Wikipedia

Leinster Senior Cup (rugby union)

The Leinster Senior Cup is a major rugby competition in Ireland, involving all senior rugby clubs in Leinster, i.e., clubs from Leinster competing in the All-Ireland League. From 2006 until 2016 it was known as the Leinster Senior League Cup during the period when the Leinster Senior League had been discontinued, but reverted to its traditional name for the 2016–17 season upon the revival of the Senior League.[3] From 2011 to 2016 only the top senior teams competed and those in the lower divisions of the All-Ireland League competed for the Leinster Senior League Shield.

The Leinster Senior Cup
Sport Rugby union
Region Leinster
Trophy Leinster Challenge Cup
Established 1881
Inaugural winner Dublin University
Most wins Lansdowne (29)
Current season 2023-24
Date of final 23 September, 2023
Venue of final Energia Park (Donnybrook)
Current edition 138th
Current holder Lansdowne RFC
Match score Lansdowne RFC 45 - 44 Terenure College RFC
Organising body Leinster Rugby [1]
Current sponsor Bank of Ireland [2]

History

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The Inaugural Leinster Challenge Cup

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The Leinster Challenge Cup competition was founded in the 1881–82 season. A meeting of the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union took place at John Lawrence's Rooms (Sports Outfitters) at 63 Grafton Street on Monday 31 October 1881. The meeting was chaired by William Joshua Goulding, Hon. President I.R.F.U. (1880–81) and was attended by representatives of Dundalk, Dublin University, Kingstown, Lansdowne, Phoenix, Rathmines School, and Wanderers Football Clubs.[4] During the meeting questions were posed and answers given about the proposed All-Ireland Challenge Cup competition. Arising from this discussion, W.O. Neville (Dundalk proposed, seconded by H. Morrell (Dublin University), that a Leinster Challenge Cup be established to advance and encourage rugby football in Leinster. The Leinster Challenge Cup would be open to all clubs in Leinster affiliated to the Union. The meeting decided that a circular should be sent to all Leinster clubs inviting their participation and subscriptions to the Cup Fund. A further meeting of the Leinster Branch I.R.F.U. took place on Friday 11 November 1881 to consider the rules, dates of matches, drawing of rounds and other competition details.[4] At this meeting a Challenge Cup Committee was formed. The closing date for entries to the inaugural Leinster Challenge Cup was set for Wednesday 30 November.[5]

The Challenge Cup Committee - C.B. Croker (Lansdowne), the first Hon. Treasurer of the Leinster Branch, G. Drought (Phoenix), F. Kennedy (Wanderers), first Hon. Secretary of the Leinster Branch, E.A. McCarthy (Kingstown), H. Morrell (Dublin University) and Richard M. Peter (Dundalk) - meet on Thursday 1 December to draw up the ties.[6] The Committee decided on an entry fee of ten shillings per club, that all clubs entering the competition should guarantee a donation to the Cup Fund of at least two guineas, that all matches were to be played at Lansdowne Road, that the ground was to be engaged for several matches and that the proceeds of a 6d (six penny) gate were to be added to the Cup Fund.[6] Clubs were allowed to nominate their own umpires. The Committee proposed to purchase, if possible, a Challenge Cup costing some £50. Through the press, the Committee encouraged lovers of the noble game to attend matches and to support the Cup Fund.[6]

The names of the five clubs which had entered, each of whom had guaranteed to donate £5 to the Cup Fund, were placed in a hat and drawn as follows: Match A: Dublin University v Phoenix, on the Wanderers Club portion of the Lansdowne Road grounds; Match B: Wanderers v Kingstown, on the Lansdowne Club portion of the grounds; Match C: Lansdowne, a bye. The first round ties were played on Saturday 10 December 1891, k.o. 2.45 pm, with two forty minute halves. The winner of Match A would play Lansdowne on Saturday 25 February 1882 for a place in the final. The Winner of Match B was to get a bye to the final, which would be played on Saturday 25 March 1882.[6][7] The reasons for the long interval between the first and second rounds were Christmas holidays which extended into January and the International matches on 31 January (Wales), 7 February (England) and 14 February (Scotland). In the event of a Wanderers v Lansdowne meeting in the second round, the club captains would toss for choice of ground at Lansdowne Road. In the event of a draw at any stage, the Cup Committee would fix a date for a second match to be played, so as not to alter the existing rules of the game.[6][8]

The first round matches resulted in a win for Dublin University (5 goals, 2 tries) over Phoenix (nil) - a goal equals a converted try, while the Wanderers v. Kingstown match was a scoreless draw.[9][10] The Wanderers v Kingstown tie was replayed on Thursday 23 February 1882.[11] Kingstown won by a goal and a try to nil.[12][13] The second round match between Dublin University v Lansdowne resulted in a win for Trinity by 2 goals (1 converted try, 1 dropped goal) and 2 tries to nil.[14][15] On 18 March, in the presence of one of the largest attendances of spectators that has ever been seen on the ground, the inaugural Leinster Challenge Cup Final between Dublin University v Kingstown was won by Trinity by one goal to nil and the title of the premier club of the province for the season. Both clubs were photographed before the match by Messrs Robinson of Grafton Street. The members of the winning team were presented with silver crosses.[16][17] The reports on the match do not mention presentation of the Challenge Cup to the DUFC Captain. In celebration the Trinity students living in Botany Bay in College lit an enormous bonfire with a pyrotechnic display of fireworks.[16][18] The Cup appears to have been first presented to the winning captain in 1883.[19]

