NCU Challenge Cup explained

The NCU Challenge Cup, also called the NCU Senior Challenge Cup and the NCU Senior Cup, is the most important provincial cricket knock-out cup of the NCU jurisdiction in Ireland. The competition began in 1887, with eleven clubs participating in the first competition, North Down eventually beating North of Ireland in the final at Ormeau.[1]

The Cup is open to teams playing in the Premier League and Section 1 of the NCU Senior League. It is sponsored by Arthur J Gallagher and marketed as the Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup.

Matches consist of one 50-over innings per side. Where matches are interrupted or delayed because of weather, the number of overs may be reduced to a minimum of 20.[2] Duckworth Lewis is employed where a match is interrupted after it has started.

The most successful club in the competition is North Down with 32 victories (1 shared).

Muckamore are the current holders after beating Lisburn in the 2024 Final.

List of finals

Source for finals up to 2002: J. Clarence Hiles (2003), A History of Senior Cricket in Ulster. Comber: Hilltop Publications Ltd.

1880s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1887North DownNorth of IrelandOrmeauNorth 47 (Turner 5/23) and 107
North Down 159 (Patton 34, Andrews 30)
North Down won by an innings and 5 runs.
1888North DownUlsterOrmeauUlster 85 (W Turner 4/22) and 38 (W Turner 6/6)
North Down 47 (McGowan 5/21, Reid 5/24) and 77-5 (J Andrews 40no)
North Down won by 5 wickets.
1889North of IrelandArmaghOrmeauArmagh 65 (Cuming 8/29) and 104 (Hughes 4/28)
North 94 (Tarleton 4/40) and 77-2 (Staunton 37no)
North won by 8 wickets.

1890s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1890North DownFinal not played.
1891North DownNorth of IrelandOrmeauNorth 176 (Hughes 38, W Turner 4/53) and 82 (Cuming 38, W Turner 7/31)
North Down 157 (Lindsay 75no, Hughes 5/60) and 102-8 (Couper 6/49)
North Down won by 2 wickets.
1892North DownBallymoneyOrmeauNorth Down 282 (Combe 93, H W Andrews 56)
Ballymoney 36 (Graham 6/21, W Turner 4/14) and 67 (W Turner 7/21)
North Down won by an innings and 179 runs.
1893North DownUlsterOrmeauUlster 76 (W Turner 4/25) and 89 (W Turner 4/35, Killen 4/26)
North Down 198 (Milling 46, Reid 6/52)
North Down won by an innings and 33 runs.
1894North DownHolywoodUlster Cricket GroundNorth Down 87 and 30 (Beggs 7/13, E Hughes 3/15)
Holywood 62 (W Turner 5/28) and 33 (W Turner 6/12, O Andrews 4/13)
North Down won by 22 runs.
1895UlsterArmaghCliftonvilleArmagh 77 (Stewart 5/15, Reid 4/37) and 106 (Reid 4/38)
Ulster 105 (Gaukrodger 32, Martin 5/47) and 79-7 (McCrum 3/21)
Ulster won by 3 wickets.
1896CliftonvilleHolywoodOrmeauHolywood 130 (Higgett 7/49) and 90 (Hamilton 4/17, Higget 3/27)
Cliftonville 94 (Erskine 8/42) and 128-6 (Beggs 4/28, Erskine 2/38)
Cliftonville won by 4 wicket.
1897North DownNorth of IrelandOrmeauNorth Down 176 (O Andrews 73, Gillespie 7/73) and 229 (O Andrews 100)
North 112 (Newett 58, W Turner 6/44) and 119 (W Turner 6/35)
North Down won by 174 runs.
1898North DownUlsterOrmeauNorth Down 225 (Milling 80, Taylor 61, Reid 6/69)
Ulster 52 (Graham 8/22) and 97 (Niblock 6/20, Graham 3/35)
North Down won by an innings and 76 runs.
1899HolywoodUlsterCliftonvilleHolywood 189 (Harrington 46, Imrie 5/64) and 79-9
Ulster 60 (Erskine 5/30 inc hat-trick, Thomas 4/22) and 207 (Cleland 72no, Reynolds 49)
Holywood won by 1 wicket.

