Mayo Association Football League
| Founded | 1954 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Ireland |
| Divisions | Super League Premier League League One League Two CMR Fire and Security League Three Westaro Masters League Division One Westaro Masters League Division Two Westaro Masters Division 3 |
| Level on pyramid | 7–12 |
| Domestic cup(s) | FAI Junior Cup Connacht Junior Cup Connacht Junior Shield |
| League cup(s) | Calor Gas Mayo Super Cup Calor Gas Mayo Premier Cup Westaro Cup Tuohy Cup Tonra Cup McDonnell Cup League 3 Cup |
| Current champions | Castlebar Celtic (2023) |
| Website | Official website of Mayo AFL |
Mayo Association Football League is an association football league that features amateur and junior clubs from County Mayo. Its top division, the Super League, is a seventh level division in the Republic of Ireland football league system. The two top divisions – the Super League and the Premier Division – are sponsored by Elverys Sports and Welcome Inn Hotel respectively. Clubs from the league also compete in the FAI Junior Cup and the Connacht Junior Cup. A Mayo League representative team also competes in the League of Ireland Cup.
The league season operates on a calendar schedule, usually running from March to September.[1] The headquarters of the league are located at Milebush Park in Castlebar, known as Umbro Park for sponsorship reasons.[2][3][4]
History
[edit]In 1954 Westport Town, Barcastle, Quay Hearts and Castlebar Celtic became the founder members of the Mayo Association Football League.[5][6] Castlebar Celtic finished the inaugural season as champions and, together with Westport United, they went on to become the league's most successful clubs.[7][8] Quay Hearts secured the title the following season in 1955.[9]
During the late 1970s and early 1980s the winners of the league played off against the winners of other Connacht junior leagues for the Michael Byrne Cup. During the 1970s the league expanded to include three divisions. In 1984–85 a league cup was introduced. It was originally known as the Robert Kilkelly Cup, before becoming the AIB Cup and then the Chadwicks Cup. As of August 2018, it is known as the Connacht Gold Cup.[10] In December 1986, 11 acres at Milebush were purchased and became the headquarters of the league, with the new ground named as Milebush Park.[11]
The league originally operated on an autumn/winter schedule but grounds and facilities were a major problem and games were vulnerable to postponements due to weather. To resolve this, a summer season was introduced in May 1994 and kicked off the following July.[9][12] To further assist the development of the game in Mayo, the 1990s saw new entry requirements introduced for the top division. This included coaching badges for managers and higher standards for playing surfaces and dressing rooms. The top division was also renamed the Super League from the 1999 season onwards to reflect the changes.[9]
In 2017, Milebush Park, the headquarters of the Mayo Association Football League, was renamed 'Solar 21 Park' after a sponsorship deal was agreed with the company.[2][13]
Milebush Park was again renamed in 2024, this time to Umbro Park, when a new sponsorship deal was agreed.[4] In July 2025, Kiltimagh Knock United withdrew from the top division mid-season.[14] Their reserve side had left the third tier earlier the same year.[15]
League pyramid
[edit]| County Level | League(s) / division(s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Elverys Sports Super League
10 clubs – 2 relegations |
| 2 | Castlecourt Hotel Premier League
10 clubs – 2 promotions, 1 relegation |
| 3 | Killeen Sports Ground League One
10 clubs – 1 promotion, 2 relegations |
| 4 | McDonnell Construction League Two
9 clubs – 2 promotions |
Ground
[edit]Milebush Park is the headquarters of the Mayo Association Football League and is an official FAI regional centre, hosting national programmes and events such as player development courses, tournaments, coaching education courses and trials for the national team.[11][21][22][23] Also known as Umbro Park[4] (and formerly Solar 21 Park)[2] for sponsorship reasons, Milebush Park has previously hosted Connacht Junior Cup finals, inter-league, underage league and women's league finals.[11]
The ground was purchased in December 1986, with a separate company setup to oversee development. A clubhouse was added in 1992 and a covered stand was built in 2001. The stand was named the Henry Downes Stand after the chairman of the league committee involved in the purchase of Milebush.[11]
A second ground, a floodlit Omniturf all-weather pitch, was installed in 2003–04 with the first game being played by Mayo under-15s on 11th February 2004. In 2006, the clubhouse was extended to include new dressing rooms. In March 2014, the all-weather pitch was relaid with new artificial turf to meet the latest standards.[11]
