title: 1996–97 Irish League
text: # 1996–97 Irish League
  
  The 1996–97 Irish League was the 96th edition of the Irish League, the highest level of league competition in Northern Irish football. The league consisted of 8 teams, and Crusaders won the championship.
  
  ## Premier Division
  
  ### League standings
  
  | Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Crusaders (C) | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 46 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round |
  | 2 | Coleraine | 28 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 37 | 31 | +6 | 43 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round |
  | 3 | Glentoran | 28 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 36 | 30 | +6 | 41 | |
  | 4 | Portadown | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 32 | +4 | 38 | |
  | 5 | Linfield | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 33 | +2 | 38 | |
  | 6 | Glenavon | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 35 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup qualifying round |
  | 7 | Cliftonville | 28 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 23 | 38 | −15 | 30 | |
  | 8 | Ards | 28 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 33 | 50 | −17 | 25 | Promotion/relegation play-off and Intertoto Cup group stage |
  
  ## First Division
  
  ### League standings
  
  | Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or Promotion |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Ballymena United (C, P) | 28 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 49 | 17 | +32 | 65 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
  | 2 | Omagh Town (P) | 28 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 50 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
  | 3 | Bangor | 28 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 42 | 29 | +13 | 49 | Qualification for the promotion/relegation play-off |
  | 4 | Ballyclare Comrades | 28 | 11 | 4 | 13 | 44 | 42 | +2 | 37 | |
  | 5 | Newry Town | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 32 | 35 | −3 | 35 | |
  | 6 | Distillery | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 31 | 37 | −6 | 34 | |
  | 7 | Larne | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 34 | 48 | −14 | 32 | |
  | 8 | Carrick Rangers | 28 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 26 | 51 | −25 | 18 | |
  