1900s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1900North of IrelandNorth DownOrmeauNorth 206 (Thompson 110) and 3-0
North Down 94 (Reid 5/5, Ferris 4/29) and 114 (Reid 5/32)
North won by 10 wickets.
1901North of IrelandFinal not played.
1902North of IrelandHolywoodCliftonvilleHolywood 60 (Reid 5/13) and 257 (Holloway 65, S C B Erskine 64)
North 226 (Davidson 70, Thompson 50, Smith hat-trick) and 94-2 (Taylor 38no)
North won by 8 wickets.
1903North of IrelandUlsterCliftonvilleNorth 198 (Andrews 94, Milliken 4/67)
Ulster 62 (Andrews 5/22, Reid 4/28) and 77 (Andrews 4/26)
North won by an innings and 59 runs.
1904North of IrelandNorth DownOrmeauNorth 195 (Andrews 43) and 131 (Niblock 5/13)
North Down 104 (Andrews 5/32) and 45 (Gardiner 6/21)
North won by 177 runs.
1905HolywoodNorth DownUlster Cricket GroundNorth Down 66 (Anderson 5/25) and 120 (D R Taylor 72no, Anderson 5/59)
Holywood 152 and 35-5
Holywood won by 5 wickets.
1906North of IrelandNorth DownUlster Cricket GroundNorth Down 115 (Andrews 7/34) and 105 (Wood 5/24)
North 107 (Bruce 5/50, Niblock 5/36) and 117-7 (Bruce 4/48)
North won by 3 wickets.
1907North of IrelandHolywoodOrmeauHolywood 91 (Bruce 7/30) and 102 (Bruce 5/50, Andrews 4/47)
North 177 (Anderson 4/71) and 17-1
North won by 9 wickets.
1908North DownCliftonvilleOrmeauNorth Down 250 (McDonald 45, Coulter 45no, Moore 4/58) and 35-2
Cliftonville 76 (Graham 5/32, Crawford 5/43) and 204 (Wood 58, Graham 4/82)
North Down won by 8 wickets.
1909UlsterNorth DownOrmeauUlster 457 (Diamond 96, Jackson 92, Reynolds 80, Patrick 75, Glover 4/82)
North Down 149 (Davidson 36, Coulter 43, Patrick 4/44, Milliken 4/50) and 219 (Andrews 97, Milliken 7/69)
Ulster won by an innings and 89 runs.

1910s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1910North of IrelandQueen's UniversityOrmeauNorth 224 (Moore 106, Birtill 70, Forsyth 5/51, Haydock 4/72)
Queen's 60 (Birtill 6/24) and 133 (Andrews 5/53)
North won by an innings and 31 runs.
1911UlsterCliftonvilleOrmeauUlster 171 (Martin 4/37, Moore 4/48) and 170 (Stevenson 59no, Moore 6/77)
Cliftonville 209 (Tyndall 47, Milliken 7/73) and 50 (Milliken 6/23)
Ulster won by 82 runs.
1912North of IrelandUlsterOrmeauUlster 67 (Andrews 5/17, Pollock 5/50) and 110 (S.H. Jackson 52no, Andrews 9/44)
North 141 (Andrews 57, S. Jackson 4/59) and 41-3
North won by 7 wickets.
1913North DownWaringstownOrmeauNorth Down 423 (W. Andrews 111, Anderson 80, Jas. Andrews 411)
Waringstown 156 (Anderson 49, Coulter 4/37) and 170 (Scott 47, Taylor 4/46)
North Down won by an innings and 97 runs.
1914WaringstownNorth DownOrmeauWaringstown 155 (Coulter 5/35) and 127 (Coulter 7/34)
North Down 107 (T. McKenzie 4/24) and 104 (T. McKenzie 8/42)
Waringstown won by 71 runs.
1915no competition
1916no competition
1917no competition
1918no competition
1919North DownNorth of IrelandUlster Cricket GroundNorth Down 175 (Pollock 4/44) and 202 (Andrews 48, Anderson 43)
North 201 (McClinton 96no, Maxwell 5/59) and 107 (Maxwell 3/33)
North Down won by 69 runs.

1920s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1920North DownCliftonvilleOrmeauCliftonville 60 (Lea 5/26, Maxwell 4/14) and 102 (Maxwell 5/44, Lea 5/48)
North Down 108 (Haydock 5/31, Stevenson 4/28) and 60-0
North Down won by 10 wickets.
1921WaringstownNorth DownOrmeauNorth Down 135 (H. McKenzie 4/20, Williamson 4/52) and 74 (Williamson 6/33, T. McKenzie 4/32)
Waringstown 159 (Williamson 42, Hill 5/35) and 54-8 (Hiatt 4/26)
Waringstown won by 2 wickets.
1922CliftonvilleWaringstownOrmeauCliftonville 155 (McCully 62, T. McKenzie 7/47) and 44 (T. McKenzie 6/29)
Waringstown 100 (Walker 6/35) and 32 (Bowers 5/13)
Cliftonville won by 67 runs.
1923DownpatrickHolywoodOrmeauHolywood 76 (Fleming 7/39) and 134 (Anderson 56, Fleming 5/55)
Downpatrick 201 (Harman 54no, Morrison 50, Barklie 4/61 inc hat-trick) and 13-0 (Sproule 5/54)
Downpatrick won by 10 wickets.
1924North DownOrmeauWaringstown 78 (Shields 4/8, Johnston 4/33) and 130 (Scott 37, Johnston 3/11)
North Down 70 (Williamson 6/33) and 139-9 (Anderson 42, Williamson 3/53)
North Down won by 1 wicket.
1925North of IrelandCliftonvilleOrmeauCliftonville 78 (Pollock 5/60) and 178 (McDonald 59, Pollock 5/37)
North 151 (Walton 49) and 106-0 (Walton 53no, Pollock 42no)
North won by 10 wickets.
1926North DownNorth of IrelandNorth Down 337 (Jas McDonald 80, Taylor 55no) and 240 (Jas McDonald 57, Shields 51no)
North 157 (Shields 5/51) and 150 (Sproule 35, Jas McDonald 5/41)
North Down won by 270 runs.
1927North DownHolywoodHolywood 99 (Jas McDonald 4/27) and 59 (Jas McDonald 8/18)
North Down 169 (Anderson 4/48, Parsons 4/33)
North Down won by an innings and 11 runs.
1928North DownNorth of IrelandUlster Cricket GroundNorth 177 (Shields 6/30) and 101 (Macdonald 4/40)
North Down 221 (T. J. McDonald 60, Vint 5/52, Douglas 4/23) and 59-3
North Down won by 7 wickets.
1929LisburnNorth DownNorth Down 52 (T. Martin 5/15) and 141 (T. Martin 4/37)
Lisburn 165 (Keery 50, Hunter 48, Shields 4/58) and 29-5 (Shields 3/14)
Lisburn won by 5 wickets.

