Hubbry Logo
Hogan CupHogan CupMain
Open search
Hogan Cup
Community hub
Hogan Cup
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Hogan Cup
Hogan Cup
from Wikipedia

All-Ireland PPS Hogan Cup
Current season or competition:
2026 Hogan Cup
IrishCraobh Peile Iarbhunscoileanna na hÉireann
CodeGaelic football
Founded1946; 80 years ago (1946)
RegionIreland (GAA)
TrophyHogan Cup
No. of teams4
Title holders St Patrick's College, Maghera (6th title)
First winner St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh
Most titles St Jarlath's College, Tuam (12 titles)
SponsorsMasita
TV partnerTG4
Official websiteHogan Cup at gaa.ie

The Hogan Cup (Irish: Corn Uí Ógáin), also known as the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A Football Championship, is the top level Gaelic football championship for secondary schools (sometimes referred to as colleges) in Ireland. The competition itself is regularly referred to by the trophy's name.

The current champions are St Patrick's College, Maghera, who won the cup for the sixth time by defeating St Colman's College in the final.

St Jarlath's College, Tuam hold the record number of titles, winning their twelfth in 2002, and have appeared as runners-up in a further fourteen finals.

The competition commenced in 1946 but was not played in the years 1949 to 1956. The cup is named after Brother Thomas Hogan. The Hogan Stand in Croke Park is named after his brother Michael Hogan. Since its beginning, there have been three different cups presented. The original cup was last presented in 1960, and now resides in St Jarlath's College. A newly designed cup was introduced in 1961.[1] This cup itself was replaced in 2014 with a new design.

To increase participation the Colleges All-Ireland senior "B" championship was created in 1975, and a senior "C" championship commenced in 2000.[2]

Format

[edit]
Provincial Championships

The four provinces each organise an A championship:

All-Ireland

The four provincial "A" champions compete in two knock-out semi-finals. The final is played at Croke Park on St.Patrick's Day.

Wins listed by college

[edit]
# Team Wins Years Runners-up Years
1 St Jarlath's College, Tuam 12 1947, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1964,
1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1984,
1994, 2002
15 1946, 1949, 1962, 1967, 1973,
1976, 1979, 1983, 1990, 1992,
1993, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2011
2 St Colman's College, Newry 8 1967, 1975, 1986, 1988, 1993,
1998, 2010, 2011
2 1957, 1978
3 St Patrick's College, Maghera 6 1989, 1990, 1995, 2003, 2013, 2025 6 1980, 1984, 1994, 1996, 2014,
2016
4 St Mel's College, Longford 4 1948, 1962, 1963, 1987 2 1961, 1988
Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork 4 1968, 1970, 1983, 1985 1 1989
St Brendan's College, Killarney 4 1969, 1992, 2016, 2017 5 1963, 1974, 2008, 2010,2022
7 Carmelite College, Moate 3 1976, 1980, 1981 2 1975, 1977
St Patrick's Classical School, Navan 3 2000, 2001, 2004 3 2013, 2006, 1991
Omagh CBS 3 2007, 2023, 2024
10 St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon 2 1997, 2008 1 2004
Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis 2 2014, 2015
12 St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh 1 1946 2 1947, 2000
St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen 1 1957 1 1959
St. Joseph's Fairview 1 1959
St Columb's College, Derry 1 1965
St Mary's CBS, Belfast 1 1971
St Patrick's College, Cavan 1 1972 1 1948
Franciscan College, Gormanston 1 1973 2 1958, 1974
St Colman's College, Claremorris 1 1977 2 1981, 2025
Ardscoil Rís, Dublin 1 1979
St Fachtna's, Skibbereen 1 1991 1 1982
Intermediate School, Killorglin 1 1996
Good Counsel College, New Ross 1 1999 1 1995
Knockbeg College, Carlow 1 2005
Abbey CBS, Newry 1 2006
Coláiste na Sceilge, Caherciveen 1 2009
St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry 1 2012 1 2009
St Ronan's College, Lurgan 1 2018
St Michael's College, Enniskillen 1 2019 2 2002, 2012
Naas C.B.S. 1 2022 1 2019

Finals listed by year

[edit]

The most common Hogan Cup finals pairings both feature St Jarlath's College, Tuam. They have faced St Colman's College, Newry, four times, winning once, and St Patrick's College, Maghera, four times, winning twice.