Leinster Senior Cup

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From 1882 through 1897 newspaper reports refer to this competition consistently as 'The Leinster Challenge Cup'. From 1898 through 2006, press reports refer to the competition as 'The Leinster Senior Cup'. How and why did this change in title come about? The change in reference title probably had more to do with semantics rather than any change(s) in the rules governing the competition. At a General Meeting of the Leinster Branch of the I.R.F.U. held in the Wicklow Hotel on 11 November 1888, a resolution was adopted to inaugurate a Leinster Junior Cup competition on the same basis as applied to the Leinster Challenge Cup.[20] Following the Hon. Treasurer's report to the Annual General Meeting a month earlier, it had been proposed that the Leinster Branch purchase a 'Challenge Cup' for such competition.[21] At the Leinster Branch A.G.M in October 1891, a motion that the 2nd XVs of Senior Clubs be allowed to compete in the Leinster Junior Cup was rejected.[22] Essentially the same motion returned the Leinster Branch AGM in October 1895, but was amended to refer the matter to a subcommittee to draft rules to govern the proposed competition under which the latter might be approved and discussion adjourned to the next General Meeting.[23][24] At the reconvened meeting in November 1895, delegates were informed that the original motion had been withdrawn because of intense opposition. The meeting then reconstituted itself as a special meeting to consider a new resolution "that a Cup be presented by the Leinster Branch for competition amongst Second Fifteens of senior clubs on a league basis".[25][26] After much discussion and consideration of umpteen amendments and counter proposals, the final phrase of the original motion was amended to read "amongst Junior Clubs and Second Fifteens of senior clubs on a league basis". This was passed unanimously.[25] Thus the Leinster Branch I.R.F.U. from the 1886–87 season now had a Leinster Junior Cup, the winners of which received a Challenge Cup, a Junior League Cup for Junior Clubs and the 2nd XVs of Senior Clubs, and a Leinster Challenge Cup, contested by Senior Clubs. Thus, to avoid confusion in reports of competitions, the Leinster Challenge Cup became referred to as the Leinster Senior Cup, the winners of which were presented with the original Challenge Cup.

From 1940 to 1947 Old Belvedere completed the still unrivalled feat of winning the Leinster Senior Cup 7 consecutive times, narrowly losing their 8th consecutive final to Wanderers. This broke the next longest sequence of wins by Lansdowne from 1927 through 1931, who had broken the record of four consecutive wins by Dublin University from 1895 through 1898.

Leinster Senior League Cup

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In recent times the competition declined in importance due to the introduction of the All-Ireland League in the 1990–91 season[27][28] and the formation of a professional provincial team, Leinster, to compete in the Heineken Cup.[29][30][31][32][33] Following the demise of the Leinster Senior League some time around 2006,[34] the two competitions were combined as the Leinster Senior League Cup. From 2011-12 until 2015-16 senior teams from the lower divisions of the All-Ireland League have participated in the Leinster Senior League Shield instead of the League Cup.[35] Thus competition inaugurated in 1882 continues to be contested by the strongest clubs in the province of Leinster. While the name of the competition has changed, the original Challenge Cup trophy is still presented.

The Leinster Senior League Cup competition has evolved over the past decade. In 2006-07 the top 8 teams of 20 in the league progressed to quarter-finals. From season 2007-08 through 2010-11 there were five Pools of four teams; within each Pool the teams played each other once. The winner of each Pool plus the best three runners-up from the five pools on points (and points scored for and against difference) qualified for the quarter-finals. In seasons 2011-12 and 2012-13 there were two Sections A and B, with the winners and runners-up in each section qualifying for the semi-finals. The winner of Section A played the Runner-up of Section B in the semi-final and vice versa. In season 2013-14 the winners of the two Sections qualified directly for the final. In seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16 there were three Sections A, B and C; within each Section the clubs played each other once. The winner of each Section and the best runner-up on points (and points scored for and against difference) progressed to the semi-finals.

Leinster Senior Cup

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From 2016 to 2017, the Senior League was revived, and the Senior Cup reverted to a knock-out format.

The winners of the Leinster Senior League Cup compete with the other three provincial cup winners for the All-Ireland Cup.

