Mid-Ulster Cup Explained

Mid-Ulster Cup
Founded:1887
Region: Northern Ireland
Champion:Portadown (19th title)
Most Successful Club:Glenavon (22 titles)

The Mid-Ulster Cup is a senior football competition in Northern Ireland run by the Mid-Ulster Football Association (founded 2 April 1887[1]). The competition has historically featured teams based in County Armagh, east County Tyrone, and west County Down, though teams from outside the Mid-Ulster FA's jurisdiction have also competed on occasion, with Bangor (affiliated to the County Antrim & District F.A.) winning the cup in 1995/96.

History

First held in 1887–88, the inaugural edition was won by Milford. For 30 seasons, from 1947–48 to 1977–78, while remaining a senior competition, senior clubs declined to take part, instead fielding their reserve teams. Senior clubs returned, however, for the 1978–79 season, when the Bob Radcliffe Cup was introduced as an intermediate competition.[2]

The competition is currently sponsored by EuroElectrix, and has been sponsored in the past by Golden Cow Dairies, Dukes Transport, Tennent's Lager, Bass, Ted Clarke, McEwan's Lager, Silverwood Hotel, Rushmere Shopping Centre and Belfast Telegraph.

List of finals

[3]

SeasonWinnerScoreRunner-UpVenueNotes
1887–88Milford3–1Loughgall (1887)Milford[4]
1888–89Milford4–0Loughgall (1887)Caledon[5] [6]
1889–90East Lancashire Regiment2–0MilfordBrownlow[7]
1890–91Donacloney3–2MilfordBanford[8]
1891–92BanfordDetails of final unknown.
1892–93Donacloney13–0
1893–9415th King's Hussars2–1Royal Irish RiflesDonacloneyReplay after original match finished in a 3–3 draw.[9]
1894–955–0Gilford[10]
1895–96Donacloney3–2CookstownLurgan[11]
1896–97Milltown Wanderers2–0Mourneview ParkReplay after original match, which ended in a 1-0 victory to Milltown, was ordered to be replayed after a Portadown protest.[12]
1897–98Glenavon5–3Gilford[13]
1898–99Portadown5–3Lurgan StarGilfordReplay after original match finished in a 5–5 draw.[14]
Portadown3–2CookstownMourneview ParkReplay after original match finished 1-0 to Portadown but Cookstown protested an ineligible player was used.[15]
1900–01Donacloneyw/oGlenavon
1901–02Glenavon—Cookstown—Cup was played on league basis.[16]
1902–03Portadown2–1GlenavonDrumcairn, Armagh
1903–04Portadown2–1MonaghanMonaghan
1904–05Glenavon3–1Portadown
1905–06Portadown3–0Glenavon
1906–07Glenavon3–0PortadownCeltic ParkReplay after original fixture ended 2-2.
1907–08Portadown2–1GlenavonGrosvenor Park
1908–09Glenavon2–1Portadown
1909–10Portadown3–2Lurgan Celtic (1903)
1910–11Glenavonw/oPortadown Celtic Original game ended 2-1 to Portadown Celtic, but they played ineligible player and were ordered to replay the match which they refused to do.
1911–12Lurgan Celtic (1903)1–0Windsor ParkReplay after original fixture ended 1-1.
1912–13Lurgan Celtic (1903)2–0Bessbrook Grosvenor Park
1913–14Lurgan Rangers2–1Glenavon Reserves
1914–15Lurgan Celtic (1903)3–1Grosvenor Park
1915–24not played
1924–25Glenavon2–1Lurgan B-SpecialsMourneview Park
1925–26Glenavon3–1
1926–27not awardedBanbridge United defeated Newry Town 3–2 in the final at Shamrock Park, however the cup was withheld as Banbridge fielded ineligible players.
1927–30not played
1930–31Glenavon2–1Gilford CrusadersShamrock Park
1931–32Portadown2–1Gilford Crusaders Mourneview Park
1932–33Glenavon2–1Sunnyside
1933–34Portadown6–1Glenavon2nd replay after two previous matches finished 0-0.
1934–35Gilford Crusaders7–2Mourneview Park
1935–36Sunnyside3–1Shamrock Park
1936–37Newry Town2–1GlenavonShamrock Park
1937–38Glenavon2–1Shamrock Park
1938–393–1Portadown ReservesThe Marshes, NewryFinal was played in September of the 1939–40 season.
1939–46not played
1946–47Portadown Reserves3–2SunnysideMourneview Park
1947–48Glenavon Reserves2–1Shamrock Park
1948–49Banbridge Town3–2Gilford CrusadersShamrock Park
1949–50Banbridge Town and Dromore Athletic (shared)Trophy was shared after final finished in a 2–2 draw.
1950–51Seapatrick4–1Warrenpoint UnitedBanbridge
1951–52Seapatrick4–3Bessbrook Shamrock Park