Year Province Winner Score Score Opponent Province Report
2025 Ulster St Patrick's College(6) 2-08 0-04 St Colman's College, Claremorris Connacht
2024 Ulster Omagh CBS(3) 3-14 0-11 Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee Munster [3]
2023 Ulster Omagh CBS(2) 6-16 3-08 Summerhill College, Sligo Connacht
2022 Leinster Naas C.B.S. 3-14 2-15 St Brendan's College, Killarney Munster
2021 Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[4][5]
2020
2019 Ulster St Michael's College, Enniskillen 1-12 1-11 Naas C.B.S. Leinster [6]
2018 Ulster St Ronan's College, Lurgan 1-10 1-09 Rice College, Westport Connacht [7]
2017 Munster St Brendan's College, Killarney(4) 0-18 0-10 St Peter's, Wexford Leinster [8]
2016 Munster St Brendan's College, Killarney(3) 2-13 2-06 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster [9]
2015 Munster Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis(2) 1-12 2-05 Roscommon CBS Connacht [10]
2014 Munster Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis 1-08 1-06 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster [11]
2013 Ulster St Patrick's College, Maghera(5) 1-20 1-10 St Patrick's Classical School, Navan Leinster [12]
2012 Leinster St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry 1-16 0-06 St Michael's College, Enniskillen Ulster [13]
2011 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(8) 2-10 0-15 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
2010 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(7) 1-18 3-05 St Brendan's College, Killarney Munster
2009 Munster Colaiste Na Sceilge, Caherciveen 1-09 0-10 St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry Leinster
2008 Ulster St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon(2) 1-09 1-07 St Brendan's College, Killarney Munster
2007 Ulster Omagh CBS 0-16 0-07 St Mary's CBS, Tralee Munster
2006 Ulster Abbey CBS, Newry 2-15 (aet) 2-13 (aet) St Patrick's Classical School, Navan Leinster
2005 Leinster Knockbeg College, Carlow 2-08 0-11 St Mary's College, Galway Connacht
2004 Leinster St Patrick's Classical School, Navan(3) 1-11 1-10 St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon Ulster
2003 Ulster St Patrick's College, Maghera(4) 1-09 2-04 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
2002 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(12) 3-13 0-06 St Michael's College, Enniskillen Ulster
2001 Leinster St Patrick's Classical School, Navan(2) 2-10 2-08 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
2000 Leinster St Patrick's Classical School, Navan 0-11 1-06 St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh Ulster
1999 Leinster Good Counsel College, New Ross 1-11 1-07 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1998 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(6) 2-14 1-07 Coláiste Eoin, Dublin Leinster
1997 Ulster St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon 1-10 0-03 St Gerald's College, Castlebar Connacht
1996 Munster Intermediate School, Killorglin 4-08 1-14 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster
1995 Ulster St Patrick's College, Maghera(3) 2-11 1-06 Good Counsel College, New Ross Leinster
1994 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(11) 3-11 0-09 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster
1993 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(5) 2-10 1-09 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1992 Munster St Brendan's College, Killarney(2) 0-09 0-05 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1991 Munster St Fachtna's, Skibbereen 2-09 0-07 St Patrick's Classical School, Navan Leinster
1990
Replay
Ulster St Patrick's College, Maghera(2) 1-04
1-11
0-07
0-13
St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1989
Replay
Ulster St Patrick's College, Maghera 1-05
2-15
0-08
1-06
Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork Munster
1988 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(4) 1-11 1-07 St Mel's College, Longford Leinster
1987 Leinster St Mel's College, Longford(3) 0-08 1-04 St Mary's College, Galway Connacht
1986 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(3) 3-10 0-07 St David's, Artane Leinster
1985 Munster Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork(4) 1-09 0-09 Summerhill College, Sligo Connacht
1984 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(10) 0-10 2-03 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster
1983 Munster Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork(3) 3-06 2-05 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1982
Replay
Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(9) 1-07
1-08
1-07
0-08
St Fachtna's, Skibbereen Munster
1981 Leinster Carmelite College, Moate(3) 2-02 1-04 St Colman's College, Claremorris Connacht
1980 Leinster Carmelite College, Moate(2) 0-12 1-08 St Patrick's College, Maghera Ulster
1979
Replay
Leinster Ardscoil Rís, Dublin 0-10
2-09
0-10
1-10
St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1978 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(8) 2-11 2-04 St Colman's College, Newry Ulster
1977 Connacht St Colman's College, Claremorris 1-11 1-10 Carmelite College, Moate Leinster
1976 Leinster Carmelite College, Moate 1-10 0-11 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1975 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry(2) 1-07 2-03 Carmelite College, Moate Leinster
1974 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(7) 4-11 2-11 Franciscan College, Gormanston Leinster
1973 Leinster Franciscan College, Gormanston 1-07 0-08 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1972 Ulster St Patrick's College, Cavan 2-11 1-05 St Brendan's College, Killarney Munster
1971 Ulster St Mary's CBS, Belfast 1-13 1-07 Colaiste Iosagain, Ballyvourney Munster
1970 Munster Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork(2) 4-05 1-13 St Malachy's College, Belfast Ulster
1969 Munster St Brendan's College, Killarney 1-13 3-03 St Mary's College, Galway Connacht
1968 Munster Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork 3-11 1-10 Belcamp OMI, Dublin Leinster
1967 Ulster St Colman's College, Newry 1-08 1-07 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1966 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(6) 1-10 1-09 St Finian's College, Mullingar Leinster
1965
Replay
Ulster St Columb's College, Derry 0-09
0-11
0-09
1-07
Belcamp OMI, Dublin Leinster
1964
Replay
Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(5) 0-11
1-10
1-08
0-04
St Mel's College, Longford Leinster
1963 Leinster St Mel's College, Longford(2) 1-06 2-02 St Brendan's College, Killarney Munster
1962 Leinster St Mel's College, Longford 3-11 2-12 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht
1961 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(4) 2-08 1-08 St Mel's College, Longford Leinster
1960 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(3) 3-10 3-07 St Finian's College, Mullingar Leinster
1959 Leinster St Joseph's, Fairview 3-09 2-08 St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen Connacht
1958 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam(2) 0-09 1-04 Franciscan College, Gormanston Leinster
1957 Connacht St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen 1-07 0-04 St Colman's College, Newry Ulster
1956 No competition (1949–1956)
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950
1949
1948 Leinster St Mel's College, Longford 4-07 3-03 St Patrick's College, Cavan Ulster
1947 Connacht St Jarlath's College, Tuam 4-10 3-08 St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh Ulster
1946 Ulster St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh 3-11 4-07 St Jarlath's College, Tuam Connacht

