Province (Gaelic games)

A province is a geographic region within Gaelic games, consisting of several counties of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and originally based on the historic four provinces of Ireland as they were set in 1610.

Provincial councils

A provincial council is responsible for the organisation of club and inter-county competitions such as the provincial championships, and the promotion of Gaelic games within its region. This region consists of several county boards. Listed below are the five existing provincial councils (four of which are on the island of Ireland). The British GAA is the fifth provincial council. To the right is a map showing the location of the provinces of Ireland, i.e. north, south, east, west. Another map below it indicates Britain in relation to Ireland.

Britain is to the east of Ireland

The ultimate goal of Gaelic Games Europe (the European county board) is to become a provincial council.

Gaelic games in North America acts as a provincial council for clubs and the three county teams in North America.

Provincial championships

Championships

Football

Hurling


A provincial championship is a competition in which counties compete against rival counties from the same province. All 4 Provinces of Ireland organise a provincial championship in both codes. However, there is variation. For instance, Antrim and Galway have competed in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship despite not being from Leinster. This is due to the strength of their teams with respect to other counties in their province. Teams representing London GAA, though based in Britain, have competed in the Connacht Senior Football Championship and Ulster Senior Hurling Championship (e.g. in 2010).

List of all provincial changes (years in province)

Setanta Sports broadcasts live provincial championships matches in Australia. Setanta Sports also provides matches from the provincial championships in Asia.

Roll of honour

Football

# County Titles Runners-up Most Recent Win Most Recent Final
1 Kerry 85 24 2024 2024
2 Dublin 63 23 2024 2024
3 Galway 50 34 2024 2024
4 Mayo 48 35 2021 2024
5 Cavan 40 23 2020 2020
6 Cork 37 54 2012 2021
7 Roscommon 24 25 2019 2022
8 Meath 21 22 2010 2020
9 Monaghan 16 12 2015 2021
Tyrone 16 7 2021 2021
11 Armagh 14 22 2008 2024
12 Kildare 13 23 2000 2022
13 Down 12 15 1994 2017
14 Donegal 11 14 2024 2024
15 Tipperary 10 18 2020 2020
Wexford 10 16 1945 2011
Antrim 10 9 1951 2009
Offaly 10 9 1997 2006
19 Derry 9 10 2023 2023
20 Louth 8 16 1957 2024
21 Laois 6 15 2003 2018
22 Sligo 3 16 2007 2023
Kilkenny 3 5 1911 1922
24 Clare 2 14 1992 2024
Leitrim 2 9 1994 2000
26 Limerick 1 13 1896 2022
Waterford 1 9 1898 1960
Westmeath 1 4 2004 2016
Carlow 1 2 1944 1944
Longford 1 1 1968 1968
31 Fermanagh 0 6 2018
Wicklow 0 1 1897
London 0 1 2013

Provincial Hurling Champions

Year Connacht Leinster Munster Ulster
2024 Kilkenny Limerick
2023 Kilkenny Limerick
2022 Kilkenny Limerick
2021 Kilkenny Limerick
2020 Kilkenny Limerick
2019 Wexford Limerick
2018 Galway Cork
2017 Galway Cork Antrim
2016 Kilkenny Tipperary Antrim
2015 Kilkenny Tipperary Antrim
2014 Kilkenny Cork Antrim
2013 Dublin Limerick Antrim

Provincial Football Champions

Year Connacht Leinster Munster Ulster
2024 Galway Dublin Kerry Donegal
2023 Galway Dublin Kerry Derry
2022 Galway Dublin Kerry Derry
2021 Mayo Dublin Kerry Tyrone
2020 Mayo Dublin Tipperary Cavan
2019 Roscommon Dublin Kerry Donegal
2018 Galway Dublin Kerry Donegal
2017 Roscommon Dublin Kerry Tyrone
2016 Galway Dublin Kerry Tyrone
2015 Mayo Dublin Kerry Monaghan
2014 Mayo Dublin Kerry Donegal
2013 Mayo Dublin Kerry Monaghan

References

  1. ^ "The Provincial Council of Britain".