FAI Premier Division

Infobox football league

pixels = 140
country = Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
confed = UEFA
founded = 2006
teams = 12
relegation = FAI First Division
levels = 1
domest_cup = FAI Cup
FAI League Cup
confed_cup = Champions League
UEFA Cup
Intertoto Cup
champions = Drogheda United
season = 2007
tv = RTE 2, Setanta Sports
website = http://www.eircomloi.ie
current = FAI League of Ireland 2008

The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Ireland's new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. The successor of the League of Ireland Premier Division, it is part of the FAI League of Ireland, just above the FAI First Division.

All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premier Division with the top twelve, as selected by an Independent Assessment Group, being handed a spot in the Premier Division. A remaining 10 were to be placed in the First Division.

All the Clubs are in the Republic of Ireland, with the exception of Derry City F.C. from Northern Ireland.

Shamrock Rovers are regarded as the most successful team in the league, having won 16 leagues and 24 FAI cups.

Premier Division clubs

*Bohemian F.C.
*Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
*Cobh Ramblers F.C.
*Cork City F.C.
*Derry City F.C.
*Drogheda United F.C.
*Finn Harps F.C.
*Galway United F.C.
*Shamrock Rovers F.C.
*Sligo Rovers F.C.
*St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
*UCD

Past winners

:"See League of Ireland Premier Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's top tier competition between 1921 and 2006."

FIFA 08

It was announced by EA Sports that teams from the Eircom Premier Division will be playable in their upcoming video game FIFA 08. The Eircom Premier Division became the 30th league to join the Fifa game which came out on September 29th 2007. This is seen as a milestone of recognition for the league of improving standards and popularity. League of Ireland Premier Division 2008.

ee also

* Football League of Ireland
* FAI League of Ireland
* FAI First Division
* All-time FAI Premier League table

External links

* [http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1539 Final meeting of the old-style National League marks the end of an era]
* [http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1543 FAI name the 12 clubs who will participate in the Premier Division]
* [http://www.a2zsoccer.com/index.cfm/loc/2-1/articleId/5222F4D4-DEDB-336F-71BDF561EC714164.htm 20 EL clubs granted license]