Leinster Senior Football Championship Explained

Leinster Senior Football Championship
Currentlyrunning:2024 Leinster Senior Football Championship
Irish:Craobh Sinsir Peile Laighean
Code:Gaelic football
Region:Leinster
Trophy:Delaney Cup
Teams:11
Currentordinal:63
Super:nd
Mostordinal:63
Sponsors:SuperValu, Eir, AIB
Tv:RTÉ
GAAGO
Motto:Be there. All the way
Website:Official website

The Leinster Senior Football Championship, known simply as the Leinster Championship and shortened to Leinster SFC, is an annual inter-county Gaelic football competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It is the highest inter-county Gaelic football competition in the province of Leinster, and has been contested every year since the 1888 championship.

The final, currently held on the fourth Sunday in June, serves as the culmination of a series of games played during May and June, and the results determine which team receives the Delaney Cup. The championship has always been played on a straight knockout basis, whereby once a team loses they are eliminated from the championship.

The Leinster SFC is an integral part of the wider All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. The winners of the Leinster SFC final, like their counterparts in Connacht, Munster and Ulster, are rewarded by advancing directly to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. Depending on results earlier in the season and elsewhere, some of the defeated teams may advance to the All-Ireland SFC, while other defeated teams play any further games they may have in the Tailteann Cup.

11 teams currently participate in the Leinster SFC. One of the most successful team in Gaelic football, namely Dublin, play their provincial football in this competition, and have won the title on a record 60 occasions, while they have also claimed 30 All-Ireland SFC titles.

The Leinster SFC title has been won at least once by 11 of the Leinster counties, eight of which have won the title more than once. Wicklow are the only team never to have won the title, while three-time winner Kilkenny no longer participate.[1] Dublin, who are also the current champions, have dominated the competition since its beginning.[2]

History

Development

Following the foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884, new rules for Gaelic football and hurling were drawn up and published in the United Irishman newspaper. In 1886, county committees began to be established, with several counties affiliating over the next few years. The GAA ran its inaugural All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1887. The decision to establish that first championship was influenced by several factors. Firstly, inter-club contests in 1885 and 1886 were wildly popular and began to draw huge crowds. Clubs started to travel across the country to play against each other and these matches generated intense interest as the newspapers began to speculate which teams might be considered the best in the country. Secondly, although the number of clubs was growing, many were slow to affiliate to the Association, leaving it short of money. Establishing a central championship held the prospect of enticing GAA clubs to process their affiliations, just as the establishment of the FA Cup had done much in the 1870s to promote the development of the Football Association in England. The championships were open to all affiliated clubs who would first compete in county-based competitions, to be run by local county committees. The winners of each county championship would then proceed to represent that county in the All-Ireland series.[3] For the first and only time in its history the All-Ireland Championship used an open draw format. 12 teams entered the first championship, however, this number increased to 15 in 1888. Because of this, and in an effort to reduce travelling costs, the GAA decided to introduce provincial championships.

Beginnings

The inaugural Leinster Championship featured Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Queen's County, Wexford and Wicklow. Dublin and Kildare contested the very first match on Sunday 3 June 1888. Wicklow beat Wexford in the third quarter-final a month later, however, a replay was ordered after the game was stopped with ten minutes to go as a result of a pitch invasion, and it was also revealed that Wicklow had played a number of illegal player. Postponements, disqualifications, objections, withdrawals and walkovers were regular occurrences during the initial years of the championship. The inaugural Leinster final between Kilkenny and Wexford was played on Sunday 23 September 1888, with Kilkenny claiming a 1–4 to 0–2 victory.

Team dominance

The first years of the Leinster Championship saw one of the most equitable eras in terms of titles won, with five different teams claiming their inaugural titles between 1888 and 1895. In winning the 1892 Leinster final, Dublin, as well as becoming the first team to retain the title, also set in train a level of championship dominance that continues to the present day. After two decades of dominance, Wexford broke the hegemony by setting a new record of six successive titles between 1913 and 1918. Dublin remained the standard-bearers of the province, however, Kildare emerged as a new force, winning eight titles between 1919 and 1935. Since winning their second ever title in 1939, Meath enjoyed some brief periods of dominance and claimed titles in each of the decades that followed to eventually become second only to Dublin in the all-time roll of honour by 1970. A Dublin resurgence in the 1970s was followed by Meath's most successful era, winning eight titles between 1986 and 2001 under Seán Boylan. In the 21st century Dublin set a new record of thirteen-in-a-row between 2011 and 2023.

