Inishowen Football League

Last updated

Inishowen Football League
Inishfootballlogo.png
Sport Football
Founded1988
Country Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Most recent
champion(s)
Cockhill Celtic
Official website http://www.inishowenfl.ie

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.

Contents

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 Cockhill Celtic who won the 2023-24 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.

The Ulster Senior League was dissolved in 2023, with some of the member clubs returning to junior football in the Inishowen league.

Clubs

ClubFoundedTeam coloursGround
Aileach F.C.1993Blue & YellowLakeside, Inch Road, Burnfoot
Buncrana Hearts F.C. 1961White & NavyYouth Club, Castle Avenue, Buncrana
Carndonagh F.C.1976RedSt. Patrick's Park, Carndonagh
Carrowmena F.C.1993Orange & BlackThe Warren, Tremone, Carrowmenagh
Clonmany Shamrocks F.C.1951White & GreenShamrock Park, Clonmany
Cockhill Celtic F.C. 1970Green & White Hoops Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds
Culdaff F.C.1972White & RedCaratra Park, Culdaff
Dunree United F.C.1974Black & YellowSt. Egney's Park, Glebe, Dunree
Gleneely Colts F.C.1980Blue & NavyGlenview Park, Gleneely
Glengad United F.C.1976Yellow & BlackThe Crua, Glengad
Greencastle F.C.1986BlueChapel Lane, Ballybrack, Greencastle
Illies Celtic F.C.1977Green & NavyDruminderry, Illies
Moville Celtic F.C.1904Green & White HoopsGlencrow, Moville
Quigley's Point Swifts F.C.1970Dark BlueSchool Field, Muff
Rashenny F.C.1976Black & Navy StripsTrawbreaga, Isle of Doagh
Redcastle United F.C.1969Red & Black StripsFoyle Park, Tullyally, Redcastle
Sea Rovers F.C.Red & White StripsGortnamullin, Malin Head
Inishowen Football League Teams Inishowen Football Teams.jpg
Inishowen Football League Teams

League format

The league is split up into three divisions: the Jackie Crossan Premier Division, the Strand Hotel First Division and the Inishowen Engineering Second Division. The divisions function with a promotion-and-relegation system.

Teams for the 2023-24 season

Jackie Crossan Premier Division

  • Aileach
  • Buncrana Hearts
  • Carndonagh
  • Clonmany Shamrocks
  • Cockhill Celtic
  • Glengad United
  • Greencastle
  • Illies Celtic
  • Moville Celtic

Strand Hotel First Division

  • Aileach Reserves
  • Buncrana Reserves
  • Carndonagh Reserves
  • Clonmany Reserves
  • Cockhill Celtic Youths
  • Culdaff
  • Dunree United
  • Greencastle Youths
  • Quigley's Point Swifts
  • Rashenny
  • Redcastle United

Inishowen Engineering Second Division

  • Aileach Youths
  • Carrowmena
  • Cockhill Celtic Colts
  • Cockhill Celtic Reserves
  • Culdaff Reserves
  • Dunree United Reserves
  • Gleneely Colts
  • Glengad United Reserves
  • Illies Celtic Reserves
  • Moville Celtic Reserves
  • Quigleys Point Youths
  • Rashenny Reserves
  • Rashenny Rovers
  • Redcastle United Reserves
  • Sea Rovers

Honours

ClubTitles [1]
Clonmany Shamrocks6
Cockhill Celtic6
Redcastle United4
Glengad United4
Illies Celtic3
Quigley's Point Swifts3
Aileach2
Greencastle2
Buncrana Hearts1
Carndonagh1
Culdaff1
Moville Celtic1
Newtown1

Premier League winners

Cup competitions

Clubman Shirts League Cup

This cup competition is fought out between the Premier and First Division 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 Shamrockscelegoal.JPG
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.

Notable former players

Football pitches

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.

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References

  1. "Salary Cap FAQ, askthecommish.com, retrieved October 30, 2006" . Retrieved 21 January 2007.