The Challenge Cup trophy

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The report of the 1883 Leinster Challenge Cup final in the Irish Times contains a description of the Challenge Cup: The Cup, which is a solid silver, and is very massive, is in the Etruscan style. The body is elegantly ornamented in the highest style of the silversmith's art. On one side is a view of a football field and pavilion, showing a scrummage in full progress. On the top of the lid there is a beautifully modelled figure in correct football costume in the art of "dropping". The cup stands on a handsome ebony plinth, around which are slung on chains four massive silver shields on which to inscribe the names of the successful clubs. The work has been executed by Messrs Edmond Johnston of Grafton Street and is finished in the style for which the house has become so justly celebrated.[19] Edmond Johnston achieved renown as a silversmith for two works in particular. He made the Liam MacCarthy All-Ireland Hurling Cup in 1921. He worked on the restoration of the Ardagh Chalice and was given permission to make replicas of it which were exhibited at the expositions in Chicago in 1893, Paris in 1900 and Glasgow in 1901. An EJ intertwined was his maker's mark.[36]

Leinster Challenge Cup

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1880s

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1890s

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Leinster Senior Cup

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1890s

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1900s

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1910s

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1920s

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1930s

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1940s

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1950s

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1960s

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1970s

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1980s

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1990s

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2000s

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Leinster Senior League Cup

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2000s

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2010s

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Leinster Senior Cup

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2010s

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2020s

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Club statistics

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Club Wins First win Last win No. finals % win First final Last final
Lansdowne 29 1882-83 2023-24 46 64.4% 1882-83 2024-25
Dublin University 22 1882 1988 36 61.1% 1882 2018-19
Wanderers 13 1885 1990 25 52.0% 1885 1990
Old Belvedere 12 1939-40 2011-12 20 60.0% 1939-40 2016-17
Bective Rangers 12 1889 1962 21 57.1% 1889 1997
St Mary's College 11 1958 2012-13 18 61.1% 1958 2012-13
UCD 11 1923-24 2019-20 29 37.9% 1920-21 2019-20
Blackrock College 8 1937 1999-00 18 44.4% 1909 2011-12
Clontarf 7 1935-36 2024-25 20 31.6& 1903-04 2024-25
Terenure College 7 1965-66 2022-23 15 46.7% 1965-66 2023-24
County Carlow 2 2002-03 2003-04 3 66.7% 2001-02 2003-04
Monkstown 2 1899 1902 7 28.6% 1899 1990
Old Wesley 2 1909 1985 9 22.2% 1896 1993
DLS Palmerston 0 – – 4 0.0% 1999 2004-05
Greystones 0 – – 3 0.0% 1983 1995
Skerries 0 – – 1 0.0% 1998 1998
Kingstown FC 0 – – 1 0.0% 1882 1882
Totals 134 – – 268 – 1881-82 2023-24