1930s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1930UlsterNorth DownOrmeauUlster 169 (McCleery 71) and 130 (Shields 4/50)
North Down 93 (McCleery 5/29) and 101 (Jas Macdonald 40)
Ulster won by 105 runs.
1931North DownUlsterOrmeauNorth Down 119 (Graham 40) and 256 (T. F. Macdonald 108, McCleery 4/86)
Ulster 74 (Jas Macdonald 8/26) and 155 (H. Jackson 70, Jas Macdonald 5/53)
North Down won by 146 runs.
1932North DownArmaghOrmeauArmagh 121 (Barnes 40, T. J. Macdonald 4/12) and 118 (Livingstone 63, Morgan 5/50, Jas Macdonald 4/39)
North Down 137 (Barnes 7/49) and 107-5 (T. J. Macdonald 39no)
North Down won by 5 wickets.
1933WoodvaleLurganOrmeauLurgan 193 (Leathem 57no) and 118
Woodvale 452 (Matier 118, Carroll 101)
Woodvale won by an innings and 141 runs.
1934North DownWoodvaleOrmeauNorth Down 238 (T. J. Macdonald 66, McCleery 6/66) and 147 (Billingsley 6/48)
Woodvale 157 (Jas Macdonald 5/48) and 97 (Shields 6/13)
North Down won by 131 runs.
1935North DownCliftonvilleOrmeauNorth Down 303 (Jas Macdonald 159no)
Cliftonville 114 (Jas Macdonald 3/32) and 183 (Jas Macdonald 5/61, Shields 4/32)
North Down won by an innings and 6 runs.
1936North DownWoodvaleCliftonvilleWoodvale 82 (Clarke 6/33) and 77 (Clarke 7/36)
North Down 112 (T. J. Macdonald 35) and 49-6 (Armstrong 4/17)
North Down won by 4 wickets.
1937WoodvaleNorth DownCliftonvilleNorth Down 331 (McKibbin 80, J. Shields 67, W. Shields 57, T. J. Macdonald 49, Billingsley 5/83) and 129 (Armstrong 4/21)
Woodvale 226 (McCutcheon 56, Posnett 52, Mills 4/54, Clarke 4/69) and 237-9 (Wilson 58no, McCleery 50, Jas Macdonald 5/60)
Woodvale won by 1 wicket.
1938North of IrelandDonacloneyCliftonville Donacloney 67 (R. N. Morgan 5/35, Boyd 4/8 inc. hat-trick) and 105 (R. N. Morgan 5/49, F. Jackson 4/10)
North 189 (McCullough 5/68, Craig 4/73)
North won by an innings and 17 runs.
1939WoodvaleNorth DownOrmeauNorth Down 68 (Armstrong 7/17) and 81 (Armstrong 5/35)
Woodvale 153 (Wilson 62, Jas Macdonald 6/43)
Woodvale won by an innings and 4 runs.