Representative team
[edit]A Mayo League representative team competes regularly in the Oscar Traynor Trophy and the Connacht Inter League Cup, playing against teams representing other leagues. In recent[when?] seasons they have also competed in the League of Ireland Cup, playing against Connacht/Ulster – based teams from the League of Ireland. As of 2016 they have never progressed past the first round. In 2015 Joseph N'Do was appointed the head coach of the league's representative team.[24][25]
League of Ireland Cup record
[edit]| Season | Round | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | Mayo League | 1–1 | Galway United | |
| 2004 | 1 | Sligo Rovers | 2–0 | Mayo League | The Showgrounds |
| 2005 | 1 | Derry City | 2–1 | Mayo League | |
| 2012[26] | 1 | Finn Harps | 2–0 | Mayo League | Finn Park |
| 2013 | 1 | Mayo League | 1–4 | Finn Harps | |
| 2014[27] | 1 | Galway | 2–0 | Mayo League | Eamonn Deacy Park |
| 2015[28] | 1 | Sligo Rovers | 8–0 | Mayo League | Showgrounds |
| 2016[29] | 1 | Galway United | 3–1 | Mayo League | Eamonn Deacy Park |
| 2017[30] | 1 | Galway United | 2–0 | Mayo League | Eamonn Deacy Park |
| 2018[31] | 1 | Finn Harps | 4–3 | Mayo League | Finn Park |
Wins by club
[edit]| Club | Wins | Winning years |
|---|---|---|
| Castlebar Celtic | 21 | 1954, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1967–68, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Westport United | 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1981–82, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 | |
| Ballina Town | 5 | 1988–89, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2018 |
| Manulla | 4 | 1987–88, 1994, 1995, 1999 |
| Ballyglass | 3 | 1990–91, 1996, 1997 |
| Straide & Foxford United | 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000 | |
| Balla | 2 | 1976–77, 1977–78 |
| Ballyheane | 2021, 2022 | |
| Sporting Club Westport | 1970–71, 1971–72 | |
| Urlaur | 1989–90, 1991–92 | |
| Achill Rovers | 1 | 1998 |
| Iorras Aontaithe (Erris United) | 2003 | |
| Quay Hearts | 1954–55 | |
| Westport Crusaders | 1979–80 |
List of Super League winners by season
[edit]| Season | Winner | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 2024 | Castlebar Celtic [32] | Westport United |
| 2023 | Castlebar Celtic | Ballina Town |
| 2022 | Ballyheane | Ballina Town |
| 2021 | Ballyheane | Ballina Town |
| 2020 | Season abandoned due to COVID-19 | |
| 2019 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 2018 | Ballina Town | Westport United |
| 2017 | Westport United | Manulla |
| 2016 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 2015 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 2014 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 2013 | Ballina Town | Ballyheane |
| 2012 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 2011 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 2010 | Ballina Town | Westport United |
| 2009 | Ballina Town | Westport United |
| 2008 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 2007 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 2006 | Castlebar Celtic | Iorras Aontaithe |
| 2005 | Westport United | Iorras Aontaithe |
| 2004 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 2003 | Iorras Aontaithe | Castlebar Celtic |
| 2002 | Westport United | Straide & Foxford United |
| 2001 | Castlebar Celtic | Ballyglass |
| 2000 | Straide & Foxford United | Manulla |
| 1999 | Manulla | Ballyglass |
| 1998 | Achill Rovers | Ballyheane |
| 1997 | Ballyglass | Achill Rovers |
| 1996 | Ballyglass | Urlaur |
| 1995 | Manulla | Iorras Aontaithe |
| 1994 | Manulla | Castlebar United |
| 1993–94 | Straide & Foxford United | Iorras Aontaithe |
| 1992–93 | Straide & Foxford United | Swinford |
| 1991–92 | Urlaur | Straide & Foxford United |
| 1990–91 | Ballyglass | Castlebar United |
| 1989–90 | Urlaur | Straide & Foxford United |
| 1988–89 | Ballina Town | Urlaur FC |
| 1987–88 | Manulla | Ballina Town |
| 1986–87 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1985–86 | Castlebar Celtic | Ballina Town |
| 1984–85 | Castlebar Celtic | Manulla |
| 1983–84 | Castlebar Celtic | Balla |
| 1982–83 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1981–82 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1980–81 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1979–80 | Westport Crusaders | Shraigh United |
| 1978–79 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport Textiles |
| 1977–78 | Balla | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1976–77 | Balla | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1975–76 | Westport United | Ballyhaunis and Ballina Town |
| 1974–75 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 1973–74 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 1972–73 | Season not completed | |
