division sides. County Wexford (Contae Loch Garman in Irish) is a maritime county in the southeast of Ireland, in the province of Leinster. ... Statistics Province: Connacht County Town: Castlebar Code: MO Area: 5,397 km² Population (2006) 123,648 Website: www. ... Statistics Province: Munster County Town: Tralee Code: KY Area: 4,746 km² Population (2006) 139,616 Website: www. ...

Competition format, prize money, media coverage and sponsorship

Competition

2007

There are twelve participating clubs in the Premiership (although the FAI is planning to reduce this to ten clubs by 2009) and the plans are to have ten clubs in the First Division for 2007. During the course of the 2007 season (which will last from March to November) each Premiership club will play the respective others three times. A pre-season draw will decides which clubs will have the benefit of two home games in these matches. First Division sides will play each other four times throughout the season - two games at home and two games at the stadium of the opposition. Each team in the Premiership will play 33 matches in total during a season, while those in the First Division will play 36 games. Teams will receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points will be awarded for a loss. Teams will be ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. At the end of the season, the club with the most points in their division will be crowned as champion of that division. The lowest placed team in the Premiership is automatically relegated into the First Division and the top team from the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premiership. In addition, the 2007 winner of the First Division will have a once-off play-off with the winners of the FAI League Cup for a Setanta Cup place. Furthermore, the second-last placed team in the Premiership will play either the second-best or third-best placed team in the First Division in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off after the second-placed and third-placed teams play each other in a once-off play-off match. The second-placed team in this pairing will have home advantage with the winner of the game having the chance to play the 11th-place finisher in the Premiership both at home and away (with the First Division side being given the choice of home advantage in the first or second leg of the series). The aggregate winner of this two-legged tie will play the following 2008 season in the Premiership with the loser resigned to playing in the First Division. The team that finishes last in the First Division must re-apply to the FAI for membership to the following season's league. The FAI League Cup is a football competition open to all Football League of Ireland clubs. ... The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ...

2008

The 2008 season will be a transitional season which should see the Premiership being reduced to 10 teams from 12 for the 2009 season. 2008 will also see the introduction of an 'A' League Championship (comprising of non-league entities and applicants) and an under-20 age grade national competition. The three bottom clubs will be automatically relegated from the Premiership at the season's conclusion with one team being promoted from the First Division - its winner. No play-off will be necessary.

The 'A' Championship, for initiation in the 2008 season, will contain between 20 and 30 clubs depending on the strategic needs of the FAI. The idea developed from the accepted need to link underage competition, national league standard competition and other structures operating at non-professional levels. It builds on the need to ‘enliven’ the prospect of relegation from First Division and the objectives of the FAI to provide player and organisational pathways to the highest level of the game in Ireland. The last-placed team in the First Division will be challenged by the best non-league performer for its place in the First Division.

2009

In 2009 the Premiership will contain ten teams and the First Division will be made up of twelve sides. Only clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI will be allowed to compete.

Movement between the Premiership and the First Division will be via one automatic promotion (first place in the First Division) and one automatic relegation place (tenth/last place in the Premiership) along with a play-off series. The eighth and ninth-placed finishers in the Premiership will contest a play-off match. The winner of this game will retain their place in the top tier, while he loser will compete in a home-and-away play-off series against the winner of a second-versus-third-place play-off match from the First Division to decide the final place for the next season's Premierhip.

Movement between the First Division and the ‘A’ Championship will be via a promotion/relegation play-off between last place (12th in the First Division) and an ‘A’ Championship qualifier seeking promotion to the First Division.

As part of its ongoing work in overseeing the continuing development of the League, the FAI National League Committee will be charged with reviewing upwards the amount of prize money on offer by the start of the 2009 season.

Qualification for European competitions

The top team in the Premiership qualifies for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round and must win three two-legged knockout ties against higher seeded and stronger opposition with progression in order to enter the group phase. The second-placed team qualifies for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round. They, similarly, must go through three two-legged knockout ties in order to enter the Second Round group phase of that competition. The third-placed team enter the Intertoto Cup. There is another UEFA Cup first qualifying round slot reserved for the winners of the domestic FAI Cup. If it were to happen that a cup-winner has already qualified for the UEFA Cup via the league, the cup-win qualification will take prominence and the league-place qualification will be transferred to the next team who finished below them in the league. This, in turn, will also cause a downward transfer of the Intertoto Cup qualification place to the next team in line. The UEFA Champions League (which used to be named and is often still called the European Cup) is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ... The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ... The UEFA Intertoto Cup is a summer football competition for European clubs that have not qualified for one of the main UEFA competitions (the Champions League and the UEFA Cup). ... The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ...

