The Emerald Isle’s Most Successful Clubs

Second only to Gaelic football in popularity, football is widely played and supported in Ireland. And Ireland – Republic, and Northern – has produced some world-class footballers, including at least one who is rated among the greatest of all time – George Best.

Many Irish footballers have graced the big European leagues – and while matches in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, and Bundesliga are widely watched in Ireland, the domestic football scene is also popular.

Organized football was first played in Ireland in 1879, commonly believed to have been instigated by Belfast merchant John McAlery. He picked up a taste for the game during a visit to Scotland and went on to become the first secretary of the Irish Football Association (IFA), in 1880.

The first meeting of the Irish Football League took place in the Belfast Estate Office of the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava on the 14th of March 1890. The founding member clubs were Clarence, Cliftonville, Distillery, Glentoran, Linfield, Milford, Oldpark, and Ulster.

With this rich history and strong showings in a few major tournaments (the FIFA World Cup 1994 springs to mind), fans of Irish football have had much to be excited about over the years. Many have followed the successes and failures with equal passion, and some have even taken to taking a punt (or two) on their favorites.

While the Irish team missed out on this year’s World Cup in Qatar, fans of the sport can still keep their eyes on the prize thanks to some of the best football betting sites in Ireland, rated and ranked by specialist Siobhan Aslett.

Ireland’s most successful clubs

Let’s take a look at the three most successful clubs in Ireland. With sides from Dublin making up half of the League of Ireland Premier Division, it’s no surprise that the city has produced most of the biggest clubs.

Shamrock Rovers

Playing at Tallaght Stadium in South Dublin, Shamrock Rovers are Ireland’s most successful club. The club has won the League of Ireland title a record 19 times and the FAI Cup a record 25 times. Shamrock Rovers have supplied more players to the Republic of Ireland national football team (62) than any other club. They are regulars in the qualifying stages of the major UEFA tournaments, the Champions League and the Europa League.

In 2011, Shamrock Rovers became the first Irish team to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stage when they defeated Partizan Belgrade 2–1 after extra-time in Serbia, for a 3–2 aggregate victory. They have an intense rivalry with fellow Dublin club, Bohemians. Johnny Giles, the legendary player of the 60s and 70s, played for Shamrock Rovers at the end of his career and went on to manage them for 5 seasons.

Dundalk FC

The second most successful team in Irish football is the Lilywhites – Dundalk FC. The town of Dundalk is in the northeast of the country, near the border with Northern Ireland. Although they have fewer wins than Shamrock Rovers, they are the highest-ranked Irish side in European football as measured by UEFA club coefficients. Dundalk has won 14 league titles and 12 FAI Cups and is the most successful in the Premier Division era (1985-present).

They have played at their present home ground, Oriel Park, since 1936. The Louth Derby is contested between Dundalk and Drogheda United, who entered the League of Ireland in 1963.

Although the rivalry is fiercely contested on the field, the supporters aren’t antagonistic to one another, mainly because Drogheda isn’t often in contention at the top of the table. Liverpool legend Steve Staunton is amongst the club’s alumni – players are often sold to bigger leagues, and likewise, many players arrive on loan from the English Premier League and Championship clubs.

Bohemian FC

The third biggest team in Ireland is usually referred to as Bohemians. Formed in 1890 in Dublin, and was one of the founding members of the League of Ireland in 1921. They share the record for most wins in European competition with arch-rivals Shamrock Rovers and hold the record for Leinster Senior Cup wins with 32 cups claimed.

Bohemians may not have quite enjoyed the successes of Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk statistically, but they are an iconic side in Irish football. And believe it or not, they count among their supporters a certain Oscar-winning actor – Samuel L. Jackson!

People often overlook Ireland when talking about domestic club football. But the truth is that the Emerald Isle has a vibrant league of its own, capable of producing players that shine on the world stage.

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