League of Ireland Premier Division
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| Country | Republic of Ireland (11 teams) |
|---|---|
| Other club(s) from | Northern Ireland (1 team) |
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | League of Ireland First Division |
| Domestic cup(s) |
FAI Cup President's Cup |
| League cup(s) | League of Ireland Cup |
| International cup(s) |
UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League Setanta Sports Cup |
| Most championships |
Dundalk F.C. (6) Shelbourne (6) |
| TV partners |
RTÉ 2 Eir Sport |
| Website | SSEAirtricityLeague.ie |
 2017
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The League of Ireland Premier Division (Irish: Príomhroinn Sraith na hÉireann), also known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, is the top level division in both the League of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland football league system. The division was formed in 1985 following a reorganisation of the League of Ireland. St. Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians are the only current League of Ireland clubs never to have been relegated from the Premier Division. Since 2003 the Premier Division has operated as a summer league.
The inaugural members of the Premier Division included the League of Ireland's traditional top four clubs – Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Bohemians and Dundalk plus eight other clubs. Shamrock Rovers were the inaugural champions and then retained the title in 1986–87. This saw Rovers complete a four in a row of league titles. Dundalk were champions in 1987–88 and Derry City achieved a treble in 1988–89 by also winning the League of Ireland Cup and the FAI Cup.
The 1990s saw the re-emergence of St Patrick's Athletic following years of obscurity. During the decade St Pat's won four titles. Brian Kerr guided the club to success in 1989–90 and 1995–96 before Pat Dolan and Liam Buckley added further titles in 1997–98 and 1998–99. The 1992–93 season saw Cork City win their first title in dramatic circumstances after a series of three-way play-offs that also involved Bohemians and Shelbourne.
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