With the FAI today making a final reminder regarding the expression of interest for clubs wishing to participate in the brand new FAI National League, LOITalk can exclusively reveal that 1 club looking to return to League Of Ireland football via the National League is Limerick FC.
LOITalk understands Limerick FC have made an expression of interest to the FAI regarding applying for the National League and are hopeful of being successful for the 2026 season.
On the FAI website, regarding the National League it says
“Since the launch of the league in December, the Football Association of Ireland has received positive and numerous responses from clubs seeking to be part of the National League.”
“The FAI aims to recruit 20 clubs in total for the new League, split into North and South divisions. The teams will play against other teams in their respective divisions first to qualify for playoffs, where top teams from North and South will compete for a chance to be promoted to the LOI Men’s First Division. Conversely, teams from the LOI Men’s First Division may face relegation to the National League, ensuring a dynamic and competitive structure that continually rewards excellence and development. “
“The FAI is set to launch the League in preparation for a shorter season in 2026 for alignment with the 2027 League of Ireland calendar. The FAI will then review applications and meet with potential teams to share more information and answer any questions the club may have.”
Limerick FC History
Limerick FC was founded back in 1937, it’s first game being against Shamrock Rovers on August 22 1937 in the Dublin City Cup.
Limerick won their first League of Ireland title in the 1959–60 season winning the league with 2 points to spare over Cork Celtic.
Following a number of name changes the team returned to the name Limerick FC in the year 2009 and in July 2009 when Limerick FC was struggling financially Limerick businessman Pat O Sullivan made a generous donation to the club and became chairman in August 2009 and by February 2010, Pat O Sullivan was the owner of Limerick FC.
In 2019 things took a turn for the worse for Limerick FC and were on the brink of extinction after an examinership process to help keep the club afloat proved to be unsuccessful. Limerick FC had debts in the region of around €490,000 and failed to obtain a license for the 2020 season. There was no senior men’s football team for the 2020 season in Limerick
Treaty United
Treaty United have taken over as the representative of the men’s football side for Limerick and were founded by a number of volunteers from Limerick and have since been taken over with Ciara McCormack as CEO with the aid of Canadian company Tricor Pacific.
Limerick FC have continued to field teams at underage level and now look set to attempt to return to senior football.
Is There Enough Interest For 2 teams in Limerick?
Questions will immediately start to be asked which team with supporters in Limerick support if Limerick FC are to be successful with their application. With a section of the current Treaty United fanbase unhappy with how things are being ran ever since the takeover, there is the possibility supporters will switch back to Limerick FC.
With Treaty United currently using the Markets Field, LOITalk expects Limerick FC to use Jackman Park if it is successful in its application.
It is certainly going to be an interesting next couple of months to see if Limerick FC do get accepted for the National League then the questions will really start to begin for football fans in Limerick. What team will you support?
