Formation
At a Special General Meeting of the Union held on 15 October 1897 in the Royal Avenue Hotel, Belfast, the clubs present resolved to form the Ulster Senior League. Eight teams participated in the first season: Antrim, Ards,Current composition of the Senior League
In 2024–25, there are 10 clubs in the Ulster Senior League season.Early format
From its formation until 1953 entry to the Ulster Senior League could only be obtained by application to the1953 reorganisation
In 1953 the eight team Senior League amalgamated with the eight team Qualifying League. There was no realignment of teams at this time, the only difference was the renaming of the two leagues as Senior League Section A (the old Senior League) and Senior League Section B (the old Qualifying League). Teams did not change Sections during this period and no teams were promoted or relegated to or from the Senior League. At the end of each league season the winner of Section A played the winner of Section B in a Test Match to decide the winner of the Keightley Cup. The loser of the Test Match was awarded the Ireland's Saturday Night Cup. During this period the trophy was always won by the Section A winner.1958 reorganisation
Prior to the start of the 1957–58 season, the Council of the Ulster Branch made a controversial decision. Portrush, who had finished bottom of Section A in 1956–57 were demoted to Section B. Parkview, the winners of Section B in 1956–57, were moved to Section A. This signalled the intention of the League to move to Promotion and Relegation. A report was commissioned by the Council of the Ulster Branch to establish new league structures. The report and debate lead to the league reorganising to allow for promotion and relegation prior to the start of the 1958–59 season. There were eight teams in each league section. A ''Qualifying League'' in two sections provided two lower rungs for the league, with a further Intermediate section below that. The formation of the sections again proved controversial, as some clubs were not placed in the section that their previous seasons standing would merit. In particular, it was reported that Saintfield (Intermediate A) had finished above four clubs in 1957–58 that were placed in Qualifying B.1969 reorganisation
At the end of the 1968–69 season the Senior League expanded from eight to ten teams and was renamed as ''Senior League Section 1''. The remaining six Qualifying League 'A' were joined by the top four teams from Qualifying 'B' to form a ten team league known as ''Senior League Section 2''. All remaining club first teams were entered in the ''Intermediate League''. In season 1975–76 Section 2 was increased to 12 teams. Membership of the two Senior League Sections at the start of the 1969–70 season was as follows2001 reorganisation
In 2001 Section 1 was reduced to eight teams, and was renamed as the ''Premier League''. Section 2 remained with twelve teams and was renamed as ''Senior 1''. The Intermediate League was renamed as ''Senior 2'', with all remaining teams placed in this section. The top three teams in the Premier League at the end of the season qualify for the All-Ireland Club Championship.2015 reorganisation
The top four teams departed for the new Irish Hockey League (IHL) and the league reduced from three divisions to two. The League champions now qualify for the Provincial play-offs where they compete for promotion to the IHL.2017 reorganisation
Four teams dropped into junior hockey and the two divisions were amalgamated into a single Premier League of fourteen teams.2018 reorganisation
The Intermediate League was revived.Trophies
* Winners of the Premier League are awarded the Keightley Cup. * Winners of Senior 1 were awarded the Ireland's Saturday Night Cup. * Winners of Senior 2 were awarded the Cliftonville Cup.League winners and relegated clubs
2018–19 on
Key: *2017–18
Key: *2015–16 to 2016–17
Key: *2010–11 to 2014–15
Key: *2000–01 to 1969–70
Key: *1968–69 to 1957–58
KEY * 1 – 1967–68 Old Bleach(Qual. A) folded after this season. As a result, East Antrim were not relegated. In addition Holywood(Int. A) folded. * 2 – 1965–66 Lissara renamed as Crossgar at the end of this season. * 3 – 1964–65 Lisnagarvey won League after Test Match with Cliftonville * 4 – 1964–65 Lisburn Old Boys renamed as Friends School Old Boys at the end of this season. * 5 – 1963–64 Montalto withdrew from League during season. No relegation from Qualifying B.1956–57 to formation
* 1956–57 * 1955–56 Belfast YMCA (Won Test Match against Parkview) * 1954–55 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match against Parkview) * 1953–54 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match against Down) * 1952–53 Lisnagarvey * 1951–52 Lisnagarvey * 1950–51 Lisnagarvey * 1949–50 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match 1–0 v Parkview) * 1948–49 Parkview (Won Test Match 2–1 after extra time v Antrim) * 1947–48 * 1946–47 * 1945–46 * 1944–45 Lisnagarvey * 1943–44 * 1942–43 * 1941–42 * 1940–41 * 1939–40 * 1938–39 Lisnagarvey * 1937–38 Lisnagarvey * 1936–37 North Down * 1935–36 North Down * 1934–35 North Down * 1933–34 Lisnagarvey (Won Test Match 3–1 v North Down) (''2 section Senior League'') * 1932–33 North Down * 1931–32 North Down * 1930–31Sources
Information gathered from Belfast Newsletter and Ireland Saturday Night {{Field hockey leagues Field hockey leagues in Ireland Field hockey leagues in the United Kingdom 1897 establishments in Ireland Sports leagues established in 1897