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. Eircom, formerly Telecom Éireann, is the former State telecommunications operator of Ireland – as a private company they continue to have a virtual monopoly in some telecommunications areas, its main competitor is Esat BT. They currently operate the fixed-line telephone network, act as an internet service provider (ISP) , and operate... The striker (wearing red jersey) has run past the defender (in white jersey) and is about to take a shot at the goal, while the goalkeeper positions himself to stop the ball. ... The Republic of Ireland ( Irish: Poblacht na hÉireann) is the official description of an independent state which covers approximately five-sixths of the island of Ireland, off the coast of north-west Europe. ... Northern Ireland is an administrative region and one of four parts of the United Kingdom. ...

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. Derry City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland, it is also the only club in the league from Northern Ireland. ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... 1985 is 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), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of Association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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). British Isles is also an old name for the Great Britain, Great Britain Ireland The Isle of Man The Isle of Wight The Northern Isles, including Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle The Hebrides, including the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles Rockall The islands of the lower Firth of... Summer is one of the four temperate seasons. ... In many parts of the world, winter is associated with snow. ... Spring is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. ... The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays English Premier League for sponsorship reasons) comprises the top 20 football clubs in the league system of English football. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Official language None; English is de facto Capital London Capitals coordinates 51° 30 N, 0° 10 W Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831... The Scottish Premier League (SPL for short) is the top division within the current structure of Scottish association football. ... Scandinavia is the cultural and historic region of the Scandinavian Peninsula. ...

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.

Clubs in Membership

Athlone Town FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Cobh Ramblers FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Dublin City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Dundalk FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Galway United FC was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ... Kildare County FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Kilkenny 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. ... Monaghan Utd is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Sligo Rovers FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...

List of Winners of the League

Shamrock Rovers FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Bohemian FC is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Shelbourne FC is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Dundalk 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. ... Waterford United is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Athlone Town FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ... Derry City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland, it is also the only club in the league from Northern Ireland. ... Cork City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...

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 Website (http://www.eircomleague.ie/)