Leinster SFC moments

Format

Overview

The Leinster Championship is a single elimination tournament. Each team is afforded only one defeat before being eliminated from the championship. The draw is seeded, with the previous year's semi-finalists receiving byes to the quarter-finals. Six of the remaining seven teams are drawn together in three first round matches, while the seventh team also receives a bye to the quarter-finals.

In September 2019, the Leinster Council decided against awarding champions Dublin a bye into the semi-final stage; instead deciding to retain the status quo. The Leinster Council did, however, introduce a semi-final draw scheduled for the Sunday night when all quarter-final winners were confirmed, meaning that semi-finalists would not know if they were on the champions' side of the draw until two weeks before the game.[4]

Progression

Teams entering in this roundTeams advancing from previous round
First round
(6 teams)
  • 6 teams drawn at random
Quarter-finals
(8 teams)
  • 4 seeded teams
  • 1 team drawn at random
  • 3 winners from the first round
Semi-finals
(4 teams)
  • 4 winners from the quarter-finals
Final
(2 teams)
  • 2 winners from the semi-finals

Qualification for subsequent competitions

Teams

2025 teams

Eleven counties will compete in the 2025 Leinster Senior Football Championship: System change as Dublin have won too much other teams are overdue to win the title.

CountyLocationStadiumPosition in 2024 Leinster SFCLeinster SFC titlesLast Leinster SFC titleAll-Ireland SFC titlesLast All-Ireland SFC title
CarlowCarlowDr Cullen ParkPreliminary round exit119440
DublinDonnycarneyParnell ParkWinner632024302023
KildareNewbridgeSt Conleth's ParkSemi-finalist13200041928
LaoisPortlaoiseO'Moore ParkQuarter-finalist620030
LongfordLongfordPearse ParkPreliminary round exit119680
LouthDroghedaDrogheda ParkRunner-up8195731957
MeathNavanPáirc TailteannQuarter-finalist21201071999
OffalyTullamoreO'Connor ParkSemi-finalist10199731982
WestmeathMullingarCusack ParkQuarter-finalist120040
WexfordWexfordChadwicks Wexford ParkPreliminary round exit10194551918
WicklowAughrimAughrim County GroundQuarter-finalist00

Personnel and kits

CountyManagerCaptainSponsors
CarlowNiall CarewSean GannonSETU
DublinDessie FarrellJames McCarthyStaycity
KildareVacantMick O'GradyBrady Family
LaoisJustin McNultyTrevor Collins and Evan O'CarrollMW Hire Group
LongfordVacantPatrick FoxGlennon Brothers
LouthGer BrennanSam MulroySTATSports
MeathColm O'RourkeShane McEnteeBective Stud, Tea Rooms and Apartments
OffalyVacantDeclan HoganGlenisk
WestmeathVacantKevin MaguireRenault
WexfordJohn HegartyLiam ColemanZurich Insurance Group
WicklowOisín McConville[6] Padraig O'TooleJoule

Trophy and medals

At the end of the Leinster SFC final, the winning team is presented with a trophy. The Delaney Cup is held by the winning team until the following year's final. Traditionally, the presentation is made at a special rostrum in the Hogan Stand of Croke Park, where GAA and political dignitaries and special guests view the match.

The cup is decorated with ribbons in the colours of the winning team. During the game the cup actually has both teams' sets of ribbons attached and the runners-up ribbons are removed before the presentation. The winning captain accepts the cup on behalf of his team before giving a short speech. Individual members of the winning team and management then have an opportunity to come to the rostrum to lift the cup.

The current cup was first presented after the 1953 final, however, it would be another 50 years before it was named the Delaney Cup.[7] The Delaney brothers were a famous Gaelic football family from Portlaoise who lined out at club, county and provincial level.[8]

In accordance with GAA rules, the Leinster Council awards up to twenty-six gold medals to the winners of the Leinster SFC final.