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Leinster Rugby
  2. ^ Bank of Ireland
  3. ^ Lansdown F.C.
  4. ^ a b Irish Times. (1881). Football: Irish Rugby Football Union - Leinster Branch, 1 November, page 6
  5. ^ Irish Times. (1881). Irish Rugby Football Union - The Leinster Challenge Cup, 30 November, page 7
  6. ^ a b c d e Irish Times. (1881). Irish Rugby Football Union - The Leinster Challenge Cup, 2 December, page 6
  7. ^ Irish Times. (1881). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup, 8 December, page 6
  8. ^ Irish Times. (1881). The Leinster Challenge Cup, 3 December, page 6
  9. ^ Irish Times. (1881). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup-First Round - Wanderers v. Kingstown; Leinster Challenge Cup-First Round - Dublin University v Phoenix, 12 December, page 6
  10. ^ Freeman's Journal (1881). Football: The Challenge Cup ties - University v Phoenix, Wanderers v Kingstown, 12 December, page 7
  11. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1882). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Wanderers v Kingstown, 22 February, page 6
  12. ^ Irish Times. (1882). Kingstown v Wanderers - Leinster Cup Tie, 24 February, page 7
  13. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1882). Football: The Cup Match, 16 March, page 4
  14. ^ Irish Times. (1882). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Second Round, Dublin University v Lansdowne, 27 February, page 6
  15. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1882). Football: Dublin University v Lansdowne - Leinster Challenge Cup Tie, 27 February, page 7
  16. ^ a b c Freeman's Journal. (1882). Football: Great Challenge Cup Match - University v Kingstown, 20 March, page 7
  17. ^ a b Irish Times. (1882). Football: The Leinster Challenge Cup Final Match: Dublin University v Kingstown. Victory of the University, 20 March, page 6
  18. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1882). The T.C.D. Students, 20 March, page 3
  19. ^ a b c Irish Times. (1883). Football: The Leinster Challenge Cup - Final Match. Dublin University v. Lansdowne, Victory of the University, 12 March, page 6 (1 dropped goal - nil)
  20. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1988). Leinster Branch Rugby Football, 13 November, page 7
  21. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1888). Football: Irish Football Union (annual general meeting of the Leinster Branch), 13 October, page 7
  22. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1891). Football: Irish Rugby Football Union (Leinster Branch), 21 October, page 7
  23. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1895). Irish Rugby Football Union: Leinster Branch General Meeting - The Junior Cup proposal, 22 October, page 11
  24. ^ Irish Times. (1895). Football: Leinster Branch Irish Football Union, 22 October, page 3
  25. ^ a b Freeman's Journal. (1895). Rugby Football: Leinster Branch I.R.F.U. adjourned meeting - A Junior League established, 12 November, page 7
  26. ^ Irish Times. (1895). Football: Leinster Branch Irish Football Union - Establishment of a league competition, 12 November, page 3
  27. ^ Irish Times. (1990). New League structure is exciting challenge, 17 September, Sport, page A6
  28. ^ Irish Times. (1991). On Rugby: All-Ireland League highlight of the season, 30 April, page 18
  29. ^ Irish Times. (1996). IRFU to discuss committee's report on structure of game, 23 January, page 19
  30. ^ Irish Times. (1996). The knock on effect of going professional, 13 February, page 18
  31. ^ Irish Times. (1996). Rugby: Play-for-pay brings with it a huge cost, 16 August, page 16
  32. ^ Irish Times. (1996). Rugby: Professionalism on the agenda as IRFU meet, 27 September, page 19
  33. ^ Irish Times. (1996). A dark year on and off the pitch, 17 December, page 20
  34. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup 2006/07
  35. ^ Leinster Rugby results archive
  36. ^ Weldon: Antique Irish Silver Maker's Marks A-L: Edmond Johnston
  37. ^ Kingstown FC's ground was in Adelaide Road, Glenageary; Club colours: Black, red and white; see Peter, Richard M. and Garnham, Neal. (1999). The Origins and Development of Football in Ireland, being a reprint of R.M. Peter's Football Annual of 1880, page 84. Ulster Historical Foundation, 178 pp
  38. ^ Irish Times. (1883). Football: The Leinster Challenge Cup - The Final Match. Dublin University v. Lansdowne - The drawn game, 5 March, page 7 (nil - nil draw)
  39. ^ Irish Times. (1884). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Dublin University v. Lansdowne, 10 March, page 7 (1 dropped goal - nil)
  40. ^ A protest over the outcome of the match was lodged by Lansdowne FC with the Cup Committee, because the final goal scored by DUFC touched the hands of the Captain of Lansdowne FC before going over the bar and thus should have been disallowed rendering the match a draw, the mistake being attributed to the umpires, Irish Times (1884). Letter to the Editor of the Irish Times - Football: Leinster Challenge Cup (J.A. Denning, Hon. Sec. L.F.C.), 13 March, page 6
  41. ^ Irish Times. (1885). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup (Final Tie) - Dublin University v. Wanderers. Defeat of the Premiers, 30 March, page 7