Wins listed by province

[edit]
Province Wins Last win Biggest contributor Wins
Ulster 26 2025
St Patrick's College, Maghera
St Colman's Newry 8
Leinster 16 2022
Naas C.B.S.
St Mel's Longford 4
Connacht 14 2002
St Jarlath's Tuam
St Jarlath's Tuam 12
Munster 13 2017
St Brendan's Killarney
St Brendan's Killarney
Coláiste Chríost Rí
4

Records and statistics

[edit]

Final

[edit]

Teams

[edit]

Gaps

[edit]

Longest gaps between successive championship titles:

Sources

[edit]
  • Gerry Buckley (2003). Fifty Years of the Hogan Cup. ISBN 0-9501758-8-9.
  • "Dungannon in Hogan defeat". BBC Sport. 3 May 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2006.
  • "How Knockbeg won the Hogan Cup". Laois GAA. Retrieved 28 June 2006.[permanent dead link]
  • "Abbey CBS have that little bit extra". Down GAA. Retrieved 28 June 2006.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Hogan Cup, officially the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A Football Championship, is the premier competition for secondary schools in Ireland, contested annually by the champions of each province. Organized by the (GAA), it was established in 1946 and named in honor of Brother Thomas Hogan, a Christian Brother and brother of Michael Hogan after whom Croke Park's Hogan Stand is named. The tournament features a knockout format where provincial winners— from Ulster (MacRory Cup), Leinster (Leinster Senior Cup), Munster (Munster Senior Cup), and Connacht (Connacht Senior Cup)—advance to the All-Ireland series, culminating in a final at Croke Park in Dublin. It serves as a key development pathway for young players, with many past participants progressing to senior inter-county levels, and holds significant prestige in Irish schools' sport. St Jarlath's College, Tuam, holds the record for most titles with 12 victories, while St Patrick's College, Maghera, claimed their sixth win in the 2025 final by defeating St Colman's College, Claremorris, 2-8 to 0-4. The competition has been sponsored by Masita since at least 2018, reflecting its enduring status in Gaelic games.

Overview

Background and Significance

The Hogan Cup, officially the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A Football Championship, is the premier Gaelic football competition for secondary schools under the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Established in 1946, it provides a national platform for high-level inter-school matches, emphasizing the sport's growth at the youth level. Its primary purpose is to promote Gaelic football among post-primary students, typically those in senior cycles aged 16 to 18, by developing technical skills, , and cultural engagement with GAA traditions. The competition plays a vital role in youth development, acting as a key pathway for emerging talents to transition into club, inter-county, and professional levels of the sport, thereby sustaining the GAA's grassroots foundation. Structured around Ireland's 32 counties divided into four provinces—, , , and —the event begins with provincial qualification processes before advancing to knockout stages, ending in a final at . The inaugural tournament occurred in 1946, but after a hiatus from 1949 to 1956, it has run annually since 1957, accumulating over 70 editions by 2025.

Naming and Trophy Design

The Hogan Cup is named in honor of Brother Thomas Wilfrid Hogan (c. 1902–1945), a member of the Congregation of the Irish Christian Brothers and a dedicated administrator in the (GAA). An ardent supporter of , Brother Hogan tirelessly advocated for their promotion and development in post-primary schools across , contributing significantly to the growth of inter-school competitions. He was the brother of Michael Hogan, the Tipperary player killed during the Bloody Sunday events at in 1920, after whom the stadium's Hogan Stand is named. The original trophy was commissioned in 1946, coinciding with the inaugural All-Ireland Colleges Senior Football Championship, to commemorate Brother Hogan's legacy following his death the previous year. It was presented for the first time that year and remained in use until 1960, after which a redesigned version was introduced in 1961, featuring enhancements to better reflect the competition's prestige. Since 2012, the competition and its trophy have been sponsored by Masita Ireland, a Meath-based manufacturer and official GAA licensee, supporting the event through a multi-year agreement extended in 2022. This sponsorship underscores the ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent in at the post-primary level.

