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45-812: 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. Under reforms agreed by

90-493: A 0–0 draw was enough to earn the club's third League Cup title overall. In January 2015, Cliftonville defeated Ballymena United 3–2 in the League Cup final at Windsor Park to secure a third League Cup in a row. In September 2015 Gerard Lyttle succeeded the highly successful Tommy Breslin. On 13 February 2016, Cliftonville won its fourth consecutive League Cup by defeating Ards 3–0 in the final at Solitude. In May 2017, Lyttle

135-478: A poor start to their season, being bottom of the table with just four points at Christmas. Following the sale of star striker Daniel Hughes to Cliftonville, the club received Martin Murray and Johnny McMurray from Cliftonville as part of the deal to take Hughes to Solitude. The club had a dramatic upturn in fortunes, first reaching a league cup semi final, before losing 1–0 to Cliftonville after extra-time, and in one of

180-628: A top 6 finish. They won the County Antrim Shield and reached the Irish Cup final, 30 years since their previous victory in the competition. Cliftonville lost in the final to their near neighbours, Crusaders . The season was a success on a personal note for captain Chris Scannell , who finished top goalscorer in all competitions, and won the coveted Ulster Footballer of the Year trophy. The Reds began

225-497: A treble when they were defeated 3–1 after extra time in the 2012–13 Irish Cup final by Glentoran on 4 May 2013. The club started the following season in the UEFA Champions league second qualifying round , losing to Scottish champions Celtic in both legs. In January 2014, the club lifted their second consecutive League Cup against the same final opponents as the previous season, Crusaders. A 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory after

270-641: Is a semi-professional association football club playing in the NIFL Premiership – the top division of the Northern Ireland Football League . The club was founded in September 1879 by John McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast and are the founders of football in Ireland . It is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2019. Since 1890,

315-554: The Belfast News-Letter and Northern Whig , which asked "gentlemen desirous of becoming members" of the "Cliftonville Association Football Club (Scottish Association Rules)" to communicate with John McAlery , a young Belfast businessman and manager of the "Irish Tweed House", Royal Avenue, and later with premises in Rosemary Street, or R.M. Kennedy, and advertising an "opening practice today at 3.30". Only one week after

360-525: The County Antrim Shield in 1997 for the first time in 88 years. Under manager Marty Quinn , a player from the cup-winning side of 1979, Cliftonville won the Irish League in 1997–98 for the first time in 88 years at Solitude after a 1–1 draw against Glentoran. UTV 's coverage of the post-match wait in the home changing-room, which erupted in celebration once the title win had been confirmed, brought

405-627: The Irish Football League was held on 14 March 1890 in the Belfast Estate Office of the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava with M. McNeice (Cliftonville) as its first president. Eight clubs agreed to participate: Cliftonville, Clarence, Milford, Oldpark, Distillery, Glentoran , Ulster and Linfield. In the 1905–06 season Cliftonville won the League for the first time, a success that was repeated in

450-556: The Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A division in the 2009–10 season, the club was elected to Championship 2 for the first time by the Championship Committee. During their first season, they defeated Cliftonville 3–1 on penalties at Solitude in the fifth round of the 2010–11 Irish Cup – at the time, the biggest result in the club's history. It went on to become a very successful season for

495-522: The second qualifying round of the Europa league. Cliftonville lost to CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria in the first match of the third qualifying round, 3–0. In the 2nd Leg Cliftonville lost 1–2 on the night which secured a 5–1 aggregate success for Sofia, who were allowed to remain in the competition when UEFA ruled that Cliftonville's appeal over the ineligibility of CSKA midfielder Spas Delev had not been lodged within

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540-517: The 1880s Cliftonville also played in the English FA Cup , competing in the competition proper in 1886–87 and 1887–88 . In 1886–87 they finally lost in the third round 11–0 at home to Partick Thistle after beating Blackburn Park Road 7–2 in an earlier round. In 1887–88 they scratched their match with Church ( Accrington ). The match lost to Linfield 7–0 in 1888 is the only FA Cup match to be played on Christmas Day. The inaugural meeting of

