In 2016 Cork City became the first team to represent the division in the UEFA Youth League.
The inaugural season of the U21 division took place in 2000–01 and St Patrick's Athletic finished as the first champions.
Both Salthill Devon and Mervue United began their League of Ireland careers in the U21 division.
[7][8][9] In addition to competing for the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup and the Enda McGuill Cup, teams in the U21 division also played in several other competitions including pre-season tournaments in 2006 and 2007 and a futsal league in 2007 which was won by Shamrock Rovers.
[21][22] During the U21 and U20 eras teams playing in the division were divided into four regionalised groups, more or less corresponding to North and South Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster.
The top two teams from each group then qualified for the quarter-finals and the remainder of the competition was decided on a knock-out basis.
During these three seasons the winners of the Elite Division were awarded the Dr Tony O'Neill Cup.
[20][23][24] Source:[25][26][27] The main league championship trophy is named after Dr Tony O'Neill, the former general manager of University College Dublin A.F.C.