Ulster Senior League (men's hockey)

The Ulster Senior League is a league competition for the first teams of men's hockey clubs affiliated to the Ulster Hockey Union of the Irish Hockey Association.

Formation

At a Special General Meeting of the Union held on 15 October 1897 in the Royal Avenue Hotel, Belfast, the clubs present resolved to form the Ulster Senior League.[1] Eight teams participated in the first season: Antrim, Ards, Cliftonville, King's (Liverpool) Regiment, Lisburn, North Down, North Staffordshire Regiment and Ulster[2]

Current composition of the Senior League

In 2015-16, 18 clubs started the Ulster Senior League season.[3]

Premier League Senior League
Belfast Harlequins Antrim
InstoniansArmagh
KilkeelBallynahinch
MossleyBangor
Newry OlympicCampbellians
North DownCliftonville
NICSPortrush
PortadownQueen's University
Raphoe
South Antrim

Early format

From its formation until 1953 entry to the Ulster Senior League could only be obtained by application to the Ulster Hockey Union. The applicant club would then have to be successful in a vote amongst the Senior Clubs. The size of the Senior League varied between seven competing clubs in the 1900s to as many as eighteen in the late 1920s. With eighteen teams it was necessary to play the league in two pools with the winners of the pools playing a Test Match to decide that year's league champions.

1953 reorganisation

In 1953 the eight team Senior League amalgamated with the eight team Qualifying League. There was no realignment of teams at this time, the only difference was the renaming of the two leagues as Senior League Section A (the old Senior League) and Senior League Section B (the old Qualifying League). Teams did not change Sections during this period and no teams were promoted or relegated to or from the Senior League.

At the end of each league season the winner of Section A played the winner of Section B in a Test Match to decide the winner of the Keightley Cup. The loser of the Test Match was awarded the Ireland's Saturday Night Cup. During this period the trophy was always won by the Section A winner.

Senior League 1953-54 to 1956-57
Section A Section B
AntrimAlbert Foundry
BanbridgeDown
Belfast YMCAEast Antrim
CliftonvilleHolywood
LisnagarveyMossley
North DownNewry Olympic
PortrushParkview
Queen's UniversitySouth Antrim

1958 reorganisation

Prior to the start of the 1957-58 season, the Council of the Ulster Branch made a controversial decision. Portrush, who had finished bottom of Section A in 1956-57 were demoted to Section B. Parkview, the winners of Section B in 1956-57, were moved to Section A. This signalled the intention of the League to move to Promotion and Relegation. A report was commissioned by the Council of the Ulster Branch to establish new league structures.

The report and debate lead to the league reorganising to allow for promotion and relegation prior to the start of the 1958-59 season. There were eight teams in each league section. A Qualifying League in two sections provided two lower rungs for the league, with a further Intermediate section below that. The formation of the sections again proved controversial, as some clubs were not placed in the section that their previous seasons standing would merit. In particular, it was reported that Saintfield (Intermediate A) had finished above four clubs in 1957-58 that were placed in Qualifying B.

Ulster Leagues after re-alignment in 1958-59
Senior League Qualifying A Qualifying B Intermediate A
AntrimAlbert FoundryBallymenaCookstown
BanbridgeDownBangorCourtalds
Belfast YMCAEast AntrimKing's ScholarsDunmurry
CliftonvilleHolywoodLisburn OBHollerith
LisnagarveyMossleyNICSLisnafillin
ParkviewNewry OlympicOld BleachMontalto
PortrushNorth DownRUCPortadown
Queen's UniversitySouth AntrimShorts & HarlandSaintfield

1969 reorganisation

At the end of the 1968-69 season the Senior League expanded from eight to ten teams and was renamed as Senior League Section 1. The remaining six Qualifying League 'A' were joined by the top four teams from Qualifying 'B' to form a ten team league known as Senior League Section 2. All remaining club first teams were entered in the Intermediate League. In season 1975-76 Section 2 was increased to 12 teams.

Membership of the two Senior League Sections at the start of the 1969-70 season was as follows

Senior League prior to 1969-70
Section 1 Section 2
AntrimBangor
BanbridgeCookstown
Belfast YMCACrossgar
CliftonvilleEast Antrim
Friends School OBNewry
InstoniansNorth Down
LisnagarveyN.I.C.S.
MossleyParkview
PortrushR.U.C.
Queen's UniversitySaintfield

2001 reorganisation

In 2001 Section 1 was reduced to eight teams, and was renamed as the Premier League. Section 2 remained with twelve teams and was renamed as Senior 1. The Intermediate League was renamed as Senior 2, with all remaining teams placed in this section.