1940s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1940Queen's UniversityArmaghCliftonvilleQueen's 76 (McKinley 4/17, Barnes 4/36)
Armagh 70 (Smith 5/15)
Queen's won by 6 runs.
1941WoodvaleMuckamoreOrmeauWoodvale 188 (McComb 64, Pinkerton 6/98)
Muckamore 53 (McCleery 4/22)
Woodvale won by 135 runs.
1942LisburnWaringstownOrmeauLisburn 114 (Finlay 48, McCullough 5/46, Armstrong 4/31)
Waringstown 113 (Burke 39, Bowden 5/30)
Lisburn won by 1 runs.
1943WaringstownWoodvaleOrmeauWaringstown 120 (Armstrong 4/41)
Woodvale 66 (Hampton 5/14)
Waringstown won by 54 runs.
1944WaringstownCregaghOrmeauWaringstown 253 (Burke 55, Armstrong 46)
Cregagh 223 (McCullough 5/53)
Waringstown won by 30 runs.
1945DownpatrickWaringstownOrmeauDownpatrick 244 (J. E. Malone 63, Kelly 62, Telford 49, McCullough 4/36)
Waringstown 166 (Ferguson 6/36)
Downpatrick won by 78 runs.
1946LisburnNorth of IrelandOrmeauLisburn 207 (Blaney 55, Hill 4/75) and 90 (Graham 3/21, Hill 3/22)
North 77 (Bowden 5/33, Simpson 5/33) and 154 (Shearer 67, W. McCloy 4/19, Bowden 4/50)
Lisburn won by 66 runs.
1947Sion MillsArmaghOrmeauArmagh 238 (Craig 82, Wherry 56, McCrea 5/61) and 206 (Flood 3/48, MacFarlane 3/55)
Sion Mills 319 (MacFarlane 117, Flood 87, Armstrong 5/74) and 126-9 (Eadie 4/32, Armstrong 4/44)
Sion Mills won by 1 wicket.
1948WoodvaleCPAOrmeauCPA 146 (Love 38, Wiggins 6/59) and 110 (Wilson 5/36)
Woodvale 127 (McKee 41, Shaw 4/30, Newburn 4/43) and 130/7 (Upritchard 44no, McCleery 34, Newburn 5/50)
Woodvale won by 3 wickets.
1949WoodvaleWaringstownCliftonvilleWoodvale 269 (Warke 46, Barnes 4/83)
Waringstown 126 and 133 (McMeekin 50, Barnes 44, Armstrong 5/28, Wiggins 4/35)
Woodvale won by an innings and 10 runs.

1950s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1950WoodvaleWaringstownOrmeauWoodvale 168 (Topping 42) and 124 (Craig 41, Hampton 7/38)
Waringstown 89 (Armstrong 5/19, Wilson 5/42) and 86-9 (Wiggins 4/13)
Woodvale won by 107 runs.
1951North of IrelandLisburnOrmeauNorth 180 (Shearer 37, Bowden 6/46) and 304 (Marks 81, Shearer 70, Morrison 62)
Lisburn 81 (Hool 5/21) and 342 (Bowden 146no, McCloy 83, Hill 4/89)
North won by 61 runs.
1952WoodvaleArmaghOrmeauArmagh 65 (Wilson 5/21, H. Armstrong 5/26) and 240 (Spearman 93, Wilson 4/79, H. Armstrong 4/83)
Woodvale 221 (Graham 52, Upritchard 42, L. Armstrong 7/76) and 89-7 (Berryman 50, L. Armstrong 4/35)
Woodvale won by 3 wickets.
1953DownpatrickWaringstownOrmeauWaringstown 197 (McMullan 56, Fawcett 54, Roberts 4/66) and 112 (Kelly 5/23, Roberts 5/51)
Downpatrick 268 (Calvert 91, Ferguson 77, Ferris 5/70) and 43-3
Downpatrick won by 7 wickets.
1954WoodvaleLurganOrmeauLurgan 91 (Adamson 48no, Wilson 5/25) and 81 (Scott 4/18)
Woodvale 188 (Wilson 47, Craig 42, Warke 41, Baxter 4/41)
Woodvale won by an innings and 16 runs.
1955LisburnWaringstownOrmeauWaringstown 116 (Bowden 7/35) and 142 (Fawcett 44, Bowden 3/29)
Lisburn 316 (Robinson 117, Bowden 47, Kelly 42no, McMullan 7/92)
Lisburn won by an innings and 58 runs.
1956North of IrelandLurganOrmeauNorth 134 (Hewitt 34) and 160 (Pollock 47, Bingham 4/44)
Lurgan 164 (Mitchell 55, Hool 5/46, Russell 4/33) and 112 (Hewitt 4/34)
North won by 18 runs.
1957LisburnWoodvaleOrmeauLisburn 336 (Hunter 133, Walker 53, Wilson 4/109)
Woodvale 91 (Bowden 6/48) and 118 (Bowden 7/28)
Lisburn won by an innings and 127 runs.
1958Lisburn & Sion Mills
Trophy shared
OrmeauLisburn 235 (Bowden 71, W. McCloy 51, Flood 5/80) and 36-3
Sion Mills 150 (Gallagher 67, Bowden 7/44)
After a number of postponements due to poor weather, the match was declared a draw and the trophy shared.
1959LisburnQueen's UniversityOrmeauQueen's 86 (Andrews 31) and 85 (Woods 6/15)
Lisburn 148 (T. McCloy 89no, Anderson 5/52) and 25-0
Lisburn won by 10 wickets.

