Steel & Sons Cup

The Steel & Sons Cup (also referred to as the Steel Cup) is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association (also known as the County Antrim & District Football Association).

Steel & Sons Cup
Organising bodyCounty Antrim & District F.A.
Founded1895
RegionNorthern Ireland
Current championsEast Belfast (2018–19)
Most successful club(s)Glentoran II (11 titles)

The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on 25 December (except when this date falls on a Sunday). The 2006 final, however, broke with tradition when it was staged on the Saturday before 25 December as this was a closed date for all other football fixtures in Northern Ireland.[1] The final returned to its original Christmas Day slot in 2007-08. The 2012/13 tournament was declared null after Glentoran II were stripped of their title having fielded an ineligible player in an earlier round.[2] This is the first time in the tournament's history that no winner was declared.

The current holder is East Belfast.

The trophy

The "Steel Cup" trophy was donated to the County Antrim FA in 1895 by Mr David Steel. Steel was principal of Steel & Sons Ltd, wholesale jewellers, silversmiths, cutlers, watch-makers and opticians, with premises on Royal Avenue, Belfast.[3]

Since 1973 a second trophy has been awarded after the final - the Player of the Match Award. Initially sponsored by the Sunday News, the first winner was Tommy Craig of Glentoran II. Since the 1993 final the award has been sponsored by the Belfast News Letter.[4]

Venue of final

The home for the final was rotated round the major Irish League venues in Belfast until the late 1950s when Solitude became the regular venue. Since the 1972-73 season Seaview, home of Crusaders, has hosted all the final ties, with the exception of the final and replay in 1975-76 and the replay of the 1984-85 final, which were played at Solitude.

Past finals

Key:

Scores level after 90 minutes. A replay was required.
(aet) Scores level after extra time. A replay was required.
(aet) Scores level after 90 minutes. Winner was decided in extra time with no penalty shootout required.
pens. Scores level after extra time. A penalty shootout was required to determine the winner.