The top three teams in the Premier League at the end of the season qualify for the All-Ireland Club Championship.

2015 reorganisation

The top four teams departed for the new Irish Hockey League (IHL) and the league reduced from three divisions to two. The League champions now qualify for the Provincial Play-offs where they compete for promotion to the IHL.

Trophies

League Winners and Relegated Clubs

2010-11 to 2014-15

Year Premier League Winner Premier League Relegated Senior One Winner Senior One Relegated Senior Two Winner
2014-15Banbridge[5]1No relegation2unknown3No relegation2Cliftonville
2013-14Lisnagarvey[6]RaphoeNewryCliftonvillePortrush
2012-13Banbridge[7]MossleyRaphoeArmaghPSNI
2011-12CookstownNorth DownAntrimCliftonvilleBallynahinch
2010-11LisnagarveyBangorBelfast HarlequinsBallynahinchCampbellians
2009-10Cookstown[8]RaphoeN.I.C.S.DownBallynahinch
2008-09Cookstown[9]Raphoe5Kilkeel6BallynahinchDown
2007-08Cookstown[10]KilkeelRaphoeDownArmagh
2006-07AnnadaleN.I.C.S.MossleyPSNIDown
2005-06AnnadaleNorth DownKilkeelArmaghSouth Antrim
2004-05AnnadaleRaphoeNorth DownSouth AntrimArmagh
2003-04AnnadaleKilkeelRaphoeArmaghBallynahinch
2002-03AnnadaleMossleyBangorParkviewPortadown
2001-02LisnagarveyNewryKilkeelPortadownParkview

Key:

2000-01 to 1969-70

Year Section 1 Winner Section 1 Relegated Section 2 Winner Section 2 Relegated Intermediate Winner
2000-01LisnagarveyNorth Down & RaphoeBangor1Larne, Parkview & PortrushArmagh
1999-00LisnagarveyCliftonvilleN.I.C.S.DownR.U.C.
1998-99LisnagarveyBangorNorth DownR.U.C.Portrush
1997-98InstoniansHolywood '87BangorBallynahinchLarne & South Antrim2
1996-97LisnagarveyCliftonville3Bangor3R.U.C.3Larne3
1995-96Instonians[11]BangorCliftonvillePortrushNorth Down
1994-95Lisnagarvey[12]CliftonvilleBangorEast AntrimR.U.C.
1993-94Lisnagarvey[13]BangorRaphoeSouth AntrimParkview
1992-93Holywood '87Queen's UniversityBangorR.U.C.Portrush
1991-92LisnagarveyBangorCliftonvilleWanderersPortadown
1990-91LisnagarveyR.U.C.BangorNorth DownBallynahinch
1989-90LisnagarveyBangorNewryFriends School Old BoysNorth Down
1988-89BanbridgeCollegiansQueen's UniversityNorth DownWanderers
1987-88BanbridgeAntrimCollegiansPortrushN.I.C.S.
1986-87BanbridgeRaphoeR.U.C.CorinthiansKilkeel
1985-86BanbridgeR.U.C.RaphoeN.I.C.S.Collegians
1984-85Belfast Y.M.C.A.CliftonvilleAnnadaleCollegiansDown
1983-84Belfast Y.M.C.A.AnnadaleR.U.C.ParkviewCollegians
1982-83CookstownQueen's UniversityAnnadalePortadownEast Antrim
1981-82Belfast Y.M.C.A.PortadownBangorDown & East AntrimNewry & Parkview
1980-81Lisnagarvey[14]AnnadalePortadownNewry & ParkviewCorinthians & Down
1979-80Belfast Y.M.C.A.RaphoeQueen's UniversityCollegians & DownNorth Down & Parkview
1978-79Belfast Y.M.C.A.4[15]BangorRaphoeNorth Down & ParkviewDown & South Antrim
1977-78LisnagarveyMossley5N.I.C.S.5Crossgar & StranmillisCollegians & Newry
1976-77LisnagarveyPortrushBangorCollegians & NewryRaphoe & Stranmillis
1975-76Cliftonville[16]Friends School Old BoysAnnadaleStranmillisPortadown
1974-75Instonians[17]ParkviewCookstownNo relegationN.I.C.S. & Newry
1973-74CliftonvilleQueen's UniversityBelfast Y.M.C.A.NewryEast Antrim
1972-73CliftonvilleCollegiansBanbridgeEast AntrimNewry
1971-72LisnagarveyBanbridgeCollegiansNewryStranmillis
1970-71Belfast Y.M.C.A.ParkviewN.I.C.S.Annadale
1969-70LisnagarveyBanbridge & Mossley6Parkview6SaintfieldCollegians

