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Ulster Senior League (men's hockey)

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

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. Eight teams participated in the first season: Antrim, Ards, Cliftonville, King's (Liverpool) Regiment, Lisburn, North Down, North Staffordshire Regiment and Ulster

Current composition of the Senior League

In 2024–25, there are 10 clubs in the Ulster Senior League season.

Premier League
Belfast Harlequins
Bangor
Cookstown
Kilkeel
Kilkeel
North Down
PSNI
Portadown
Queen's University
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
Antrim Albert Foundry
Banbridge Down
Belfast YMCA East Antrim
Cliftonville Holywood
Lisnagarvey Mossley
North Down Newry Olympic
Portrush Parkview
Queen's University South 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
Antrim Albert Foundry Ballymena Cookstown
Banbridge Down Bangor Courtalds
Belfast YMCA East Antrim King's Scholars Dunmurry
Cliftonville Holywood Lisburn OB Hollerith
Lisnagarvey Mossley NICS Lisnafillin
Parkview Newry Olympic Old Bleach Montalto
Portrush North Down RUC Portadown
Queen's University South Antrim Shorts & Harland Saintfield

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
Antrim Bangor
Banbridge Cookstown
Belfast YMCA Crossgar
Cliftonville East Antrim
Friends School OB Newry
Instonians North Down
Lisnagarvey N.I.C.S.
Mossley Parkview
Portrush R.U.C.
Queen's University Saintfield

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.

2017 reorganisation

Four teams dropped into junior hockey and the two divisions were amalgamated into a single Premier League of fourteen teams.

2018 reorganisation

The Intermediate League was revived.

Trophies

  • Winners of the Premier League are awarded the Keightley Cup.
  • Winners of Senior 1 were awarded the Ireland's Saturday Night Cup.
  • Winners of Senior 2 were awarded the Cliftonville Cup.

League winners and relegated clubs

2018–19 on

Year Relegated from Irish Hockey League Premier League winner Promoted to Irish Hockey League Premier League relegated Intermediate League promoted
2023–24 Instonians Cookstown n/a NICS
Raphoe		 PSNI
2022–23 Cookstown Queen's University n/a Mossley
Newry		 Raphoe
2021–22 n/a Instonians Cookstown
Instonians		 Raphoe Bangor
2019–20 n/a Cookstown n/a Bangor
Ballynahinch		 Belfast Harlequins
NICS
2018–19 Cookstown Instonians n/a Antrim
Belfast Harlequins
NICS		 Ballynahinch

Key:

  • 1 – Irish Hockey League Second Division formed in 2018–19 with teams competing in addition to the Ulster Premier League. Promotion to the Irish Premier League is via the IHL Second Division.
  • 2 – 2019–20 Season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic. Cookstown declared Premier League champions using percentage equalisation method. No promotion to or relegation from Irish Hockey League. Relegation to and promotion from Intermediate League based on percentage equalisation method.

2017–18

Year Relegated from Irish Hockey League Premier League winner Also promoted from Premier League Premier League relegated
2017–18 n/a Kilkeel n/a Cliftonville

Key:

  • 1 – 2017–18 Cliftonville relegated to revived Intermediate League (and changed name to CIYMS). Other teams joining Intermediate League were Armagh, Ballymena, Ballynahinch, Down, Parkview, PSNI, Portrush and Saintfield.

2015–16 to 2016–17

Year Relegated from Irish Hockey League Premier League winner Also promoted from Premier League Premier League relegated Senior One winner
2016–17 Instonians Cookstown Annadale Campbellians South Antrim
2015–16 Annadale & Cookstown Instonians n/a South Antrim Campbellians

Key:

  • 1 – 2016–17 Cookstown promoted to Irish Hockey League after winning the promotion/relegation play-off.
  • 2 – 2016–17 Annadale promoted to Irish Hockey League after winning the Provincial play-offs.
  • 3 – 2016–17 Campbellians dropped into junior hockey.
  • 4 – 2016–17 Antrim, Bangor, Cliftonville and Queen's University promoted alongside South Antrim. Armagh, Ballynahinch and Portrush dropped into junior hockey.
  • 5 – 2015–16 Instonians promoted to Irish Hockey League after winning the Provincial play-offs.