Season Winner
(number of titles)		 Score Runner-up Venue Notes
1895–96 Linfield Swifts (1) 4 – 2 Cliftonville Olympic [5]:129
1896–97 Wesley 2 – 1 Glentoran II
1897–98 Dunmurry 2 – 0 Ligoniel
1898–99 Linfield Swifts 1 – 0 Belfast Celtic II
1899–00 Cliftonville Olympic 3 – 0 Belfast Celtic II
1900–01 Distillery West End 5 – 0 Larne
1901–02 Cliftonville Olympic 5 – 3 Distillery II
1902–03 Highfield 2 – 0 Mountpottinger YMCA
1903–04 Mountpottinger YMCA 4 – 2 Linfield Swifts
1904–05 Glentoran II 1 – 1 Woodvale
Replay 1 – 2 Annulled after protest
2nd replay A – A Abandoned due to snow[5]:41
3rd replay 1 – 0
1905–06 Mountpottinger YMCA 6 – 0 Parkside Rovers
1906–07 Cliftonville Olympic 4 – 0 Parkside Rovers
1907–08 Cliftonville Olympic ? – ? Barn Game 1 annulled after protest.[5]:45
Replay 3 – 0
1908–09 Glentoran II 3 – 2 Larne
1909–10 Larne 2 – 0 Oldpark Corinthians Windsor Park
1910–11 Glentoran II 1 – 1 King's Own Scottish Borderers Grosvenor Park
Replay 2 – 1 Solitude
1911–12 Black Diamonds 3 – 1 Ollardale Balmoral Showgrounds [5]:47
1912–13 Belfast Celtic II 3 – 1 Glentoran II Grosvenor Park
1913–14 Cliftonville Olympic 4 – 1 Barn Grosvenor Park
1914–15 Glentoran II 1 – 1 Belfast Celtic II Windsor Park
Replay 1 – 0 Solitude
1915–16 Linfield Swifts 0 – 0 Glentoran II Solitude
Replay 1 – 1 Celtic Park
2nd replay 2 – 0 Celtic Park
1916–17 Belfast Celtic II 2 – 0 Distillery II The Oval
1917–18 Belfast Celtic II 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park
1918–19 Glentoran II 1 – 1 Distillery II Solitude
Replay 2 – 0 Celtic Park
1919–20 Dunmurry ? – ? Brantwood
Replay 1 – 0 Grosvenor Park
1920–21 Brantwood 1 – 0 Bangor The Oval [6]
1921–22 Cliftonville Olympic 1 – 1 Dundela
Replay 1 – 1
2nd replay 2 – 1 Windsor Park [7]
1922–23 Crusaders 2 – 2 Bangor Solitude [8]
Replay 0 – 0 Solitude [9]
2nd replay 3 – 1 (aet; 20 mins) Solitude [10]
1923–24 Bangor 1 – 1 Woodburn
Replay 2 – 0 The Oval [11]
1924–25 Ormiston 0 – 0 Ballyclare Comrades
Replay ? – ?
2nd replay 1 – 0 Windsor Park [12]
1925–26 St. Mary's 4 – 0 Summerfield Solitude [13]
1926–27 Crusaders 5 – 3 (aet) Dunmurry Celtic Park [14]
1927–28 Willowfield 0 – 0 Ormiston
Replay 2 – 1 The Oval [15]
1928–29 Crusaders 4 – 0 Broadway United Windsor Park [16]
1929–30 Broadway United 2 – 2 Linfield Rangers
Replay 5 – 0 Solitude [17]
1930–31 Crusaders 3 – 3 Charleville
Replay 3 – 1 The Oval [18]
1931–32 Brantwood 3 – 0 Dunmurry Celtic Park [19]
1932–33 Glentoran II 2 – 2 Belfast Celtic II
Replay 3 – 1 Grosvenor Park [20]
1933–34 Crusaders 3 – 1 Belfast Celtic II Solitude [21]
1934–35 Belfast Celtic II 3 – 2 Crusaders Windsor Park [22]
1935–36 Belfast Celtic II 1 – 1 Glentoran II
Replay 2 – 1 Solitude [23]
1936–37 Crusaders 3 – 1 Glentoran II Celtic Park [24]
1937–38 Glentoran II 2 – 1 Summerfield Grosvenor Park [25]
1938–39 Sirocco Works 2 – 1 Crusaders The Oval [26]
1939–40 Linfield Swifts 2 – 0 Crusaders Grosvenor Park [27]
1940–41 Bangor Reserves 2 – 1 Distillery II Solitude [28]
1941–42 Larne Olympic 2 – 1 Belfast Celtic II Windsor Park [29]
1942–43 Larne Olympic 4 – 1 Victoria Works United Celtic Park [30]
1943–44 Ballyclare Comrades 4 – 2 Glentoran II Solitude [31]
1944–45 Bangor Reserves 3 – 0 Larne Olympic Windsor Park [32]
1945–46 Dundela 0 – 0 Bangor Reserves
Replay 3 – 1 Celtic Park [33]
1946–47 Linfield Swifts 4 – 1 Crusaders Solitude [34]
1947–48 Crusaders 2 – 2 Larne
Replay 3 – 2 Celtic Park [35]
1948–49 Linfield Swifts 6 – 2 Brantwood Solitude [36]
1949–50 Albert Foundry 3 – 2 Crusaders Reserves Grosvenor Park [37]
1950–51 Brantwood 2 – 1 Ballymoney United The Oval [38]
1951–52 Brantwood 2 – 0 Feltville United Windsor Park [39]
1952–53 Brantwood 2 – 1 Larne The Oval [40]
1953–54 Crusaders Reserves 4 – 3 Linfield Swifts Solitude [41]
1954–55 East Belfast 5 – 0 Dundela Grosvenor Park [42]
1955–56 Brantwood 2 – 0 Carrick Rangers Windsor Park [43]
