2009–10 IFA Premiership
| Season | 2009–10 |
|---|---|
| Champions |
Linfield 49th Irish title |
| Relegated | Institute |
| UEFA Champions League | Linfield |
| UEFA Europa League |
Cliftonville Glentoran Portadown |
| Matches played | 228 |
| Goals scored | 676 (2.96 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Rory Patterson (30) |
| Biggest home win | Portadown 6–1 Lisburn Distillery |
| Biggest away win |
Dungannon Swifts 2–8 Portadown Newry City 0–6 Linfield Glentoran 0–6 Coleraine |
| Highest scoring | Dungannon Swifts 2–8 Portadown |
|
← 2008–09
2010–11 →
|
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The 2009–10 IFA Premiership (known as the Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the second season of the league in this format since its establishment after a major overhaul of the league system in Northern Ireland, and the 109th season of Irish league football overall. It began on 8 August 2009 and ended on 1 May 2010. Glentoran were the defending champions. On 27 April 2010, Linfield clinched the title after a 1–0 victory against Cliftonville at Windsor Park. On 14 May 2010, Institute were relegated to the 2010–11 IFA Championship, after losing the two-legged relegation play-off to Donegal Celtic, who took their place in the 2010–11 IFA Premiership.
On 2 February 2009, Bangor's board announced that they would not be able to renew their domestic licence due to financial difficulties, and thereby would not compete in this season's premiership. They finished the 2008–09 season in 11th place. As a consequence, 12th-placed Dungannon Swifts, who were originally going to be directly relegated to the IFA Championship, earned the relegation play-off berth from Bangor. After a two-legged series against 2008–09 Championship runners-up Donegal Celtic, which ended in an aggregated 2–2 tie, Dungannon eventually retained their Premiership status on away goals.
Promoted from the Championship were 2008–09 champions Portadown, which marked their return to the highest football league of Northern Ireland after a one-year hiatus.
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