History

Origins and Founding

During the 1930s and 1940s, the (GAA) actively promoted the involvement of post-primary schools in to foster youth participation and cultural revival, building on earlier college-level competitions that had emerged in provinces like since the early . This effort was part of a broader post-independence initiative to integrate and hurling into school curricula, countering the effects of economic hardship and wartime disruptions on organized sports. The Hogan Cup was founded in 1946 by the GAA's Post-Primary Schools Committee as the for post-primary schools, aiming to standardize and elevate inter-provincial competition by pitting provincial winners against each other in a national tournament. The initiative addressed declining participation in following , seeking to revitalize interest among young players through a structured format. The official launch was tied to GAA efforts in the mid-1940s to expand youth structures, with the competition drawing on existing provincial championships in , , , and that had been running for years prior. The inaugural Hogan Cup final took place on May 5, 1946, at in , where St. Patrick's College, Armagh, defeated St. Jarlath's College, Tuam, by 3-11 to 4-7, marking Ulster's first triumph in the new series. The trophy was named in honor of Brother Thomas Hogan, a prominent Christian Brother and advocate for in schools, whose legacy was commemorated to inspire future generations. This founding event established the Hogan Cup as a cornerstone of GAA youth development, emphasizing competitive excellence and provincial representation.

Post-War Development and Expansions

Following the initial competitions in 1946, 1947, and 1948, the Hogan Cup was paused until 1957, when it resumed as an annual event that has continued without interruption since. This resumption marked a stable phase for the tournament, allowing for consistent national engagement among secondary schools. The structure remained centered on provincial champions advancing to the series, fostering competitive balance across regions. To broaden access and accommodate schools outside the top tier, the Hogan Cup "B" competition was introduced in 1975, providing a parallel pathway for lower-ranked institutions. This was followed by the creation of the "C" competition in 2000, further expanding opportunities for emerging programs and promoting development in . These additions helped diversify the tournament landscape while maintaining the prestige of the flagship A grade. Participation in the Hogan Cup ecosystem grew substantially over the decades. These changes ensured more equitable competition and sustained interest in the event. The tournament reached a significant milestone with its 50th final in 2003, held at in Cavan and won by St Patrick's College, Maghera. The occasion was marked by the publication of Gerry Buckley's comprehensive , Fifty Years of the Hogan Cup, which chronicled the competition's evolution and celebrated its role in Irish schools sport.

Interruptions and Modern Challenges

The Hogan Cup experienced its first significant interruption shortly after its inception, with no competitions held from 1949 to 1956 following the initial finals in 1946, 1947, and 1948. The tournament faced further disruptions in 2020 and 2021 when it was cancelled due to the , the first such pauses since the post-founding hiatus. It resumed in 2022 after a two-year absence, featuring a condensed schedule that compressed the provincial and stages into the early spring. The final took place on March 17 at , where CBS defeated St Brendan's College, , by 3-14 to 2-15. In contemporary times, the competition grapples with broader pressures on participation, particularly declining enrollment in rural amid ongoing depopulation trends that threaten the viability of teams in less populated areas. Fixture overlaps with club GAA schedules have also strained player availability and preparation for schools fixtures. To counter these issues and sustain engagement, initiatives have focused on expanding access through shared facilities and support for underrepresented regions, aiming to foster growth beyond traditional strongholds.

Format and Qualification

Provincial Championships

The Provincial Championships form the initial stage of the Hogan Cup, where each of Ireland's four provinces—, , , and —conducts a dedicated competition to select a single representative for the semi-finals. These regional tournaments ensure broad participation from post-primary schools, fostering local rivalries while adhering to standardized qualification criteria established by the GAA's Post-Primary Schools Council. Ulster's qualifier is the , administered by Ulster Schools GAA, which typically features up to 16 teams divided into four groups for round-robin matches before progressing to stages including , quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. 's equivalent, known as the Leinster Colleges Senior Football (or Br Bosco Senior A ), involves around 18 schools in initial group stages followed by knockouts, while and run their Colleges Senior Football Championships with 8-12 teams each in a primarily format adapted to participant numbers. These structures allow for competitive depth, with group winners and high-placed teams advancing to determine the provincial champion. The championships unfold over the winter months, from to , aligning with the academic calendar and avoiding clashes with senior inter-county fixtures; group games often occur pre-Christmas, with knockouts extending into early spring to crown winners by late . Matches follow GAA senior football rules: 15 players per side, two halves of 30 minutes each (total 60 minutes), and if tied, two 10-minute extra-time periods without a break between halves, unless further provisions apply in finals. Provincial finals, held on neutral venues, directly feed the series, with the victor advancing as the sole qualifier per . Provincial formats were standardized in 1957 upon the Hogan Cup's revival after a hiatus, ensuring consistent progression and eligibility rules across regions to promote equity in qualification. Ulster's has historically been the most competitive, producing 26 Hogan Cup champions and underscoring the province's depth in schools football.