| 1971–72 | Sporting Club Westport | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1970–71 | Sporting Club Westport | Westport United |
| 1969–70 | Westport United | Ballinrobe Town |
| 1968–69 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1967–68 | Castlebar Celtic A | Castlebar Celtic B |
| 1966–67 | Westport United | Ballina Town |
| 1965–66 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1964–65 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1963–64 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1962–63 | Westport United | Castlebar Celtic |
| 1961–62 | Castlebar Celtic | Quay Hearts |
| 1960–61 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1959–60 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1958–59 | Castlebar Celtic | Quay Hearts |
| 1957–58 | Castlebar Celtic | Westport United |
| 1956–57 | No competition | |
| 1955–56 | Season not completed | |
| 1954–55 | Quay Hearts | Unknown |
| 1954 | Castlebar Celtic | Quay Hearts and Barcastle |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Mayo Football League - Match Hub". www.mayofootballleague.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Molloy, Sean (25 January 2017). "SOLAR 21 Park –Mayo Football League's headquarters gets a new name". mayofootball.ie. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League Headquarters gets a new name". mayofootball.leaguerepublic.com. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Keating, Tomás (31 January 2024). "Milebush Park to undergo name change with new sponsorship deal". westernpeople.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Tom (1996). Boots, Rules & Fantasy Free — A History Of Mayo Football. Cavendish House Publications.
- ^ "Swinford Soccer Club – Short History of Club". www.swinfordfc.ie. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Mayo Football League Roll Of Honour" (PDF). inform.fai.ie. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Castlebar Celtic – Roll Of Honour". www.castlebarceltic.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Mayo League History - Mayo Football League - Documents". www.mayofootballleague.ie. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "View Selected Tournament". www.mayofootballleague.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "About". Milebush Park. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ Sneyd, David (8 May 2025). "Phenomenal growth of summer football in Clare and Mayo shows FAI plan is worth trying". The 42. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "SOLAR 21 Park – Mayo Football League's headquarters get a new name". www.solar21.ie. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Gallagher, Michael (10 July 2025). "Big blow as Mayo soccer club withdraws from Super League". www.mayonews.ie. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayo soccer club withdraw from top division". westernpeople.ie. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League - Super League". Mayo Football League. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League - Premier League". Mayo Football League. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Mayo FL Super League". finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League - Killeen Sports Ground League One". www.mayofootballleague.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League - McDonnell Construction League Two". www.mayofootballleague.ie. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "FAI/ETB Player Development Courses | Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland". www.pfai.ie. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "FAI schools primary 5s programme open 2025 registration". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Castlebar - County Mayo - FAI Coaching Courses". www.castlebar.ie. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Oscar Traynor Record". inform.fai.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Joseph N'Do takes charge of Mayo League representative side". www.advertiser.ie/mayo. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Finn Harps 2–0 Mayo League". extratime.ie. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "EA SPORTS CUP: Galway FC 2–0 Mayo League". extratime.ie. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Sligo Rovers 8–0 Mayo League". extratime.ie. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Galway United 3–1 Mayo League: Tribesmen beat non-league opponents in EA Sports Cup". www.goal.com. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Ireland - List of League Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Ireland - List of League Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Castlebar Celtic crowned Super League champions". Connaught Telegraph. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayo Football League - Elverys Sports Super League". www.mayofootballleague.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2025.