UEFA coefficient

The FAI National League's UEFA coefficient accumulates to a total value of 6.498 as of the 2006/07 European season (now completed as all Irish entrants have been knocked out). In European football, the UEFA coefficients are statistics used for ranking and seeding teams in club and international competitions. ...

Current national league UEFA ranking

• 33 Finland
• 34 Moldova
• 35 Ireland
• 36 Georgia
• 37 Liechtenstein¹

• Full list

Note 1: Liechenstein has no properly recognised league championship. Therefore, the country has no UEFA Champions League entrants, although the cup winners enter the UEFA Cup. Image File history File links Flag_of_Finland_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Moldova. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Georgia_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Liechtenstein. ... The UEFA Champions League (which used to be named and is often still called the European Cup) is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ... The Liechtenstein football Cup has been organised annually by the Liechtenstein Football Association (LFV) since 1946. ... The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ...

Background information

Ireland's national league coefficient has been steadily improving in recent years. The League of Ireland's move to 'Summer football' at the beginning of the 2003 season, which was seen to be beneficial for team fitness and coherency when the qualifying campaigns come round, and the introduction of full-time professional football by a number of top sides, has aided this promising progress. Due to the swift development in the past few years, combined with the fact that UEFA accords its coefficient values based on results over five previous seasons, Irish clubs' coefficients give a somewhat inaccurate impression of the current standard of play in the eircom League, with many believing that an accurate representation of the standard of play would see Irish clubs ranked higher. Signs of the vast improvement are evident in the fact that League of Ireland clubs have consistently overcome sides from the Swedish league (currently ranked 28th by UEFA after the position has deteriorated recently due, in a large way, to the steady latter-day success of Irish teams over their Swedish counterparts to quite an extent) in recent years. Cork City, for example, went past Djurgårdens IF in 2005 after having earlier beaten Malmo FF 4-1 on aggregate in 2004, while Derry City beat former UEFA Cup winners, IFK Göteborg, 2-0 on aggregate in 2006. They then went on to defeat Gretna, a side from the Scottish system (ranked 11th by UEFA), 7-3 on aggregate. 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. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... 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. ... Allsvenskan (literally, the all Swedish) is the highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises the top 14 Swedish football teams. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... The club logo DjurgÃ¥rdens IF is a Swedish sports club located in Stockholm with several sections. ... Malmö FF is a Swedish football club from Malmö. Malmö FF is in the highest division in Sweden, and has won the Swedish championship fifteen times. ... The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ... IFK Göteborg is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. ... The Scottish Football Association (SFA) was formed in 1873 making it the second oldest national football association in the world (after The English Football Association). ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...

The poor ranking of 35th has led to arrogant under-estimation of the league's standard and before Derry City's win over IFK Göteborg, Niclas Alexandersson rather misguidedly suggested that his team could take a holiday and still walk over the League of Ireland side.^[7] IFK Göteborg is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. ... Niclas Alex Alexandersson [IPA: nɪklÉ‘s É‘lÉ›ksÉ‘ndÉ›(r)ʃɔn] (born December 29, 1971 in Vessigebro) is a Swedish football midfielder. ...

Prize funds

Between the National League, FAI Cup, FAI League Cup and the Setanta Cup a prize fund in excess of €1 million will be available. The FAI will be investing a total of €803,000 for prize funds in 2007. The prize fund for the Premiership in 2007 will reach €450,000 with the winner being awarded €225,000. The First Division prize fund in 2007 will be €100,000. The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ... The FAI League Cup is a football competition open to all Football League of Ireland clubs. ... The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ...