1960s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch scores
1960North of IrelandLurganOrmeauLurgan 87 (N. B. Hool 6/36) and 108 (J McClatchey 58, N. B. Hool 4/36)
North 150-9 declared (J. S. Pollock 72) and 49-2
North won by 8 wickets.[3] [4]
1961LisburnWoodvaleOrmeauWoodvale 179 (K. Kirkpatrick 62, D. Monteith 5/45) and 106 (D. Monteith 5/39, J. Bowden 5/42)
Lisburn 148 (H. Martin 51, K. Kirkpatrick 8/43) and 138-2 (H. Martin 56 no)
Lisburn won by 8 wickets.[5] [6] [7] [8]
1962LisburnMuckamoreOrmeauLisburn 163 and 189 (T. McCloy 75, A. McQuilken 5/64)
Muckamore 93 (J. Bowden 5/23) and 145 (J. Bowden 5/48)
Lisburn won by 114 runs.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
1963MuckamoreDownpatrickOrmeauMuckamore 243 (A. McQuilken 82, W. Chambers 68) and 174 (J. McCormick 50 no; N. Ferguson 8/77)
Downpatrick 195 (N. Ferguson 59, H. Linehan 52) and 103 (A. McQuilken 5/40)
Muckamore won by 119 runs.[14] [15] [16]
1964InstoniansSion MillsOrmeauInstonians 187 (R. B. Matier 73, J. Flood 5/63) and 159 (J Flood 6/28)
Sion Mills 201 (T. Harpur 108) and 127 (B. Anderson 4-47)
Instonians won by 18 runs.[17] [18] [19] [20]
1965WaringstownSion MillsOrmeauWaringstown 189 (R. Harrison 50, J. Flood 5/61) and 249 (J. Harrison 88, W. Kidd 4/81)
Sion Mills 137 (G. Irwin 4-60, E. McMullan 4-20) and 144 (A. Finlay 51, W. Ferris 6/60)
Waringstown won by 157 runs.[21] [22] [23] [24] [25]
1966DownpatrickLisburnOrmeauDownpatrick 186 (Hutton 43, Monteith 4/72) and 189 (Hutton 47, A. Linehan 42, Hunter 8/76)
Lisburn 97 (Briggs 4/19, Ferguson 4/17) and 138 (Ferguson 5/41)
Downpatrick won by 140 runs.
1967WaringstownMuckamoreOrmeauWaringstown 215-5 (Reith 100, D. Harrison 72) and 191 (Reith 38, Campbell 4/48)
Muckamore 138 (Healey 3/31) and 121 (I. Harrison 5/57, McMullan 4/47)
Waringstown won by 147 runs.
1968WaringstownLisburnOrmeauWaringstown 195-9 (Reith 44) and 212-5 (R. Harrison 78, D. Harrison 55)
Lisburn 180 (Partridge 45, Martin 44, Walker 43) and 158 (Martin 60, McMullan 5/44)
Waringstown won by 69 runs.
1969North of IrelandQueen's UniversityOrmeauNorth 136 (Martin 3/39, Cunningham 3/48) and 116 (Martin 6/39)
Queen's 86 (Hewitt 4/32, Hool 3/16) and 102 (Lyness 6/34, Hool 3/36)
North won by 64 runs.

1970s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1970WaringstownLisburnOrmeauWaringstown 140 (J. Harrison 57, Monteith 6/39) and 187-6 (D. Harrison 48no, Monteith 5/58)
Lisburn 114 (I. Harrison 4/24, Anderson 4/25) and 109 (Bowden 42no, I. Harrison 5/33)
Waringstown won by 104 runs.
1971WaringstownDownpatrickOrmeauWaringstown 266-4 (Reith 100, D. Harrison 55no, R. Harrison 53) and 209-7 (R. Harrison 87no, Reith 40)
Downpatrick 165 (Ferguson 40no) and 85 (I. Harrison 6/28)
Waringstown won by 225 runs.
1972LurganMuckamoreOrmeauLurgan 186-2 (Hunter 87no, Kavanagh 77) and 164-4 (Hunter 65no, McQuilken 5/67)
Muckamore 97 (Johnston 4/35) and 73 (Johnston 5/29)
Lurgan won by 180 runs.
1973WaringstownQueen's UniversityOrmeauQueen's 126 (Farmer 40, Anderson 4/42) and 166-8 (Crothers 48)
Waringstown 155 (D. Harrison 69, Halliday 4/34) and 138-3 (I. Harrison 57)
Waringstown won by 7 wickets.
1974WaringstownBallymenaOrmeauWaringstown 226-5 (Anderson 76no, J. Harrison 53) and 34-2
Ballymena 118 (I. Harrison 6/30, Cousins 4/40) and 137 (Halliday 40, I. Harrison 5/42)
Waringstown won by 8 wickets.
1975WaringstownNorth DownOrmeauWaringstown 192-4 (J. Harrison 102no) and 130-9 (J. Harrison 37, Hunter 4/40)
North Down 56 (McGill 4/28) and 135-6 (Artt 66no)
Waringstown won by 131 runs.
1976WaringstownLisburnStrangford RoadWaringstown 179-9 (Anderson 47, Monteith 5/71) and 134 (Monteith 5/64, Lyness 4/26)
Lisburn 153 (Schofield 50) and 71 (McGill 4/42)
Waringstown won by 89 runs.
1977DownpatrickLisburn
1978WaringstownWoodvale
1979WaringstownWoodvaleWaringstown won by 1 run.