  42. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1886). Leinster Challenge Cup Final Tie - University v Lansdowne, 29 March, page 7
  43. ^ Irish Times. (1886). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Final Tie, Dublin University v Lansdowne, 22 March, page 7 (nil - nil)
  44. ^ Irish Times. (1887). Football: Dublin University v. Wanderers, 21 March, page 7, match drawn (nil - nil)
  45. ^ Irish Times. (1887). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup Replay, Dublin University v. Wanderers, 28 March, page 7
  46. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1888). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Final TIE, Wanderers v University, 29 March, page 7
  47. ^ Irish Times. (1888). Football: Dublin University v. Wanderers, 26 March, page 7 (nil - nil after extra time)
  48. ^ Irish Times. (1889). Football: The Leinster Cup - Wanderers (holders) v. Bective Rangers (Final tie), 18 March, page 7
  49. ^ Irish Times. (1890). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Final Tie, Dublin University v Lansdowne, 31 March, page 7
  50. ^ Irish Times. (1891). Football: The Leinster Cup - Dublin University v Lansdowne, 30 March, page 3
  51. ^ Irish Times. (1892). Football: The Leinster Challenge Cup - Bective victorious, 4 April, page 3
  52. ^ Irish Times. (1893). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Final Tie, Dublin University v Lansdowne. The 'Varsity victorious, 27 March, page 3
  53. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1893). Sporting Intelligence: Football - Dublin University v. Lansdowne, 27 March, page 7
  54. ^ Irish Times. (1894). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup - Final Tie, Dublin University (holders) v Wanderers. Victory for Wanderers, 26 March, page 3
  55. ^ Belfast Newsletter. (1895). Rugby: Dublin University v. Bective Rangers, 1 April, page 7
  56. ^ Irish Times. (1896). Football: Leinster Challenge Cup Final Tie - Dublin University (Holders) v Old Wesley. Victory for Trinity, 30 March 1896, page 3
  57. ^ Irish Times. (1897). Leinster Challenge Cup: Final Tie - Dublin University (Holders) v Old Wesley. Trinity victorious, 29 March 1897, page 3
  58. ^ Irish Times. (1898). Football: Rugby, Leinster Senior Cup - Final Tie, Dublin University v Lansdowne. The 'Varsity victorious, 4 April 1898, page 3
  59. ^ Irish Times. (1899). Rugby Football: Leinster Senior Cup - Final Tie, Lansdowne v Monkstown. Monkstown win the Cup for the first time, 27 March, page 3
  60. ^ Irish Times. (1900). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup, Dublin University v Wanderers - Trinity win the Cup, 9 April, page
  61. ^ Freeman's Journal. (1901). Rugby Football: Leinster Cup Final - Lansdowne v. Trinity. Victory of Lansdowne, 1 April, page 7
  62. ^ Irish Times. (1902). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Challenge Cup Final, Lansdowne (holders) v Monkstown. Victory of Monkstown, 31 March, page 6
  63. ^ Irish Times. (1903). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final Tie, Lansdowne v. Dublin University. Victory of Lansdowne, 13 April, page 3
  64. ^ Irish Times. (1904). Football: Rugby - Saturday's Match. Leinster Senior Cup - Final. Lansdowne (holders) v. Clontarf. Victory of Lansdowne, 4 April, page 3
  65. ^ Irish Times. (1905). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final. Lansdowne (holders) v. Dublin University. Trinity obtain the Cup after five years, 10 April, page 5
  66. ^ Irish Times. (1906). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final. Wanderers v. Monkstown. Victory of Wanderers, 16 April, page 3
  67. ^ Irish Times. (1907). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup - Final. Wanderers (holders) v. Dublin University. Dublin University, 18 pts; Wanderers, 3 pts, 22 April, page 5
  68. ^ Irish Times. (1908). Football: Rugby - Saturday's matches. Leinster Senior Cup Final, Dublin Ubiversity (holders) v. Old Wesley. 'Varsity win by 8 points to 6, 6 April, page 5
  69. ^ Irish Times. (1909). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final. Old Wesley v Blackrock College, Victory of Old Wesley, 26 April, page 5
  70. ^ Irish Times. (1910). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final. Wanderers v. Bective Rangers, Victory of Bective Rangers, 18 April, page 3
  71. ^ Irish Times. (1911). Football: The close of the season, Leinster Senior Cup-Final. Waders v. Bective Rangers, Wanderers win by 9 points to nil, 24 April, page 5
  72. ^ Irish Times. (1912). Football: Rugby - Saturday's Match. Leinster Cup Final, Dublin University v. Bective Rangers, Dublin University 3 points Bective Rangers nil, 8 April, page 3
  73. ^ Irish Times. (1912). Football: Rugby - Saturday's Matches. Leinster Senior Cup-Final Round, Dublin University (holders) v. Bective Rangers, Trinity retain the Cup, Dublin University 10 points Bective Rangers 3 points, 14 April, page 10
  74. ^ Irish Times. (1914). Irish Times. (1912). Football: Rugby - Saturday's Matches. Leinster Senior Cup-Final Round, Bective Rangers v. Dublin University. Bective win a good match, Bective 11 points Trinity 6 points, 13 April, page 2