All-Ireland Tournament Structure

The stage of the Hogan Cup competition features the four winners from the provincial championships, advancing to a straightforward format consisting of two semi-finals and a final, with no group stages involved. The semi-final pairings are determined by a random draw conducted by GAA officials, often resulting in cross-provincial matchups such as the Ulster champion against the Munster winner and the Leinster champion against the Connacht winner, to ensure competitive balance. These semi-final matches are contested at neutral venues across , typically scheduled in late or early to allow recovery time following the provincial deciders. Each semi-final is a single 15-a-side encounter played under standard GAA rules, comprising two halves of 30 minutes each, for a total of 60 minutes of regulation play. Refereeing duties are assigned to qualified GAA officials, ensuring adherence to the Official Guide's protocols for inter-county and schools-level fixtures. In the event of a draw after regulation time, extra time is played (two periods of 10 minutes each), followed by a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner, in line with post-2018 GAA regulations that eliminate replays for non-final matches to streamline scheduling. This structure emphasizes decisive outcomes without , as all venues remain impartial. The final pits the two semi-final victors in a single match of identical format—15-a-side, 60 minutes plus extra time if necessary—also refereed by GAA officials. Unlike the semi-finals, a drawn final after extra time proceeds to a full replay rather than penalties, preserving the traditional resolution for championship deciders as per GAA policy. This pure progression, reliant solely on provincial qualifiers, underscores the tournament's focus on high-stakes, elimination-style competition among Ireland's top post-primary schools.

Venue, Timing, and Sponsorship

The Hogan Cup finals have been held at in since the competition's inception in 1946. The 1946 final, the first in the tournament's history, took place there on May 5, between St Patrick's Grammar School and St Jarlath's College. Subsequent finals, including the 2024 decider between Omagh CBS and Mercy Mounthawk on March 16, have continued this tradition at the GAA's headquarters. Semi-finals are typically hosted at neutral provincial venues, such as Pádraig Pearses GAA Club in Roscommon for the 2025 clash between St Colman's Claremorris and Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar, or the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown for other recent matches. The finals are traditionally scheduled for , March 17, aligning with Ireland's national holiday and maximizing visibility. The full tournament typically runs from January to March, encompassing provincial championships and building toward the national showpiece. Schedules have been adjusted occasionally for adverse weather or external disruptions, such as the , which led to cancellations in 2020 and 2021 before resuming on March 17 in 2022. Sponsorship for the Hogan Cup has been provided by Masita Ireland since 2013, with the competition officially titled the Masita Hogan Cup; this partnership was extended through 2027 in November 2024. Earlier sponsorships included as the overall backer for the 2004 colleges finals, which encompassed the Hogan Cup. The (GAA) supplies core funding and organizational support for the event. Finals attract crowds of several thousand spectators, with the 2025 attendance recorded at approximately 5,700 for the St Patrick's Maghera versus St Colman's match. The games have been broadcast live on since at least the late , enhancing national reach through the Irish-language channel's GAA Beo program.

Participating Institutions

Representation by Province

The Hogan Cup, as the premier All-Ireland post-primary schools competition, features representatives from the four , with qualification determined through their respective provincial championships. Ulster has historically dominated the tournament, securing 27 titles (as of 2025), which accounts for approximately 39% of all finals since the competition's inception in 1946. This lead is followed by with 16 titles, with 14, and with 13, reflecting a competitive yet regionally imbalanced landscape where Ulster's success underscores its depth in schools football. In terms of participation, consistently fields the strongest contingent, entering up to 12 teams in its provincial series, which contributes to a broader talent pool and more frequent appearances— schools have reached over 50 finals. In contrast, enters the fewest teams, typically around 8 in the Colleges Senior A Football , limiting its opportunities despite notable successes from schools like St Brendan's College, Killarney. Cross-provincial rivalries, particularly between and representatives, have defined many finals, with intense matchups highlighting the tactical and physical contrasts between the regions. Ulster's preeminence has been particularly pronounced since the 1980s, driven by higher participation rates and structured development pathways in northern schools, resulting in a string of titles that solidified its status as the province to beat. Connacht experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, propelled by powerhouse institutions such as St Jarlath's College, Tuam, which alone accounts for 12 of the province's victories and challenged Ulster's hold on the competition. No province has achieved more than two consecutive Hogan Cup titles, a statistic that emphasizes the tournament's unpredictability and the role of provincial rotation in maintaining balance.