2010–11 to 2014–15

Year Premier League Winner Premier League Relegated Senior One Winner Senior One Relegated Senior Two Winner
2014–15 Banbridge Antrim unknown PSNI(?) Cliftonville
2013–14 Lisnagarvey Raphoe Newry Cliftonville Portrush
2012–13 Banbridge Mossley Raphoe Armagh
Ballynahinch		 PSNI
2011–12 Cookstown North Down Antrim Cliftonville Ballynahinch
2010–11 Lisnagarvey Bangor Belfast Harlequins Ballynahinch Campbellians
2009–10 Cookstown Raphoe N.I.C.S. Down Ballynahinch
2008–09 Cookstown Raphoe Kilkeel Ballynahinch Down
2007–08 Cookstown Kilkeel Raphoe Down Armagh
2006–07 Annadale N.I.C.S. Mossley PSNI Down
2005–06 Annadale North Down Kilkeel Armagh South Antrim
2004–05 Annadale Raphoe North Down South Antrim Armagh
2003–04 Annadale Kilkeel Raphoe Armagh Ballynahinch
2002–03 Annadale Mossley Bangor Parkview Portadown
2001–02 Lisnagarvey Newry Kilkeel Portadown Parkview

Key:

  • 1 – 2014–15 Banbridge along with Annadale, Cookstown and Lisnagarvey joined the Irish Hockey League for the 2015–16 season.
  • 2 – 2014–15 Mossley, North Down, Portadown, Raphoe and South Antrim promoted.
  • 3 – 2014–15 Armagh, Ballynahinch and Cliftonville promoted. (Ballymena, Down, Larne, Newcastle, Parkview and Saintfield were relegated to the Junior League.)
  • 4 – 2012–13 Cliftonville were also promoted.
  • 5 – 2008–09 Raphoe were not relegated due to increase in number of teams in premier league to ten.
  • 6 – 2008–09 North Down were also promoted to enable increase of premier league to ten teams.

2000–01 to 1969–70

Year Section 1 Winner Section 1 Relegated Section 2 Winner Section 2 Relegated Intermediate Winner
2000–01 Lisnagarvey North Down & Raphoe Bangor Larne, Parkview & Portrush Armagh
1999-2000 Lisnagarvey Cliftonville N.I.C.S. Down R.U.C.
1998–99 Lisnagarvey Bangor North Down R.U.C. Portrush
1997–98 Instonians Holywood '87 Bangor Ballynahinch Larne & South Antrim
1996–97 Lisnagarvey Cliftonville Bangor R.U.C. Larne
1995–96 Instonians Bangor Cliftonville Portrush North Down
1994–95 Lisnagarvey Cliftonville Bangor East Antrim R.U.C.
1993–94 Lisnagarvey Bangor Raphoe South Antrim Parkview
1992–93 Holywood '87 Queen's University Bangor R.U.C. Portrush
1991–92 Lisnagarvey Bangor Cliftonville Wanderers Portadown
1990–91 Lisnagarvey R.U.C. Bangor North Down Ballynahinch
1989–90 Lisnagarvey Bangor Newry Friends School Old Boys North Down
1988–89 Banbridge Collegians Queen's University North Down Wanderers
1987–88 Banbridge Antrim Collegians Portrush N.I.C.S.
1986–87 Banbridge Raphoe R.U.C. Corinthians Kilkeel
1985–86 Banbridge R.U.C. Raphoe N.I.C.S. Collegians
1984–85 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Cliftonville Annadale Collegians Down
1983–84 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Annadale R.U.C. Parkview Collegians
1982–83 Cookstown Queen's University Annadale Portadown East Antrim
1981–82 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Portadown Bangor Down & East Antrim Newry & Parkview
1980–81 Lisnagarvey Annadale Portadown Newry & Parkview Corinthians & Down
1979–80 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Raphoe Queen's University Collegians & Down North Down & Parkview
1978–79 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Bangor Raphoe North Down & Parkview Down & South Antrim
1977–78 Lisnagarvey Mossley N.I.C.S. Crossgar & Stranmillis Collegians & Newry
1976–77 Lisnagarvey Portrush Bangor Collegians & Newry Raphoe & Stranmillis
1975–76 Cliftonville Friends School Old Boys Annadale Stranmillis Portadown
1974–75 Instonians Parkview Cookstown No relegation N.I.C.S. & Newry
1973–74 Cliftonville Queen's University Belfast Y.M.C.A. Newry East Antrim
1972–73 Cliftonville Collegians Banbridge East Antrim Newry
1971–72 Lisnagarvey Banbridge Collegians Newry Stranmillis
1970–71 Belfast Y.M.C.A. Parkview N.I.C.S. Annadale
1969–70 Lisnagarvey Banbridge & Mossley Parkview Saintfield Collegians

