Munster Senior League (association football)
 | |
| Country |  Ireland |
|---|---|
| Region |  Munster[1] |
| Divisions | Senior Premier Division Senior 1st Division Senior 2nd Division Junior Premier Division Junior 1st Division Junior 2nd Division Floodlit Over 35 |
| Number of clubs | 62 (2015–16)[2] |
| Domestic cup(s) | Munster Senior Cup FAI Cup FAI Intermediate Cup FAI Junior Cup |
| League cup(s) | Keane Cup Donie Forde Cup Beamish Cup |
| Current champions | Midleton F.C. |
| Most championships | Cobh Ramblers (15 titles) |
| Website | Munster Senior League |
| Current: 2024 Munster Senior League | |
The Munster Senior League is an association football league organised by the Munster Football Association. It organises seven divisions as well as various cup competitions. Its Senior Division is a third level division in the Republic of Ireland football league system. Munster Senior League teams also compete in the Munster Senior Cup, the FAI Cup, the FAI Intermediate Cup and the FAI Junior Cup. In recent seasons the winners of the Senior Division have qualified to play in the League of Ireland Cup. Despite using the Munster name in its title, the vast majority of its member clubs are based in County Cork. However, in the past it has included clubs from County Limerick, County Waterford, County Kerry and County Tipperary.[3]
History
[edit]Early years
[edit]The original Munster Football Association was founded in 1901 and it is believed that a Munster League was founded within a few years. The 1909–10 season saw six teams representing the Highland Light Infantry, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Durham Light Infantry, the Sherwood Foresters, the King's Regiment and Haulbowline all played in the Munster League First Division. A Munster Intermediate League featured the reserve teams of all these British Army regiments plus teams representing the Royal Engineers, the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Army Service Corps. In the Munster Cup the Highland Light Infantry lost 1–0 to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the final played at Turner's Cross.[4] Cahir Park F.C. was founded in 1910 and by 1912–13 they were the Munster Senior League second division champions.[5] However these leagues were effectively disbanded during the First World War and Irish War of Independence era.
Reformed
[edit]In 1921 Harry Buckle, a former Ireland international, settled in Cork and began working for the Ford Motor Company. Finding little or no association football activity in the city, Buckle initially founded Fordsons F.C. and then helped found the County Cork–based South Munster League for the team to play in. In addition to playing and coaching with the new club, Buckle also served as president of the Tipperary/Limerick based – North Munster League and helped reform the Munster Football Association. By 1922–23 the South Munster League and North Munster Leagues had effectively merged to become the Munster Senior League.[6][3] Barrackton United of the South Munster League became the first post–First World War Munster Senior League champions after defeating Cahir Park F.C. of the North Munster League in a play-off.
League pyramid
[edit]The Munster Senior League has three league sections: the Senior League (3 intermediate divisions), the Junior League (5 junior divisions) and the Floodlit League (over 35s division).[3]
There is currently no promotion or relegation system in place between the League of Ireland First Division (Level 2 of the national league system) and the provincial leagues (Level 3). Additionally, while junior clubs in Munster can apply to join the intermediate ranks if they feel they are capable, there is no formal promotion/relegation from the junior leagues into the Munster intermediate ranks.[7]
The divisions of the league are decided by the Management Committee each season, based on the number of clubs available and on any vacancies that may have arisen in the off-season. As such, the number of teams in each division may vary. Below is the format for the 2024/25 season, which employs 3rd place playoffs for relegation & promotion.[8][9]
| Colour-coding key |
|---|
| Intermediate (levels 1–3) |
| Junior |
|
Provincial Level |
League(s) / division(s) |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Munster Senior League Senior Premier Division 10 clubs – 2 or 3 relegations |
|
2 |
Munster Senior League Senior First Division 10 clubs – 2 or 3 promotions, 2 or 3 relegations [10] |
|
3 |
Munster Senior League Senior Second Division 12 clubs – 2 or 3 promotions [11] |
|
4 |
None
|
|
5 |
Multiple Junior Leagues
|
Teams
[edit]Intermediate Leagues
[edit]| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Avondale United | Carrigaline/Ballintemple, Cork | Avondale Park |
| Cobh Wanderers | Cobh, County Cork | Oldchurch Park |
| College Corinthians | Douglas, Cork | Corinthians Park |
| Douglas Hall | Douglas, Cork | Moneygourney |
| Leeds AFC | Ballyvolane, Cork | Leeds Park |
| Midleton | Midleton, County Cork | Knockgriffin Park |
| Ringmahon Rangers | Blackrock, Cork | Ringmahon Park |
| Rockmount | Whitechurch, County Cork | Rockmount Park |
| St. Mary's AFC | Whites Cross, Cork | St. Mary's Park |
| UCC | University College Cork | The Mardyke/The Farm |
Source: [12]
2024-25 Senior First Division Clubs
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Bandon AFC | Bandon, County Cork | Town Park |
| Blarney United | Blarney | O'Shea Park |
| Carrigaline United | Carrigaline | Ballea Park |
| Castleview AFC | Cork | O'Sullivan Park |
| Everton AFC | Togher, Cork City | Everton Park |
| Lakewood Athletic | Ballincollig | Lakewood Sports and Social Club |
| Leeside United | Little Island, Cork | Little Island Sports Complex |
| Mayfield United | Mayfield | Lotamore Grounds |
| Riverstown | Glanmire | The Cliff |
| Wilton United | Wilton, Cork | Pat Bowdren Park |
Source: [13]
2024-25 Senior Second Division Clubs
| Team | Home town/suburb | Home ground |
|---|---|---|
| Ballinhassig | Ballinhassig | Gortnaglough |
| Buttevant | Buttevant | Abbeyview |
| Carrigtwohill United | Carrigtwohill | Ballyadam |
| Fermoy FC | Fermoy | Carrig Park |
| Kanturk AFC | Kanturk | Gurteenard |
| Kinsale AFC | Kinsale | Madden Park |
| Macroom FC | Macroom | Murrayfield |
| Mallow United AFC | Mallow | Town Park |
| Park United | Mitchelstown | Brigown Park |
| Passage AFC | Passage West | Rockenham |
| Temple United | Cork | Temple Park |
| Youghal United | Youghal | Ardrath Park |
Source: [14]
Representative team
[edit]A Munster Senior League representative team competes in the FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament against teams representing the Ulster Senior League, the Leinster Senior League and Connacht.[15]
2024-25 season
[edit]Senior Premier Division
[edit]End of Season Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midleton (C) | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 43 | Champions |
| 2 | Ringmahon Rangers | 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 37 | |
| 3 | Avondale United | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 32 | |
| 4 | College Corinthians | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 24 | |
| 5 | St. Mary's FC | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 | |
| 6 | Rockmount AFC | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 | |
| 7 | Cobh Wanderers | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 | |
| 8 | UCC (O) | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 | Playoff with First Division |
