Inishowen Football League
 | |
| Association | Ulster Football Association[1] |
|---|---|
| Sport | Football |
| Founded | 1970 |
| No. of teams | 17 |
| Country |  Ireland |
Most recent champion | Cockhill Celtic (2025–26) |
| Website | www |
The Inishowen Football League (IOFL) is an amateur league for football clubs in the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland. There are four divisions, with a promotion and relegation system in operation. This four-division setup, introduced in 2026, replaced a three division structure that had been in place for ten years.
Its top division, the Premier Division, sits on the seventh level of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
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 2025–26 Premier Division season.
Cockhill Celtic first team have now been promoted to the newly formed third tier in the Irish football league system known as the FAI National League as of 2026.
History
The Inishowen Football League was formed in 1988 with people representing their towns to play in small tournaments and the main league itself. Records of clubs achievements indicate that the league was up and running by the 1981–82 season, if not earlier.[2] The league itself gave a founding date when celebrating its 50th anniversary, claiming the league began in 1970.[3]
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 County Donegal falls under the jurisdiction of the Donegal League Organisation.[4]
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.[5][6]
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. Previously, there was a play-off match between the Premier and First Divisions but this was abolished for the 2025–26 season.[4]
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.[4] 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.[4]
| County Level | League(s) / division(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | IOFL Premier Division[7]
9 clubs – 1 relegation |
| 2 | IOFL First Division[8]
9 clubs – 1 promotion, 1 relegation |
| 3 | IOFL Second Division
8 clubs – 1 promotion, 1 relegation |
| 4 | IOFL Third Division
8 clubs – 1 promotion |
Clubs
| Club | Founded | Team colours | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aileach F.C. | 1993 | Yellow & Blue | Lakeside, Inch Road, Burnfoot[9] |
| Buncrana Hearts F.C. | 1961 | Blue | Castle Park, 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 | Blue & Yellow | 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 | Dark Blue | School Field, Muff |
| Rashenny F.C. | 1976 | Blue | Trawbreaga Park, Isle of Doagh[10] |
| Redcastle United F.C. | 1969 | Red & Black Stripes | Foyle Park, Tullyally, Redcastle |
| Sea Rovers F.C. | 1931 | Red & White Stripes | Gortnamullin, Malin Head |
League format
The league is split up into four divisions. The Jackie Crossan Premier Division, the HML Plant Hire First Division, the Second Division & Third Division.[11][12][13] The divisions function with a promotion-and-relegation system.[14]
Teams for the 2026-27 season
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
- Aileach
- Buncrana Hearts
- Carndonagh
- Clonmany Shamrocks
- Cockhill Celtic Youths
- Culdaff FC
- Greencastle
- Illies Celtic
- Quigleys Point Swifts
HML Plant Hire First Division
- Aileach Reserves
- Buncrana Reserves
- Carn Youths
- Cockhill Celtic Reserves
- Dunree United
- Glengad United
- Moville Celtic
- Redcastle United
- Sea Rovers
Inishowen Engineering Second Division
- Carrowmena
- Clonmany Reserves
- Cockhill Celtic Colts
- Culdaff Rovers
- Gleneely Colts
- Illies Celtic Reserves
- Quigleys Point Youths
- Rashenny
PD Plumbing Supplies Third Division
- Aileach Youths
- Carndonagh Reserves
- Culdaff Reserves
- Dunree United Reserves
- Glengad Reserves
- Moville Reserves
- Rashenny Reserves
- Redcastle United Reserves
Honours
| Club | Titles[15] |
|---|---|
| Cockhill Celtic | 7 |
| Clonmany Shamrocks | 6 |
| Redcastle United | 4 |
| Glengad United | 4 |
| Illies Celtic | 3 |
| Quigley's Point Swifts | 3 |
| Aileach | 2 |
| Greencastle | 2 |
| Buncrana Hearts | 2 |
| Carndonagh | 1 |
| Culdaff | 1 |
| Moville Celtic | 1 |
| Newtown | 1 |
Premier League winners
- 2025–26 - Cockhill Celtic[16]
- 2024–25 - Buncrana Hearts[17]
- 2023–24 - Cockhill Celtic[17]
- 2022–23 - Buncrana Hearts[17]
- 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
Clubman Shirts League Cup
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 renown and historic competition in the league. The format is every team from the First, Second & Third Divisions 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.
FAI Junior Cup
Teams from the Premier and First Divisions can 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.
Players
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 football matches in the league have changed in recent years. Many parks now include clubhouses with changing rooms and showers, and some clubs have added second pitches and floodlights. Aileach F.C. has developed dual-purpose pitches, changing facilities, and an indoor artificial training surface.[9]
For cup finals, or any other tournament the league is involved with, Maginn Park is where these games are held. Maginn Park also serves as the headquarters of the Inishowen Football League.[18] The Inishowen League plays all their league finals and representative games at the Buncrana venue, while the Inishowen Ladies League and the Youth & Schoolboys' League also host all their finals at the ground.[19]
References
- ↑ "Ulster FA | Inishowen Football League". inishowenfl.ie. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
- ↑ "2016/17 | Seasons | Inishowen Football League". inishowenfl.ie. Archived from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
The next time Redcastle won a competition was in 1981/82 season when they won the Division 2 of the Inishowen League.
- ↑ "Celebrating approx 50 years in existence | Inishowen Football League". inishowenfl.ie. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Inishowen Football League – Constitution & Rules 2025–26" (PDF). Inishowen Football League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ↑ Stafford, Tom (12 December 2024). "The Irish Football Pyramid – or lack of (part 2 - Ulster)". extratime.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ↑ McNulty, Chris (12 July 2023). "USL demise to signal junior return for Cockhill, Bonagee and Letterkenny". www.donegallive.ie. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ↑ "Jackie Crossan Premier Division". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ↑ "HML Plant Hire First Division". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- 1 2 "History". Aileach Football Club. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rashenny F. C. | Inishowen Football League". inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Premier Division – Inishowen Football League". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ↑ "First Division – Inishowen Football League". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ↑ "Division Two – Inishowen Football League". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ↑ "Rules – Inishowen Football League". www.inishowenfl.ie. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ↑ "Salary Cap FAQ, askthecommish.com, retrieved October 30, 2006". Retrieved 21 January 2007.
- ↑ highlandsport (1 March 2026). "Cockhill Celtic are champions once again - Inishowen Football League Results Sunday 01/03/26". Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 O'Brien, Diarmuid (20 April 2025). "Buncrana Hearts dethrone Cockhill Celtic and lift Premier Division title". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Inishowen Football League website". www.inishowennews.com. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ "Redevelopment works begin at Buncrana's Maginn Park clubhouse". Donegal Daily. 31 October 2025. Archived from the original on 2 November 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.