Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship
| Leinster GAA PPS Senior A Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
| Irish | Craobh Iomána Iarbhunscoileanna Laighean |
| Code | Hurling |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Region | Leinster (GAA) |
| Trophy | Corn Uí Dhúill |
| No. of teams | 9 |
| Title holders |  St Kieran's College (58th title) |
| First winner |  Castleknock College |
| Most titles | St Kieran's College (58 titles) |
| Sponsors | Top Oil |
| Official website | Official website |
The Leinster GAA Post-Primary Schools Senior A Hurling Championship, is an annual inter-schools hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association. It is the highest inter-schools hurling competition in the province of Leinster, and has been contested every year, except on two occasions, since 1918.
The final, usually held in February, serves as the culmination of a round robin and knockout series of games played between November and January. Eligible players must be under the age of 19.
The Leinster Colleges Championship is an integral part of the wider All-Ireland Colleges Championship. The winners and runners-up of the Leinster final, like their counterparts in the Conancht Championships and Munster, advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals or semi-finals.
The title has been won at least once by 20 different schools, 10 of which have won the title more than once. The all-time record-holders are St Kieran's College, who have won the competition 58 times.
St Kieran's College are the current champions, having beaten Kilkenny CBS in the 2024 final.[1]
History[edit]
The Leinster Championship, like its counterpart in Munster, was organised for the first time in 1918.[2][3] Participation was limited to voluntary secondary schools. Castleknock College, a school which later prohibited the playing of Gaelic games, claimed the title for the only time in their history with a 5–01 to no score defeat of O'Connell School in the final at Croke Park on 4 May 1918.[4] No competition took place in 1919, however, following its resumption Offaly-based Cistercian College, Roscrea won four titles in five years from 1920 to 1924.[5]
This period of dominance was short-lived, as St Kieran's College, after winning their inaugural title in 1922, went on to win 24 titles up to 1959. In spite of this dominance, a number of Dublin schools won their first of only titles during this period, including Colasite Caoimhin (1930), Blackrock College (1935), St Joseph's CBS, Fairview (1945) and O'Connell School (1946).[6] Patrician College, Ballyfin became the first Laois school to win the title in 1942, while Knockbeg College claimed Carlow's only success in 1955.[7]
St Peter's College, Wexford broke the St Kieran's College hegemony by winning five titles from seven finals appearances between 1960 and 1968.[8][9][10] St Peter's College won further titles in 1973 and 1978, however, St Kieran's College and their Kilkenny rivals Kilkenny CBS claimed seven titles between them over the course of the rest of the decade. Offaly school St Brendan's Community School won four titles between 1979 and 1986, however, St Kieran's subsequently set the all-time record by winning eight Leinster titles in-a-row between 1987 and 1994.[11] Their great run of success was brought to an end by Good Counsel College, Wexford, who won two titles in 1995 and 1997.[12]
The turn of the century saw St Kieran's College continue to dominate by winning 12 titles between 2000 and 2019. By that stage, vocational schools were permitted to field teams in the competition after the merging of the vocational schools' and colleges' championships in 2013. A number of amalgamated teams also enjoyed success, with Dublin Colleges claiming titles in 2001 and 2008.[13] The success of this team in promoting hurling in Dublin resulted in the eventual creation of a Dublin South and a Dublin North team, with the latter winning the Leinster title in 2018. Offaly Schools, a team made up of players from six different schools, won their first title in 2023.
Current format[edit]
Participating teams[edit]
The following nine teams participated in the 2023 championship:
| Team | Location | Colours |
|---|---|---|
| Coláiste Eoin | Booterstown | Yellow, white and black |
| Coláiste Mhuire | Johnstown | Blue and green |
| Dublin North Schools | North Dublin | Blue and white |
| Dublin South Schools | South Dublin | Navy and blue |
| Good Counsel College | New Ross | Blue and white |
| Kilkenny CBS | Kilkenny | Maroon and yellow |
| Offaly Schools | Offaly | Green, white and gold |
| St Kieran's College | Kilkenny | Black and white |
| St Peter's College | Wexford | Green and white |
Championship[edit]
The championship begins with a group stage. The six individual colleges and schools are divided into two groups of three teams. Each team meets the others in the group once in a round-robin format. The two group winners and one of the group runners-up automatically qualify for the semi-final stages. The other group runners-up play the winners of the amalgamated group teams section, who play a knockout series of games to determine a winner.