List of finals

List of Leinster SFC finals

YearDateWinnerRunner-upVenueWinning captain(s)Winning marginReferee
County teamScoreCounty teamScore
1888KilkennyWexford
1889LaoisLouth
1890WexfordDublin
1891DublinKildare
1892DublinLouth
1893WexfordKilkenny
1894DublinMeath
1895MeathDublin
1896DublinMeath
1897DublinWicklow
1898DublinWexford
1899DublinWexford
1900KilkennyLouth
1901DublinWexford
1902Dublin*Wexford
1903KildareKilkenny
1904DublinKilkenny
1905KildareLouth
1906DublinKildare
1907DublinOffaly
1908DublinKildare
1909LouthKilkenny
1910LouthDublin
1911KilkennyMeath
1912LouthDublin
1913WexfordLouth
1914WexfordLouth
1915WexfordDublin
1916WexfordKildare
1917WexfordDublin
1918WexfordLouth
1919KildareDublin
1920DublinKildare
1921DublinKildare
1922DublinKilkenny
1923DublinMeath
1924DublinWexford
1925WexfordKildare
1926KildareWexford
1927KildareDublin
1928KildareDublin
1929KildareLaois
1930KildareMeath
1931KildareWestmeath
1932DublinWexford
1933DublinWexford
1934DublinLouth
1935KildareLouth
1936LaoisKildare
1937LaoisLouth
1938LaoisKildare
1939MeathWexford
1940MeathLaois
1941DublinCarlow
1942DublinCarlow
1943LouthLaois
1944CarlowDublin
194522 July1–09 1–04O'Moore Park5
194614 July0–11 1–06Croke Park2
194720 July3–07 1–07Croke Park6
194811 July2–10 2–05Croke Park5
194931 July4–50–6Croke Park11
195023 July3–5 0–13Croke Park1J. Conroy (Laois)
19515 August4–9 0–3Croke Park18Paddy Mythen (Wexford)
195213 July1–6 0–8Croke Park1Bill Delaney (Laois)
195326 July1–7 0–7Croke Park3Bill Delaney (Laois)
195425 July4–7 2–10Croke Park3Bill Goodison (Wexford)
195524 July5–12 0–7Croke Park20Bill Goodison (Wexford)
195622 July2–11 1–8Croke Park6Mick McArdle (Louth)
19577 July2–91–7Croke Park5Eamonn Moules (Wicklow)
195820 July1–111–6Croke Park5John Dowling (Offaly)
19592 August1–182–8Croke Park7John Dowling (Offaly)
196031 July0–101–6Croke Park1Brian Smyth (Meath)
196123 July1–131–8O'Moore Park5J. Kavanagh (Kildare)
196215 July2–81–7Croke Park4Eamonn Moules (Wicklow)
196314 July2–112–9Croke ParkDes Foley2Brian Smyth (Meath)
196426 July2–121–7Croke Park8John Dowling (Offaly)
196525 July3–60–9Croke Park6Paddy Hughes (Louth)
196624 July1–91–8Croke ParkDave Carty1John Dowling (Offaly)
196723 July0–80–6Croke ParkPeter Darby2Jim Shannon (Dublin)
196821 July3–91–4Croke Park11John Dowling (Offaly)
196927 July3–071–8Croke ParkJohnny Egan5Brendan Hayden (Carlow)
197019 July2–225–12Croke ParkJack Quinn1Brendan Hayden (Carlow)
197118 July2–140–6Croke ParkWillie Bryan14P. Kelly (Dublin)
197223 July1–182–8Croke ParkTony McTague7George Hoey (Louth)
197322 July3–212–12Croke ParkPat Keenan12Brendan Hayden (Carlow)
197428 July1–141–9Croke ParkSeán Doherty5Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
197527 July3–130–8Croke ParkSeán Doherty14Brendan Hayden (Carlow)
197625 July2–81–9Croke ParkTony Hanahoe2Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
197731 July1–90–8Croke ParkTony Hanahoe4Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
197830 July1–171–6Croke ParkTony Hanahoe11Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
197929 July1–80–9Croke ParkTony Hanahoe2Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
198027 July1–101–8Croke ParkRichie Connor2Paddy Kavanagh (Meath)
198126 July1–183–9Croke ParkRichie Connor3Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
19821 August1–161–7Croke ParkRichie Connor9Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
198331 July2–131–11Croke ParkTommy Drumm5Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
198422 July2–101–9Croke ParkTommy Drumm4J. Gunning (Offaly)
198528 July0–100–4Croke ParkBrian Mullins6Paddy Kavanagh (Meath)
198627 July0-90-7Croke ParkJoe Cassells2Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
198726 July1-130-12Croke Park4Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
198831 July2-050-9Croke ParkJoe Cassells2Seamus Aldridge (Kildare)
198930 July2-121-10Croke ParkGerry Hargan5S. Kelly (Carlow)
199029 July1-140-14Croke ParkColm O'Rourke3Paddy Collins (Westmeath)
199110 August1-110-8Croke ParkLiam Hayes6Tommy Howard (Kildare)
199226 July1-130-10Croke ParkTommy Carr6Brian White (Wexford)
199325 July0-110-7Croke ParkJohn O'Leary4T. McDermott (Cavan)
199431 July1-91-8Croke ParkJohn O'Leary1Brian White (Wexford)
199530 July1-181-8Croke ParkJohn O'Leary10P. Casserly (Westmeath)
199628 July0-100-8Croke ParkTommy Dowd2Brian White (Wexford)
199716 August3-171-15Croke Park8Brian White (Wexford)
19982 August1-120-10Croke ParkGlenn Ryan5John Bannon (Longford)
19991 August1-140-12Croke ParkGraham Geraghty5Mick Curley (Galway)
200012 August (replay)2-110-12Croke Park5Pat McEnaney (Monaghan)
200115 July2-110-14Croke ParkTrevor Giles3Mick Curley (Galway)
200214 July2-132-11Croke ParkComan Goggins2Michael Collins (Cork)
200320 July2-131-13Croke Park3S. McCormack (Meath)
200424 July0-120-10Croke ParkDavid O'Shaughnessy2Michael Monahan (Kildare)
200517 July0-140-13Croke ParkPaddy Christie1Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
200616 July1-150-9Croke ParkColin Moran9M. Duffy (Sligo)
200715 July3-151-15Croke ParkColin Moran6Michael Hughes (Tyrone)
200820 July3-230-9Croke ParkAlan Brogan23Gearoid Ó Conamha (Galway)
200912 July2-150-18Croke ParkPaul Griffin3Pat McEnaney (Monaghan)
201011 July1-121-10Croke ParkNigel Crawford2Martin Sludden (Tyrone)
201110 July2-121-12Croke ParkBryan Cullen3Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
201222 July2-131-13Croke ParkBryan Cullen3Marty Duffy (Sligo)
201314 July2-150-14Croke ParkStephen Cluxton7Eddie Kinsella (Laois)
201420 July3-201-10Croke ParkStephen Cluxton16Pádraig Hughes (Armagh)
201512 July2-130-6Croke ParkStephen Cluxton13Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
201617 July2-190-10Croke ParkStephen Cluxton15Fergal Kelly (Longford)
201716 July2-231-17Croke ParkStephen Cluxton9Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
201824 June1-250-10Croke ParkStephen Cluxton18Barry Cassidy (Derry)
201923 June1-170-4Croke ParkStephen Cluxton16Sean Hurson (Tyrone)
202021 November3-210-9Croke ParkStephen Cluxton21Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary)
20211 August1-200-9Croke ParkJohnny Cooper14Martin McNally (Monaghan)
202228 May5-171-15Croke ParkJames McCarthy14Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
202314 May5-210-15Croke ParkJames McCarthy21Conor Lane (Cork)
202412 May1-192-12Croke ParkJames McCarthy4Noel Mooney (Cavan)

