The League of Ireland Premier Division is the top football league in the Republic of Ireland. The competition was founded in 1985, following the split of the League of Ireland into two divisions.
Since the early 1990s the top division has been subsidized by various companies, therefore it receives the name of the sponsor. Nowadays it is officially called the Airtricity Premier League. As of 2013, the league is ranked thirty sixth in the UEFA coefficients.
12 clubs compete for the league title, receiving 3 points for a win and 3 points for a draw. A season runs from March to December, when the teams take part in 36 games. Each side plays against the others three times, at least once at its home stadium.
The league functions as a system of promotion and relegation. The team that finishes last faces relegation to the First Division. The team that occupies the second lowest position takes part in play-offs against the runner-up of the First Division. The one that loses gets relegated to the lower division, while the winner gains promotion to the Premier Division.
Since the 1985/1986 season 9 clubs have claimed the title. The most titled team is Shelbourne with 6 trophies. Sligo Rovers won the 2012 League of Ireland and thus is the current champion.
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