1956–57 Larne 2 – 2 Linfield Swifts
Replay 3 – 1 Grosvenor Park [44]
1957–58 Glentoran II 3 – 0 Larne Solitude
1958–59 Larne 2 – 1 Crusaders Reserves Grosvenor Park
1959–60 Larne 1 – 0 Ards II Solitude [45]
1960–61 Ballyclare Comrades 4 – 3 Dundela The Oval [46]
1961–62 Carrick Rangers 2 – 2 Ballymena Utd Reserves Solitude
Replay 1 – 0 Grosvenor Park [47]
1962–63 Chimney Corner 2 – 1 Dundela Solitude [48]
1963–64 Dundela 1 – 1 Larne
Replay 4 – 1 Solitude [49]
1964–65 Larne 2 – 0 Brantwood Grosvenor Park [50]
1965–66 Glentoran II 1 – 0 Larne Solitude
1966–67 Glentoran II 4 – 0 Ards II Solitude [51]
1967–68 Carrick Rangers 3 – 1 Dundela Solitude [52]
1968–69 Larne 3 – 1 Glentoran II Grosvenor Park [53]
1969–70 Larne 3 – 1 Ballyclare Comrades Solitude [54]
1970–71 Larne 1 – 1 Dundonald
Replay 3 – 1 Solitude [55]
1971–72 Larne 1 – 0 Dundela Solitude [56]
1972–73 Linfield Swifts 2 – 1 Dundela Seaview [57]
1973–74 Chimney Corner 2 – 0 Glentoran II Seaview [58]
1974–75 Ballyclare Comrades 1 – 0 Glentoran II Seaview [59]
1975–76 Chimney Corner 1 – 1 Ballyclare Comrades Seaview
Replay 5 – 2 Solitude [60]
1976–77 Brantwood 2 – 0 Ards II Seaview [61]
1977–78 Downpatrick Rec 1 – 1 Ballyclare Comrades Seaview
Replay 3 – 1 Seaview [62]
1978–79 Cromac Albion 2 – 2 Ballyclare Comrades Seaview
Replay 4 – 1 Seaview [63]
1979–80 Short Bros 2 – 0 Barn United Seaview [64]
1980–81 Dundela 3 – 1 Killyleagh YC Seaview [65]
1981–82 Ballyclare Comrades 2 – 2 Killyleagh YC Seaview
Replay 3 – 2 Seaview [66]
1982–83 Dundela 2 – 0 RUC Seaview [67]
1983–84 Linfield Swifts 2 – 1 Ballymena United Reserves Seaview [68]
1984–85 Ballyclare Comrades 1 – 1 Distillery II Seaview
Replay 1 – 0 Solitude [69]
1985–86 Brantwood 1 – 1 Ballymoney United Seaview
Replay 5 – 1 Seaview [70]
1986–87 Ballyclare Comrades 3 – 0 Killyleagh YC Seaview [71]
1987–88 Dundela 1 – 1 Linfield Swifts Seaview
Replay 1 – 0 Seaview [72]
1988–89 Dundela 2 – 1 Glentoran II Seaview [73]
1989–90 Glentoran II 4 – 1 East Belfast Seaview [74]
1990–91 Dundela 2 – 0 RUC Seaview [75]
1991–92 Comber Rec 4 – 1 Brantwood Seaview [76]
1992–93 East Belfast 1 – 0 Linfield Swifts Seaview [77]
1993–94 RUC 5 – 1 Dundela Seaview [78]
1994–95 Bangor Reserves 1 – 0 Linfield Swifts Seaview [78]
1995–96 Ballymena United Reserves 1 – 1 Dromara Village Seaview
Replay 2 – 1 Seaview [79]
1996–97 Chimney Corner 2 – 1 Comber Rec Seaview [80]
1997–98 Linfield Swifts 1 – 0 (aet) Dundela Seaview Match decided by golden goal[81]
1998–99 Dunmurry Rec 2 – 0 RUC Seaview [82]
1999–00 Dundela 3 – 2 Comber Rec Seaview [83]
2000–01 Glentoran II 2 – 1 (aet) Cliftonville Olympic Seaview Match decided by golden goal[84]
2001–02 Glentoran II 0 2 – 2 (aet) (4 – 2 pens.) Dundela Seaview [85]
2002–03 Killyleagh YC 1 – 0 Chimney Corner Seaview [86]
2003–04 Donegal Celtic 3 – 0 Killyleagh YC Seaview [87]
2004–05 Bangor 2 – 0 Glentoran II Seaview Original game abandoned due to snow[88][89]
2005–06 Crusaders 4 – 1 Dundela Seaview [90]
2006–07 Brantwood 4 – 3 (aet) Harland & Wolff Welders Seaview [91]
2007–08 Dundela 2 – 0 Ballyclare Comrades Seaview [92]
2008–09 Ards 2 – 1 Carrick Rangers Seaview [93]
2009–10 Kilmore Rec 2 – 0 Downpatrick Seaview First final played on an artificial pitch[94]
2010–11 Harland & Wolff Welders 3 – 1 Knockbreda Seaview [95]
2011–12 Bangor 2 – 1 Larne Seaview [96]
2012–13 Cup withheld. Glentoran II beat Ards 2-1 in the final, but were later disqualified for fielding an ineligible player in an earlier round.[97][98]
2013–14 Dundela 4 – 1 Immaculata Seaview [99]
2014–15 Carrick Rangers 4 – 1 Harland & Wolff Welders Seaview [100]
2015–16 Harland & Wolff Welders 0 1 – 1 (aet) (4 – 1 pens.) Albert Foundry Seaview [101]
2016–17 Linfield Swifts 3 – 1 Dundela Seaview
2017–18 Newington 1 – 0 Linfield Swifts Seaview [102]
2018–19 East Belfast 3 – 0 Sirocco Works Seaview [103]
2019–20 Linfield Swifts 3 – 1 Newington Seaview [104]

