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 in Northern Ireland. 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. The Mid-Ulster F.A. also oversees all of the football clubs affiliated with the association.
History
The Mid-Ulster Football Association was established on 2 April 1887. 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.. The founding members included historic clubs from the area, most notably Glenavon F.C. and Portadown F.C.By the mid-1990s, the Irish Football Association began to refine it's pyramid structure. The top divisions of the MUFL 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.
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. She is an advocate for the progression of women's football in Northern Ireland.
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."
Competitions
- Mid Ulster Football League - This includes Intermediate A and B, Divisions 1, 2 and 3, reserves leagues and youth leagues.
- Mid-Ulster Cup
- Mid-Ulster Shield
- Bob Radcliffe Cup
- Marshall Cup
- O'Hara Cup
- Mid-Ulster League Cup
- Premier Cup
- Alan Wilson Cup
- Foster Cup
- Beckett Cup
- Wilmor Johnston Memorial Cup
- Ladies Mid Ulster Cup
- U21 Division Cup
- Mid-Ulster Youth Cup
Ivan Marshall Merit Award
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