The Inishowen Football League (IOFL) is an amateur league for football clubs in the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland. There are three divisions, with a promotion-and-relegation system in operation. This three-division setup, introduced in 2016, replaced a structure that had been in place for twenty years.
The season runs from late August to May. The league is featured in much of Inishowen's media, such as the Inish Times and the Inishowen Independent.
The current champions are Buncrana Hearts who won the 2024–25 Premier Division season.
History
The Inishowen Football League was formed in 1988 with people representing their towns to play in small tournaments and the main league itself.[citation needed] Records of clubs achievements indicate that the league was up and running by the 1981–82 season, if not earlier.[1] The league itself gave a founding date when celebrating its 50th anniversary, claiming the league began in 1970.[2]
The Ulster Football Association passed a resolution in 2004 that defined the league's boundaries to be the same as the boundaries of the Inishowen Electoral Area. The rest of Donegal falls under the jurisdiction of the Donegal League Organisation.[3]
The Ulster Senior League folded after the conclusion of the 2022–23 season and the sole remaining Inishowen club, Cockhill Celtic, returned to junior football in the Inishowen league.[4][5]
League pyramid
Beginning with the 2025–26 season, the Inishowen Football League's promotion and relegation rules dictate that the team finishing bottom of the Premier Division is relegated to the First Division and the winners of the First Division are promoted in their place. The previously used playoff match between Premier and First Division teams has been abolished.[3]
No club may have two teams participating in the Premier Division nor are reserve teams eligible for promotion to the Premier Division. If a reserve team wins the First Division, the runners-up are promoted in their stead. If the runners-up are also a reserve team, then there will be no promotion or relegation for that season.[3] In 2023–24, a promotion relegation playoff was introduced between the Second Division runners-up and the team finishing second from bottom in the First Division.[3]
The league is split up into three divisions: the Jackie Crossan Premier Division, the HML Plant Hire First Division and the Inishowen Engineering Second Division.[9][10][11] The divisions function with a promotion-and-relegation system.[12]
This cup competition is fought out between the Premier League teams in a mini league and then knockout format. This competition begins prior to the start of the league and played out through the season.
Buncrana Credit Union Cup
This cup competition is played between teams from the Premier and First Divisions in a knockout format only.
Hannon Greene Father O'Gara Cup
The Father O'Gara Cup is one of the most famous and historic competition in the league. The format is every team from the First and Second Division compete against one another in a knockout format. First teams and their reserve teams may compete against one another if they are drawn to play. Mainly it has been the First Division teams that make the final. The competition lasts all the way through the season and is very popular throughout the peninsula.
Donegal Signs Reserve League Shield
This competition is played between the Second Division teams in a knockout format. It is played prior to the start of the league campaign.
FAI Junior Cup
Teams from the Premier and First Divisions take part in the FAI Junior Cup, which features 600-plus teams from around the country. Teams who do well in the Jackie Crossan Premier are invited to compete against other clubs from around Ulster. Teams from the Inishowen Football League have been competing in the cup for a long time and continue still.
Players
A 2008/9 season game. Clonmany Shamrocks celebrate after scoring a goal
The players of the league consist of many people from around Inishowen. Players are free to join whichever team they want before the season starts. Players cannot switch teams during the regular season unless they request a transfer from the league. There have been a lot of local people that have a reputation for playing in the league. Most of these people stay in the league after their playing careers and move on to management of a club.
Facilities for playing football matches in the league have improved rapidly over the last number of years. Club houses with changing rooms and showers have been added to nearly every park. And many clubs now have a second pitch to allow for their reserve teams and underage groups to play on. Some have floodlights to allow for some Saturday evening games. Arguably the most impressive grounds are that of Aileach FC, whom only 20 years ago played on a farm ground. They now have two purpose made pitches and large building with changing rooms and an indoor artificial playing surface for training.
For cup finals, or any other tournament the league is involved with, Maginn Park is where these games are held. Maginn Park is located in Buncrana and is serving as one of the most important pitches in the league. Maginn Park also serves as the headquarters of the Inishowen Football League.[14]
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