Qualification for the All-Ireland Championship[edit]
As of 2005, the winners and runners up of the Leinster Championship qualify for the All-Ireland Colleges Championship.[14] The runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals, while on some occasions the champions receive a bye to the semi-final stage, however, this is done in rotation with the Connacht and Leinster champions.
Sponsorship[edit]
Top Oil became the title sponsor of the championship in November 2016.[15]
Trophy and medals[edit]
The Corn Uí Dhúill is the current prize for winning the championship.[16] The cup is held by the winning team until the following year's final. In accordance with GAA rules, the Connacht Council awards a set of gold medals to the championship winners.
Roll of honour[edit]
| # | Team | County | Won | Years won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Kieran's College | Kilkenny | 58 | 1922, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024 |
| 2 | Kilkenny CBS | Kilkenny | 8 | 1936, 1970, 1976, 1981, 1983, 2006, 2013, 2014 |
| St Peter's College | Wexford | 8 | 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1982 | |
| 4 | Cistercian College, Roscrea | Offaly | 5 | 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1947 |
| 5 | Patrician College, Ballyfin | Laois | 4 | 1942, 1952, 1956, 1963 |
| Good Counsel College | Wexford | 4 | 1995, 1997, 2009, 2022 | |
| 7 | St Brendan's Community School | Offaly | 3 | 1980, 1985, 1986 |
| 8 | Colasite Caoimhin | Dublin | 2 | 1930, 1934 |
| O'Connell School | Dublin | 2 | 1946, 1954 | |
| Dublin Colleges | Dublin | 2 | 2001, 2008 | |
| 11 | Castleknock College | Dublin | 1 | 1918 |
| Blackrock College | Dublin | 1 | 1935 | |
| St Joseph's CBS | Dublin | 1 | 1945 | |
| Knockbeg College | Carlow | 1 | 1955 | |
| Presentation College Birr | Offaly | 1 | 1979 | |
| Coláiste Éamann Rís | Kilkenny | 1 | 1998 | |
| Castlecomer Community School | Kilkenny | 1 | 2007 | |
| Dublin North | Dublin | 1 | 2018 | |
| Coláiste Eoin | Dublin | 1 | 2020 |
List of finals[edit]
- Teams in bold went on to win the Dr Croke Cup in the same year.
Records and statistics[edit]
Final[edit]
- Most wins: 58:
- St Kieran's College (1922, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024)
- Most consecutive wins: 8:
- St Kieran's College (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994)
Teams[edit]
By decade[edit]
The most successful college of each decade, judged by number of championship titles, is as follows:
- 1920s: 6 for St Kieran's College (1922-25-26-27-28-29)
- 1930s: 6 for St Kieran's College (1931-32-33-37-38-39)
- 1940s: 6 for St Kieran's College (1940-41-43-44-48-49)
- 1950s: 6 for St Kieran's College (1950-51-53-57-58-59)
- 1960s: 5 for St Peter's College (1960-62-64-67-68)
- 1970s: 5 for St Kieran's College (1971-72-74-75-77)
- 1980s: 4 for St Kieran's College (1984-87-88-89)
- 1990s: 7 for St Kieran's College (1990-91-92-93-94-96-99)
- 2000s: 5 for St Kieran's College (2000-02-03-04-05)
- 2010s: 7 for St Kieran's College (2010-11-12-15-16-17-19)
Gaps[edit]
Longest gaps between successive championship titles:
- 34 years: Kilkenny CBS (1936-1970)
- 23 years: Cistercian College (1924-1947)
- 23 years: Kilkenny CBS (1983-2006)
- 13 years: Good Counsel College (2009-2022)
- 12 years: Good Counsel College (1997-2009)
- 10 years: Patrician College (1942-1952)
See also[edit]
Sources[edit]
- "Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championships". Leinster GAA. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- Complete Roll of Honour on Kilkenny GAA bible
References[edit]
- ^ Power, Pierce (7 February 2024). "St Kieran's coast to convincing Leinster Colleges crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ "CBC Power into first Harty Cup final in 101 years". Irish Independent. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "St Kieran's Or Dublin North Set For Top Oil Schools Hurling Glory". Leinster GAA website. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "St Kieran's Or Dublin North Set For Top Oil Schools Hurling Glory". Leinster GAA website. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Cistercian College seeking All-Ireland glory". Irish Independent. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ O'Connell, Brian (3 June 2018). "Lovely hurling at Blackrock? Surely there's some mistake..." Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Knockbeg stalwarts reunited for golden jubilee celebrations". Irish Independent. 30 June 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Boys of '62 50 years on". Irish Independent. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Keane, Brendan (12 May 2018). "Special trip down memory lane". Gorey Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Winning Peter's captains featured in new book". Irish Independent. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Hogan, Vincent (29 November 1999). "Birr's success vital to Offaly cause". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Aherne, Alan (9 February 2022). "Counsel seeking fourth Leinster 'A' hurling title versus final debutants". Wexford People. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Schools help lesser lights to find right combination". Irish Independent. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Larkin, Brendan (9 April 2005). "St Kieran's will be very difficult to dethrone". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Top Oil unveiled as new sponsors of Leinster GAA Schools' Championships". Top Oil website. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Leinster GAA Trophies". Leinster GAA website. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "Counsel face aristocrats of hurling". Irish Independent. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Scanlon, Shane (23 March 1998). "Underdogs Callan turn tables on the top Cats". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Scanlon, Shane (15 March 1999). "Tipperary hot-shot Kelly leads Kieran's to glory". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Leinster Senior Colleges Title 2000". St Kieran's College website. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Dubs combine for an historic victory". Irish Independent. 2 April 2001. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Colleges SHC". Irish Independent. 15 April 2002. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Long wait for Leinster Senior hurling 'A' title continues for Wexford school Brave Peter's clipped by Cats". Irish Independent. 3 April 2003. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Kieran's stroll to glory". Irish Independent. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Leinster Senior Colleges Title 2005". St Kieran's College website. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Bergin foils Dublin Colleges". Irish Independent. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Castlecomer claim first Leinster title". Irish Independent. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Treacy plays captain's role as Dubs romp to title". Irish Independent. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Counsel's late show seals title triumph". Irish Independent. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Big two clash in college decider". Kilkenny People. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Power the driving force as St Kieran's late surge proves crucial". Irish Independent. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Donnelly point seals title for Kieran's". Irish Independent. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Cuddihy and Cahill points secure title for Kilkenny CBS". Irish Independent. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ "Byrne the hero as CBS grab the glory". Irish Examiner. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
- ^ "Schools: St Kieran's back in the winners enclosure". Hogan Stand. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "A 54th Leinster hurling crown for St Kieran's as they see off Kilkenny CBS". The 42. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Hurley, Denis (27 February 2017). "Magical Mullen inspires Kieran's to Leinster hat-trick". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ "Dublin North lift first Leinster senior hurling crown with win over Kilkenny's St Kieran's". The 42. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Kieran's defeat Coláiste Eoin to capture Leinster SHC 'A' title". Dublin GAA website. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ Keegan, Charlie (23 February 2020). "Coláiste Eoin shock St Kieran's for first title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Hartnett, Alan (26 February 2021). "Covid halts play – Leinster GAA announce cancellation of school's GAA". Laois Today. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Furlong, Brendan (12 February 2022). "Good Counsel College hold all the aces in Leinster final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ Cribbin, Robert (6 February 2023). "Offaly schools claim maiden title". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 June 2023.