Key:

  • 1 – 2000–01 Bangor won Section 2 but lost a Promotion Playoff
  • 2 – 1997–98 South Antrim were runners-up and gained promotion when Holywood '87 folded.
  • 3 – 1996–97 Promotion and relegation suspended.
  • 4 – 1978–79 Belfast YMCA won League after 3–1 victory in Test Match against Instonians.
  • 5 – 1977–78 Promotion and relegation between Section 1 and 2 suspended because of Ireland's participation in the Hockey World Cup in Argentina.
  • 6 – 1969–70 Promotion and relegation between Section 1 and 2 suspended.

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
1968–69 Cliftonville F.S.O.B. North Down Collegians
1967–68 Cliftonville R.U.C. Mossley East Antrim Cookstown Short & Harland
1966–67 Cliftonville Banbridge R.U.C. Portadown East Antrim Ballymena Cookstown
1965–66 Lisnagarvey Mossley Instonians Lissara F.S.O.B. Holywood East Antrim
1964–65 Lisnagarvey Parkview Mossley North Down Lissara Albert Foundry Lisburn OB
1963–64 Y.M.C.A. Bangor Parkview Montalto Portadown None Lissara
1962–63 Lisnagarvey Parkview Portrush Holywood Instonians South Antrim King's Scholars
1961–62 Banbridge Portrush Bangor Down Old Bleach East Antrim Instonians
1960–61 Lisnagarvey Mossley Parkview Albert Foundry Bangor Short & Harland Portadown
1959–60 Lisnagarvey Parkview Cliftonville South Antrim Montalto King's Scholars Saintfield
1958–59 Cliftonville Mossley East Antrim RUC Lisburn OB Montalto
1957–58 North Down Portrush

KEY

  • 1 – 1967–68 Old Bleach(Qual. A) folded after this season. As a result, East Antrim were not relegated. In addition Holywood(Int. A) folded.
  • 2 – 1965–66 Lissara renamed as Crossgar at the end of this season.
  • 3 – 1964–65 Lisnagarvey won League after Test Match with Cliftonville
  • 4 – 1964–65 Lisburn Old Boys renamed as Friends School Old Boys at the end of this season.
  • 5 – 1963–64 Montalto withdrew from League during season. No relegation from Qualifying B.

1956–57 to formation

  • 1956–57
  • 1955–56 Belfast YMCA (Won Test Match against Parkview)
  • 1954–55 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match against Parkview)
  • 1953–54 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match against Down)
  • 1952–53 Lisnagarvey
  • 1951–52 Lisnagarvey
  • 1950–51 Lisnagarvey
  • 1949–50 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match 1–0 v Parkview)
  • 1948–49 Parkview (Won Test Match 2–1 after extra time v Antrim)
  • 1947–48
  • 1946–47
  • 1945–46
  • 1944–45 Lisnagarvey
  • 1943–44
  • 1942–43
  • 1941–42
  • 1940–41
  • 1939–40
  • 1938–39 Lisnagarvey
  • 1937–38 Lisnagarvey
  • 1936–37 North Down
  • 1935–36 North Down
  • 1934–35 North Down
  • 1933–34 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match 3–1 v North Down) (2 section Senior League)
  • 1932–33 North Down
  • 1931–32 North Down
  • 1930–31 Cliftonville
  • 1929–30 Antrim
  • 1928–29 Cliftonville
  • 1927–28 Antrim
  • 1926–27 Antrim
  • 1925–26 Banbridge (Won Test Match 3–2 v Lisnagarvey)
  • 1924–25 Lisnagarvey
  • 1923–24 East Antrim (Won Test Match 4–3 v Banbridge)
  • 1922–23
  • 1921–22
  • 1920–21 Antrim (Won Test Match 3–1 v Banbridge)
  • 1919–20
  • 1918–19 Not Played
  • 1917–18 Not Played
  • 1916–17 Not Played
  • 1915–16 Not Played
  • 1914–15 Not Played
  • 1913–14 Banbridge
  • 1912–13 Banbridge
  • 1911–12 Queen's University
  • 1910–11 Banbridge
  • 1909–10 Banbridge (after a Test Match)
  • 1908–09 Banbridge (after a Test Match)
  • 1907–08 Antrim
  • 1906–07 Cliftonville (after a Test Match)
  • 1905–06 Malone
  • 1904–05 Antrim (after a Test Match)
  • 1903–04 Banbridge
  • 1902–03 Antrim
  • 1901–02 Banbridge
  • 1900–01 Antrim
  • 1899-1900 North Down
  • 1898–99
  • 1897–98 Antrim

