| Season | 1998–99 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Glentoran 20thIrish title |
| Relegated | Omagh Town |
| Matches | 180 |
| Goals | 462 (2.57 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Vinny Arkins (19 goals) |
The1998–99 Irish League was the 98th edition of theIrish League, the highest level of league competition inNorthern Irishfootball. The league consisted of 10 teams, andGlentoran won the championship.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glentoran(C) | 36 | 24 | 6 | 6 | 74 | 35 | +39 | 78 | Qualification for theChampions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Linfield | 36 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 68 | 39 | +29 | 70 | Qualification for theUEFA Cup first qualifying round |
| 3 | Crusaders | 36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 62 | |
| 4 | Newry Town | 36 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 52 | 46 | +6 | 60 | Qualification for theIntertoto Cup first round |
| 5 | Glenavon | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 49 | 35 | +14 | 51 | |
| 6 | Ballymena United | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 40 | 42 | −2 | 41 | |
| 7 | Coleraine | 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 34 | 53 | −19 | 39 | |
| 8 | Portadown | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 41 | 47 | −6 | 37 | Qualification for theUEFA Cup first qualifying round |
| 9 | Cliftonville | 36 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 31 | 47 | −16 | 35 | Qualification for thepromotion/relegation play-off |
| 10 | Omagh Town(R) | 36 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 79 | −54 | 21 | Relegation to theFirst Division |
Matches 1–18[edit]
Source:Irish League Archive Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. | Matches 19–36[edit]
Source:Irish League Archive Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
|
| Champions | Distillery |
|---|---|
| Promoted | Distillery |
| Matches | 112 |
| Goals | 325 (2.9 per match) |
1999–00 → | |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distillery(C, P) | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 44 | 30 | +14 | 55 | Promotion to thePremier Division |
| 2 | Ards | 28 | 16 | 1 | 11 | 47 | 34 | +13 | 49 | Qualification for thepromotion/relegation play-off |
| 3 | Bangor | 28 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 37 | 35 | +2 | 48 | |
| 4 | Ballyclare Comrades | 28 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 55 | 44 | +11 | 38 | |
| 5 | Dungannon Swifts | 28 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 36 | 46 | −10 | 38 | |
| 6 | Carrick Rangers | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 34 | |
| 7 | Larne | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 28 | 32 | −4 | 32 | |
| 8 | Limavady United | 28 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 37 | 63 | −26 | 25 |
Cliftonville, who finished in the relegation play-off place, facedArds, the 2nd-placed team in theFirst Division, in a two-legged tie for a place in next season'sIrish League Premier Division.
Cliftonville won 5–2 on aggregate