1952–53Tandragee Rovers3–2Portadown ReservesMourneview Park
1953–54Tandragee Rovers2–1SeapatrickShamrock Park[17]
1954–55Seapatrick1–0Holm Factory
1955–56Tandragee Rovers4–0Bessbrook Newry Showgrounds
1956–57Newry Town2–1Tandragee RoversBanbridge
1957–58Glenavon Reserves2–1Mourneview ParkAfter replay
1958–59Banbridge Town3–1Tandragee RoversShamrock Park
1959–60Tandragee Rovers4–0Woodvale Recreation
1960–61Portadown ReservesBanbridge TownShamrock Park
1961–62Tandragee Rovers2–0Glenavon ReservesShamrock Park[18]
1962–63Portadown Reserves2–1Glenavon ReservesShamrock Park[19]
1963–64Newry Town2–0Portadown ReservesMourneview Park
1964–65Portadown Reserves3–2Banbridge TownMourneview ParkAfter extra time (2-2 full time).
1965–66Glenavon Reserves3–2Tandragee RoversMourneview Park[20]
1966–67Newry Town4–3Tandragee RoversShamrock Park
1967–68Blane's1–0Tandragee Rovers
1968–69Newry Town3–1Damolly TextilesAfter extra time (1-1 full time).
1969–70Portadown Reserves2–1Tandragee Rovers
1970–71Dungannon Swifts3–1Lurgan CelticBanbridgeReplay after original match finished 2–2.[21]
1971–72Glenavon Reserves5–2HanoverMourneview Park[22]
1972–73New Century3–2
1973–74Banbridge Town2–1Newry Town
1974–75Newry Town5–2New CenturyBanbridge
1975–76Dungannon Swifts2–0Milford Everton
1976–77Glenavon Reserves4–3Banbridge TownNewry ShowgroundsAfter extra time.
1977–78Newry Town3–1Banbridge TownShamrock Park
1978–79Newry Town2–1PortadownShamrock Park
1979–80Banbridge Town1–0Newry TownShamrock Park
1980–81Portadown1–0GlenavonShamrock Park
1981–82Portadown1–1GlenavonMourneview ParkPortadown won 4–3 on penalties.
1982–83Portadown2–1GlenavonMourneview Park
1983–84Glenavon2–0Newry TownStangmore Park
1984–85Newry Town4–1PortadownNewry Showgrounds
1985–86Glenavon1–0Oxford UnitedMourneview Park
1986–87Newry Town4–1GlenavonNewry Showgrounds
1987–88Dungannon Swifts2–1GlenavonShamrock ParkFirst final played under floodlights.
1988–89Glenavon1–0Newry TownShamrock Park
1989–90Newry Town4–0Banbridge TownShamrock Park
1990–91Glenavon3–1PortadownMourneview Park
1991–92not awardedGlenavon defeated Portadown 2–1 after extra time in the final at Mourneview Park, however the trophy was withheld as Glenavon fielded an ineligible player.
1992–93Portadown2–1Newry TownStangmore Park
1993–94Portadown3–0Dungannon SwiftsShamrock Park
1994–95Portadown4–1Newry TownStangmore Park
1995–96Bangor3–1Dungannon SwiftsShamrock Park
1996–97Dungannon Swifts2–1DistilleryLakeview Park
1997–98Portadown0–0Dungannon SwiftsMourneview ParkPortadown won 6–5 on penalties.
1998–99Glenavon3–1ArdsMourneview Park
1999–2000Newry Town1–0Banbridge TownLakeview Park
2000–01Armagh City3–1Newry TownNewry Showgrounds
2001–02Portadown5–1Lurgan CelticStangmore Park2nd replay (held over to following season). Game 1: 2-2; Game 2: 1-1 (abandoned due to waterlogged pitch).
2002–03Portadown3–1Dungannon SwiftsStangmore Park[23]
2003–04Loughgall2–2Newry TownLakeview ParkLoughgall won 3–1 on penalties.
2004–05Glenavon1–0LoughgallLakeview Park[24]
2005–06Dungannon Swifts3–1GlenavonMourneview Park
2006–07Newry City2–1Annagh UnitedHolm Park[25]
2007–08Loughgall2–0Banbridge TownHolm ParkAfter extra time.[26]
2008–09Dungannon Swifts2–1LoughgallStangmore Park[27]
2009–10Glenavon3–2LoughgallMourneview Park[28]
2010–11Glenavon2–0Dungannon SwiftsStangmore Park[29]
2011–12Newry City1–0GlenavonMourneview Park[30]
2012–13Dungannon Swifts2–1Banbridge TownStangmore ParkAfter extra time.[31]
2013–14Dungannon Swifts3–1Annagh UnitedHolm ParkAfter extra time.[32]
2014–15Dungannon Swifts3–2Armagh CityStangmore ParkAfter extra time.
2015–16Dungannon Swifts2–1Armagh CityHolm Park[33]
2016–17Warrenpoint Town3–2Armagh CityStangmore ParkAfter extra time.
2017–18Glenavon3–1Newry City AFCNewry Showgrounds[34]
2018–19Glenavon4–3Warrenpoint TownStangmore Park[35]
2019–20Loughgall3–2GlenavonLakeview Park[36]
2020–21Glenavon1–0LoughgallMourneview Park[37]
2021–22Warrenpoint Town4–2Annagh UnitedHolm Park[38]
2022–23Newry City AFC2–0Dungannon SwiftsStangmore Park
2023–24Portadown5–2Dungannon SwiftsShamrock Park[39]