Matches

Match details of all Finals

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Team records and statistics

Roll of honour

Legend

Performance by team

County teamTitle(s)Runner-upWinning yearsLosing years
6323, , , 1896, , , , , , 1904, , , , 1920, , , , 1924, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1941, , 1955, , 1959, 1962, , 1965, , 1975, , , 1978, 1979, , 1984, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, , 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, , 2012, , 2014, , , , , , , 2021, 2022, , 20241890, 1895, 1910, 1912, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1927, 1928, 1944, 1957, 1961, 1964, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001
21221895, 1939, 1940, 1947, , 1951, 1952, , 1964, 1966, , 1970, 1986, , , 1990, 1991, , , 2001, 20101894, 1896, 1911, 1923, 1930, 1950, 1955, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020
13231903, , , 1926, , , 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1956, 1998, 20001891, 1906, 1908, 1916, 1920, 1921, 1925, 1936, 1938, 1946, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1978, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2017, 2021, 2022
10161890, , 1913, 1914, , , , , 1925, 19451888, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1924, 1926, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1948, 1953, 1956, 2008, 2011
1091960, 1961, 1969, , , 1973, 1980, 1981, , 19971907, 1945, 1954, 1962, 1967, 1970, 1979, 1983, 2006
8161909, , , 1943, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1889, 1892, 1900, 1905, 1913, 1914, 1918, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1952, 1958, 1960, 2010, 2023, 2024
6151889, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1946, 20031929, 1940, 1943, 1947, 1951, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1981, 1985, 1991, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2018
351888, 1900, 19111893, 1903, 1904, 1909, 1922
1420041931, 1949, 2015, 2016
1219441941, 1942
1119681965
011897

