NIFL Premier Intermediate League

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).

NIFL Premier Intermediate League
Founded2016
CountryNorthern Ireland
Number of teams14
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toNIFL Championship
Relegation toBallymena & 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 championsBangor
(2022–23)
Current: 2023-24 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.

History

Under 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.[1][2]

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.[3]

Current members

The 2023–24 NIFL Premier Intermediate League consists of 14 teams.

Club Location Stadium Capacity[4]
Armagh CityArmaghHolm Park1,500
Ballymacash RangersLisburnThe Bluebell Stadium1,280
Banbridge TownBanbridgeCrystal Park1,500
Coagh UnitedCoaghHagan Park1,000
DollingstownDollingstownPlanters Park750
Limavady UnitedLimavadyThe Showgrounds1,500
Lisburn DistilleryLisburnNew Grosvenor Stadium1,500
Moyola ParkCastledawsonMill Meadow2,000
PortstewartPortstewartSeahaven1,500
PSNIBelfastNewforge Lane1,500
Rathfriland RangersRathfrilandIveagh Park1,000
Queen's University A.F.C.BelfastUpper Malone300 (Approx)
Tobermore UnitedTobermoreFortwilliam Park1,000
Warrenpoint TownWarrenpointMilltown1,450

List of third-tier champions
Season Champions
Irish League Second Division
1999–00Dundela
2000–01Dundela
2001–02Moyola Park
2002–03Ballinamallard United
Irish Second Division
2003–04Coagh United
2004–05Tobermore United
2005–06Portstewart
2006–07Ballyclare Comrades
2007–08Dergview
IFA Interim Intermediate League
2008–09Harland & Wolff Welders
IFA Championship 2
2009–10Harland & Wolff Welders
2010–11Warrenpoint Town
2011–12Coagh United
2012–13Knockbreda
NIFL Championship 2
2013–14Armagh City
2014–15Lurgan Celtic
2015–16Limavady United
NIFL Premier Intermediate League
2016–17Limavady United
2017–18Dundela
2018–19Queen's University
2019–20Annagh United
2021–22Newington
2022–23Bangor

References
  1. "NI Football League - Restructure Proposal". Northern Ireland Football League. nifootballleague.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  2. Northern Ireland Football League (2014). NI Football League Restructure Proposal.
  3. "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.
  4. "Venues - Premier Intermediate League - Northern Ireland - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
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