Key:

1968-69 to 1957-58

Year Senior Winner Senior Relegated Qual. 'A' Winner Qual. 'A' Relegated Qual. 'B' Winner Qual. 'B' Relegated Inter. 'A' Winner
1968-69CliftonvilleF.S.O.B.North DownCollegians
1967-68CliftonvilleR.U.C.MossleyEast Antrim1CookstownShort & Harland
1966-67CliftonvilleBanbridgeR.U.C.PortadownEast AntrimBallymenaCookstown
1965-66LisnagarveyMossleyInstoniansLissara2F.S.O.B.HolywoodEast Antrim
1964-65Lisnagarvey3ParkviewMossleyNorth DownLissaraAlbert FoundryLisburn OB4
1963-64Y.M.C.A.BangorParkviewMontalto5PortadownNone5Lissara
1962-63Lisnagarvey[18]ParkviewPortrushHolywoodInstoniansSouth AntrimKing's Scholars
1961-62BanbridgePortrushBangorDownOld BleachEast AntrimInstonians
1960-61Lisnagarvey[19]MossleyParkviewAlbert FoundryBangorShort & HarlandPortadown
1959-60Lisnagarvey[20]ParkviewCliftonvilleSouth AntrimMontaltoKing's ScholarsSaintfield
1958-59CliftonvilleMossleyEast AntrimRUCLisburn OBMontalto
1957-58North DownPortrush

KEY

1956-57 to formation

Sources

  1. Belfast Newsletter 16/10/1897 Page 3
  2. Ireland's Saturday Night 4 December 1897
  3. Ulster Hockey web site
  4. ""Ulster Branch Rule Book Page 14/15"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  5. Belfast Telegraph
  6. Ulster Hockey
  7. "One Down, Two to Go for Bann". 21 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  8. "American Chronicle (from Belfast Telegraph) report on Cookstown 2009-10 league win". Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  9. "Belfast Telegraph report on Cookstown 2008-09 league win". Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  10. "Belfast Newsletter report on Cookstown 2007-08 league win". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  11. Belfast Newsletter. 12 April 1996. p. 36. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. Belfast Newsletter. 6 March 1995. p. 22. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Belfast Newsletter. 10 March 1994. p. 34. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. Belfast Newsletter. 17 April 1981. p. 16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. Belfast Newsletter. 11 May 1979. p. 18. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. Belfast Newsletter. 1 May 1976. p. 9. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. Belfast Newsletter. 16 April 1975. p. 17. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. Belfast Newsletter. 30 April 1963. p. 8. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. Belfast Newsletter. 19 April 1961. p. 11. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. Belfast Newsletter. 12 May 1960. p. 9. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 24 April 1950. p. 5. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 21 April 1949. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. Belfast Newsletter. 25 April 1939. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 21 April 1938. p. 10. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. Belfast Newsletter. 29 March 1937. p. 9. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. Belfast Newsletter. 13 April 1936. p. 4. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. Belfast Newsletter. 9 April 1935. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. Belfast Newsletter. 30 April 1934. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. Belfast Newsletter. 21 April 1933. p. 13. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. Belfast Newsletter. 18 April 1932. p. 10. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 8 April 1931. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. Belfast Newsletter. 24 April 1930. p. 12. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. Belfast Newsletter. 23 April 1929. p. 12. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. Belfast Newsletter. 23 April 1928. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. Belfast Newsletter. 29 April 1927. p. 5. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. Belfast Newsletter. 12 May 1926. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. Belfast Newsletter. 2 May 1924. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. Belfast Newsletter. 14 May 1921. p. 2. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. Belfast Newsletter. 28 April 1903. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  40. Belfast Newsletter. 28 April 1902. p. 5. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  41. Belfast Newsletter. 19 April 1901. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  42. Belfast Newsletter. 30 March 1898. p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)

Information gathered from Belfast Newsletter and Ireland Saturday Night

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