In their first season in the First Division, they finished in 12th place in the 16-team division, thus avoiding the possibility of relegation via the test matches.

As of 2010-11, a "pyramid" system has been introduced in Northern Ireland, with the possibility of promotion and relegation between the Championship and the four regional intermediate leagues, namely:

In 2010, a pyramid system was introduced, with the possibility of promotion and relegation between the Championship and the four regional intermediate leagues.

We don't want to even consider the possibility of relegation so we are happy to put the money straight back into the team.

The 2012-13 IRB Series saw a slightly different format, with 15 core teams instead of 12, but with the possibility of relegation for the teams that finished in the bottom three.

The possibility of relegation is still very real.

The possibility of further relegation to the 1st League (third tier) threatened.

On 28 July, Fenerbahçe declared that Emmanuel Emenike who joined the team 2 months ago from Karabükspor and involved in police investigation of the match-fixing scandal was on the list of transfers due to the possibility of relegation of Fenerbahçe.

He resigned from Ashdod on 18 April 2011, with the club facing the possibility of relegation.