Team progress: 2001–2019

Below is a record of each county's performance following the introduction of the qualifier system to the All-Ireland series in 2001. Before 2001 only the Leinster SFC title winner contested the All-Ireland SFC. Qualifiers did not occur from 2020–2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games. They are no longer held, with weaker teams, such as Carlow, Longford, Meath and Wicklow, most of Leinster really, moving aside, to instead play in the Tailteann Cup.

Key

Winner
Finalist
Semi-finalist
Quarter-finalist / Super 8s
Qualifier Rounds 1–4 / Tommy Murphy Cup
Championship2001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
Q2Q1Q2Q1Q2Q1TMTMQ1Q1Q2Q1Q1Q2Q1Q2Q3Q1Q1
QFSFQ3QFQFSFSFQFQFSFWSFWSFWWWWW
Q3Q4Q4Q1Q2Q2Q2QFQFSFQFQFQ3Q4QFQ3Q4S8sQ3
Q3Q3QFQ4QFQFQ4Q3Q2Q1Q2QFQ4Q3Q1Q2Q2Q4Q4
Q1Q2Q1Q3Q1Q4Q2Q1Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q2Q3Q3Q2Q2Q1
Q3Q2Q1Q2Q3Q1Q3Q1Q1Q4Q1Q1Q2Q1Q2Q1Q1Q2Q1
FQ4Q3Q2Q3Q3SFQ1SFQFQ3Q4Q4Q4Q2Q2Q3Q1S8s
Q2Q2Q3Q2Q1Q4TMQ1Q1Q3Q2Q1Q1Q1Q2Q2Q1Q2Q3
QFQ2Q1QFQ2QFQ2Q2Q2Q2Q1Q2Q1Q1Q4Q4Q2Q1Q3
Q1Q1Q1Q3Q2Q3Q1SFQ2Q3Q4Q2Q3Q2Q2Q1Q2Q1Q1
Q2Q2Q1Q1Q1Q1TMTMQ4Q1Q2Q2Q1Q2Q1Q1Q1Q1Q1

Post-COVID team results

Legend

For each year, the number of competing teams is shown (in brackets).

Team2022 (11)2023 (11)2024 (11)Years
PRPRPR3
1st1st1st3
2ndSFSF3
PRQFQF3
QFPRPR3
QF2nd2nd3
SFQFQF3
PRSFSF3
SFQFPR3
QFPRQF3
QFQFQF3

Most recent championship meetings

Carlow20222023
Dublin2023202320222022
Kildare202220222023
Laois20232022
Longford20232022
Louth20232023
Meath20232022
Offaly2022
Westmeath
Wexford
Wicklow

Titles by decade

The most successful team of each decade, judged by number of Leinster SFC titles, is as follows:

Other records

Gaps

Active gaps

Longest undefeated run

Leinster SFC final pairings

PairingMeetingLast meeting
Dublin v Meath252020
Dublin v Kildare182022
Dulbin v Wexford122011
Dublin v Louth82024
Dublin v Offaly82006
Dublin v Laois62018
Kildare v Laois52003
Louth v Wexford51953
Meath v Offaly51997
Kildare v Wexford41956
Laois v Meath41991
Carlow v Dublin31944
Kildare v Meath31998
Kildare v Offaly31972
Laois v Louth31943
Louth v Meath32010
Dublin v Kilkenny21922
Dulbin v Westmeath22016
Kildare v Louth21935
Kilkenny v Louth21909
Kilkenny v Wexford21893
Dublin v Longford11965
Dublin v Wicklow11897
Kildare v Kilkenny11903
Kildare v Westmeath11931
Kilkenny v Meath11911
Laois v Longford11968
Laois v Offaly11981
Laois v Westmeath12004
Louth v Offaly11960
Meath v Westmeath11949
Meath v Wexford11939
Offaly v Wexford11945

