Munster Senior League (association football)
The Munster Senior League is an association football league organised by the Munster Football Association. It organises seven divisions as well as various cup competitions. Its Senior Division is a third level division in the Republic of Ireland football league system. Munster Senior League teams also compete in the Munster Senior Cup, the FAI Cup, the FAI Intermediate Cup and the FAI Junior Cup. In recent seasons the winners of the Senior Division have qualified to play in the League of Ireland Cup. Despite using the Munster name in its title, the vast majority of its member clubs are based in County Cork. However, in the past it has included clubs from County Limerick, County Waterford, County Kerry and County Tipperary. [3]
 | |
| Country |  Ireland |
|---|---|
| Region |  Munster[1] |
| Divisions | Senior Premier Division Senior 1st Division Senior 2nd Division Junior Premier Division Junior 1st Division Junior 2nd Division Floodlit Over 35 |
| Number of teams | 62 (2015–16)[2] |
| Domestic cup(s) | Munster Senior Cup FAI Cup FAI Intermediate Cup FAI Junior Cup |
| League cup(s) | Keane Cup Donie Forde Cup Beamish Cup |
| Current champions | UCC |
| Most championships | Cobh Ramblers (15 titles) |
| Website | Munster Senior League |
| Current: 2020 Munster Senior League | |
History
Early years
The original Munster Football Association was founded in 1901 and it is believed that a Munster League was founded within a few years. The 1909–10 season saw six teams representing the Highland Light Infantry, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Durham Light Infantry, the Sherwood Foresters, the King's Regiment and Haulbowline all played in the Munster League First Division. A Munster Intermediate League featured the reserve teams of all these British Army regiments plus teams representing the Royal Engineers, the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Army Service Corps. In the Munster Cup the Highland Light Infantry lost 1–0 to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the final played at Turner's Cross.[4] Cahir Park F.C. was founded in 1910 and by 1912–13 they were the Munster Senior League second division champions.[5] However these leagues were effectively disbanded during the First World War and Irish War of Independence era.
Reformed
In 1921 Harry Buckle, a former Ireland international, settled in Cork and began working for the Ford Motor Company. Finding little or no association football activity in the city, Buckle initially founded Fordsons F.C. and then helped found the County Cork–based South Munster League for the team to play in. In addition to playing and coaching with the new club, Buckle also served as president of the Tipperary/Limerick based – North Munster League and helped reform the Munster Football Association. By 1922–23 the South Munster League and North Munster Leagues had effectively merged to become the Munster Senior League.[6] Barrackton United of the South Munster League became the first post–First World War Munster Senior League champions after defeating Cahir Park F.C. of the North Munster League in a play-off.
Teams
Intermediate Leagues
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Avondale United | Carrigaline/Ballintemple | Avondale Park |
| Blarney United | Blarney | O'Shea Park |
| Carrigaline United | Carrigaline | Ballea Park |
| Castleview | ||
| Cobh Wanderers | Cobh | Oldchurch Park |
| College Corinthians | Douglas | Corithians Park |
| Midleton | Midleton | Knockgriffin Park |
| Rockmount | Whitechurch | Rockmount Park |
| Ringmahon Rangers | Blackrock, Cork | Ringmahon Road |
| UCC | University College Cork | The Mardyke/The Farm |
Source: [7]
2022-23 Senior Division Clubs
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Bandon | Bandon, County Cork | Town Park |
| Douglas Hall | Douglas | Moneygourney |
| Everton | Togher, Cork City | Everton Park |
| Leeds | Ballyvolane, Cork | Leeds Park |
| Leeside | Little Island, Cork | Little Island Sports Complex |
| Mayfield | Mayfield | Lotamore Grounds |
| Park United | ||
| Riverstown | Glanmire | The Cliff |
| St Mary’s | ||
| Wilton United | Cork | Lee Road |
Source: [8]
2022-23 Senior Second Division Clubs
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Ballincollig | Ballincollig | Coolroe |
| Ballinhassig | Ballinhassig | Gortnaglough |
| Buttevant | ||
| Carrigtwohill United | ||
| Casement Celtic | Togher, Cork City | |
| Fermoy | Fermoy | Carrig Park |
| Kanturk AFC | ||
| Kilworth Celtic | ||
| Kinsale | Kinsale | Madden Park |
| Lakewood Athletic | ||
| Macroom | ||
| Mallow United | Mallow, County Cork | Town Park |
| Pearse Celtic | ||
| Tramore Athletic | Douglas, County Cork | Tramore Park |
| Youghal United |
Source: [9]
Representative team
A Munster Senior League representative team competes in the FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament against teams representing the Ulster Senior League, the Leinster Senior League and Connacht.[10]
2022-23 season
Senior Premier Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrigaline United | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 13 | Champions |
| 2 | College Corinthians | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | |
| 3 | Midleton | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | |
| 4 | Rockmount | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | |
| 5 | Ringmahon Rangers | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
| 6 | Cobh Wanderers | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | |
| 7 | Avondale United | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 8 | UCC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 9 | Blarney United | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Relegation to First Division |
| 10 | Castleview | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
References
- "Details of Affiliated Leagues & Clubs 2015/2016". www.munsterfa.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- "List of Teams Affiliated to the Munster Senior League". www.munsterfa.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- www.munsterseniorleague.ie
- various. Highland Light Infantry Chronicle (Jan 1908-Oct1910).
- www.cahirparkafc.ie
- Carey, Tadhg (2009). When We Were Kings: The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph. Athlone: Temple Printing.
- "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Premier Division". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Division 1". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Division 2". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- "League Table 2016 FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament". www.uslfootball.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.