| 9 | Douglas Hall (R) | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 | Relegation to First Division |
| 10 | Leeds AFC (R) | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 14 |
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Table at Christmas
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midleton | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 22 | Champions |
| 2 | Avondale United | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |
| 3 | Ringmahon Rangers | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 19 | |
| 4 | Rockmount AFC | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | |
| 5 | College Corinthians | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |
| 6 | Douglas Hall | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | |
| 7 | UCC | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | |
| 8 | Leeds AFC | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | |
| 9 | St. Mary's FC | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | Relegation to First Division |
| 10 | Cobh Wanderers | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
Senior First Division
[edit]End of Season Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayfield United (C) | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 42 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Carrigaline United | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 36 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 3 | Castleview AFC | 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 30 | Playoff with Premier Division |
| 4 | Bandon AFC | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 28 | |
| 5 | Riverstown | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 24 | |
| 6 | Wilton United | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 22 | |
| 7 | Blarney United | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 22 | |
| 8 | Everton AFC (O) | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 17 | Playoff with Second Division |
| 9 | Leeside AFC (R) | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 17 | Relegation to Second Division |
| 10 | Lakewood Athletic (R) | 18 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 8 |
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Table at Christmas
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayfield United | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 20 | Champions/Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Carrigaline United | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 19 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 3 | Bandon AFC | 18 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |
| 4 | Riverstown | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 16 | |
| 5 | Blarney United | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 15 | |
| 6 | Castleview | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | |
| 7 | Wilton United | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 11 | |
| 8 | Leeside United | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | |
| 9 | Everton AFC | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Relegation to Second Division |
| 10 | Lakewood Athletic | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
Senior Second Division
[edit]End of Season Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passage AFC (C) | 22 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 56 | Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Mallow United | 22 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 55 | Promotion to First Division |
| 3 | Ballinhassig AFC | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 45 | Playoff with First Division |
| 4 | Fermoy FC | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 40 | |
| 5 | Youghal United | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 38 | |
| 6 | Carrigtwohill United | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 33 | |
| 7 | Park United | 22 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 29 | |
| 8 | Kanturk AFC | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 24 | |
| 9 | Kinsale AFC | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 19 | |
| 10 | Temple United | 22 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | |
| 11 | Macroom FC | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 15 | |
| 12 | Buttevant | 22 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 7 | No Formal Relegation to Junior Leagues |
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners
Table at Christmas
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification or Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Passage AFC | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | Champions/Promotion to First Division |
| 2 | Mallow United | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 22 | Promotion to First Division |
| 3 | Fermoy FC | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 19 | |
| 4 | Youghal United | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 19 | |
| 5 | Ballinhassig | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 17 | |
| 6 | Kanturk AFC | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 13 | |
| 7 | Park United | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 13 | |
| 8 | Temple United | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |
| 9 | Kinsale AFC | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | |
| 10 | Carrigtwohill United | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |
| 11 | Buttevant | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | |
| 12 | Macroom FC | 10 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Details of Affiliated Leagues & Clubs 2015/2016". www.munsterfa.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ "List of Teams Affiliated to the Munster Senior League". www.munsterfa.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "About Us | Content Page – Munster Senior League". Munster Senior League. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
- ^ various. Highland Light Infantry Chronicle (Jan 1908-Oct1910).
- ^ www.cahirparkafc.ie
- ^ Carey, Tadhg (2009). When We Were Kings: The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph. Athlone: Temple Printing.
- ^ Stafford, Tom (21 Nov 2024). "The Irish Football Pyramid – or lack of (part 1 - Munster)". extratime.com. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Munster Senior Football League | Rules Book 2024-25" (PDF). www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "MSL Playoff Results Fri 23rd May - Wed 4th June". Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ "Munster Senior League Senior First Division". finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "Munster Senior League Senior Second Division". finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Premier Division". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Division 1". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "League Table Munster Senior League Senior Division 2". www.munsterseniorleague.ie. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "League Table 2016 FAI Intermediate Interprovincial Tournament". www.uslfootball.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "Munster Senior League Senior Premier Division – Soccer". www.finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ "Munster Senior League Senior First Division – Soccer". www.finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ^ "Munster Senior League Senior Second Division – Soccer". www.finalwhistle.ie. Retrieved 2025-06-17.