  75. ^ Irish Times. (1920). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final Round. Dublin University v. Wanderers, Trinity win a close game, 26 April, page 3
  76. ^ Irish Times. (1921). Football: Rugby - Leinster Senior Cup Final. Dublin University (5) v. University College (0), 4 April, page 3
  77. ^ Irish Times. (1922). Rugby: Saturday's matches - Lansdowne win the Cup, 3 April, page 8
  78. ^ Irish Times. (1923). Rugby: Senior Cup Final - Bective's easy win, Bective Rangers 18 points University College Nil, 9 April, page 8
  79. ^ Irish Times. (1924). Rugby: Leinster Cup Final - University College's first win, Match in a snowstorm. University College (12) v. Monkstown (3), 14 April, page 4
  80. ^ Irish Times. (1925). Rugby: Leinster Cup-Final. Bective's narrow victory, Bective Rangers (3) v. University College (0), 6 April, page 11
  81. ^ Irish Times (1926). Rugby: Trinity's Cup - National defeated in final. Trinity 11 points National 3 points, 12 April,. page 11
  82. ^ Irish Times. (1927). Football: Lansdowne win Senior Cup - Well merited win in final. Lansdowne 8 points Dublin University nil, 4 April, page 13
  83. ^ Irish Times. (1928). Rugby: Lansdowne's Cup. A close finish, Backs prevail in second half, 9 April, page 13
  84. ^ Irish Times. (1929). Rugby: Leinster Cup Final - A one-sided game. Lansdowne's third successive win, Lansdowne 45 Monkstown 0, 8 April, page 11
  85. ^ Irish Times. (1930). Rugby: Lansdowne again. Fourth successive Cup win, Bective disappoint, 7 April, page 11
  86. ^ Irish Times. (1931). Rugby Football: Lansdowne's "Record". Leinster Cup won for fifth successive year, Lansdowne 17 Wanderers 5, 6 April, page 3
  87. ^ Irish Times (1932). Rugby Football: Bective's seventh Cup. U.C.D. handicapped but beaten by a better side, 4 April, page 11
  88. ^ Irish Times. (1933). Rugby Football: The Cup for Lansdowne. University College make a bold bid in final, Lansdowne 6 University Coll. 4, 10 April, page 11
  89. ^ Sunday Independent. (1934). Bective - Blackrock College rugby duel: Dour game for trophy. Scrum superiority, Bective Rangers 8 pts. Blackrock Coll. 3 pts, 1 April, page 13
  90. ^ Irish Times. (1935). Rugby Football: Bective retain Cup. Great struggle with Trinity in Leinster final, Bective R. 10 Dublin Univ. 6, 8 April, page 11
  91. ^ Irish Times. (1936). Rugby Football: Clontarf win the Cup. Splendid fight by Blackrock: An exciting final, Clontarf 16 Blackrock 8, 13 April, page 13
  92. ^ Irish Times. (1937). Rugby Football: Blackrock's first win - A one point victory in Leinster Senior Cup, Blackrock College 9 Clontarf 8, 19 April, page 11
  93. ^ Sunday Independent. (1938). Sports: U.C.D. deserve their Rugby Cup triumph. Forwards pave way to beat Clontarf, Tactical error of losers, University College 5 points. Clontarf 3 points, 17 April, page 17
  94. ^ Irish Times. (1939). Rugby Football: Cup for Blackrock. Clontarf's forwards held well: Crowe's fine goal-kicking, Blackrock 17 Clontarf 3, 20 April, page 11
  95. ^ Irish Times. (1940). Rugby Football: Cup for Old Belvedere. Forwards rise to the occasion: Contarf well beaten, Old Belvedere 9 Clotarf 0, 15 April, page 8
  96. ^ Irish Times. (1941). Rugby Football: Senior Cup Final ends in scoreless draw, 21 April, page 3
  97. ^ Irish Times. (1941). Rugby Football: Old Belvedere retain Leinster Cup, Old Belvedere 3 Blackrock 0, 5 May. page 3
  98. ^ Irish Times. (1942). Scoreless rugby final, Old Belvedere 0 Wanderers 0, 20 April, page 3
  99. ^ Irish Times. (1942). Three in a row for Old Belvedere: Old Belvedere 11 Wanderers 0, 27 April, page 4
  100. ^ Irish Times. (1943). Rugby Cup retained: Old Belvedere 7 U.C.D. 3, 19 April, page 4
  101. ^ Irish Times. (1944). Old Belvedere equal Rugby Cup record: Old Belvedere 6 U.C.D. 3, 24 April, page 2
  102. ^ Irish Times. (1945). Clontarf error which lost them Rugby Cup: Old Belvedere 12 Clontarf 10, 23 April, page 2
  103. ^ Irish Times. (1946). Belvedere triumph in thrilling Rugby Final: Old Belvedere 16 U.C.D. 11, 22 April, page 3
  104. ^ Irish Times. (1947). Old Belvedere lose the Leinster Cup: Wa nderers 8 Old Belvedere 4, 28 April, page 3
  105. ^ Irish Times. (1948). Dropped goal decides Rugby Cup Final, U.C.D. 4 Dublin Univ. 0, 26 April, page 2
  106. ^ Irish Times. (1949). Rugby Cup Final lost by wrong tactics, 25 April, page 2
  107. ^ Irish Times (1950). Lansdowne keep Leinster Rugby Cup: Lansdowne 6 U.C.D. 0, 24 April, page 3
  108. ^ Irish Times (1953). Lansdowne always on top in Rugby final: Lansdowne 16 Wanderers 3, 20 April, page 3
  109. ^ Irish Times. (1954). Wanderers on drawn final: Wanderers 3 Lansdowne 3, 26 April, page 2
  110. ^ Irish Times. (1954). Drop-goals decide Rugby Cup final: Wanderers 15 Lansdowne 12, 6 May, page 3
  111. ^ Irish Times. (1959). Fitting end to Rugby season: Wanderers take Leinster Cup, Wanderers 13 Lansdowne 6, 4 May, page 2
  112. ^ Sunday Independent. (1960). Trimnity pack were heroes: Leinster Cup Final drawn - St Mary's College 6 Dublin University 6, 1 May, page 12
  113. ^ Sunday Independent. (1960). Phew, What a match!: Trinity's Cup after a 100 thrills, 8 May, page 11
