Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland. Ranked 28th. No contest season and world record.
Distillery was last with 12 points.
Larne – 10th with 28 points.
Ballymena United – 9th with 29 points.
Glenavon – 5th with 44 points.
Bangor – 4th with 45 points.
Coleraine – 3rd with 50 points.
Glentoran – 2nd with 55 points.
Linfield was once again the champion – 7 years in a row! They had no challenger at all: 21 wins, 2 ties, 3 losses, 58-19 goal-difference, 65 points. 10 points ahead of Glentoran.
Linfield was not world-famous and powerful club internationally, but they made a world record this year on a scale unreachable for any other club no matter name, money, popularity: they won their 40th title.
The Cup final was played between Larne and Ballymena United. With Linfield so strong domestically, it was even surprising to see low-placed clubs at the final, but that was that. Ballymena prevailed 1-0.
Wonderful success for a team having otherwise poor season, based largely on ties – Ballymena United ended with most ties in the league (11). Back Row (left to right): Alex McKee (Manager), Paul Hardy, Jim Scott, John Heron, Damien Grant, Billy Pyper, Stephen Young, John Garrett, Billy McCready (Physiotherapist). Front Row (left to right): Joss Arbuthnott, ?, John McKee, Dessie Loughery, Michael Smyth, Ricky Simpson, Dermot Doherty.
This was the 7th Cup for Ballymena United. Also their last… but who would tell at the happy moment?