Mid-Ulster F.A.

The Mid-Ulster Football Association, abbreviated to MUFA, commonly referred to as the Mid-Ulster F.A., is one of the four regional football associations affiliated with the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Northern Ireland.[1][2][3] The other three associations covering the region are the County Antrim & District FA, the North-West IFA, and the Fermanagh & Western FA.

The Mid-Ulster Football Association oversees the Mid-Ulster Football League and it's divisions from intermediate down to the Mid-Ulster Youth Leagues. This also includes organizing it's cup competitions, such as the Mid-Ulster Cup, Ladies Mid-Ulster Cup and Bob Radcliffe Cup.[4][5] The Mid-Ulster F.A. also oversees all of the football clubs affiliated with the association.[6][7]

History

The Mid-Ulster Football Association was established on 2 April 1887.[8] This seen the inauguration of division 1, and the longest-running Mid-Ulster cup competition, the Mid-Ulster Cup. The inaugural winners was Milford F.C..[9] The founding members included historic clubs from the area, most notably Glenavon F.C. and Portadown F.C.[10][11]

By the mid-1990s, the Irish Football Association began to refine it's pyramid structure. The top divisions of the MUFL (known as Intermediate A and B) needed clear official recognition. In 1997, the Mid-Ulster FA revised it's leagues feeding the national NIFL Championship/Premier structure with a new format.[12]

2018, Elaine Junk won the Irish Football Association People's Award at the Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards. She was the first woman to be elected into the Mid-Ulster FA's committee.[13][14][15] She is an advocate for the progression of women's football in Northern Ireland.[16]

In October 2019, former Mid-Ulster F.A. chairman Isaac Gilkinson died. He was known for his contributions to the junior and grassroots football leagues. The Mid-Ulster F.A. put out a statement "Isaac served for many years at the Irish Football Association, as Chairman of the Mid Ulster FA and Mid Ulster Juvenile League."[17]

Competitions

  • Mid Ulster Football League (current format founded 1997) - This includes Intermediate A and B, Divisions 1, 2 and 3, reserves leagues and youth leagues.
  • Mid-Ulster Cup (founded 1887)
  • Mid-Ulster Shield (founded 1909)
  • Bob Radcliffe Cup (founded 1978)
  • Marshall Cup (founded 1939)
  • O'Hara Cup (founded Mid-1960s)
  • Mid-Ulster League Cup (founded 2009)
  • Premier Cup (founded early 2000s)
  • Alan Wilson Cup (founded 2010)
  • Foster Cup (founded 1960s)
  • Beckett Cup
  • Wilmor Johnston Memorial Cup
  • Ladies Mid Ulster Cup
  • U21 Division Cup
  • Mid-Ulster Youth Cup

Ivan Marshall Merit Award

The Ivan Marshall Merit Award is an annual accolade presented by the Mid-Ulster Football Association to recognize individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to football within Mid-Ulster.[18][19]

The award was established by the MUFA in memory of Ivan Marshall, a prominent personality and long-serving administrator who was highly respected in association's committee.

Winners

  • 2014 - Brian Gordon
  • 2015 - John Brown
  • 2016 - Eddie Pepper
  • 2017 - Alan Gracey
  • 2019 - Aidan Murphy & Carol McAree
  • 2025 - Noel McClure

References

  1. ^ "Irish Football Association Approved Award | Sport NI". www.sportni.net. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  2. ^ "Mid Ulster Football Association". midulsterfa.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  3. ^ Aiken, Clint (2025-06-08). "Sadness at passing of Loughgall stalwart Hilbert Willis". www.ulstergazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  4. ^ "Northern Ireland". Sports Interactive Community. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  5. ^ "Match Report Archives - Page 51 of 57". Dungannon Swifts FC. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  6. ^ "Mid Ulster Football League". www.midulsterfootballleague.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  7. ^ "Weekend Mid-Ulster league fixtures". NorthernIrelandWorld. 2015-09-03. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  8. ^ "Northern Ireland Mid Ulster Cup". betsapi.com. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  9. ^ "Mid Ulster Football Association". midulsterfa.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  10. ^ "Mid-Ulster Cup – Glenavon Football Club". Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  11. ^ "Our history". Portadown Football Club. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  12. ^ Gray, Kellie (2025-10-14). "Banbridge Town FC respond to NIFL investigation after 12 point deduction and fine". Armagh I. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  13. ^ "McDonald's People's Award goes to women's football champion Elaine Junk". IFA. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  14. ^ belfastlive.co.uk (2018-11-20). "McDonald's grassroots football awards". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  15. ^ read, Sportsbeat·4 min (2022-11-24). "Elaine Junk recognised for huge impact on women's football in NI". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2025-11-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ McQuarrie, Alec (2022-11-26). "Northern Ireland women's football icon immortalised by digital art piece". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  17. ^ "Funeral details for Isaac Gilkinson, a 'wonderful servant' to Mid-Ulster football". Belfast News Letter. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  18. ^ "Mid Ulster Football Association". midulsterfa.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  19. ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2025-11-28.

[Category:Association football governing bodies in Northern Ireland]]

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