1980s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
1980NorthNorth Down
1981North DownBallymena
1982NorthDownpatrick
1983WaringstownLurgan
1984DownpatrickNorth
1985Lisburn[26] North
1986WaringstownNorth
1987WaringstownLurgan
1988WaringstownDownpatrick
1989LurganNorth

1990s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch scores
1990North of IrelandLurgan
1991North DownWoodvaleNorth Down 241-3 (M Clark 111, C McCrum 60) and 245-7 (C McCrum 65, J Gilliland 51, M Clark 50, Akram Raza 4-46)
Woodvale 242-8 (Akram Raza 146) and 237 (Akram Raza 67, W Adams 4-44)
North Down won by 7 runs.
1992WaringstownNorth of IrelandWaringstown 243-4 (S Harrison 117) and 186
North 115 (P McCrum 4-22) and 156
Waringstown won by 158 runs.
1993WaringstownNorth DownNorth Down 127-7 and 74 (G Harrison 5-13)
Waringstown 122-6 and 84-3
Waringstown won by 7 wickets.
1994Lisburn and North Down
Trophy shared
North Down 160-9 (C McCrum 58, D Heasley 4-37) and 203-7 (A Semple 61no)
Lisburn 158-8 and 205 (M Blair 57, T McKeown 52, R Haire 4-50)
Match tied.
1995WaringstownLurganLurgan 144-7 and 152 (R McCollum 57, A Spence 4-12)
Waringstown 188-9 (J Mathers 4-38) and 109-2
Waringstown won by 8 wickets.
1996LurganLisburnLisburn 90 and 182-9
Lurgan 120 and 153-5 (R McCollum 51)
Lurgan won by 5 wickets.
1997DownpatrickNorthDownpatrick 244-5 (J Patterson 96, G Ferguson 57) and 174 (R Shilliday 51, D Johnston 6-16)
North 190-6 (S Redpath 61no) and 165
Downpatrick won by 63 runs.
1998WoodvaleInstoniansWoodvale 155-7 and 218-6 (S Warke 102, A Rutherford 68)
Instonians 158-8 (C McQuay 54) and 200 (J Walsh 50)
Woodvale won by 15 runs.
1999North of IrelandWoodvaleNorth 223-8 (D Finlay 65, J Bouyens 63 no) and 145-9
Woodvale 193-9 (R Warnock 78 no) and 160
North won by 15 runs.

2000s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
2000North DownWoodvaleNorth Down 171-7 (A White 67) and 116 (S Donnelly 4-21)
Woodvale 130-9 and 109
North Down won by 48 runs.
2001North DownNorthNorth Down 287-3 (Ryan Haire 109no, P Shields 74no) and 167 (Robin Haire 54; A O'Prey 5-39)
North 203 (R Coetzee 76) and 158
North Down won by 93 runs.[27]
2002LurganNorth DownNorth Down 140-7
Lurgan 141-3 (G Morrison 65no)
Lurgan won by 7 wickets.
2003North DownWaringstownStormontNorth Down 214-8 (A White 80, Robin Haire 50, S Kidd 4/10) and 210-5 (D Kennedy 93no, A White 54)
Waringstown 167 (J Bushe 56) and 163
North Down won by 94 runs.
2004North DownBelfast HarlequinsStormontNorth Down 242-4 (D Kennedy 105no) and 165-8 (D Kennedy 64)
Belfast Harlequins 199-9 and 189 (W Horwood 79)
North Down won by 19 runs.[28]
2005North DownDownpatrickStrangford RoadDownpatrick 208-9 (G Ferguson 57) and 108
North Down 217-5 (R Coetzee 51no, N Russell 51) and 100-1 (D Kennedy 52*)
North Down won by 8 wickets.
2006WaringstownCIYMSStrangford RoadWaringstown 303-5 (J Hall 130, K McCallan 92no) and 47-1
CIYMS 194-5 (D Heasley 68) and 155 (R Lucas 54)
Waringstown won by 9 wickets.[29]
2007North DownWaringstownStrangford RoadWaringstown 187
North Down 188-6 (D Kennedy 80)
North Down won by 4 wickets.[30]
2008Civil Service North of IrelandWaringstownStrangford RoadCSNI 150-9 (N Jones 51)
Waringstown 146
CSNI won by 4 runs.[31]
2009InstoniansNorth DownThe GreenNorth Down 176-7 (J Terrett 51) (Duckworth Lewis par score 189 in 30 overs)
Instonians 191-2 (28.3 overs D van Wyk 64, R McCann 61, A White 50no)
Instonians won by 8 wickets.[32]