Player records

Top scorers

All time

+ As of 2020 championship
Pos.NameTeamGoalsPointsTotal
1 9 152 179
2 10 136 166
3 3 149 158
4 10 125 155
5 6 124 142

By year

YearTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1968John Lalor1–2225
1969Jack Berry2–1824
1970Jim Hanniffy1–2124
Tony Brennan0–21
1971Tony McTague1–2023
1972Tony McTague0–1414
1973Tony McTague0–2222
1974Jimmy Keaveney1–2427
1975Jimmy Keaveney1–2326
1976Jimmy Keaveney4–1123
1977Vincent Henry1–1821
1978John McCarthy4-0921
1979Seán Lowry0–2121
1980Matt Connor3–2231
1981Tom Prendergast6-0523
Matt Connor1–20
1982Barney Rock1–1821
1983Matt Connor3–1928
1984Matt Connor2–1723
1985Barney Rock2–1319
1986Robert McHugh<-- redirects to a British soccer player known as 'Bob McHugh', so 'Robert McHugh is available for his article -->0–1616
1987Barney Rock0–2323
1988John McCormack1–2124
1989Brian Stafford1–1922
1990Mick Turley2–1218
1991Brian Stafford4–4860
1992Charlie Redmond1–2023
1993Niall Buckley1–1720
1994Charlie Redmond3–2029
1995Charlie Redmond0–2323
1996Anthony Keating1–1922
1997Trevor Giles2–1824
1998Ger Heavin2–1420
1999Dessie Dolan2–1319
2000Leigh O'Brien0–2121
2001Trevor Giles1–1417
2002Ray Cosgrove3–1221
2003Brian McDonald2–1319
2004Dessie Dolan1–2326
2005Tomás Quinn0–2020
2006Mattie Forde1–1922
2007Mark Vaughan2–1723
2008Alan Brogan2–1218
2009Bernard Brogan Jnr2–1723
2010Cian Ward1–2124
2011Ben Brosnan0–2929
2012Brian Farrell0–2929
2013Michael Newman0–2222
2014Michael Newman4-0416
Ross Munnelly0–16
2015John Heslin1–2326
2016Dean Rock1–2831
2017Dean Rock2–1117
Con O'Callaghan0–17
2018Dean Rock2–1622
2019Cormac Costello1–2427
2020Jordan Morris4-0921

Single game

YearTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1995Damien DelaneyLaois2-0511
1996Dessie BarryLongford2-0511
1997Trevor GilesMeath2-0814
1998Dessie BarryLongford0-099
1999Dessie DolanWestmeath1-0710
2000Tommy GillWicklow1-069
Pádraig DavisLongford0-09
2001Ollie MurphyMeath2-028
Pádraig DavisLongford1-05
Pádraig DavisLongford1-05
Ger HeavinWestmeath1-05
Trevor GilesMeath1-05
Pádraig BrennanKildare0-08
2002Ray CosgroveDublin2-039
Ciaran McManusOffaly1-06
2003Dessie DolanWestmeath1-0710
2004Dessie DolanWestmeath1-0710
2005Tomás QuinnDublin0–1010
2006Mattie FordeWexford0–1212
2007Brian KavanaghLongford2-0612
2008Alan BroganDublin1-0710
2009Bernard Brogan JnrDublin2-0814
2010Bernard Brogan JnrDublin2-0410
2011Shane RocheWexford2-0410
Ciarán LyngWexford0–10
2012Bernard Brogan JnrDublin2-0511
2013Michael NewmanMeath0-099
2014Michael NewmanMeath3-0211
2015John HeslinWestmeath1-0912
2016Dean RockDublin1–1013
2017Con O'CallaghanDublin0–1212
2018Ciarán KilkennyDublin1-0710
2019Cormac CostelloDublin1–1215
2020Jordan MorrisMeath3-0413

