Ulster Senior League (association football)
| Country |
 Ireland |
|---|---|
| Region |
 Ulster |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Number of teams | 7 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Domestic cup(s) |
FAI Cup FAI Intermediate Cup Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup |
| League cup(s) | Ulster Senior League Cup |
| Current champions | Cockhill Celtic |
| Most championships | Fanad United (14) |
| Website | www.uslfootball.com |
The Ulster Senior League is an association football league featuring amateur, intermediate, and League of Ireland reserve teams from Ulster. Together with the Leinster Senior League Senior Division and the Munster Senior League Senior Premier Division, it forms the third level of the Republic of Ireland football league system. Ulster Senior League teams also compete in the FAI Cup and the FAI Intermediate Cup. The winners of the Ulster Senior League have also been invited to play in the League of Ireland Cup. Despite using the Ulster name in its title, the majority of it's member clubs are based in County Donegal. The most successful club in the league has been Fanad United who have won fourteen league titles and ten league cups. Since 2006 the USL has operated as a summer league with the season typically operating from April to October.
History
The Ulster Senior League was formed in 1986. The driving force behind the establishment of the league was Fr. Michael Sweeney, a pioneer of junior and intermediate association football in County Donegal. In addition to founding the USL, Sweeney had earlier been instrumental in both establishing the Donegal League and forming Fanad United. [1][2] Fanad United were the inaugural USL champions in 1986–87 and they subsequently went on to become the league's most successful club, winning fourteen league titles and ten league cups. In more recent seasons, Cockhill Celtic have challenged Fanad United's dominance, winning their first title in 2010 and then four consecutive titles between 2013 and 2016. [3][4] The winners of the Ulster Senior League have regularly been invited to participate in the League of Ireland Cup. In 1987–88 Fanad United were semi-finalists. Cockhill Celtic, Culdaff and Swilly Rovers have all represented the USL in the League of Ireland Cup. [2][5] Fanad United have also won the FAI Intermediate Cup twice while Letterkenny Rovers were finalists in 2015–16. [6][7]
2016 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 |
| Finn Harps Reserves | Ballybofey | Finn Park |
| Letterkenny Rovers | Letterkenny | Leckview Park |
| Swilly Rovers | Ramelton | Swilly Park |
Source: [8]
Champions
List of winners by season
Source: [3]
List of winners by club
| Club | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Fanad United | 14 | 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2011 |
| Cockhill Celtic | 5 | 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Kildrum Tigers | 3 | 2003–04, 2007, 2008 |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 2 | 2004–05, 2009 |
| Quigley's Point Swifts | 2 | 2001–02, 2002–03 |
| Buncrana Hearts | 1 | 1991–92 |
| Culdaff | 1 | 1988–89 |
| Derry City Reserves | 1 | 2012 |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 1 | 1998–99 |
| Swilly Rovers | 1 | 1999–00 |
Source: [3]
Ulster Senior League Cup
The Ulster Senior League Cup has had four different sponsors since first being played for in 1986–87. Initially, the competition was sponsored by the Hotel Glenveagh in Gweedore before being sponsored by Hydro Seafoods and then Marine Harvest. It is now known as the Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup. [4]
Finals
Source: [4]
- Notes
- ↑ After extra time
- ↑ Final abandoned with Swilly Rovers leading Derry City Reserves 5–0 at half-time
- ↑ After extra time. Fanad United win 4–2 on penalties
- ↑ After extra time. Drumkeen United win 4–2 on penalties
Representative team
An Ulster Senior League representative team competes in the FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament against teams representing the Leinster Senior League, the Munster Senior League and Connacht. [12]
Notable former players
- Republic of Ireland internationals
- Northern Ireland U21 international
- League of Ireland manager
References
- ↑ "USL founder member and Fanad United legend Fr Mick honoured". www.uslfootball.com. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- 1 2 "'Fr Mick': Founding Father, guiding light and history maker". www.donegalsporthub.com. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Ulster Senior League – Roll of Honour". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Ulster Senior League – League Cup". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland - Ireland League Cup 1973/74-2006". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ↑ "Ireland - FA Intermediate Cup Winners and Runners-Up". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ↑ "Crumlin United retain FAI Intermediate Cup". www.fai.ie. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ↑ "League Table 4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ "(2014) League Table Ulster Senior League". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "(2013) League Table Ulster Senior League". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "(2012) League Table Ulster Senior League". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "League Table 2016 FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament". www.uslfootball.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
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