Performance by club
Club Winners Winning Years
Glentoran II 13 1904–05, 1908–09, 1910–11, 1914–15, 1918–19, 1932–33, 1937–38, 1957–58, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1989–90, 2000–01, 2001–02
Linfield Swifts 11 1895–96, 1898–99, 1915–16, 1939–40, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1972–73, 1983–84, 1997–98, 2016–17, 2019-20
Dundela 10 1945–46, 1963–64, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1999–00, 2007–08, 2013–14
Larne 9 1909–10, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1964–65, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72
Brantwood 9 1920–21, 1931–32, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1976–77, 1985–86, 2006–07
Crusaders 8 1922–23, 1926–27, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1936–37, 1947–48, 2005–06
Ballyclare Comrades 6 1943–44, 1960–61, 1974–75, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1986–87
Cliftonville Olympic 6 1899–00, 1901–02, 1906–07, 1907–08, 1913–14, 1921–22
Belfast Celtic II 5 1912–13, 1916–17, 1917–18, 1934–35, 1935–36
Chimney Corner 4 1962–63, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1996–97
Bangor 3 1923–24, 2004–05, 2011–12
Carrick Rangers 3 1961–62, 1967–68, 2014–15
Dunmurry Rec 3 1897–98, 1919–20, 1998–99
Bangor Reserves 3 1940–41, 1944–45, 1994–95
East Belfast 3 1954–55, 1992–93, 2018–19
Harland & Wolff Welders 2 2010–11, 2015–16
Larne Olympic 2 1941–42, 1942–43
Mountpottinger YMCA 2 1903–04, 1905–06
Distillery II 1 1900–01
Ballymena United Reserves 1 1995–96
Comber Rec 1 1991–92
Albert Foundry (1923) 1 1949–50
Ards 1 2008–09
Black Diamonds 1 1911–12
Broadway United 1 1929–30
Cromac Albion 1 1978–79
Donegal Celtic 1 2003–04
Downpatrick Rec 1 1977–78
Highfield 1 1902–03
Killyleagh Youth 1 2002–03
Kilmore Rec 1 2009–10
Newington 1 2017–18
Ormiston 1 1924–25
RUC 1 1993–94
St Mary's 1 1925–26
Shorts 1 1979–80
Sirocco Works 1 1938–39
Wesley 1 1896–97
Willowfield 1 1927–28

