2012–13 IFA Championship


The 2012–13 IFA Championship was the fifth season since its establishment after a major overhaul of the league system in Northern Ireland. The season began on 10 August 2012 and ended on 4 May 2013. From next season onwards, the league would be operated by the Northern Ireland Football League, which was taking over from the Irish Football Association for the 2013–14 season.
In Championship 1, Ards were confirmed as the champions on 20 April 2013 after a 1–1 draw against Institute, securing promotion back to the top flight for the first time since the 2005–06 season. Warrenpoint Town finished as runners-up, and qualified for the promotion/relegation play-off against Donegal Celtic. The tie ended 2–2 on aggregate with Warrenpoint Town winning on the away goals rule to reach the top flight for the first time in the club's history. Donegal Celtic were relegated to next season's Championship 1. Earlier in the season, Newry City were wound up and their IFA membership was later terminated. All of their results were also expunged. As a result of Newry's expulsion from the league, only the club that finished in 13th, Tobermore United, was relegated from Championship 1, and there was no relegation from Championship 2.
In Championship 2, winners Knockbreda were promoted to Championship 1, along with runners-up Ballyclare Comrades. Chimney Corner finished bottom for the fourth successive season but were saved from relegation by Newry City's demise.

Team changes from 2011–12

Ballinamallard United were last season's winners of Championship 1, achieving promotion to the 2012–13 IFA Premiership. Carrick Rangers replaced them for this season's Championship 1, after finishing in 12th place in the previous season's Premiership. Newry City missed out on promotion as they finished as runners-up, but were defeated 3–2 by Lisburn Distillery in the promotion/relegation play-off.
Promoted from Championship 1 to IFA Premiership
Relegated from IFA Premiership to Championship 1
Promoted from Championship 2 to Championship 1
Relegated from Championship 1 to Championship 2
Club dissolved

Championship 1

Stadia and locations

ClubStadiumLocationCapacity
ArdsClandeboye ParkBangor2,850
BangorClandeboye ParkBangor2,850
Carrick RangersTaylors AvenueCarrickfergus6,000
Coagh UnitedHagan ParkCoagh2,000
DergviewDarragh ParkCastlederg1,200
DundelaWilgar ParkBelfast2,500
Harland & Wolff WeldersTillysburn ParkBelfast3,000
InstituteRiverside StadiumDrumahoe3,110
LarneInver ParkLarne1,100
Limavady UnitedThe ShowgroundsLimavady524
LoughgallLakeview ParkLoughgall3,000
Tobermore UnitedFortwilliam ParkTobermore1,500
Warrenpoint TownMilltown Playing FieldsWarrenpoint500

Results

Each team plays every other team twice for a total of 24 games.

Championship 2

Stadia and locations

ClubStadiumLocationCapacity
Annagh UnitedTandragee RoadPortadown1,250
Armagh CityHolm ParkArmagh3,000
Ballyclare ComradesDixon ParkBallyclare1,800
Ballymoney UnitedRiada StadiumBallymoney5,752
Banbridge TownCrystal ParkBanbridge1,500
Chimney CornerAllen ParkAntrim2,000
Glebe RangersRiada StadiumBallymoney5,752
Killymoon RangersMid Ulster Sports ArenaCookstown1,000
KnockbredaBreda ParkKnockbreda1,000
Lurgan CelticKnockrammer ParkLurgan1,000
Moyola ParkMill MeadowCastledawson2,000
PortstewartSeahavenPortstewart1,000
PSNINewforge LaneBelfast500
Queen's UniversityDub StadiumBelfast1,000
Sport & Leisure SwiftsGlen Road HeightsBelfast500
WakehurstMill MeadowCastledawson1,000

Results

Each team plays every other team twice for a total of 30 games.