2010s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
2010North DownCIYMSThe GreenNorth Down 262-6 (T Khan 89, N Russell 57)
CIYMS 188
North Down won by 74 runs.
2011WaringstownCivil Service North of IrelandWallace ParkWaringstown 190-8 (K McCallan 63)
CSNI 116 (L Nelson 5-23)
Waringstown won by 74 runs.[33]
2012InstoniansNorth DownThe GreenNorth Down 182 (A Sutherland 58, E Moleon 3-25)
Instonians 184-2 (J Shannon 99no, A White 57no)
Instonians won by 8 wickets.[34]
2013WaringstownInstoniansThe GreenWaringstown 265-6 (K McCallan 110, O Pienaar 62, Z Rushe 2-47, C Brome 2-47, B Wylie 2-50)
Instonians 178 (N Russell 43, J Stevenson 39, E Moleon 28no, G Kidd 5/33, O Pienaar 2/24)
Waringstown won by 87 runs.[35] [36]
2014Civil Service North of IrelandWaringstownThe GreenWaringstown 156 (48.1 overs, S Khan 38, A Coulter 3/25, S Getkate 2/35)
CSNI 109/5 (36.5 overs, A Cowden 45, J van der Merwe 26) (D/L par score was 108 in 37 overs)
CSNI won by 5 wickets.[37]
2015CIYMSInstoniansThe GreenCIYMS 259-7 (R van der Dussen 117, J Matchett 46, J Thompson 68, Z Rushe 2/47, E Moleon 3/80)
Instonians 195 (N Russell 49, J Shannon 61, N Jones 3/45, J Cameron-Dow 4/17, T Britton 2/57) (D/L par score was 245 in 46 overs)
CIYMS won by 50 runs.[38]
2016Civil Service North of IrelandCIYMSThe GreenCIYMS 243-7 (N Jones 38, J Kemp 68, S Chambers 42, J Thompson 37, Z Rushe 22no, J Costain 2/27, A Blain 2/73)
CSNI 244-5 (A Cowden 22, S Getkate 64, J van der Merwe 98no, G McCarter 25no, J Kemp 2/39)
CSNI won by 5 wickets.[39] [40]
2017CIYMSInstoniansThe GreenInstonians 208 (Ni Smith 67, J Shannon 36, E Moleon 39, N Jones 2/28, J Mulder 3/51)
CIYMS 209-4 (N Jones 80, M McGillivray 20, R Hunter 65no)
CIYMS won by 6 wickets.[41]
2018WaringstownCivil Service North of IrelandThe GreenCSNI 285-4 (M Ellison 139, A Malan 52, J Kennedy 37, L Nelson 3-43)
Waringstown 286-4 (A Dennison 145 no, J McCollum 73, G Thompson 25 no)
Waringstown won by six wickets.[42]
2019CIYMSInstoniansThe GreenCIYMS 220 (O Pienaar 27, J van der Merwe 50, R Hunter 39, M Adair 63, J Manley 4-42, S Getkate 3-38)Instonians 122 (O Metcalfe 48, S Getkate 26, N Jones 4-31, J Mulder 2-17, T Britton 2-9)
CIYMS beat Instonians by 98 runs.[43]

2020s

SeasonWinnersRunners-upVenueMatch Scores
2020not played
2021CIYMSNorth DownThe GreenCIYMS 269-8 (50 overs) (C Dougherty 20, J Cameron-Dowe 43, J van der Merwe 22, N Jones 51, J Mulder 28no; C Young 3-41)
North Down 142 (35.1 overs) (A Chore 54; M Adair 4-53, N Jones 2-40, G Kennedy 2-17)
CIYMS won by 127 runs.[44]
2021
2022CIYMSCSNIThe GreenCSNI 161 (40.5 overs) (L Georgeson 20, M Ellison 30, S Thompson 32, A Johnston 23; K Dudgeon 3-33, G Kennedy 3-29, J Mulder 4-15)
CIYMS 162-0 (24.2 overs) (R Adair 103no, C Dougherty 51no)
CIYMS won by 10 wickets.[45] [46]
2022
2023WaringstownCarrickfergusStormontWaringstown 354-4 (50 overs) (A Dennison 109, P Botha 22, M Topping 150, G Thompson 39no; C van der Walt 2-68)
Carrickfergus 318 (50 overs) (J Egan 87, C van der Walt 97, B Cave 51; J Mitchell 2-62, B Snell 3-40, R Allen 2-45)
Waringstown won by 36 runs.[47] [48]
2023
2024MuckamoreLisburnStormontLisburn 265-8 (50 overs) (J Waite 41, M Adair 56, G Halliday 45no, D Miller 22; S Suresh 3-43, J van der Merwe 2-30)
Muckamore 170-3 (31.3 overs) (S Suresh 30, M Gleghorne 47no, J van der Merwe 24, B Calitz 42no)
Muckamore won by 7 wickets (DLS).[49] [50]
2024

Summary of winners

TeamWins
North Down32 (1 shared)
Waringstown27
North20
Woodvale10
Lisburn10 (2 shared)
Downpatrick7
CIYMS5
Lurgan4
Ulster4
Civil Service North3
Instonians3
Cliftonville2
Holywood2
Sion Mills2 (1 shared)
Muckamore2
Queen's University1

