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.
 | |
| Sport | Football |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Country |  Ireland |
| Most recent champion(s) | Cockhill Celtic |
| Official website | http://www.inishowenfl.ie |
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
editThe 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
edit| Club | Founded | Team colours | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aileach F.C. | 1993 | Yellow & Blue | Lakeside, Inch Road, Burnfoot |
| Buncrana Hearts F.C. | 1961 | Blue | Youth Club, Castle Avenue, Buncrana |
| Carndonagh F.C. | 1976 | Red | St. Patrick's Park, Carndonagh |
| Carrowmena F.C. | 1993 | Red & Blue | The Warren, Tremone, Carrowmenagh |
| Clonmany Shamrocks F.C. | 1951 | White & Green | Shamrock Park, Clonmany |
| Cockhill Celtic F.C. | 1970 | Green & White Hoops | Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds |
| Culdaff F.C. | 1972 | White & Red | Caratra Park, Culdaff |
| Dunree United F.C. | 1974 | Black & Yellow | St. Egney's Park, Glebe, Dunree |
| Gleneely Colts F.C. | 1980 | Dark Blue | Glenview Park, Gleneely |
| Glengad United F.C. | 1976 | Yellow & Black | The Crua, Glengad |
| Greencastle F.C. | 1986 | Blue | Chapel Lane, Ballybrack, Greencastle |
| Illies Celtic F.C. | 1977 | Red | Druminderry, Illies |
| Moville Celtic F.C. | 1904 | Green & White Hoops | Glencrow, Moville |
| Quigley's Point Swifts F.C. | 1970 | Blue & White Stripes | School Field, Muff |
| Rashenny F.C. | 1976 | Blue & White | Trawbreaga, Isle of Doagh |
| Redcastle United F.C. | 1969 | Red & Black Stripes | Foyle Park, Tullyally, Redcastle |
| Sea Rovers F.C. | Red & White Stripes | Gortnamullin, Malin Head |
League format
editThe 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 2024-25 season
editJackie Crossan Premier Division
edit- Aileach
- Buncrana Hearts
- Carndonagh
- Clonmany Shamrocks
- Cockhill Celtic
- Culdaff FC
- Greencastle
- Illies Celtic
- Redcastle United
HML Plant Hire First Division
edit- Aileach Reserves
- Buncrana Reserves
- Carn Youths
- Cockhill Celtic Youths
- Dunree United
- Gleneely Colts
- Glengad United
- Moville Celtic
- Quigley's Point Swifts
- Rashenny
Inishowen Engineering Second Division
edit- Aileach Youths
- Carndonagh Reserves
- Carrowmena
- Clonmany Reserves
- Cockhill Celtic Colts
- Cockhill Celtic Reserves
- Culdaff Reserves
- Dunree United Reserves
- Glengad United Reserves
- Illies Celtic Reserves
- Moville Celtic Reserves
- Quigleys Point Youths
- Rashenny Reserves
- Rashenny Youths
- Redcastle United Reserves
- Sea Rovers
Honours
edit| Club | Titles[1] |
|---|---|
| Clonmany Shamrocks | 6 |
| Cockhill Celtic | 6 |
| Redcastle United | 4 |
| Glengad United | 4 |
| Illies Celtic | 3 |
| Quigley's Point Swifts | 3 |
| Aileach | 2 |
| Greencastle | 2 |
| Buncrana Hearts | 1 |
| Carndonagh | 1 |
| Culdaff | 1 |
| Moville Celtic | 1 |
| Newtown | 1 |
Premier League winners
edit- 2023-24 - Cockhill Celtic
- 2022-23 - Buncrana Hearts
- 2021-22 - Greencastle
- 2020-21 - NO SEASON
- 2019–20 - Aileach
- 2018–19 - Greencastle
- 2017–18 - Glengad United
- 2016–17 - Glengad United
- 2015–16 - Glengad United
- 2014–15 - Glengad United
- 2013–14 - Carndonagh
- 2012–13 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 2011–12 - Aileach
- 2010–11 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 2009–10 - Redcastle United
- 2008–09 - Redcastle United
- 2007–08 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 2006–07 - Redcastle United
- 2005–06 - Redcastle United
- 2004–05 - Cockhill Celtic
- 2003–04 - Illies Celtic
- 2002–03 - Illies Celtic
- 2001–02 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 2000–01 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 1999–2000 - Cockhill Celtic
- 1998–99 - Culdaff
- 1997–98 - Moville Celtic
- 1996–97 - Quigley's Point Swifts
- 1995–96 - Newtown
- 1994–95 - Clonmany Shamrocks
- 1993–94 - Quigley's Point Swifts
- 1992–93 - Quigley's Point Swifts
- 1991–92 - Cockhill Celtic
- 1990–91 - Cockhill Celtic
- 1989–90 - Illies Celtic
- 1988–89 - Cockhill Celtic
Cup competitions
editClubman Shirts League Cup
editThis 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
editThis cup competition is played between teams from the Premier and First Divisions in a knockout format only.
Hannon Greene Father O'Gara Cup
editThe 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
editThis 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
editTeams 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
edit
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
editFootball pitches
editFacilities 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.
References
edit- ^ "Salary Cap FAQ, askthecommish.com, retrieved October 30, 2006". Retrieved 21 January 2007.