The NIFL Premier Intermediate League (Known as the Playr-Fit NIFL Premier Intermediate League for sponsorship reasons) is the third level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national association football league in Northern Ireland, and the highest intermediate division in Northern Ireland, occupying level three in the Northern Ireland football league system – below the NIFL Premiership (level 1) and NIFL Championship (level 2).
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | NIFL Championship |
| Relegation to | Ballymena & Provincial League Mid-Ulster Football League Northern Amateur League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Irish Cup IFA Intermediate Cup |
| League cup(s) | Northern Ireland Football League Cup |
| Current champions | Limavady United (2023–24) |
| Current: 2024-25 season | |
The third level in Northern Irish football was known as the Irish League Second Division from 1999 to 2003, the Irish Second Division from 2003 to 2008, the IFA Interim Intermediate League from 2008 to 2009, the IFA Championship 2 from 2009 to 2013, and the NIFL Championship 2 from 2013 to 2016. The league is set to be replaced at the start of the 2026 season by a new conference league format.[1]
History
editUnder reforms agreed by the NIFL clubs in 2014, from 2016, when the previous Championship 1 acquired senior status, Championship 2 continued as the Premier Intermediate League, retaining its intermediate status and thus became the top intermediate league in Northern Ireland.[2][3]
In May 2023, the league was expanded to 14 teams, due to licensing issues with Warrenpoint Town and PSNI not having a league they can seamlessly be relegated into. Rathfriland Rangers joined the league for the 2023-24 season, along with Coagh United.[4]
Current members
editThe 2023–24 NIFL Premier Intermediate League consists of 14 teams.
| Club | Location | Stadium | Capacity[5] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armagh City | Armagh | Holm Park | 1,500 |
| Ballymacash Rangers | Lisburn | The Bluebell Stadium | 1,280 |
| Banbridge Town | Banbridge | Crystal Park | 1,500 |
| Coagh United | Coagh | Hagan Park | 1,000 |
| Dollingstown | Dollingstown | Planters Park | 750 |
| Limavady United | Limavady | The Showgrounds | 1,500 |
| Lisburn Distillery | Lisburn | New Grosvenor Stadium | 1,500 |
| Moyola Park | Castledawson | Mill Meadow | 2,000 |
| Portstewart | Portstewart | Seahaven | 1,500 |
| PSNI | Belfast | Newforge Lane | 1,500 |
| Rathfriland Rangers | Rathfriland | Iveagh Park | 1,000 |
| Queen's University A.F.C. | Belfast | Upper Malone | 300 (Approx) |
| Tobermore United | Tobermore | Fortwilliam Park | 1,000 |
| Warrenpoint Town | Warrenpoint | Milltown | 1,450 |
List of third-tier champions
edit| Season | Champions |
|---|---|
| Irish League Second Division | |
| 1999–00 | Dundela |
| 2000–01 | Dundela |
| 2001–02 | Moyola Park |
| 2002–03 | Ballinamallard United |
| Irish Second Division | |
| 2003–04 | Coagh United |
| 2004–05 | Tobermore United |
| 2005–06 | Portstewart |
| 2006–07 | Ballyclare Comrades |
| 2007–08 | Dergview |
| IFA Interim Intermediate League | |
| 2008–09 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| IFA Championship 2 | |
| 2009–10 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| 2010–11 | Warrenpoint Town |
| 2011–12 | Coagh United |
| 2012–13 | Knockbreda |
| NIFL Championship 2 | |
| 2013–14 | Armagh City |
| 2014–15 | Lurgan Celtic |
| 2015–16 | Limavady United |
| NIFL Premier Intermediate League | |
| 2016–17 | Limavady United |
| 2017–18 | Dundela |
| 2018–19 | Queen's University |
| 2019–20 | Annagh United |
| 2021–22 | Newington |
| 2022–23 | Bangor |
References
edit- ^ "PIL set to be replaced by Conference league in 2026". Belfast Telegraph Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "NI Football League - Restructure Proposal". Northern Ireland Football League. nifootballleague.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Northern Ireland Football League (2014). NI Football League Restructure Proposal.
- ^ "NIFL Include Warrenpoint Town and PSNI in expanded third tier". Belfast Telegraph Sport. 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ^ "Venues - Premier Intermediate League - Northern Ireland - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2020-02-04.