Ulster Senior League (association football)
| Country | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Current champions | Cockhill Celtic |
| Most championships | Fanad United (13 titles) |
The Ulster Senior League is an amateur football league in the Republic of Ireland. Despite the name, the league is not Ulster wide and its membership is mainly from County Donegal. A total of eight clubs currently compete in the league. Teams that compete in this division also compete in the FAI Intermediate Cup and the FAI Cup. The most successful club in the league has been Fanad United with 13 Ulster Senior League titles to their name, five of which were won consecutively.
History
Football in the area, prior to 1972, was centred on what was known as 'Summer Cup football'. This was soccer organised on a non-competitive basis and it was left to various clubs to organise these. In 1972 the current Donegal League was set up and this organised football along competitive lines. Among the founder members were Michael Sweeney, club President of Fanad United, Dick Duffy and Patrick McFadden to seek affiliation to the FAI.
In 2006 the Ulster Senior League moved to become a summer league.
2015–16 teams
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Bonagee United | Letterkenny | Dry Arch Park |
| Cockhill Celtic | Buncrana | Charlie O'Donnell Sports Grounds |
| Derry City Reserves | Derry | Brandywell Stadium |
| Fanad United | Fanad | Traigh-a-Loch |
| Letterkenny Rovers | Letterkenny | Leckview Park |
| Swilly Rovers | Ramelton | Swilly Park |
Champions table
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Cockhill Celtic | Derry City Reserves |
| 2013 | Cockhill Celtic | Drumkeen United |
| 2012 | Derry City Reserves | Cockhill Celtic |
| 2011 | Fanad United | |
| 2010 | Cockhill Celtic | |
| 2009 | Letterkenny Rovers | Kildrum Tigers |
| 2008 | Kildrum Tigers | Fanad United |
| 2007 | Kildrum Tigers | Fanad United |
| 2006/07 | Fanad United | Kildrum Tigers |
| 2005/06 | Fanad United | Kildrum Tigers |
| 2004/05 | Letterkenny Rovers | Kildrum Tigers |
| 2003/04 | Kildrum Tigers | Letterkenny Rovers |
| 2002/03 | Quigleys Point Swifts | Letterkenny Rovers |
| 2001/02 | Quigleys Point Swifts | ? |
| 2000/01 | Fanad United | Quigleys Point Swifts |
| 1999/00 | Swilly Rovers | Keadue Rovers |
| 1998/99 | Finn Harps Reserves | Swilly Rovers |
| 1997/98 | Fanad United | Swilly Rovers |
| 1996/97 | Fanad United | ? |
| 1995/96 | Fanad United | Derry City Reserves |
| 1994/95 | Fanad United | ? |
| 1993/94 | Fanad United | ? |
| 1992/93 | Fanad United | Finn Harps Res. |
| 1991/92 | Buncrana Hearts | Fanad Utd. |
| 1990/91 | Fanad United | ? |
| 1989/90 | Fanad United | ? |
| 1988/89 | Culdaff FC | Fanad Utd. & Letterkenny Rovers |
| 1987/88 | Fanad Utd. | Letterkenny Rovers |
| 1986/87 | Fanad United | ? |
Reputation
In recent years, the league's reputation has grown and many young players have represented their teams in such youth cups as the Foyle Cup. Players to have played in the league include Shay Given, who played for Lifford Celtic F.C. as a youth, Kevin McHugh who played for Killea F.C. & Finn Harps Res. and Michael Duffy (Derry City Res. now at Glasgow Celtic).
External links
- Ulster Senior League official website
- Finn Harps beat Fanad Utd
- Ireland Cups 2003 - Guide to non-league clubs
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