  114. ^ Sunday Independent. (1961). U.C.D.'s great rally earned them replay: Blackrock College 8 U.C.D. 8, 30 April, page 11
  115. ^ Irish Independent. (1961). Blackrock win Cup in thrill-packed replay, Blackrock College 8 pts U.C.D. 6 pts, 5 May, page 21
  116. ^ Sunday Independent. (1962). Rugby Cups: Hardy lesson for unhappy Wanderers - Bective Rangers 19; Wanderers 6, 29 April, page 17
  117. ^ Sunday Independent. (1963). Great start gave U.C.D. Cup, U.C.D. 12: St Mary's College 3, 5 May, page 15
  118. ^ Sunday Independent. (1964). U.C.D. storm back to keep Cup: U.C.D., 11 - Bective Rangers, 6, 26 April, page 13
  119. ^ Sunday Independent. (1965). Lansdowne's trophy for 15th time: Leinster Cup medal will go to New Zealand. Lansdowne 9: Clontarf 6, 9 May, page 15
  120. ^ Sunday Independent. (1966). First title for Terenure, Terenure, 11: St. Mary's Coll., 8, 8 May, page 10
  121. ^ Sunday Independent. (1967). Terenure retain Leinster Cup, Terenure College 6: U.C.D. 5, 30 April, page 13
  122. ^ Sunday Independent. (1968). U.C.D. go down to Belvedere in a thriller, Old Belevedere, 11; U.C.D., 6, 21 April, page 17
  123. ^ Sunday Independent. (1969). Rugby final day: In Leinster. Last kick robs Trinity, Dublin University, 6; St. Mary's College 6, 20 April, page 15
  124. ^ Sunday Independent. (1969). What a fantastic final! Cooke 'steals Cup for never-say-die St. Mary's. St. Mary's College 14 pts; Dublin University 11 pts, 27 April, page 17
  125. ^ Sunday Independent. (1970). U.C.D. win final of fisticuffs, U.C.D., 14; Terenure Coll., 3, 26 April, page 17
  126. ^ Sunday Independent. (1971). Mary's best in tip top decider, St Mary's College, 5; U.C.D., 3, 25 April, [page 25
  127. ^ Sunday Independent. (1972). Lansdowne topple St. Mary's, Lansdowne 16 St. Mary's College 10, 23 April, page 25
  128. ^ Sunday Independent. (1973). Ensor boots it for Wanderers, Wanderers 13 St. Mary's College 10, 29 April, page 30
  129. ^ Sunday Independent. (1974). Mary's title: Bective are easily contained, St. Mary's College 9 Bective Rangers 3, 28 April. page 30
  130. ^ Sunday Independent. (1975). Rugby: Leinster Cup Final - The real McCoy, Doug's boot earns replay. St. Mary's 6 Old Wesley 6, 27 April, page 21
  131. ^ Irish Independent. (1975). Grace magic saves Mary's, St. Mary's Colle 10 pts; Old Wesley 9 pts, 2 May, page 14
  132. ^ Sunday Independent (1976). Moran saves Rock: Another chance for brave Trinity side. Dublin University 9 Blackrock College 9, 25 April, page 25
  133. ^ Sunday Independent. (1976). Trinity's trophy: Doyle try wins in extra time. Dublin Univ., 10: Blackrock Coll., 6, 2 May, page 25
  134. ^ Sunday Independent. (1977). Students' Cup: But it should be replay say 'Nure, U.C.D. 9 Terenure 6, 1 May, page 28
  135. ^ Sunday Independent. (1978). Happy Wanderers!: Ensor sparks victory move. Wanderers 9 U.C.D. 4, 30 April, page 26
  136. ^ Sunday Independent. (1979). Lansdowne on top: Pack's power downs 'Nure. Lansdowne, 24 pts; Terenure College, 3 pts, 29 April, page 27
  137. ^ Sunday Independent. (1980). 'Rock are crushed!: Sheer power wins it for Lansdowne. Lansdowne 16 Blackrock 4, 27 April, page 25
  138. ^ Sunday Independent. (1981). Lansdowne by a point: Deadly dull tactics enough to foil Belvo. Lansdowne 7 pts; Old Belvedere 6 pts, 26 April, page 23
  139. ^ Sunday Independent. (1982). Wanderers - Bective meet again: Bective Rangers 9 pts Wanderers 9 pts, 25 April, page 23
  140. ^ Sunday Independent. (1982). McGrath the mastermind: Robbie leads the Wanderers home. Wanderers 12 Bective Rangers 0, 2 May, page 23
  141. ^ Irish Times. (1983). Rugby: Leinster Senior Cup Final - Climax of superb season for Blackrock, Blackrock 13 Greystones 9, 2 May, page 4
  142. ^ Irish Times. (1984). Leinster Senior Cup Final: Wanderers' weight of experience crushes UCD, Wanderers 29 UCD 4, 30 April, page 4
  143. ^ Irish Times. (1985). Rugby: Leinster Senior Cup Final - Emotional scenes as Old Wesley bridge 76 years. Old Wesley 13 Wanderers 6, 29 April, page 5
  144. ^ Irish Times. (1986). Leinster Senior Cup Final: Lansdowne grind out their winning tally - Lansdowne 15 Blackrock 9, 28 April, page 5
  145. ^ Irish Times. (1987). Leinster Senior Cup Final: St. Mary' s defy all the odds to claim Cup - St. Mary's College 13; Lansdowne 12, 27 April, page 4
  146. ^ Irish Times. (1988). MacNeill inspires Blackrock success: Blackrock 12 Dublin University 6, 9 May, page 2
  147. ^ Irish Times. (1989). Lansdowne magnificent in second half: Lansdowne 29 Terenure Coll 0, 1 May, Sport Supplement, page A5
  148. ^ Sunday Independent. (1990). Snappy Wanderers: Wanderers 9 pts Monkstown 3 pts, 29 April, page 37
  149. ^ Sunday Independent. (1991). Lansdowne pack power proves decisive: Lansdowne 13 pts Terenure College 9 pts, 28 April, page 39
  150. ^ Sunday Independent. (1992). 'Rock boys best: Blackrock College 12 Old Wesley 6, 26 April, Sport, page 19L
  151. ^ Sunday Independent. (1993). Mary's modest win: St Mary's College 12 Old Wesley 6, 2 May, Sport, page 23L
  152. ^ Sunday Independent. (1994). Terenure were that bit sharper: Terenure College 12 Greystones 8, 8 May, Sport, page 21L
  153. ^ Sunday Independent. (1995). Mary's aces are trumps: St Mary's College 29 Greystones 3, 7 May, Sport, page 21L
