Inishowen Football League

History

The Inishowen Football League was formed in 1988 with people representing their towns to play in small tournaments and the main league itself.

League format

As of the 2016–17 season

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. The 2016–17 Premier and First Division seasons commenced on 28 August; the Second Division on 4 September.

Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Aileach

Buncrana Hearts

Carndonagh

Clonmany Shamrocks

Culdaff

Dunree United

Glengad United

Greencastle

Quigley's Point Swifts

Strand Hotel First Division

Aileach Reserves

Carrowmena

Clonmany Reserves

Cockhill Celtic Youths

Illies Celtic

Moville Celtic

Quigleys Point Reserves

Rashenny

Redcastle United

Sea Rovers

Inishowen Engineering Second Division

Aileach Youths

Buncrana Hearts Reserves

Carndonagh Reserves

Carrowmena Reserves (withdrew from play mid-season)

Cockhill Colts

Culdaff Reserves

Dunree United Reserves

Gleneely Colts

Glengad Reserves

Greencastle Reserves

Illies Celtic Reserves

Moville Celtic Reserves

Rashenny Reserves

Redcastle United Reserves

Premier League winners

Clonmany Shamrocks have won the most titles with six championships.

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

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

The players of the league consist of many people from around Inishowen. The league also has its own ladies league. 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

Stephen McLaughlin

Football pitches

Facilities for playing football matches in the league have improved rapidly over the last number of years. The most improved is Culdaff's Caratra Park. After the addition of floodlights, Culdaff now play their home games on Saturday nights. The new addition saw a high attendance in Caratra Park on the first game they were played under them. Club houses with changing rooms and showers have been added to nearly every park.

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.