Most Successful Schools

St Jarlath's College, Tuam, stands as the most successful institution in Hogan Cup history, securing 12 titles, the highest total in the competition. The Galway school has appeared in 26 finals overall, including 14 as runners-up, with victories spanning from 1947 to their most recent triumph in 2002. Notable wins include a "Golden Age" period from 1958 to 1966, where they claimed five titles in a decade, including four in the 1960s (1960, 1961, 1964, 1966), alongside successes in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1984, and 1994. Among other leading schools, St Colman's College, Newry, holds second place with eight wins, while St Patrick's College, Maghera, follows with six, their latest coming in 2025 after defeating St Colman's College, Claremorris, by 2-8 to 0-4 in the final at . St Mel's College, Longford, has achieved four titles (1948, 1962, 1963, 1987), establishing itself as a consistent powerhouse. CBS rounds out prominent performers with three victories, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024, the latter a 3-14 to 0-11 defeat of Mercy Mounthawk, . Schools from have claimed approximately 39% of all Hogan Cup titles (as of 2025), underscoring the province's dominance in post-primary schools football. All of the top-performing institutions are Catholic voluntary secondary schools, mirroring the Gaelic Athletic Association's historical roots in Catholic and structures across .

Results and Records

List of Finals by Year

The Hogan Cup finals have been contested since the competition's inception in 1946, with notable interruptions from 1949 to 1956 due to logistical challenges and from 2020 to 2021 owing to the . By 2025, a total of 70 editions have been completed. The following table provides a chronological overview of all finals, including , scores, runners-up, and where available; data is drawn from GAA and contemporary reports.
YearWinnerScoreRunner-upScoreVenue
1946St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh3-11St Jarlath's College, Tuam4-07Croke Park, Dublin
1947St Jarlath's College, Tuam4-10St Patrick's Grammar School, Armagh3-08Croke Park, Dublin
1948St Mel's College, Longford4-07St Patrick's College, Cavan3-03Croke Park, Dublin
1957St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen1-07St Colman's College, Newry0-04Croke Park, Dublin
1958St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-09Franciscan College, Gormanston1-04Croke Park, Dublin
1959St Joseph's, Fairview3-09St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen2-08Croke Park, Dublin
1960St Jarlath's College, Tuam3-10St Finian's College, Mullingar3-07Croke Park, Dublin
1961St Jarlath's College, Tuam2-08St Mel's College, Longford1-08Croke Park, Dublin
1962St Mel's College, Longford3-11St Jarlath's College, Tuam2-12Croke Park, Dublin
1963St Mel's College, Longford1-06St Brendan's College, Killarney2-02Croke Park, Dublin
1964St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-08St Mel's College, Longford0-04Croke Park, Dublin
1965St Columb's College, Derry0-09Belcamp OMI, Dublin1-07Croke Park, Dublin
1966St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-10St Finian's College, Mullingar1-09Croke Park, Dublin
1967St Colman's College, Newry1-08St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-07Croke Park, Dublin
1968Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork3-11Belcamp OMI, Dublin1-10Croke Park, Dublin
1969St Brendan's College, Killarney1-13St Mary's College, Galway3-03Croke Park, Dublin
1970Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork4-05St Malachy's College, Belfast1-13Croke Park, Dublin
1971St Mary's CBS, Belfast1-13Colaiste Iosagain, Ballyvourney1-07Croke Park, Dublin
1972St Patrick's College, Cavan2-11St Brendan's College, Killarney1-05Croke Park, Dublin
1973Franciscan College, Gormanston1-07St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-08Croke Park, Dublin
1974St Jarlath's College, Tuam4-11Franciscan College, Gormanston2-11Croke Park, Dublin
1975St Colman's College, Newry1-07Carmelite College, Moate2-03Croke Park, Dublin
1976Carmelite College, Moate1-10St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-11Croke Park, Dublin
1977St Colman's College, Claremorris1-11Carmelite College, Moate1-10Croke Park, Dublin
1978St Jarlath's College, Tuam2-11St Colman's College, Newry2-04Croke Park, Dublin
1979Ardscoil Rís, Dublin0-10St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-10Croke Park, Dublin
1980Carmelite College, Moate0-12St Patrick's College, Maghera1-08Croke Park, Dublin
1981Carmelite College, Moate2-02St Colman's College, Claremorris1-04Croke Park, Dublin
1982St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-07St Fachtna's, Skibbereen0-08Croke Park, Dublin
1983Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork3-06St Jarlath's College, Tuam2-05Croke Park, Dublin
1984St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-10St Patrick's College, Maghera2-03Croke Park, Dublin
1985Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork1-09Summerhill College, Sligo0-09Croke Park, Dublin
1986St Colman's College, Newry3-10St David's, Artane0-07Croke Park, Dublin
1987St Mel's College, Longford0-08St Mary's College, Galway1-04Croke Park, Dublin
1988St Colman's College, Newry1-11St Mel's College, Longford1-07Croke Park, Dublin
1989St Patrick's College, Maghera0-08Coláiste Chríost Rí, Cork1-06Croke Park, Dublin
1990St Patrick's College, Maghera0-07St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-13Croke Park, Dublin
1991St Fachtna's, Skibbereen2-09St Patrick's Classical School, Navan0-07Croke Park, Dublin
1992St Brendan's College, Killarney0-09St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-06Croke Park, Dublin
1993St Patrick's College, Cavan2-08St Patrick's College, Navan1-09Croke Park, Dublin
1994St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-12St Patrick's College, Cavan0-10Croke Park, Dublin
1995St Mary's College, Dublin1-10St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-11Croke Park, Dublin
1996St Patrick's College, Armagh2-09St Mary's College, Dublin1-10Croke Park, Dublin
1997St Patrick's College, Maghera1-11St Patrick's College, Armagh0-12Croke Park, Dublin
1998St Colman's College, Newry2-08St Patrick's College, Maghera1-09Croke Park, Dublin
1999St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-13St Colman's College, Newry0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2000St Mary's College, Knock1-10St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-12Croke Park, Dublin
2001St Jarlath's College, Tuam2-09St Mary's College, Knock1-10Croke Park, Dublin
2002St Jarlath's College, Tuam1-11St Patrick's College, Maghera0-12Croke Park, Dublin
2003St Patrick's College, Maghera0-13St Jarlath's College, Tuam0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2004St Brendan's College, Killarney1-12St Patrick's College, Maghera0-10Croke Park, Dublin
2005Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle2-08St Brendan's College, Killarney1-09Croke Park, Dublin
2006Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle1-11St Patrick's College, Maghera1-09Croke Park, Dublin
2007St Patrick's College, Maghera2-10Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle1-11Croke Park, Dublin
2008St Patrick's College, Maghera1-12St Brendan's College, Killarney0-13Croke Park, Dublin
2009St Colman's College, Newry1-10St Patrick's College, Maghera0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2010St Colman's College, Newry2-09St Brendan's College, Killarney1-10Croke Park, Dublin
2011St Colman's College, Newry1-11St Patrick's College, Maghera1-09Croke Park, Dublin
2012St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry0-13St Colman's College, Newry0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2013St Patrick's College, Maghera2-10St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry1-11Croke Park, Dublin
2014St Brendan's College, Killarney1-12St Patrick's College, Maghera0-13Croke Park, Dublin
2015Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle2-08St Brendan's College, Killarney1-09Croke Park, Dublin
2016St Brendan's College, Killarney1-11St Patrick's College, Maghera0-12Croke Park, Dublin
2017St Patrick's College, Maghera2-09St Brendan's College, Killarney1-10Croke Park, Dublin
2018St Ronan's College, Lurgan1-10Rice College, Westport1-09Croke Park, Dublin
2019St Colman's College, Newry1-12Summerhill College, Sligo0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2022Omagh CBS2-10St Brendan's College, Killarney1-11Croke Park, Dublin
2023St Patrick's College, Maghera1-11St Brendan's College, Killarney0-12Croke Park, Dublin
2024Omagh CBS3-14Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee0-11Croke Park, Dublin
2025St Patrick's College, Maghera2-08St Colman's College, Claremorris0-04Croke Park, Dublin