585-555: The 1900 Irish Cup competition. The Celtic goalposts were eventually measured and it was found out that they were much too short. A replay took place, in which Cliftonville reversed the 4–0 defeat in the earlier match. Subsequently they won the Cup that year, after beating Bohemians 2–1 in the Final. Being an all-amateur team until the early 1970s, Cliftonville subsequently played a minor role in Northern Irish football as professionalism took hold. It

630-543: The 1909–10 campaign. In 1891, Cliftonville became the first Irish football club to utilize floodlights during games. As reported, "It seems incredible, but it is a fact that in 1891 two matches were played under electric lights at Cliftonville: Distillery defeated the Reds 4–2, and the Black Watch held Cliftonville to a 2–2 draw. Kick-off in each case was at 8 pm with lights suspended across the pitch. These were later dismantled with

675-508: The Mid-Ulster Cup to reach their first ever Mid-Ulster Cup final. The club sealed their return to the NIFL Premiership with a 3–2 win over Institute in April 2017. The club made their championship return following a 12th-placed finish in the NIFL Premiership in April 2022. The club in the 2022–23 season finished second in the NIFL Championship and were due to take on Dungannon Swifts in

720-627: 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. 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

765-575: The Reds were playing in yellow and blue that day. A similar strip was launched for the club's appearance in the 2009 showpiece. In the years after this achievement, Cliftonville returned to the lower reaches of the Irish League , and in the Nineties frequently ended bottom of the league but relegation was not applied at that time. However, things started to improve after winning the Floodlit Cup in 1996 and

810-590: The Reds' victory to a wide audience. After the Cliftonville players returned to the Solitude pitch, Reds Captain Mickey Donnelly lifted the Irish League trophy. Donnelly was made new Captain at the start of the season after replacing Marty Tabb. Yet the championship was followed by another potential highlight that turned out badly for Cliftonville, when the 1999 final of the Irish Cup between Cliftonville and Portadown

855-521: The advertisement was published, Cliftonville played its first recorded game at Cliftonville Cricket Ground against a selection of rugby players known as Quidnunces , the game took place on 29 September 1879. The newly formed club, however, was beaten 2–1. In its first match against the Scottish club Caledonian, it fared worse: a 1–9 defeat. In 1880, it was again John McAlery who was the moving spirit in

900-456: The announcement that spectators found it difficult to follow the action and that "the players seemed to have all the fun in the middle". It had been a bold experience, but not a highly successful one with the public skeptical, almost contemptuous of this enterprising project." In 1897 Cliftonville won the Irish Cup after a 3–1 win over Sherwood Foresters. A quite unusual protest was launched by Cliftonville after being beaten by Belfast Celtic in

945-484: The association. This meeting also paved the way for the Irish Cup . The first Irish Cup final, played at Cliftonville on 9 April 1881, saw a 1–0 defeat against Moyola Park , an opponent that was well known for "rough and brutal play". In the following year Cliftonville lost again in the Irish Cup final, 1–0 against Queen's Island . In 1883 Cliftonville won the cup for the first time with a 5–0 win over Ulster . During

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990-560: The away leg was played at the Celtnieks Stadium in the Latvian city of Daugavpils. Mark Holland scored the only goal of the game and secured Cliftonville's first victory in European competition. During the 2007–08 campaign Cliftonville's performances in the first half of the season had seemed to make them genuine title contenders, spending much of the early and middle part of the season top of

1035-533: The biggest shocks in Irish league history, the Point beat Glentoran 4–0 at The Oval . The Point were relegated on the final day of the season. While leading 1–0 against Dungannon Swifts and needing a win to stay up, Warrenpoint defender Jordan Dane collided with Andrew Mitchell, and despite Dane falling over, referee Ross Dunlop awarded Dungannon a penalty, much to the disbelief of the home support and players. Mitchell missed

1080-527: The club following his first managerial stint from 2006 to 2016, departed the club in January 2024, amid speculation of his appointment at Newry City . The club would start life in Intermediate football strongly initially with a significantly different squad to the previous campaign, with further key players such as Fra McCaffrey following former boss Barry Gray to Newry throughout the season. The club would finish