Performance by club

ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning YearsRunners-up Years
Glenavon22151897–98, 1901–02, 1904–05, 1906–07, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1937–38, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1998–99, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–211894–95, 1900–01, 1902–03, 1905–06, 1907–08, 1933–34, 1936–37, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1987–88, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2019–20
Portadown19141898–99, 1899–1900, 1902–03, 1903–04, 1905–06, 1907–08, 1909–10, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2023–241892–93, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1904–05, 1906–07, 1908–09, 1911–12, 1914–15, 1925–26, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1978–79, 1984–85, 1990–91
Newry City AFC‡16131936–37, 1938–39, 1956–57, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1999–2000, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2022–231937–38, 1947–48, 1957–58, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1994–95, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2017–18
Dungannon Swifts1071970–71, 1975–76, 1987–88, 1996–97, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–161993–94, 1995–96, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2010–11, 2022–23, 2023–24
Tandragee Rovers561952–53, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1959–60, 1961–621956–57, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70
Glenavon Reserves531947–48, 1957–58, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1976–771913–14, 1961–62, 1962–63
Portadown Reserves531946–47, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1969–701938–39, 1952–53, 1963–64
Banbridge Town81948–49, 1949–50 (shared), 1958–59, 1973–74, 1979–801960–61, 1964–65, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1989–90, 1999–2000, 2007–08, 2012–13
Donacloney401890–91, 1892–93, 1895–96, 1900–01—
Loughgall342003–04, 2007–08, 2019–202004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2020–21
Lurgan Celtic (1903)311911–12, 1912–13, 1914–151909–10
Seapatrick311950–51, 1951–52, 1954–551953–54
Milford221887–88, 1888–891889–90, 1890–91
Warrenpoint Town212016–17, 2021–222018–19
Armagh City142000–011975–76, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
Gilford Crusaders131934–351930–31, 1931–32, 1948–49
Sunnyside121935–361932–33, 1946–47
New Century111972–731974–75
East Lancashire Regiment101889–90—
Banford101891–92—
15th King's Hussars101893–94—
101894–95—
Milltown Wanderers101896–97—
Lurgan Rangers101913–14—
Blane's101967–68—
Bangor101995–96—
Dromore Athletic1 (shared)01949–50—
Cookstown03—1895–96, 1899–1900, 1901–02
Bessbrook03—1912–13, 1951–52, 1955–56
Annagh United03—2006–07, 2013–14, 2021–22
Loughgall (1887)02—1887–88, 1888–89
Lurgan Celtic02—1970–71, 2001–02
Royal Irish Rifles01—1893–94
Lurgan Star01—1898–99
Monaghan01—1903–04
Portadown Celtic01—1910–11
Lurgan B-Specials01—1924–25
Warrenpoint United01—1950–51
Holm Factory01—1954–55
Woodvale Recreation01—1959–60
Damolly Textiles01—1968–69
Hanover01—1971–72
Oxford United01—1985–86
Distillery01—1996–97
Ards01—1998–99
‡ Although Newry City A.F.C. were formed in 2013, they are widely recognised as being the spiritual successor to Newry City F.C. and their 2022–23 Mid-Ulster Cup win has been recognised as the club's 16th title, despite it being the first time they have won the competition since their formation.[40]

