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

Committee

This is a list of the current Mid-Ulster Football Association committee.^[20]

• Chairman - Maurice Johnston
• Vice Chairman - Paul Suckling
• Head Secretary - Brian Larkin
• Treasurer - Colin McCullough