Finals

+
YearTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1966Murty O'SullivanMeath0-055
Jack DonnellyKildare
1967Tony BrennanMeath0-044
1968Seán DonnellyLongford2-017
1969Jack DonnellyKildare0-055
1970Tony BrennanMeath0–1010
1971Tony McTagueOffaly0-099
1972Tony McTagueOffaly0-066
1973Tony McTagueOffaly0–1111
1974Jimmy KeaveneyDublin1-0811
1975Brian MullinsDublin2-006
1976Colm O'RourkeMeath1-014
Jimmy KeaveneyDublin0-04
1977Jimmy KeaveneyDublin0-066
1978Jimmy KeaveneyDublin0-077
1979Seán LowryOffaly0-066
1980Matt ConnorOffaly1-0710
1981Willie BrennanLaois1-036
Brendan LowryOffaly
Matt ConnorOffaly0-06
1982Séamus DarbyOffaly1-036
1983Matt ConnorOffaly1-0710
1984Kieran DuffDublin1-047
1985Barney RockDublin0-066
1986Finian MurtaghMeath0-033
Colm O'RourkeMeath
Barney RockDublin
1987Mattie McCabeMeath1-025
Brian StaffordMeath0-05
1988P. J. GillicMeath1-036
1989Vinnie MurphyDublin1-025
Brian StaffordMeath0-05
1990Brian StaffordMeath0-088
1991Brian StaffordMeath0-055
1992Charlie RedmondDublin0-055
1993Charlie RedmondDublin0-055
1994Charlie RedmondDublin1-047
1995Charlie RedmondDublin0-077
1996Trevor GilesMeath0-044
1997Vinny ClaffeyOffaly1-058
1998Pádraig GravenKildare0-044
1999Ollie MurphyMeath1-058
2000Pádraig BrennanKildare0-055
2001Richie KealyMeath1-014
Collie MoranDublin0-04
2002Tadhg FenninKildare2-028
2003Brian McDonaldLaois1-025
John DoyleKildare0-05
2004Denis GlennonWestmeath0-055
2005Ross MunnellyLaois0-055
2006Tomás QuinnDublin0-077
2007Mark VaughanDublin1-069
2008Alan BroganDublin1-047
2009Bernard Brogan JnrDublin0-077
2010Brian WhiteLouth0-044
Graham ReillyMeath
Cian WardMeath
2011Ben BrosnanWexford0-099
2012Bernard Brogan JnrDublin1-0710
2013Michael NewmanMeath0-088
2014Bernard Brogan JnrDublin1-069
2015Bernard Brogan JnrDublin1-014
2016Dean RockDublin0-088
2017Con O'CallaghanDublin0–1212
2018Dean RockDublin0-088
2019Dean RockDublin0-044
2020Dean RockDublin1-0710

Leinster SFC medal winners

RankPlayerTeamNo.Years
1Stephen Cluxton182002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024
2Michael FitzsimonsDublin142011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
James McCarthyDublin142011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
4Bernard Brogan JnrDublin132006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Philly McMahonDublin132008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
6Paddy AndrewsDublin122008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
7Alan BroganDublin112002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Diarmuid ConnollyDublin112007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
Cian O'SullivanDublin112009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Managers

See also: List of Gaelic football managers. Managers in the Leinster SFC are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection, and sourcing of players from the club championships. Their influence varies from county-to-county and is related to the individual county boards. From 2018, all inter-county head coaches must be Award 2 qualified. The manager is assisted by a team of two or three selectors and an extensive backroom team consisting of various coaches. Prior to the development of the concept of a manager in the 1970s, teams were usually managed by a team of selectors with one member acting as chairman.

Winning managers (1971–present)

Manager(s)Winning team(s)Titles(s)Winning years
1 Seán BoylanMeath81986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2001
2 Kevin HeffernanDublin71974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985
Jim GavinDublin72013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Dessie FarrellDublin52020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
4 Paul CaffreyDublin42005, 2006, 2007, 2008
6 Tom GilhooleyOffaly31971, 1972, 1973
Eugene McGeeOffaly31980, 1981, 1982
Pat O'NeillDublin31993, 1994, 1995
Mick O'DwyerKildare
Laois
2
1
1998, 2000
2003
Pat GilroyDublin32009, 2011, 2012
11 Tony HanahoeDublin21977, 1978
Tommy LyonsOffaly
Dublin
21997, 2002
13 Gerry McCaulDublin11989
Paddy CullenDublin11992
Páidí Ó SéWestmeath12004
Éamonn O'BrienMeath12010

Sponsorship

Since 1994, the Leinster SFC has been sponsored. The sponsor has usually been able to determine the championship's sponsorship name.