Media coverage

The broadcasting partners of the FAI - Setanta Sports, TG4 and RTÉ - will show over 50 live games in the 2007. These games will include FAI National League games, as well as Setanta Cup matches and FAI Cup matches. TV3 will show a highlights programme, eircom League Weekly, every week. Setanta Sports is a leading Irish international sports broadcaster, operating 12 channels in 24 countries. ... TG4 is an Irish television channel aimed at Irish language speakers and established as a wholly owned subsidiary by Radio Telefís Éireann in 31 October 1996; it was known as Teilifís na Gaeilge or TnaG before a rebranding campaign in 1999. ... Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ; Irish for Radio and Television of Ireland) is the national publicly-funded broadcaster of Ireland. ... The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ... The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ... TV3 Ireland is the sole commercial television channel in the Republic of Ireland. ... eircom League Weekly is the name of a weekly football programme on TV3 in Ireland which shows highlights from the FAI National League. ...

Sponsorship

The FAI National League is sponsored by Irish telecommunications company, eircom. eircom Group plc is the largest telecommunications operator in the Republic of Ireland. ...

History

See Football League of Ireland History for a brief history of the national league of the Republic 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 telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...

Past winners

Premier League

See League of Ireland Premier Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's top tier competition between 1921 and 2006.

The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...

First Division

See League of Ireland First Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's second tier competition between 1985 and 2006.

The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...

Footnotes

¹ FAI/eircom League Implementation Committee - Proposals on the strategic direction of the National League 2007-2002 PDF Document.
PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ...

References

1. ^ "Final meeting of the old-style National League marks the end of an era", FAI.ie, 2006-12-08.
2. ^ "eircom League clubs back FAI merger", RTÉ.ie, 2006-06-29.
3. ^ "FAI name the 12 clubs who will participate in the Premier Division", FAI.ie, 2006-12-11.
4. ^ "Standoff at FAI headquarters is ended", RTÉ.ie, 2006-12-13.
5. ^ "Limerick FC fail in license bid", RTÉ.ie, 2006-12-15.
6. ^ "Wexford favourites for 22nd spot", FAI.ie, 2006-12-06.
7. ^ Candystripes spurred by comments Eleven-a-side.com, 13 July 2006.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... rte. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... rte. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... -1... rte. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ...

See also

• 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 telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...

External links

• FAI National League merger proposals
• Galway included in Premiership
• Selection Criteria for the New FAI Premier League
• Club officials outline Galway United’s case for inclusion in Premiership
• Foolish not to promote Dundalk - The Argus (free registration required)

Top level football leagues of Europe (UEFA) v • d • e
Albania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | England | Estonia | Faroe Islands | Finland | France | Georgia | Germany | Gibraltar# | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Republic of Ireland | Israel | Italy | Kazakhstan | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Republic of Macedonia | Malta | Moldova | Montenegro# | Netherlands | Northern Ireland | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | San Marino | Scotland | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | Wales  # Provisional membership Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... World map showing Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Premier League is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. ... Gambrinus liga is the official name of the Czech football premier league. ... The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership in the UK and the Barclays English Premier League internationally) is a league competition for football clubs located at the top of the English football league system (above The Football League), making it Englands primary football competition. ... The Premier League of Association football in the Faroe Islands - from 2005 officially named Formuladeildin after the sponsor - was founded in 1942, but clubs did not compete in european competition until 1993. ... Macedonian First League Logo The Macedonian First League (Macedonian:Македонска Прва лига} is the highest professional football competition in the Republic of Macedonia. ... The First League of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Prva crnogorska fudbalska liga) is the top football league in Montenegro. ... The Irish Football League (IFL), or Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland. ... The San Marino Football League (Italian: Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio) is the amateur football league in San Marino. ... The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is the top division within the current structure of football in Scotland. ... It has been suggested that First League of Serbia and Montenegro be merged into this article or section. ... The Welsh Premiership is the national football league for Wales and is at the top of the Welsh football league system. ... FAI National League 2007 FAI Premiership Bohemians | Bray Wanderers | Cork City | Derry City | Drogheda United | Galway United Longford Town | Shamrock Rovers | Shelbourne | Sligo Rovers | St. Patrick's Athletic | UCD FAI First Division Athlone Town | Cobh Ramblers | Dundalk | Finn Harps Kildare County | Kilkenny City | Monaghan United | Waterford United
Football in Ireland
Football Association of Ireland - National team - List of football clubs in Ireland
Competitions: FAI Premiership - FAI First Division - FAI Cup - League Cup - Setanta Cup