Connacht Senior League (association football)
Encyclopedia
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
, the FAI Junior Cup
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
side Castlebar Celtic
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
, the FAI Junior Cup
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
side Castlebar Celtic
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
, the FAI Junior Cup
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
side Castlebar Celtic
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
A. Goal difference did not count so play-offs were needed if teams were level on points.
B. League was split into two groups with the group winners (Straide & Foxford Utd. and Castlebar Celtic) in a play-off final to decide the winners. The top 3 to 4 teams in each group would play in a new premiership the following season and the remaining sides would go into a first division.
C. League consisted of a Premiership and a First Division. It would only be a one off with the league reverting to one division in 1996. Ballinasloe Town were the First Division winners.
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
, the FAI Junior Cup
FAI Junior Cup
The FAI Junior Cup is a football competition organised by the Football Association of Ireland. It is regarded as one of the biggest competitions at the junior level in European football....
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
FAI Intermediate Cup
The FAI Intermediate Cup is an annual knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland outside of the League of Ireland and also not open to clubs who play in leagues permitting the use of public pitches...
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
side Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s...
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
Champions
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Play-off if needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-82 | Sligo Rovers | Mervue United | |
| 1982-83 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1983-84 | Mervue United | Salthill Devon | 2-2,2-2,3-0 |
| 1984-85 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Mervue United | |
| 1985-86 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
UCG | 4-3 |
| 1986-87 | Mervue United | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
|
| 1987-88 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1988-89 | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
Salthill Devon | |
| 1989-90 | UCG | Salthill Devon | |
| 1990-91 | Salthill Devon | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1991-92 | Sligo Rovers | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1992-93 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1993-94 | Sligo Rovers | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
3-1 |
| 1994-95 | Straide & Foxford United | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
1-0 |
| 1995-96 | UCG | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1996-97 | Mervue United | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1997-98 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1998-99 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1999-00 | Mervue United | UCG |
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
, the FAI Junior Cup
FAI Junior Cup
The FAI Junior Cup is a football competition organised by the Football Association of Ireland. It is regarded as one of the biggest competitions at the junior level in European football....
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
FAI Intermediate Cup
The FAI Intermediate Cup is an annual knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland outside of the League of Ireland and also not open to clubs who play in leagues permitting the use of public pitches...
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
side Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s...
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
Champions
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Play-off if needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-82 | Sligo Rovers | Mervue United | |
| 1982-83 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1983-84 | Mervue United | Salthill Devon | 2-2,2-2,3-0 |
| 1984-85 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Mervue United | |
| 1985-86 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
UCG | 4-3 |
| 1986-87 | Mervue United | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
|
| 1987-88 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1988-89 | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
Salthill Devon | |
| 1989-90 | UCG | Salthill Devon | |
| 1990-91 | Salthill Devon | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1991-92 | Sligo Rovers | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1992-93 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1993-94 | Sligo Rovers | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
3-1 |
| 1994-95 | Straide & Foxford United | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
1-0 |
| 1995-96 | UCG | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1996-97 | Mervue United | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1997-98 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1998-99 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1999-00 | Mervue United | UCG |
Connacht Senior League is a now defunct, amateur football league that ran in the Irish province of Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
between 1981 and the summer of 2000, being scrapped when the leading clubs opted to join an under 21 league set up that year by the FAI. Teams from this league also competed in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's top cup competitions including the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
, the FAI Junior Cup
FAI Junior Cup
The FAI Junior Cup is a football competition organised by the Football Association of Ireland. It is regarded as one of the biggest competitions at the junior level in European football....
and the FAI Intermediate Cup
FAI Intermediate Cup
The FAI Intermediate Cup is an annual knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland outside of the League of Ireland and also not open to clubs who play in leagues permitting the use of public pitches...
. The champions or highest placed non-reserve team got to take part in the League of Ireland Cup, the reserve sides in question were those of Sligo Rovers and Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
. It initially consisted of one division of around 8 teams with some teams dropping out (no relegation system existed)and occasionally new ones joining, however with the increasing popularity of Irish soccer in the nineties it slowly attracted more sides, including teams from Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
, so 2 divisions were eventually created. However this format lasted only one season and it reverted to one division the following season, becoming known as the Connacht Senior League Premiership. Dropouts by some clubs was one reason for this and the trend continued with the league eventually finishing with only eight clubs. League of Ireland First Division sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon were two of the regular competitors while 'A Championship
A Championship
The A Championship was the third tier in the Republic of Ireland football league system. It was created in 2008 by the FAI to act as the first stop for clubs hoping to move into the League of Ireland, but cancelled at the end of the 2011 season...
side Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic
Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s...
also took part. Other intermediate sides who featured included UCG(later NUIG), Tuam Celtic, Ballinasloe Town, Castlerea Celtic, Straide & Foxford united, Ballina Town, Westport United while clubs from Athlone (Gentex and St.Peters) and Longford also took part.
Champions
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Play-off if needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-82 | Sligo Rovers | Mervue United | |
| 1982-83 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1983-84 | Mervue United | Salthill Devon | 2-2,2-2,3-0 |
| 1984-85 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Mervue United | |
| 1985-86 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
UCG | 4-3 |
| 1986-87 | Mervue United | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
|
| 1987-88 | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1988-89 | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
Salthill Devon | |
| 1989-90 | UCG | Salthill Devon | |
| 1990-91 | Salthill Devon | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1991-92 | Sligo Rovers | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
|
| 1992-93 | Mervue United | Sligo Rovers | |
| 1993-94 | Sligo Rovers | Galway United Galway United Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football.... |
3-1 |
| 1994-95 | Straide & Foxford United | Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic Castlebar Celtic is an amateur Irish football club based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Republic Of Ireland. The club was founded in 1924 and currently competes in the Newstalk A Championship, the third tier of football in Ireland. Their second team competes in the Mayo Super League while the Under 20s... |
1-0 |
| 1995-96 | UCG | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1996-97 | Mervue United | Straide & Foxford United | |
| 1997-98 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1998-99 | Mervue United | UCG | |
| 1999-00 | Mervue United | UCG |
A. Goal difference did not count so play-offs were needed if teams were level on points.
B. League was split into two groups with the group winners (Straide & Foxford Utd. and Castlebar Celtic) in a play-off final to decide the winners. The top 3 to 4 teams in each group would play in a new premiership the following season and the remaining sides would go into a first division.
C. League consisted of a Premiership and a First Division. It would only be a one off with the league reverting to one division in 1996. Ballinasloe Town were the First Division winners.
Sources
- The Connacht Sentinel at the Irish Newspaper Archives'
- The City Tribune at the Irish Newspaper Archives'
- The Connaught Telegraph at the Irish Newspaper Archives'
- The Galway Advertiser Archives
- Connacht Senior League website http://www.connacht-sl.netne.net
external links
- Collection of Connacht Senior League tables at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/connacht-seniorleague/
