Results
| Date | R | Home vs Away | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07/29 18:47 | - | Bonagee United vs Derry City Reserves | 1-1 |
| 04/21 12:00 | - |
Cockhill Celtic FC vs Finn Harps II
|
2-0 |
| 04/17 18:15 | - |
Cockhill Celtic FC vs Derry City Reserves
|
4-0 |
| 04/10 17:52 | - |
Derry City Reserves vs Fanad Utd
|
0-0 |
| 01/27 14:01 | - |
Xu/You vs Cockhill Celtic FC
|
2-2 |
| 01/20 14:30 | - |
Fanad Utd vs Derry City Reserves
|
1-2 |
| 10/01 19:00 | - | Bonagee United vs Derry City Reserves | 3-1 |
| 06/06 18:31 | - |
Cockhill Celtic FC vs Letterkenny Rovers
|
2-0 |
| 05/09 18:00 | - |
Letterkenny Rovers vs Derry City Reserves
|
2-2 |
| 05/02 18:15 | - |
Letterkenny Rovers vs Bonagee United
|
1-0 |
| 04/25 18:00 | - |
Letterkenny Rovers vs Finn Harps Reserves
|
7-0 |
| 04/11 18:45 | - |
Bonagee United vs Letterkenny Rovers
|
0-1 |
Wikipedia - Ulster Senior League (association football)
The Ulster Senior League was an association football league featuring amateur, intermediate, and League of Ireland reserve teams. Together with the Connacht Senior League, Leinster Senior League and the Munster Senior League, it formed the third level of the Republic of Ireland football league system. Ulster Senior League teams also competed in the FAI Cup, the FAI Intermediate Cup and the Ulster Senior Cup (known as the Knockalla Caravans Cup for sponsorship reasons). The winners of the Ulster Senior League were also invited to play in the now defunct League of Ireland Cup. Despite using the Ulster name in its title, almost all of its clubs were based in County Donegal and the City of Derry. The most successful club in the league was Fanad United who won fourteen league titles and ten league cups. The USL began life as a winter league but changed to a summer league between 2006 and 2016, with the season typically operating from April to October, before returning to a winter league.
By 2022, there were only five teams competing and the league folded after the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, with member clubs returning to junior football in the Inishowen and Donegal leagues.
History
The Ulster Senior League was formed in 1986 with Buncrana Hearts, Carndonagh F.C., Cockhill Celtic, Culdaff F.C., Fanad United, Letterkenny Rovers and Swilly Rovers among the founder clubs. The driving force behind the establishment of the league was Fr. Michael Sweeney, a pioneer of junior and intermediate association football in County Donegal. In addition to founding the Ulster Senior League (USL), Sweeney had earlier been instrumental in both establishing the Donegal League and forming Fanad United. Fanad United were the inaugural USL champions in 1986–87 and they subsequently went on to become the league's most successful club, winning fourteen league titles and ten league cups. In later seasons, Cockhill Celtic challenged Fanad United's dominance, winning their first title in 2010 and then nine consecutive titles between 2013 and 2022.
The winners of the Ulster Senior League were regularly invited to participate in the League of Ireland Cup. Fanad United were semi-finalists in 1987–88 while Cockhill Celtic, Culdaff and Swilly Rovers all represented the USL in the competition. Fanad United have also won the FAI Intermediate Cup twice while Letterkenny Rovers were finalists in 2015–16.
The 1995–96 season saw Drumoghill F.C. enter the USL for the first time. Winning the Premier Division of the Donegal Junior League the previous season had afforded Drumoghill the opportunity to compete at intermediate level and they duly applied to the USL.
In 2012, Killea F.C. withdrew from the league followed by Buncrana Hearts in 2013. Finn Harps withdrew their reserve team in 2015 and although they later returned, the USL suffered another team withdrawal when Swilly Rovers left in 2019. September 2020 saw the league's most successful club, Fanad United, announce their withdrawal from the USL to join the Donegal Junior League. This left the USL with just five competing teams heading into the 2020–2021 season.
In April 2021, Monaghan United, a former League of Ireland club, announced they would join the Ulster Senior League for the 2021–22 season. This made them the first club from Monaghan or Cavan to play in the USL. They withdrew from the league after just one season.
Once the league folded after the 2022–23 season, Cockhill Celtic, Bonagee United and Letterkenny Rovers returned to their respective junior leagues.
The Republic of Ireland Ulster Senior League is a prestigious football tournament that showcases the best of amateur and semi-professional talent in the northern region of Ireland. Established to promote competitive football and foster local talent, the league features clubs from various counties, each vying for glory and the coveted title.
The tournament is characterized by its passionate fan base, vibrant community spirit, and a rich history that reflects the cultural heritage of the region. Matches are held in various local stadiums, creating an electric atmosphere as supporters rally behind their teams. The league not only emphasizes skill and sportsmanship on the pitch but also promotes camaraderie and community engagement off it.
Teams compete in a series of matches throughout the season, culminating in a thrilling playoff format that determines the league champion. The Ulster Senior League serves as a vital stepping stone for players aspiring to reach higher levels of competition, providing them with invaluable experience and exposure.
With its commitment to developing local talent and enhancing the footballing landscape in Ireland, the Republic of Ireland Ulster Senior League continues to be a cornerstone of the sport in the region, celebrating the passion and dedication of players, clubs, and fans alike.