Sources

  1. Belfast Newsletter 16/10/1897 Page 3
  2. Ireland's Saturday Night 4 December 1897
  3. Ulster Hockey
  4. Belfast Telegraph
  5. "Ulster Branch Rule Book Page 14/15" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 9, 2008. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  6. Ulster Hockey
  7. Ulster Hockey Facebook page (15 March 2024)
  8. Ulster Hockey
  9. https://websites.mygameday.app/comp_info.cgi?a=LADDER&compID=594510&c=0-12669-0-594590-0 Ulster Hockey
  10. Hockey Ireland
  11. Ulster Hockey
  12. Ulster Hockey
  13. Belfast Telegraph
  14. BBC
  15. Ulster Hockey
  16. Ulster Hockey
  17. Ulster Hockey
  18. Belfast Telegraph
  19. Ulster Hockey
  20. "One Down, Two to Go for Bann". 21 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  21. "American Chronicle (from Belfast Telegraph) report on Cookstown 2009–10 league win". Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  22. "Belfast Telegraph report on Cookstown 2008–09 league win". Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  23. "Belfast Newsletter report on Cookstown 2007–08 league win". Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  24. Belfast Newsletter. 12 April 1996. p. 36. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. Belfast Newsletter. 6 March 1995. p. 22. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. Belfast Newsletter. 10 March 1994. p. 34. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. Belfast Newsletter. 17 April 1981. p. 16. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. Belfast Newsletter. 11 May 1979. p. 18. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. Belfast Newsletter. 1 May 1976. p. 9. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. Belfast Newsletter. 16 April 1975. p. 17. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. Belfast Newsletter. 30 April 1963. p. 8. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. Belfast Newsletter. 19 April 1961. p. 11. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. Belfast Newsletter. 12 May 1960. p. 9. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 24 April 1950. p. 5. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  35. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 21 April 1949. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  36. Belfast Newsletter. 25 April 1939. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 21 April 1938. p. 10. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. Belfast Newsletter. 29 March 1937. p. 9. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. Belfast Newsletter. 13 April 1936. p. 4. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  40. Belfast Newsletter. 9 April 1935. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  41. Belfast Newsletter. 30 April 1934. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  42. Belfast Newsletter. 21 April 1933. p. 13. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. Belfast Newsletter. 18 April 1932. p. 10. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  44. Northern Whig & Belfast Post. 8 April 1931. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. Belfast Newsletter. 24 April 1930. p. 12. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  46. Belfast Newsletter. 23 April 1929. p. 12. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  47. Belfast Newsletter. 23 April 1928. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  48. Belfast Newsletter. 29 April 1927. p. 5. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  49. Belfast Newsletter. 12 May 1926. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  50. Belfast Newsletter. 2 May 1924. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  51. Belfast Newsletter. 14 May 1921. p. 2. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  52. Belfast Newsletter. 28 April 1903. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  53. Belfast Newsletter. 28 April 1902. p. 5. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  54. Belfast Newsletter. 19 April 1901. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  55. Belfast Newsletter. 30 March 1898. p. 3. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Information gathered from Belfast Newsletter and Ireland Saturday Night

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