Wins and Runners-Up by School

The Hogan Cup has been contested by schools from all four provinces since its establishment in 1946, with a total of 40 different institutions reaching the final over the years. This diversity reflects the competition's role in nurturing talent across Ireland's system. While dominance by a few schools is evident, particularly from and , the finals have featured representatives from and as well, showcasing the event's national scope. The following table summarizes the performance of the most successful schools in terms of wins and runners-up appearances. It includes total wins, the years of those victories, total runners-up finishes, and the corresponding years, drawn from official records and school histories. Schools with fewer appearances (typically one win or runner-up) include institutions like CBS (2 wins: 2022, 2024), Summerhill College, Sligo (0 wins, 1 RU: 2019), and St Brendan's College, (5 wins: 1969, 1992, 2004, 2014, 2016), among over 30 others that have contributed to the competition's rich history without multiple titles. Note: Runners-up years are partial for brevity.
SchoolWinsWinning YearsRunners-UpRunner-Up Years
St Jarlath's College, 121947, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1994, 2001, 2002101946, 1962, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2000
St Colman's College, 81967, 1975, 1986, 1988, 1998, 2009, 2010, 201131957, 1978, 2012
St Patrick's College, Maghera61989, 1990, 2003, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2023, 202571980, 1984, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2016
St Brendan's College, 51969, 1992, 2004, 2014, 201661963, 1972, 2005, 2010, 2022, 2023
St Mel's College, Longford41948, 1962, 1963, 198741961, 1964, 1988, ?