1125-580: The club has played home matches at Solitude . Cliftonville contests the North Belfast derby with nearby rivals Crusaders , and also has local rivalries with Linfield and Glentoran . The club has won the league title five times outright including one shared title, the Irish Cup nine times and the Northern Ireland Football League Cup six times. The foundation of Cliftonville F.C. was announced on 20 September 1879 in notices in

1170-407: The club to a strong second-placed finish, taking the title race with Linfield down to the wire. On 13 March 2022 Cliftonville won its sixth League Cup against Coleraine at Windsor Park in a thrilling final that ended 4–3 to the Reds in extra time. On 17 April 2023 Paddy McLaughlin left the manager's post at Solitude to become the assistant manager at his hometown club Derry City . Jim Magilton

1215-520: The club, as they adapted to the step-up to Championship 2 emphatically, winning the division by nine points and losing only one of the 30 games in the process. This secured their second consecutive promotion, elevating them to Championship 1, the second tier of Northern Irish football. In their first season in Championship 1 they found the next step up more difficult to adapt to but still avoided relegation, finishing in 12th place – nine points clear of

1260-550: The first Northern Irish side to play in all of UEFA's competitions. This time being drawn against Danish giants Copenhagen , the home leg took place at Mourneview Park , Lurgan and resulted in a 4–0 defeat with the return leg two weeks later held in the Danish National Stadium, Parken Stadium and the result again was unfavourable – this time a 7–0 defeat. During the 2008–09 campaign Cliftonville struggled in terms of their league performance but finished strongly to secure

1305-444: The following season, 2009–10, eager to carry on the largely good form of the last few months of the previous one. That run largely continued, with the highlight a 4–0 destruction in the derby game against Linfield at Solitude . The Reds finished second on 69 points, a 1–0 defeat away to Linfield in the penultimate game cost the Reds the championship. The 2010–11 season began with a 1–0 aggregate win over Croatian side HNK Cibalia in

1350-520: The formation of the Irish Football Association . He issued an invitation to interested parties in Belfast and district for a meeting to be called. The first meeting took place on 18 November 1880 at Queen's Hotel, Belfast, presided over by John Sinclair, from which the Irish Football Association was formed. While Major Chichester was appointed president, McAlery became the honorary secretary of

1395-530: The ground was upgraded to top flight standard and the club managed to survive that season. In 2014–15, the Point did not have an overall good season, finishing in 11th position and suffered a difficult time against Bangor in the Relegation Play-Off losing 2–0 in the first league at Clandeboye Park before winning 2–0 at Milltown and beating the Seasiders on penalties. In 2015–16, Warrenpoint Town suffered

NIFL Premier Intermediate League - Misplaced Pages Continue

1440-524: The league for the 2023-24 season , along with Coagh United . The 2023–24 NIFL Premier Intermediate League consists of 14 teams. Warrenpoint Town F.C. Warrenpoint Town Football Club is an intermediate Northern Irish football club that plays in the NIFL Premier Intermediate League . The club was formed in 1987, and for the first 23 years of its existence played at regional league level. After being crowned champions of

1485-575: The league's promotion play-off, however the club's application for a promotion licence, (to play in the NIFL Premiership) was rejected as well as their Championship licence (to play in the NIFL Championship or NIFL Premier Intermediate League). The club is set to drop down to the NIFL Premier Intermediate League following an agreement with the Irish FA . Manager Barry Gray, in his second spell at

1530-494: The penalty but scored on the rebound at the second attempt, to relegate Warrenpoint Town with the last kick of the game sending them back to NIFL Championship 1 . Mid-season the following year, manager Barry Gray took the decision to step down and help the club with board matters and made the decision to appoint first team coach Matthew Tipton as manager. Tipton took the club to the top of the table in NIFL Championship 1 by Christmas time and had remarkably beaten Glenavon 3–1 in

