The 2 Leagues of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have been very similar until the last decade. In 1999 Northern Ireland was ranked 40 while The League of Ireland (Republic of Ireland) was ranked 41. This is the closest each League would be in comparison. The League of Ireland has gained almost a point per year since 1999. Northern Ireland Premiership has dropped from 40 to 49, dropping almost a point per year.
The clubs from the League of Ireland have faired well in international competition. The UEFA Champions League has allowed the 1st place team from Ireland play. Here are the results from 1999 til now
Champions League
1999-00 St Patrick was slaughtered 5-0 and 5-0 and went home
2000-01 Shelbourne advanced to the second round
2001-02 Boenians advanced to the second round
2002-03 Shelbourne loses
2003-04 Bohemians advance to 2nd Round
2004-05 Shelbourne advances the the 3rd round. This is the farthest any League of Ireland has advanced in this tournament this decade.
2005-06 Shelbourne again advances to 2nd round
2006-07 Cork City becomes the 4th club to advance to the second round
2007-08 Derry City does not advance
2008-09 Drougheda United advance to 2nd round becoming the 5th club in the decade to advance
2009-10 Boheminas lose
2010-11 Bohemians lose--
2011-12 This year the Shamrock Rovers will be representing the League of Ireland. I think they will represent the League well. The Rovers have started out strong this year. The problem is some League Champions from the year before are not as good for the next years Champions League tournemant. Contract run out, players leave, management changes....ect. The Rovers have a stable club presently. Also it is not your club but rather the opponent from another league that is a better gauge as to "if you move on" and advance. You want to get an opponent from Malta, San Marino or even the Fario Islands so you can advance easily.
The league if Ireland is wating for one of it teams to get past the 3 qualifying round. The Shels are the only team to make it there.
So when we are comparing league and clubs the League of Ireland has the upper hand. The Sentana Cup has been played each year since 2005. Linfield from Northern Ireland won the first year but 2006, 07, 08 and 09-10 the Champions have been from the League of Ireland. This years Champion 2011 has 3 clubs from the League of Ireland and one from the Premiership (Cliftonville). Cliftonville has already lost their home game and have a huge uphill battle to overcome Dundalk. The other 2 clubs are Shamrock Rovers and the Sligo Rovers....Shamrock also taking the home leg away from Sligo. This look like another Champion from the League of Ireland again in 2011.
So when we are comparing league and clubs the League of Ireland has the upper hand. The Sentana Cup has been played each year since 2005. Linfield from Northern Ireland won the first year but 2006, 07, 08 and 09-10 the Champions have been from the League of Ireland. This years Champion 2011 has 3 clubs from the League of Ireland and one from the Premiership (Cliftonville). Cliftonville has already lost their home game and have a huge uphill battle to overcome Dundalk. The other 2 clubs are Shamrock Rovers and the Sligo Rovers....Shamrock also taking the home leg away from Sligo. This look like another Champion from the League of Ireland again in 2011.
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