Derry club football competitions

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The following are club Gaelic football competitions run by the Derry County Board.

Contents

Adult

Championships

Derry Senior Football Championship

The Derry Senior Football Championship is the most prestigious football competition in Derry. It has been running for over 100 years, and the winning team are awarded the Johnny McLaughlin Cup. The winners of the Derry Senior Championship qualify to represent Derry in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. Currently it is entered by the top 16 teams in Derry. Bellaghy have won the championship the most times, having won 21 titles since their first success in 1956.

Derry Intermediate Football Championship

The Derry Intermediate Football Championship is the second-tier Derry championship and is competed for by the Division 2 clubs. The trophy is named after John Bateson (19), James Sheridan (20) and Martin Lee (18), all members of the South Derry Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who died whilst priming a bomb in Magherafelt on 18 December 1971. [1] [2] All three men came from Ballymaguigan and played for the St. Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan. The winners of the Derry Intermediate Championship qualify to represent Derry in the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship. Craigbane have won the championship the most times, having won 6 titles since their first success in 1986.

Derry Junior Football Championship

The Derry Junior Football Championship is competed for between the Junior (third tier) Derry clubs. It has been running for over 50 years. The winners of the Derry Junior Championship represent Derry in the Ulster Junior Club Football Championship. Drum have won the championship the most times, having won six titles since their first success in 1973.

Derry Thirds Football Championship

The Derry Thirds Football Championship is competed for between the Derry clubs with a Thirds team (i.e. third choice team). It is a relatively new tournament.

Leagues

The league structure in Derry was recently re-organised and returned to the old system of three divisions - Division 1 (Senior League), Division 2 (Intermediate League) and Division 3 (Junior League).

Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 1

The Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 1 (referred to as the H&A Mechanical Services ACFL Division 1 for sponsorship reasons) is a competition for the top sixteen senior teams in Derry.

Under the current regulations, teams play each another once (15 games each), with the top team winning the league. The bottom team is automatically relegated to the ACFL Division 2.

Derry Senior Football League Roll of honour (incomplete)

Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 2

The Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 2 (currently known for sponsorship reasons as the H&A Mechanical Services ACFL Division 2) is the second-highest football league in Derry. It is entered by the fourteen intermediate teams in Derry

Under the current regulations, teams shall play one another once (13 games each), with the top team winning the league and being promoted to the ACFL Division 1, and the bottom team being relegated to the ACFL Division 3.

Derry Intermediate Football League Roll of honour (incomplete)

Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 3

The Derry All-County Football League (ACFL) Division 3 (currently known for sponsorship reasons as the H&A Mechanical Services ACFL Division 3) is the third-highest football league in Derry. It is entered by the top eight junior teams in Derry.

Under the current regulations, teams shall play one another twice (14 games each), with the top team winning the league and being promoted to the ACFL Division 2.

Other adult competitions

Larkin Cup

The Larkin Cup is a knock-out competition for the top South Derry Senior clubs. It is named after Seán Larkin (Irish : Seán Ó Lorcain), a militant Irish republican from the townland of Bellagherty (Baile Uí Facharthaigh) in Ballinderry. He was a member of the Irish Volunteers in the early 1910s, and was later a member of the Irish Republican Army (3rd Western Division) during the Irish War of Independence. He fought for the "anti-treaty" side in the Irish Civil War and was captured and executed by the Irish Free State on 14 March 1923. Prior to 1958?, the semi-final and final of the Derry Senior Football Championship was played between the winners of the South Derry Championship, North Derry Championship and Derry City Championship. These district championships ceases to exist after the Derry Senior Championship became open-draw in 1958. The Larkin Cup was presented to the winners of the South Derry Championship, so effectively it is the modern-day South Derry Senior Football Championship. The current holders are Ballinderry.

Larkin Cup Roll of honour (incomplete)
Draw and fixtures for 2008 Larkin Cup

Dr. Kerlin Cup

The Dr. Kerlin Cup is a knock-out competition for the top North Derry clubs. It has been running for over 70 years and the final has been traditionally played on Claudy Green. The current holders are Claudy.

Dr. Kerlin Cup Roll of honour

McGlinchey Cup

The McGlinchey Cup is a knock-out competition for South Derry clubs, regarded as the secondary South Derry district competition after the Larkin Cup. It is named after Dean McGlinchey. The current holders are Castledawson.

McGlinchey Cup Roll of honour (incomplete)
Draw and fixtures for 2008 McGlinchey Cup

O'Hagan Cup

The O'Hagan Cup is a knock-out competition for North Derry clubs, regarded as the secondary North Derry district competition after the Dr. Kerlin Cup[ citation needed ]. It is named after James O'Hagan. The current holders are Glenullin.

O'Hagan Cup Roll of honour (incomplete)
Draw and fixtures for 2008 O'Hagan Cup

Under 21

Championships

A new format for he Under 21 championship was introduced in 2016. All Derry clubs can opt to play in the Jack Cassidy Cup which is fifteen a side or the Harry O'Kane cup which is thirteen a side.