PeriodSponsor(s)Name
1888–1993No main sponsorThe Leinster Championship
1994–2007Bank of IrelandThe Bank of Ireland Leinster Championship
2008–2009Toyota, Ulster Bank, VodafoneThe Leinster GAA Football Championship
2010SuperValu, Ulster Bank, VodafoneThe Leinster GAA Football Championship
2011–2013SuperValu, Ulster Bank, EircomThe Leinster GAA Football Championship
2014SuperValu, GAAGO, EircomThe Leinster GAA Football Championship
2015SuperValu, AIB, EircomThe Leinster GAA Football Championship
2016–SuperValu, AIB, EirThe Leinster GAA Football Championship

Venues

History

Leinster SFC matches were traditionally played at neutral venues or at a location that was deemed to be halfway between the two participants; however, teams eventually came to home and away agreements. Every second meeting between these teams is played at the home venue of one of them. Championship semi-finals were usually played both on the same day at Croke Park. The selection of Croke Park for the vast majority of Dublin's games in recent years has also come in for criticism in the 2nd decade of the 21st century, as it offers a perceived advantage to play in what is effectively their "home" stadium.[10] [11] This has continued into the 2020s.

Cavan took part in 1895 when the Connacht and Ulster championships were abolished between 1893 and 1899. London played Louth in the 1913 championship.

Attendances

Stadium attendances are a significant source of regular income for the Leinster Council and for the teams involved. For the 2018 championship, gate receipts fell by almost 30% to €1,879,326, compared to €2,634,837 the previous year. The average attendance for the entire series of games was just over 20,000, down from a peak of over 60,000 in 2002.[12] [13] The 2006 final between Dublin and Offaly saw a record attendance of 81,754.[14]

Current venues

County teamLocationProvinceStadiumCapacity
CarlowLeinsterDr Cullen Park11,000
DublinLeinsterCroke Park82,300
NewbridgeLeinsterSt Conleth's Park8,200
PortlaoiseLeinsterO'Moore Park22,000
LongfordLeinsterPearse Park6,000
DroghedaLeinsterDrogheda Park3,500
NavanLeinsterPáirc Tailteann11,000
TullamoreLeinsterO'Connor Park18,000
MullingarLeinsterCusack Park11,500
WexfordLeinsterChadwicks Wexford Park18,000
AughrimLeinsterAughrim County Ground7,000

See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wicklow football still has a mountain to climb. 26 May 2018. Irish Times. 5 December 2020. Ian. O'Riordan.
  2. Web site: Dublin make it perfect ten in Leinster with facile beating of Meath on emotional night in Croke Park. 21 November 2020. Irish Independent. 24 November 2020. Frank. Roche.
  3. Web site: How Leix Won the All-Ireland Hurling Championship of 1915. Century Ireland. 9 January 2018. Paul. Rouse.
  4. News: Colm. Keys. Leinster say no to All-Ireland champions Dublin getting bye to semi-final. Irish Independent. 26 September 2019. 26 September 2019.
  5. Web site: Fogarty . John . 29 February 2020 . New second tier All-Ireland football championship to be called Tailteann Cup . 24 June 2020 . Irish Examiner.
  6. News: 3 September 2022 . McConville takes first steps into inter-county management with Wicklow . Hogan Stand .
  7. Web site: GAA agree on name for Leinster trophy. Irish Examiner. 25 February 2004. 10 November 2017.
  8. Web site: Sadness at loss of true GAA legend. Irish Independent. 4 July 2002. 10 November 2017.
  9. Web site: Dublin secure perfect 10 on emotional night at Croke Park . 21 November 2020. Irish Examiner. 6 December 2020. Brendan. O'Brien.
  10. Web site: Here's the official reason why Dublin's footballers play all their Leinster games in Croke Park. The 42. 7 May 2015. 24 June 2020. Fintan. O'Toole.
  11. Web site: Comment: Croke Park is in Dublin but it wasn't built for them – the GAA must not let them have two home Super 8 games. Irish Independent. 29 June 2018. 24 June 2020. Mícheál. Ó Scannáil.
  12. Web site: Leinster football gate receipts down nearly 30%. RTÉ Sport. 15 January 2019. 24 June 2020.
  13. Web site: Leinster bosses not worried by falling attendances. Irish Examiner. 7 June 2019. 24 June 2020. Paul. Keane.
  14. Web site: Dubs see off Offaly challenge. Irish Examiner. 16 July 2006. 24 June 2020.