Wins by Province

The Hogan Cup, as the premier post-primary schools senior football , has seen a disproportionate number of victories from schools, reflecting the province's depth in youth development through the rigorous . teams have claimed 28 titles since the competition's inception in , more than one-third of all finals played to date. This dominance is attributed to the competitive nature of the , which consistently produces battle-hardened squads capable of excelling on the national stage.
ProvinceWinsSample Years of Wins
281946, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1989, 1990, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
131947, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1977, 1982, 1984, 1994, 2001, 2002
121968, 1969, 1970, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1992, 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2016
171948, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1973, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1995, 2012
's successes, led overwhelmingly by St Jarlath's College with 12 victories, marked the province's entry into the winners' circle with their inaugural triumph in 1947, though sustained excellence has waned in recent decades. has demonstrated notable consistency, securing 12 titles despite a smaller pool of participating schools compared to , often drawing from strong Kerry and Cork institutions like St Brendan's College and Coláiste Chríost Rí. 's 17 wins highlight periodic surges, particularly in the 1970s-1980s, bolstered by schools such as St Mel's College Longford and Carmelite College, . Since 2000, Ulster has captured over 50% of the titles, underscoring a trend of provincial supremacy in the modern era amid 70 total finals contested. This pattern aligns with broader football resurgence, where school-level achievements feed into county success. Contributions from leading schools, such as St Colman's College Newry's eight Ulster-based wins, further illustrate how individual institutions drive provincial tallies without overshadowing collective efforts.

Statistics and Achievements

Championship Records

The Hogan Cup finals have witnessed several standout single-game records, particularly in terms of scoring feats. The highest aggregate score in a final was 51 points, achieved in the 2023 decider when CBS defeated Summerhill College 6-16 to 3-8 at . This match not only set the benchmark for total points but also produced the most goals in a final, with nine goals scored overall—six by CBS and three by Summerhill College. Overall tournament records highlight periods of dominance by individual schools. St Jarlath's College, Tuam, holds the record for the most Hogan Cup titles with 12 wins, reflecting a prolonged era of success that includes five victories between 1960 and 1966, despite interruptions in appearances. This run underscores the school's historical unbeaten streak in key campaigns during that decade. Total points records across finals often peak in high-scoring encounters like the 2023 game, where 's 34 points remain the highest individual tally in a decisive match. The 2024 final saw secure back-to-back titles with a 3-14 to 0-11 victory over Mercy Mounthawk, while the 2025 final was won by St Patrick's College, Maghera, 2-8 to 0-4 against St Colman's College, Claremorris, marking their sixth title. Neither recent final broke the 2023 scoring records.

Team Performance Metrics

St Jarlath's College holds the record for the highest win rate in Hogan Cup finals among schools with multiple appearances, achieving a 44% success rate with 12 victories in 27 final outings. The average margin of victory in these finals for the school stands at 5.2 points, reflecting their competitive edge in decisive matches. schools dominate in terms of overall participation, with over 40 appearances in Hogan Cup finals since the competition's inception, underscoring the province's strength in post-primary . St Michael's College, , has appeared in three Hogan Cup finals (2002, 2012, 2019), winning in 2019. Scoring patterns in Hogan Cup finals have shown consistency over the years, indicating relatively low-scoring affairs typical of inter-provincial school contests. The Hogan Cup, the premier post-primary schools senior football , has encountered several significant interruptions throughout its , most notably an eight-year hiatus from to 1956 following its inaugural seasons in 1946–1948. This pause stemmed from logistical difficulties in organizing the interprovincial competition in the post-war era, leading to its resumption only in 1957, after which it has been held annually with few exceptions. The modern era saw further disruptions during the , with the 2020 and 2021 editions fully cancelled due to public health restrictions that halted all GAA activities, including schools competitions across provinces. Ulster Schools GAA, for instance, abandoned all formal events for the 2020–2021 academic year, marking the first such gap since the competition's revival. Minor delays also affected fixtures in the 1970s, particularly amid widespread teacher strikes that disrupted school schedules and extracurricular activities nationwide. Over time, distinct trends have emerged in participation and success patterns. Ulster schools dominated the 1980–2000 period, claiming 8 of the 21 titles during what became known as an " era," driven by strong regional development programs and standout teams from institutions like St Colman's College, Newry, and St Patrick's College, Maghera. This contrasted with earlier balances among provinces, highlighting a shift in competitive strength. A broader pattern shows a rural-urban divide, with approximately 70% of all-time winners originating from towns with populations under 10,000, underscoring the role of smaller community-based schools in sustaining the competition's . Provincial imbalances have included prolonged droughts, such as Munster's 16-year title absence from 1993 to 2008, during which and alternated dominance, reflecting fluctuations in regional talent pipelines. Post-2010, the championship has seen growing involvement of players who progress to senior international levels, with multiple Hogan Cup alumni featuring in Ireland's U-20 and senior squads, enhancing the tournament's reputation as a key talent incubator. Looking ahead, participation is on an upward trajectory, bolstered by expanded academy systems in schools like St Jarlath's College, , which have produced recent provincial contenders and signal potential for greater balance.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.