| Motto: | - TheToughest
| website = https://www.gaa.ie/football/gaa-football-all-ireland-senior-club/}}The All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament which began in season 1970–71. It is the top-tier competition for the senior football clubs of Ireland and London.
The current champions are Watty Graham's GAC, Glen of Derry who defeated St Brigid's of Roscommon on 21 January 2024 to win their first All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship.[1]
The current trophy is the Andy Merrigan Cup, named after a footballer who played for Castletown Liam Mellows and Wexford who died as a result of a farm accident at the height of his playing career. It was first presented in 1974.
Competition format
County ChampionshipsIreland's 32 counties play their county championships between their senior Gaelic football clubs. Each county decides the format for determining their county champions. The format can be knockout, double-elimination, league, etc. or a combination. For instance, Kerry organise two separate championships - one for clubs only and one for clubs and divisional sides.
Provincial ChampionshipsConnacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster each organise a provincial championship for their participating county champions. All matches are knock-out and two ten minute periods of extra time are played if it's a draw at the end of normal time.
All-Ireland ChampionshipThe four provincial winners advance to the semi-finals. Until the 2018-19 competition, the London Senior Football Champion would play one of the provincial champions in a Quarter Final in December, with the winner advancing to the All Ireland Semi Final. The All-Ireland final was traditionally played in Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March.
In an attempt to shorten the season for club players, the semi-finals and final were brought forward for the 2019–20 season. The semi-finals were played on the first weekend in January, with the final scheduled for 19 January.
Traditional Typical ScheduleCounty championships – April to November
Provincial championships – October to December
All-Ireland quarter-final – mid-December or January
All-Ireland semi-finals – mid-February
All-Ireland final – 17 March in Croke Park, Dublin
History
Ulster and Connacht tournaments were first held in the 1960s, and the first unofficial All-Ireland Final took place in 1968. The final was contested by Dunmore McHales of Galway and St Josephs of Donegal. It was a two-leg affair with St Josephs emerging as the winners. The motion was then brought to the GAA National Congress in 1969. Despite opposition from many delegations, the motion received the necessary two-thirds majority.
The first winners in 1970–71 were an East Kerry divisional team (nowadays, amalgamations of clubs are not allowed to enter the All-Ireland). In the following year, Bellaghy from Derry, became the first individual club to win the All-Ireland Club Championship by defeating UCC of Cork in the final at Croke Park.
The Andy Merrigan Cup was first awarded in 1974, donated by the Castletown Liam Mellows club in memory of the great Wexford footballer who died in a farming accident at the height of his career.
Dublin clubs (UCD x2 and St Vincent's of Marino) won three-in-a-row All-Irelands in 1974–76, before Kerry and Cork clubs began to dominate, winning 9 titles in 13 years, 1977–89, including four for Nemo Rangers of Cork. Clann na nGael won 7 Connacht titles in 8 years (1983–90), but did not win a single All-Ireland.
St Mary's Burren of Down ended a 14-year Ulster drought when they were victorious in 1986. Baltinglass caused a major shock in 1990 by winning their and Wicklow's first national honour, while Nemo pulled ahead with their fifth title in 1994. In 1998, Corofin won Galway's and Connacht's first national award, six months before the county team's first All-Ireland for 32 years.
In the late 1990s, the club championship rose to national prominence with regular TV coverage and the prestigious St Patrick's Day fixture in Croke Park for the final. Crossmaglen Rangers claimed 3 All-Irelands in 4 years from 1997 to 2000. While the Caltra club of Galway won their first Galway title, first Connacht award and first All-Ireland in one year, 2003–04. 2006 saw Salthill-Knocknacarra of Galway complete a Connacht three-in-a-row.