See also

Sources
  1. "BBC report about the date move of the Final". BBC News. 2006-11-22. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  2. Belfast Telegraph, 16 March 2013
  3. Steel & Sons Cup Final Brochure 1970
  4. Steel & Sons Cup Final Programme 1993
  5. "Steel & Sons Cup Roll of Honour". 100 Years of Football: The History of the Co. Antrim FA. 1988.
  6. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1920 p. 2
  7. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1921 p. 3, 30/12/1921 p. 3 &
  8. Belfast News-Letter 27 December 1922 p. 3
  9. Belfast News-Letter - 29 December 1922 p. 2
  10. County Antrim FA Rules 1935-36 p. 67
  11. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1923 p. 3 & 29/12/1923 p. 2
  12. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1924 p. 3 &
  13. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1925 p. 3
  14. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1926 p. 5
  15. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1927 p. 3 &
  16. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1928 p. 3
  17. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1929 p. 7 & 31/12/1929 p. 2
  18. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1930 p. 3 &
  19. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1931 p. 3
  20. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1932 p. 4 &
  21. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1933 p. 3
  22. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1934 p. 3
  23. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1935 p. 3 &
  24. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1936 p. 3
  25. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1937 p. 3
  26. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1938 p. 3
  27. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1939 p. 3
  28. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1940 p. 2
  29. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1941 p. 2
  30. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1942 p. 2
  31. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1943 p. 2
  32. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1944 p. 2
  33. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1945 p. 2
  34. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1946 p. 2
  35. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1947 p. 2
  36. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1948 p. 2
  37. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1949 p. 6
  38. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1950 p. 6
  39. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1951 p. 6
  40. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1952 p. 2
  41. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1953 p. 7
  42. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1954 p. 7
  43. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1955 p. 7
  44. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1956 p. 2 &
  45. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1959 p. 7
  46. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1960 p. 7
  47. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1961 p. 6 & 29/12/61 p. 8
  48. Belfast News Letter 27/12/62 p. 8
  49. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1963 p. 8
  50. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1964 p. 8
  51. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1966 p. 6
  52. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1967 p. 9
  53. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1968 p. 8
  54. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1969 p. 8
  55. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1970 p. 8 & 31/12/1970 p. 12
  56. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1971 p. 9
  57. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1972 p. 7
  58. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1973 p. 9
  59. Belfast News Letter 30/12/1974 p. 10
  60. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1975 p. 9 & 02/01/1976 p. 12
  61. Belfast Telegraph 28/12/1976 p. 13
  62. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1977 p. 10 & 05/01/1978 p. 14
  63. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1978 p. 10 &
  64. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1979 p. 12
  65. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1980 p. 9
  66. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1981 p. 8 & 02/01/1982 p. 9
  67. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1982 p. 12
  68. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1983 p. 10
  69. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1984 p. 22 & 29/12/1984 p. 24
  70. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1985 p. 23 &
  71. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1986 p. 23
  72. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1987 p. 27 & 06/01/1988 p. 28
  73. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1988 p. 26
  74. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1989 p. 23
  75. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1990 p. 21
  76. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1991 p. 21
  77. Belfast News Letter 28/12/1992 p. 21
  78. Belfast News Letter 27/12/1993 p. 30
  79. Belfast News Letter 26/12/1995 p. 28 & 12/01/1996 p. 36
  80. Belfast News Letter 26/12/1996 p. 32
  81. Belfast News Letter 26/12/1997 p. 36
  82. Belfast Telegraph 26/12/1998 p. 21
  83. Belfast Telegraph 27/12/1999 p. 19
  84. Belfast Telegraph Soccer Yearbook 2001/02 p. 66
  85. "Wee Glens win Steel Cup". BBC News. 2001-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  86. "Killyleagh win Steel decider". BBC News. 2002-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  87. "Celtic lift Steel Cup". BBC News. 2003-12-26. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  88. "Cup final abandoned in snow storm". BBC News. 2004-12-26. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  89. "Bangor win Steel & Sons Cup". BBC News. 2004-12-30. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  90. "Crusaders 4-1 Dundela". BBC News. 2005-12-24. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  91. "Brantwood 4-3 H&W Welders". BBC News. 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  92. "Dundela and Loughgall trophy wins". BBC News. 2007-12-27. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  93. "Ards snatch late Steel Cup winner". BBC News. 2008-12-26. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  94. "Kilmore Rec win Steel Cup final". BBC News. 2009-12-26. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  95. "Welders secure Steel Cup success". BBC News. 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  96. "Bangor beat Larne in Steel & Sons Cup final". BBC News. 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  97. "Festive cheer for Glentoran in Steel and Sons Cup final". Newsletter. 2012-12-26. Retrieved 2012-12-26.
  98. "Glentoran II are stripped of Steel and Sons Cup". BBC News. 2013-03-13. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  99. "Dundela enjoy Christmas Day Cup cheer with win over Immaculata". Belfast News Letter. 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  100. News Letter
  101. Belfast Telegraph
  102. BBC
  103. "Steel & Sons Cup Final: East Belfast lift trophy after victory over Sirocco Works". News Letter. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
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