Minor

Derry Minor Football Championship

The Derry Minor Football Championship is the most prestigious football competition for Under-18 teams in Derry. It has been running for over 60 years. The winners of the Derry Minor Championship qualify to represent Derry in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship. Bellaghy have won the championship the most times, winning 9 titles since their first success in 1953. The 2015 champions were Glen.

Other Minor competitions

Tommy O'Neill Cup

The Tommy O'Neill Cup is a cup played for between the South Derry 'B' and North Derry 'B' Champions. It is named after the late Tommy O'Neill, a former Ballymaguigan underage player.

Tommy O'Neill Cup Roll of honour

Hughes/McElwee Memorial Cup

The Hughes/McElwee Cup is a 13 aside (as opposed to the usual 15) knock-out competition for the top South Derry Minor clubs. It is named after Vol. Francis Hughes and Vol. Thomas McElwee, two cousins from Bellaghy who were members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and died on hunger strike in 1981. It is a new tournament, with 2008 being its inaugural year. 15 teams will compete.

Draw and fixtures for 2008 Hughes/McElwee Memorial Cup

Carlin/Duffy Cup

The Carlin/Duffy Cup is a 13 aside (as opposed to the usual 15) knock-out competition for the top North Derry Minor clubs. It has been running for a number of years. 18 teams will compete in the 2008 competition.

Carlin/Duffy Cup Roll of honour (incomplete??)
Draw and fixtures for 2008 Carlin/Duffy Cup

Related Research Articles

Derry GAA Gaelic games board in Northern Ireland

The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for gaelic games in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. The county board is also responsible for the Derry inter-county teams.

CLG Eoghan Rua Gaelic Athletic Association club

CLG Eoghan Rua Cúil Raithin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Despite some of the club's catchment area being in County Antrim, the club is a member of the Derry GAA. Eoghan Rua currently cater for Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Ladies' Gaelic football and also compete in Scór and Scór n nÓg. The club's name commemorates Eoghan Rua Ó Néill.

Michael Davitt's GAC Swatragh is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the village of Swatragh, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently caters for Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. The club is named after republican patriot and revolutionary Michael Davitt.

Bellaghy GAC Gaelic sports club competing in Gaelic football and camogie

Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Gaelic Athletic Club is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently competes in gaelic football and camogie.

Desertmartin GAC

Saint Martin's GAC Desertmartin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Desertmartin, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently caters for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football.

Steelstown GAC

Steelstown Brian Óg's GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football.

Castledawson GAC

Saint Malachy's GAC Castledawson is a Gaelic Athletic Club from Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently compete in gaelic football, hurling and camogie.

Glenullin GAC

John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenullin, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie.

Ballymaguigan GAC

Saint Trea's Ballymaguigan GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballymaguigan, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It plays in Derry league and championships. It currently caters for both Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football.

Slaughtneil GAC

Robert Emmet's Gaelic Athletic Club Slaughtneil is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based on the townland of Slaughtneil, near Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and compete in gaelic football, hurling and camogie. The club is named after Irish patriot and revolutionary Robert Emmet and play their home games at Emmet Park.

St Colm's Ballinascreen GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballinascreen, which includes the town of Draperstown, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for gaelic football, hurling, camogie and Ladies' Gaelic football and have 25 teams across the four sports.

Drum GAC Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Drum, County Derry, Northern Ireland

Saint Colm's GAC Drum is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the rural area of Drum and Gortnahey, near Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA.

Craigbane GAC

Saint Joseph's GAC Craigbane is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Craigbane, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for both Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football.

Newbridge GAC Gaelic Athletic Association club

Seán O'Leary's GAC Newbridge is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Newbridge, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently caters for Gaelic football and camogie. Newbridge has won the Derry Senior Football Championship on ten occasions.

Ballerin GAC

Ballerin Sarfields GAC is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Ballerin, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They are a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football, Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The club have also had Hurling teams in various stages in their history.

Claudy GAC

John Mitchel's GAC Claudy is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Claudy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently caters for Gaelic football. The club is named after Irish patriot and revolutionary John Mitchel, as is that in Glenullin in the same county. John Mitchel's Claudy GAC is the oldest club in County Derry and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2013.

Faughanvale GAC

Saint Mary's Faughanvale GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Greysteel, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football, Ladies' Gaelic football.

O'Brien's GAC Foreglen is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Foreglen, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for gaelic football. The club is named after Irish nationalist MP and social revolutionary William O'Brien. They are the oldest club within the Derry GAA.

Saint Aidan's GAC Magilligan is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Magilligan, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of Derry GAA and currently caters for Gaelic football.

James McKeever is a former Gaelic footballer. He played for the Derry GAA team in the late 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s and played club football for St. Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan and Seán O'Leary's GAC Newbridge. He was captain of the Derry side that finished runners-up to Dublin in the 1958 All-Ireland Championship.

References

  1. Corry, Eoghan (1993). Oakboys - Derry's Football Dream Come True. Dublin, Ireland: Torc Books Ltd. p. 5. ISBN   1-898142-10-6.
  2. CAIN - CAIN: Sutton Index of Deaths - 1971