In 2010, St Gall's in Antrim beat Kilmurry-Ibrickane of Clare to win their first title.[2]
In 2023, Kilmacud Crokes defeated Glen by 1-11 to 1-09 to win their third title.[3] However, Kilmacud Crokes finished the game with an extra player on the pitch, causing significant controversy.[4] The GAA ordered a replay of the final after Glen lodged an objection.[5] However, after Kilmacud Crokes lodged an appeal against a replay, Glen withdrew from the appeals process, saying that they "do not believe the conditions exist for a replay", resulting in Kilmacud retaining their title.[6] [7]
List of Finals
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Referee |
|---|
| County | Club | Score | County | Club | Score |
|---|
| 2023-24[8] | DER | Glen | 2-10 | ROS | St Brigid's | 1-12 | Brendan Cawley (Kildare) | | 2022-23 | DUB | | 1-11 | DER | Glen | 1-09 | Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary) | | 2021-22 | DOW | Kilcoo | 2-08 (AET) | DUB | Kilmacud Crokes | 0-13 (AET) | Seán Hurson (Tyrone) | | 2020-21 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | | 2019-20 | GAL | Corofin | 1-12 (AET) | DOW | Kilcoo | 0-07 (AET) | Conor Lane (Cork) | | 2018–19 | GAL | Corofin | 2-16 | KER | Dr Crokes | 0-10 | Barry Cassidy (Derry) | | 2017–18 | GAL | Corofin | 2-19 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 0-10 | David Gough (Meath) | | 2016–17[9] | KER | Dr Crokes | 1-09 | DER | Slaughtneil | 1-07 | Maurice Deegan (Laois) | | 2015–16[10] [11] | DUB | Ballyboden St Enda's | 2-14 | MAY | Castlebar Mitchels | 0-07 | Conor Lane (Cork) | | 2014–15[12] | GAL | Corofin | 1-14 | DER | Slaughtneil | 0-07 | David Coldrick (Meath) | | 2013–14[13] | DUB | St Vincents | 4-12 | MAY | Castlebar Mitchels | 2-11 | Eddie Kinsella (Laois) | | 2012–13[14] | ROS | St Brigid's | 2-11 | DUB | Ballymun Kickhams | 2-10 | Pádraig Hughes (Armagh) | | 2011–12 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 0-15, 2-19 (R) | WES | Garrycastle | 1-12, 1-07 (R) | Rory Hickey (Clare), Marty Duffy (Sligo) (R) | | 2010–11 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 2-11 | ROS | St Brigid's | 1-11 | Cormac Reilly (Meath) | | 2009–10 | ANT | St Gall's | 0-13 | CLA | Kilmurry-Ibrickane | 1-05 | Derek Fahy (Longford) | | 2008–09 | DUB | Kilmacud Crokes | 1-09 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 0-07 | Gerry Kinneavy (Galway) | | 2007–08 | DUB | St Vincents | 1-11 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 0-13 | Joe McQuillan (Cavan) | | 2006–07 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 1-09, 0-13 (R) | KER | Dr Crokes | 1-09, 1-05 (R) | Syl Doyle (Wexford), Eugene Murtagh (Longford) (R) | | 2005–06 | GAL | Salthill-Knocknacarra | 0-07 | ANT | St Gall's | 0-06 | David Coldrick (Meath) | | 2004–05[15] | MAY | Ballina Stephenites | 1-12 | LAO | Portlaoise | 2-08 | Brian Crowe (Cavan) | | 2003–04 | GAL | Caltra | 0-13 | KER | An Ghaeltacht | 0-12 | Michael Monahan (Kildare) | | 2002–03 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 0-14 | MAY | Crossmolina Deel Rovers | 1-09 | Brian Crowe (Cavan) | | 2001–02 | DER | Ballinderry Shamrocks | 2-10 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 0-09 | Seamus McCormack (Meath) | | 2000–01 | MAY | Crossmolina Deel Rovers | 0-16 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 1-12 | John Bannon (Longford) | | 1999–2000 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 1-14 | DUB | Na Fianna | 0-12 | Mick Curley (Galway) | | 1998–99 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 0-09 | MAY | Ballina Stephenites | 0-08 | John Bannon (Longford) | | 1997–98 | GAL | Corofin | 0-15 | DUB | Erins Isle | 0-10 | Pat Casserly (Westmeath) | | 1996–97 | ARM | Crossmaglen Rangers | 2-13 | MAY | Knockmore | 0-11 | Brian White (Wexford) | | 1995–96 | KER | Laune Rangers | 4-05 | CAR | Éire Óg | 0-11 | Pat McEnaney (Monaghan) | | 1994–95 | DUB | Kilmacud Crokes | 0-08 | DER | Bellaghy | 0-05 | Paddy Russell (Tipperary) | | 1993–94 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 3-11 | MAY | Castlebar Mitchels | 0-08 | Pat McEnaney (Monaghan) | | 1992–93 | COR | O'Donovan Rossa | 1-12, 1-07 (R) | CAR | Éire Óg | 3-06, 0-08 (R) | Jim Curran (Tyrone) | | 1991–92 | KER | Dr Crokes | 1-11 | DUB | Thomas Davis | 0-13 | Tommy McDermott (Cavan) | | 1990–91 | DER | Lavey | 2-09 | GAL | Salthill-Knocknacarra | 0-10 | Tommy Howard (Kildare) | | 1989–90 | WIC | Baltinglass | 2-07 | ROS | Clann na nGael | 0-07 | Tommy Sugrue (Kerry) | | 1988–89 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 1-13 | ROS | Clann na nGael | 1-03 | Gerry McClory (Antrim) | | 1987–88 | DOW | St Mary's Burren | 1-09 | ROS | Clann na nGael | 0-08 | Denis Guerin (Dublin) | | 1986–87 | COR | St Finbarr's | 0-10 | ROS | Clann na nGael | 0-07 | Michael Greenan (Cavan) | | 1985–86 | DOW | St Mary's Burren | 1-10 | KER | Castleisland Desmonds | 1-06 | | | 1984–85 | KER | Castleisland Desmonds | 2-02 | DUB | St Vincents | 0-07 | | | 1983–84 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 2-10 | MEA | Walterstown | 0-05 | | | 1982–83 | LAO | Portlaoise | 0-12 | ROS | Clann na nGael | 2-00 | | | 1981–82 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 6-11 | MAY | Garrymore | 1-08 | | | 1980–81 | COR | St Finbarr's | 1-08 | MEA | Walterstown | 0-06 | | | 1979–80 | COR | St Finbarr's | 3-09 | GAL | St Grellan's | 0-08 | Weeshie Fogarty (Kerry) | | 1978–79 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 2-09 | MON | Scotstown | 1-03 | Tommy Moran (Leitrim) | | 1977–78 | LIM | Thomond College | 2-14 | ANT | St John's | 1-03 | Seamus Aldridge (Kildare) | | 1976–77 | KER | Austin Stacks | 1-13 | DER | Ballerin | 2-07 | Seamus Aldridge (Kildare) | | 1975–76 | DUB | St Vincents | 4-10 | ROS | Roscommon Gaels | 0-05 | Paddy Collins (Westmeath) | | 1974–75 | DUB | UCD | 1-11 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 0-12 | P. J. McGrath (Mayo) | | 1973–74 | DUB | UCD | 1-06, 0-14 (R) | ARM | Clan na Gael | 1-06, 1-04 (R) | Mick Spain (Offaly) | | 1972–73 | COR | Nemo Rangers | 2-11, 4-06 (R) | DUB | St Vincents | 2-11, 0-10 (R) | | | 1971–72 | DER | Bellaghy | 0-15 | COR | UCC | 1-11 | Denis Guerin (Dublin) | | 1970–71 | KER | East Kerry | 5-09 | DOW | Bryansford | 2-07 | Jimmy Hatton (Wicklow) | |
Summary of All-Ireland champions
By club
| Club | County | Titles | Runners-Up | Years Won | Years Runners-Up |
|---|
| 1 | Nemo Rangers | COR | 7 | 5 | 1973, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1994, 2003 | 1975, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018 | | 2 | Crossmaglen Rangers | ARM | 6 | 1 | 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012 | 2009 | | 3 | Corofin | GAL | 5 | 0 | 1998, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 | - | | 4 | St Vincents | DUB | 3 | 2 | 1976, 2008, 2014 | 1973, 1985 | | Kilmacud Crokes | DUB | 3 | 1 | 1995, 2009, 2023 | 2022 | | St Finbarr's | COR | 3 | 0 | 1980, 1981, 1987 | - | | 7 | Dr Crokes | KER | 2 | 2 | 1992, 2017 | 2007, 2019 | | UCD | DUB | 2 | 0 | 1974, 1975 | - | | St Mary's Burren | DOW | 2 | 0 | 1986, 1988 | - | | 10 | St Brigid's | ROS | 1 | 2 | 2013 | 2011, 2024 | | Bellaghy | DER | 1 | 1 | 1972 | 1995 | | Portlaoise | LAO | 1 | 1 | 1983 | 2005 | | Castleisland Desmonds | KER | 1 | 1 | 1985 | 1986 | | Crossmolina Deel Rovers | MAY | 1 | 1 | 2001 | 2003 | | Ballina Stephenites | MAY | 1 | 1 | 2005 | 1999 | | Salthill-Knocknacarra | GAL | 1 | 1 | 2006 | 1991 | | St Gall's | ANT | 1 | 1 | 2010 | 2006 | | Kilcoo | DOW | 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2020 | | Glen | DER | 1 | 1 | 2024 | 2023 | | East Kerry | KER | 1 | 0 | 1971 | - | | Austin Stacks | KER | 1 | 0 | 1977 | - | | Thomond College | LIM | 1 | 0 | 1978 | - | | Baltinglass | WIC | 1 | 0 | 1990 | - | | Lavey | DER | 1 | 0 | 1991 | - | | O'Donovan Rossa | COR | 1 | 0 | 1993 | - | | Laune Rangers | KER | 1 | 0 | 1996 | - | | Ballinderry Shamrocks | DER | 1 | 0 | 2002 | - | | Caltra | GAL | 1 | 0 | 2004 | - | | Ballyboden St Enda's | DUB | 1 | 0 | 2016 | - | | 30 | Clann na nGael | ROS | 0 | 5 | - | 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 | | Castlebar Mitchels | MAY | 0 | 3 | - | | | Walterstown | MEA | 0 | 2 | - | 1981, 1984 | | Éire Óg | CAR | 0 | 2 | - | 1993, 1996 | | Slaughtneil | DER | 0 | 2 | - | 2015, 2017 | | Bryansford | DOW | 0 | 1 | - | 1971 | | UCC | COR | 0 | 1 | - | 1972 | | Clan na Gael | ARM | 0 | 1 | - | 1974 | | Roscommon Gaels | ROS | 0 | 1 | - | 1976 | | Ballerin | DER | 0 | 1 | - | 1977 | | St John's | ANT | 0 | 1 | - | 1978 | | Scotstown | MON | 0 | 1 | - | 1979 | | St Grellan's | GAL | 0 | 1 | - | 1980 | | Garrymore | MAY | 0 | 1 | - | 1982 | | Thomas Davis | DUB | 0 | 1 | - | 1992 | | Knockmore | MAY | 0 | 1 | - | 1997 | | Erins Isle | DUB | 0 | 1 | - | 1998 | | Na Fianna | DUB | 0 | 1 | - | 2000 | | An Ghaeltacht | KER | 0 | 1 | - | 2004 | | Kilmurry-Ibrickane | CLA | 0 | 1 | - | 2010 | | Garrycastle | WES | 0 | 1 | - | 2012 | | Ballymun Kickhams | DUB | 0 | 1 | - | 2013 | |
By county
L, M, U, C refer to Leinster/Munster/Ulster/Connacht championships won by clubs from the county. "Most recent winning team" gives the name of the club from the county which last won the All-Ireland; if no club has, the name of the last provincial champion is given in italic type. | County | All-Irelands | L | M | U | C | Most recent winning team |
|---|
| 1 | Cork clubs | 11 | | 31 | | | Nemo Rangers, 2002–03 | | 2 | Dublin clubs | 9 | 25 | | | | Kilmacud Crokes, 2022–23 | | 3 | Galway clubs | 7 | | | | 21 | Corofin, 2019–20 | | 4 | Kerry clubs | 6 | | 20 | | | Dr Crokes, 2016–17 | | 5 | Armagh clubs | 6 | | | 15 | | Crossmaglen Rangers, 2011–12 | | 6 | Derry clubs | 4 | | | 17 | | Watty Graham's, Glen, 2023–24 | | 7 | Down clubs | 3 | | | 9 | | Kilcoo, 2021–22 | | 8 | Mayo clubs | 2 | | | | 16 | Ballina Stephenites, 2004–05 | | 9 | Roscommon clubs | 1 | | | | 16 | St Brigid's, 2012–13 | | 10 | Laois clubs | 1 | 7 | | | | Portlaoise, 1982–83 | | 11 | Antrim clubs | 1 | | | 4 | | St Gall's, 2009–10 | | 12 | Wicklow clubs | 1 | 2 | | | | Baltinglass, 1989–90 | | Limerick clubs | 1 | | 2 | | | Thomond College, 1977–78 | | 13 | Monaghan clubs | 0 | | | 6 | | Castleblayney Faughs, 1991–92 | | Carlow clubs | 6 | | | | O'Hanrahans, 2000–01 | | 14 | Meath clubs | 4 | | | | Dunshaughlin, 2002–03 | | Offaly clubs | 4 | | | | Ferbane, 1986–87 | | 15 | | Kildare clubs | 3 | | | | Moorefield, 2017–18 | | Sligo clubs | | | | 3 | St Mary's, 1983–84 | | Clare clubs | | 3 | | | Kilmurry-Ibrickane, 2009–10 | | 16 | Tyrone clubs | | | 2 | | Errigal Ciarán, 2002–03 | | 17 | Donegal clubs | | | 2 | | Gaoth Dobhair, 2018–19 | | Longford clubs | 1 | | | | Mullinalaghta St Columba's, 2018–19 | | Westmeath clubs | 1 | | | | Garrycastle, 2011–12 | | Tipperary clubs | | 1 | | | Clonmel Commercials, 2015–16 | |
No club from Cavan, Fermanagh, Kilkenny, Leitrim, London, Louth, Waterford or Wexford has ever won a national or provincial title.
By province
List of provincial champions
All-Ireland winners are shaded gold, and counties are given in brackets.
See also
External links
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