  154. ^ Irish Independent. (1996). Leinster Cup Final: Honesty pays for Terenure - Terenure College 17; Lansdowne 7, 20 May, Sports Supplement, page 7
  155. ^ Sunday Independent. (1998). Rugby: Lansdowne cruise - Bective no match for form team. Lansdowne 40 Bective 8, 11 May, Sport, 29L
  156. ^ Sunday Independent. (1998). Rugby: Cup dream dies - Lansdowne deny Skerries moment of glory. Lanasdowne 23 Skerries 17, 17 May, Sport, 25L
  157. ^ Sunday Independent. (1999). Rugby: Cup fizzles out - Attendance a reflection on quality of fare. Clontarf 37 DLDP 26, 23 May, Sport, page 25
  158. ^ Irish Independent. (1999). Leinster Cup Final: Farrell kicks 'Rock home - Blackrock 23 Old Belvedere 12, 23 October, Sport, page 20
  159. ^ Irish Independent. (2000). Cool Cullen points way for 'Nure in final: Terrenure 38 Clontarf 7, 25 November, Sport, page 23
  160. ^ Sunday Independent. (2001). Rugby: Clontarf's Cup of cheer: Clontarf 18 Carlow 3, 30 December, Sport, page 5
  161. ^ Irish Independent (2003) Carlow double delight: Carlow 23 DLSP 11, 16 May, Sport, page 17
  162. ^ Irish Independent (2003). Rugby: Leinster Senior Cup Final -Carlow cushion see sad Salmo pay heavy price, 22 December, Sport, page 15
  163. ^ Sunday Independent. (2005). Sport for the Record: Rugby - Leddin Finance Leinster Senior Cup Final. St Mary's College 26 DLSP 7, 27 February, Sport, page 8
  164. ^ Irish Independent (2006). Leinster Senior Cup: Clinical Clontarf reign supreme - Clontarf 23 St. Mary's 16, 3 April, Sport, page 11
  165. ^ Irish Times. (2006). Leinster Senior Cup Final: Dunne's boot the difference - Old Belvedere 19 Clontarf 16, 13 November, Sports Supplement, page A4
  166. ^ Irish Independent. (2006). Dunne deal for Belvo: Old Belvedere 19 Clontard 16, 13 November, Sport, page 7
  167. ^ Leddin Finance Leinster Senior League Cup-Knockout-Fixtures & Results
  168. ^ Irish Independent. (2008). O'Shea kicks Clontarf to title, 14 April, Sport, page 23
  169. ^ Sunday Independent. (2008). Clontarf win drab encounter, Clontarf 9 St Mary's College 6, 13 April, Sport, page 10
  170. ^ Leddin Finance Leinster Senior League Cup-Knockout-Fixtures & Results
  171. ^ Irish Times. (2008). Sports Round-Up: Rugby - Leinster Senior League Cup Final, At Donnybrook: Lansdowne 9 Clontarf 5, 22 November, Sports Supplement, page A4
  172. ^ Irish Independent. (2008). Oosthuizen kicks Lanasdowne to glory: Lansdowne 9 Clontarf 5, 22 November, Sport, page 7
  173. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Play-offs-Results
  174. ^ Irish Times. (2010). Sports Round-up: Rugby - Leinster Senior League Cup Final, at Donnybrook. St Mary's College 9 Old Belvedere 3, 6 February, Sport Supplement, page A11
  175. ^ Irish Independent. (2010). Factfile: Rugby - Leinster Senior League Cup, St Mary's College 9 Old Belvedere 3, 6 February, Sport, page 31
  176. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Results
  177. ^ Irish Times. (2010). Sports Round-up: Rugby - Leinster Senior League Cup Final, at Donnybrook, UCD 24 St Mary's College 23, 22 November, Sports Supplement, page 11
  178. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  179. ^ Irish Independent. (2011). Rugby: Riordan key to Belvo success - Old Belvedere 16 Blackrock College 3, Leinster Senior Cup Final, 17 December, Sport, page 11
  180. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  181. ^ Match played 14 December 2012
  182. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  183. ^ Irish Independent. (2013). Factfile: Rugby - Leinster Cup Final, at Donnybrook. UCD 23 Terenure College 18, 16 November, Sport, page 58
  184. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  185. ^ Clontarf 1st XV win the Leinster Senior Cup 32-28 against UCD
  186. ^ Sunday Independent. (2015). For the record: Results, Fixtures and Sport in Brief - Leinster League Cup Final, Donnybrook, Clontarf 32 UCD 28, 18 January, Sport page 13
  187. ^ Clontarf Rugby. (2015). Clontarf v UCD - Cup History
  188. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  189. ^ UCD defeat Old Belvedere in Senior League Cup, 21 December 2015
  190. ^ Leinster Senior League Cup-Playoffs-Fixtures & Results
  191. ^ https://sportsmanager.ie/cake/rugby/terenurerfc/clubResults/3161/latest_results [bare URL]
  192. ^ Leinster Rugby
  193. ^ Lansdowne FC
  194. ^ The University Times, DUFC men undone by Lansdowne in Leinster League final, 21 April 2019, http://www.universitytimes.ie/2019/04/dufc-men-undone-by-lansdowne-in-leinster-league-final/; Lansdowne retain Leinster Senior Cup, https://lansdownerugby.com/lansdowne-retain-leinster-senior-cup/
  195. ^ Crowe
  196. ^ "Energia All-Ireland League: Results Round-Up". 29 February 2020.
  197. ^ "Irish Times", Terenure toil hard for 20-18 win over Lansdowne, 25 April 2022, Sports, page 11
  198. ^ "Irish Independent", 'Unbelievable' Dooley gives masterclass in Terenure's first AIL win, 8 May 2023, Sport, page 13
  199. ^ https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/the-branch/domestic-fixtures-results/ [bare URL]
  200. ^ "AIL Final 2023 - Match Report -". 9 May 2023.
  201. ^ Leinster Rugby
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