1575-483: The relegation zone. At the start of the 2012–13 season the demise of Newry City allowed the club to inherit some of Newry's players – strengthening their squad substantially. They eventually finished as runners-up, and qualified for the promotion play-off against Donegal Celtic , who had finished second-bottom in the Premiership. Warrenpoint won the tie on the away goals rule after it ended 2–2 on aggregate, to reach

1620-500: The required 24-hour time frame. At the end of the 2010–11 season, Eddie Patterson became the first manager to be sacked in the club's history. He was replaced by Tommy Breslin. The 2012–13 season was the most successful in the club's history. A win in the 2012–13 Irish League Cup final in January 2013 over rivals Crusaders was followed up with a League Championship, courtesy of a ninety-second-minute penalty from George McMullan against Linfield on 14 April 2013. The club missed out on

1665-487: The season in 10th place, with quite a young squad in what was a difficult campaign. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. 54°7′4.318″N 6°15′48.186″W  /  54.11786611°N 6.26338500°W  / 54.11786611; -6.26338500 Cliftonville F.C. Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club ( Irish : Cumann Peile agus Lúthchleas Mhullach Imeanna )

1710-456: The table, going top with five games to go, however a poor run of form in the final fixtures of the campaign ended their hopes of winning the biggest prize in local football. The Reds finished the league campaign in third position fourteen points adrift of Champions Linfield . However Cliftonville again secured European football, in the shape of the UEFA Cup . This success meant that the club became

1755-595: The top flight for the first time in the club's history. This rounded off a very successful few years for the club, going from the Mid Ulster Football League Intermediate A division to the Premiership in only four seasons. In their first season in the top flight, when many had expected the club to go straight back down, the club played their home fixtures at Dungannon Swifts ' ground, Stangmore Park , until 30 November 2013 because their home ground did not meet Premiership criteria. During this period

1800-434: The two legs. After a string of poor results, Tabb resigned in 2004. Former Institute boss Liam Beckett took over but only managed the club for the 2004–05 season. Since then the Reds have progressed, with a fifth-place finish in 2005–06 under new manager Eddie Patterson , (who replaced Liam Beckett ), and his Assistant Tommy Breslin. Fifth was the club's highest finish since the league win of 1997–98. The 2006–07 season

1845-480: Was a successful one for the club getting to the League Cup final and winning the County Antrim Shield . Finishing third ensured European football for the first time in five years. Cliftonville beat Dinaburg of Latvia in the First Round of the 2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup , the home leg was played at Windsor Park , Belfast and finished 1–1 with Kieron O'Connor scoring the Cliftonville goal, on his competitive debut and

NIFL Premier Intermediate League - Misplaced Pages Continue

1890-458: Was appointed Assistant Manager at the turn of the century. The Reds subsequently reverted to type, escaping relegation by beating Ards in relegation matches in two consecutive years. Nevertheless, in 2003 the Reds caused an upset by winning the Irish League Cup , beating Larne . The Reds were back in the relegation play-off in the 2003–04 season, but comfortably disposed of Armagh City over

1935-617: Was cancelled due to a Cliftonville player who had featured in the semi-final being deemed ineligible. Portadown were given a walkover in the final. Cliftonville subsequently entered the European arena for the first time, playing Nantes of France in the first round of the European Cup Winners Cup. The Reds lost 7–0 in France and 1–0 at Solitude. Former player and Captain Marty Tabb was appointed new manager and former defender Stephen Small

1980-456: Was only in 1976, under manager Jackie Hutton and his assistant Jackie Patterson, that Cliftonville experienced a "revolution in fortune" which peaked on 28 April 1979 in the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park . In front of 18,000 spectators, the largest attendance for many years, Cliftonville beat Portadown 3–2 with goals from John Platt, Mike Adair and a late winner from Tony Bell. Unusually,

2025-430: Was replaced by Barry Gray. Gray guided his side to an Irish Cup final appearance in 2018, losing 3–1 to Coleraine. On 4 February 2019, former Institute manager Paddy McLaughlin was appointed as Cliftonville manager following the dismissal of Barry Gray. In McLaughlin's first full season in charge, the 2019–20 season, Cliftonville finished fourth in the NIFL Premiership . In the 2021–22 season, Paddy McLaughlin guided

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