The 2012–13 IFA Championship (known as the Belfast Telegraph Championship for sponsorship reasons)BELFAST TELEGRAPH SPONSOR THE 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 (IFA) 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 Ballinamallard United (1st in Championship 1)
Relegated from IFA Premiership to Championship 1 Carrick Rangers (12th in IFA Premiership)
Promoted from Championship 2 to Championship 1 Coagh United (1st in Championship 2) Dundela (2nd in Championship 2)
Relegated from Championship 1 to Championship 2 Banbridge Town (13th in Championship 1) Glebe Rangers (14th in Championship 1)
Club dissolved Newry City
Championship 1
Stadia and locations
ClubStadiumLocationCapacity Ards Clandeboye Park Bangor 2,850 (500 seated) Bangor Clandeboye Park Bangor 2,850 (500 seated) Carrick Rangers Taylors Avenue Carrickfergus 6,000 (400 seated) Coagh United Hagan Park Coagh 2,000 (179 seated) Dergview Darragh Park Castlederg 1,200 (100 seated) Dundela Wilgar Park Belfast 2,500 (100 seated) Harland & Wolff Welders Tillysburn Park Belfast 3,000 (100 seated) Institute Riverside Stadium Drumahoe 3,110 (1,540 seated) Larne Inver Park Larne 1,100 (656 seated) Limavady United The Showgrounds Limavady 524 (274 seated) Loughgall Lakeview Park Loughgall 3,000 (180 seated) Tobermore United Fortwilliam Park Tobermore 1,500 (100 seated) Warrenpoint Town Milltown Playing Fields Warrenpoint 500 (100 seated)
League table
Results Each team plays every other team twice (once at home, and once away) for a total of 24 games.
Championship 2
Stadia and locations
ClubStadiumLocationCapacity Annagh United Tandragee Road Portadown 1,250 (100 seated) Armagh City Holm Park Armagh 3,000 (330 seated) Ballyclare Comrades Dixon Park Ballyclare 1,800 (500 seated) Ballymoney United Riada Stadium Ballymoney 5,752 (218 seated) Banbridge Town Crystal Park Banbridge 1,500 (100 seated) Chimney Corner Allen Park Antrim 2,000 (100 seated) Glebe Rangers Riada Stadium Ballymoney 5,752 (218 seated) Killymoon Rangers Mid Ulster Sports Arena Cookstown 1,000 (100 seated) Knockbreda Breda Park Knockbreda 1,000 (100 seated) Lurgan Celtic Knockrammer Park Lurgan 1,000 (100 seated) Moyola Park Mill Meadow Castledawson 2,000 (200 seated) Portstewart Seahaven Portstewart 1,000 (100 seated) PSNI Newforge Lane Belfast 500 (112 seated) Queen's University Dub Stadium Belfast 1,000 (100 seated) Sport & Leisure Swifts Glen Road Heights Belfast 500 (215 seated) Wakehurst Mill Meadow Castledawson 1,000 (200 seated)
League table
Results Each team plays every other team twice (once at home, and once away) for a total of 30 games.
References