See also

References

CricketEurope archives

External links

Notes and References

  1. Gerard Siggins (2005), Green Days:Cricket in Ireland 1792-2005. Nonsuch Publishing Ltd., p.39
  2. Web site: Challenge Cup Playing Regulations. Northern Cricket Union. 26 May 2011.
  3. News: Lurgan fight back. 6. 30 July 1960. Belfast Newsletter.
  4. News: N.I.C.C. gain their 15th success. 7. 1 August 1960. Belfast Newsletter.
  5. News: Woodvale prosper on dropped catches. 7. 5 August 1961. Belfast Newsletter.
  6. News: Rain cuts play in Senior Cup Final. 9. 7 August 1961. Belfast Newsletter.
  7. News: Lisburn need 138 for victory. 9. 8 August 1961. Belfast Newsletter.
  8. News: Martin the star in Lisburn triumph. 9. 10 August 1961. Belfast Newsletter.
  9. News: Cup Final still in fluid position. 9. 6 August 1962. Belfast Newsletter.
  10. News: Lisburn in strong position. 7. 7 August 1962. Belfast Newsletter.
  11. News: Muckamore need 260 runs to win cup. 7. 8 August 1962. Belfast Newsletter.
  12. News: Lisburn almost sure of cup. 9. 9 August 1962. Belfast Newsletter.
  13. News: Lisburn take Cup for seventh time. 8. 10 August 1962. Belfast Newsletter.
  14. News: Muckamore go home happy in N.C.U. final. 6. 10 August 1963. Belfast Newsletter.
  15. News: Downpatrick have a hard fight on hand. 8. 12 August 1963. Belfast Newsletter.
  16. News: Muckamore win Cup for first time. 10. 13 August 1963. Belfast Newsletter.
  17. News: Sion Mills are chasing runs. 12. 1 August 1964. Belfast Newsletter.
  18. News: Harpur century puts Sion Mills in front. 9. 3 August 1964. Belfast Newsletter.
  19. News: Sion Mills need 109 runs to take cup. 12. 4 August 1964. Belfast Newsletter.
  20. News: Instonians win cup. 12. 5 August 1964. Belfast Newsletter.
  21. News: Waringstown's captain has problems. 11. 9 August 1965. Belfast Newsletter.
  22. News: Waringstown have a firm grip on cup. 11. 10 August 1965. Belfast Newsletter.
  23. News: Sion need 279 to win N.C.U. Cup. 14. 11 August 1965. Belfast Newsletter.
  24. News: Sion Mills now need 197 to win. 13. 12 August 1965. Belfast Newsletter.
  25. News: N.C.U. Cup win for Waringstown. 15. 13 August 1965. Belfast Newsletter.
  26. Web site: Biography – James William Kirkwood. cricketeurope.com. 13 June 2019.
  27. Web site: North Down win Senior Cup. BBC Sport. 4 August 2001. 25 May 2011.
  28. Web site: North Down win NCU Cup. BBC Sport. 31 July 2004. 25 May 2011.
  29. Web site: Waringstown win Challenge decider. BBC Sport. 29 July 2006. 25 May 2011.
  30. Web site: Senior Cup glory for North Down. BBC Sport. 28 July 2007. 26 May 2011.
  31. Web site: Civil Service North win TCH Challenge Cup. Belfast Telegraph. 16 August 2008. 26 May 2011.
  32. Web site: Instonians celebrate cup triumph. BBC Sport. 29 August 2009. 26 May 2011.
  33. Web site: Waringstown defeat CSNI in Challenge Cup Final. BBC Sport. 29 July 2011. 29 July 2011.
  34. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/other-local-sport/shannon-it-was-team-effort-that-got-us-through-1-4105841 Shannon - it was team effort that got us through
  35. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23472521 Waringstown beat Instonians in Challenge Cup decider
  36. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2013/cups/challengecup.shtml Northern Cricket Union
  37. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2014/cups/challengecup.shtml Ulster Bank Challenge Cup - 2014
  38. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2015/cups/challengecup.shtml Ulster Bank Challenge Cup - 2015
  39. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2016/cups/challengecup.shtml Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup - 2016
  40. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/van-der-merwe-sparkles-as-csn-revel-in-challenge-cup-triumph-34924343.html Belfast Telegraph
  41. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2017/cups/challengecup.shtml Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup - 2017
  42. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44987215 BBC
  43. http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2019/news/articles/article1390.shtml NCU
  44. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/jacob-mulders-breakthrough-puts-ciyms-on-ladder-to-cup-win-40750604.html Belfast Telegraph
  45. https://irishcricketarchives.org/CRICKETEUROPE/IRELAND/NORTHERN/2022/index.shtml# Cricket Europe
  46. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/cricket/ross-adair-inspires-ciyms-to-victory-3795988 News Letter
  47. https://irishcricketarchives.org/CRICKETEUROPE/IRELAND/NORTHERN/2023/index.shtml# Cricket Europe
  48. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/waringstown-taste-success-in-record-breaking-challenge-cup-final-win-over-carrickfergus/a1582280599.html Belfast Telegraph
  49. https://cricketeurope.com/FINALSCORE/2024/NORTHERN/cup.shtml Cricket Europe
  50. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/its-an-incredible-feeling-muckamore-celebrate-first-challenge-cup-win-in-61-years-after-dramatic-final/a32846920.html Belfast Telegraph