See also

County Antrim Shield

North West Senior Cup

Bob Radcliffe Cup

Notes and References

  1. Belfast News-Letter, 9 April 1887
  2. Mid-Ulster Cup 1887-1987 Centenary Souvenir Programme
  3. Belfast Telegraph Soccer Yearbook 2006-07 (Malcolm Brodie MBE) Page 72
  4. News: Football. Milford v Loughgall. Cup Tie.. 4 May 1888. Armagh Standard. 3. subscription.
  5. News: Mid-Ulster Notes. 29 March 1889. Ulster Football and Cycling News. 13. subscription.
  6. News: Pickings. 5 April 1889. Ulster Football and Cycling News. 9. subscription.
  7. News: Mid-Ulster Notes. 18 April 1890. Ulster Football and Cycling News. 9. subscription.
  8. News: Mid-Ulster Notes. 3 April 1891. Ulster Football and Cycling News. 7. subscription.
  9. Web site: Football. XV Hussars v. R. I. Rifles.. Dundalk Herald. 21 April 1894. 5. subscription.
  10. Web site: Final of the Mid-Ulster Cup. Newry Telegraph. 30 April 1895. 3. subscription.
  11. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup - Final Tie. Mid-Ulster Mail. 16 May 1896. 5. subscription.
  12. Web site: Football. Mid-Ulster Challenge Cup. Mid-Ulster Mail. 5 June 1897. 5. subscription.
  13. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup Final Tie. Glenavon v Portadown. Ireland's Saturday Night. 30 April 1898. 3. subscription.
  14. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup - Final Tie. Portadown v Lurgan Star.. Lurgan Mail. 10 June 1899. 3. subscription.
  15. Web site: Northern Notes. Sport (Dublin). 12 May 1900. 2. subscription.
  16. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup League. Tyrone Courier. 20 February 1902. 5. subscription.
  17. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup Back To Tandragee. Portadown News. 22 May 1954. 2. subscription.
  18. Web site: Reserves were "Shocking". Lurgan Mail. 18 May 1962. 32. subscription.
  19. Web site: Reserves lose in cup final. Lurgan Mail. 7 June 1963. 23. subscription.
  20. Web site: Good Season for Reserves. Lurgan Mail. 3 June 1966. 20. subscription.
  21. Web site: Football Match Clash. Belfast News Letter. 28 May 1971. 1. subscription.
  22. Web site: Mid-Ulster Cup Goes To Lurgan. Portadown News. 2 June 1972. 45. subscription.
  23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/2948671.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Irish | Ports retain Mid Ulster Cup
  24. http://www.glenavonfc.com/Season_2004_05/5th%20April%202005%20(Loughgall%20MUC%20Final).htm Mid-Ulster Cup Final
  25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/irish/6520425.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Irish | Newry win Mid-Ulster Cup decider
  26. http://www.loughgallfc.org.uk/report150408.html Loughgall Football Club
  27. http://www.tyronecourier.uk.com/articles/sports/6387/swifts-lift-mid-ulster-cup/ Swifts lift Mid-Ulster Cup
  28. http://glenavonfc.com/blog/?cat=63 Mid-Ulster Cup Final: Glenavon 3-2 Loughgall
  29. Belfast Telegraph, 12 April 2011
  30. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17294794 Newry City beat Glenavon in Mid-Ulster Cup final
  31. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/dungannon-swifts-claim-mid-ulster-cup-with-win-over-banbridge-town-1-5053956 Dungannon Swifts Claim Mid Ulster Cup
  32. http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/sport/football/annagh-miss-out-on-mid-ulster-glory-1-6003417 Portadown Times
  33. http://www.tyronecourier.uk.com/articles/sports/51090/swifts-connect-four/ ‘Swifts connect four’
  34. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/glenavon-clinch-mid-ulster-cup-with-victory-over-newry-1-8368641 News Letter
  35. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/mid-ulster-cup-glenavon-retain-trophy-with-win-over-warrenpoint-town-after-seven-goal-thriller-1-8875238 News Letter
  36. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51201229 BBC
  37. News: Watch: Glenavon beat Loughgall to win Mid-Ulster Cup. BBC Sport.
  38. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/warrenpoint-town/luke-wade-slater-leads-way-as-warrenpoint-town-taste-mid-ulster-cup-success-41254082.html Belfast Telegraph
  39. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/northern-ireland/forget-amber-and-yellow-portadown-red-the-only-colour-that-counts-in-mid-ulster-4491840?r=2763 News Letter
  40. News: Newry City beat Dungannon Swifts to win first Mid-Ulster Cup since 2012 . en-GB . BelfastTelegraph.co.uk . 2023-05-13 . 0307-1235.

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