Division Three Final: The History
Click here for a recap on the history of the AIB League Division Three play-off final, previous winners and general statistics.
…The scene for Saturday’s AIB League divisional finals…
DIVISION THREE: PLAY-0FF FINAL:
The Division Three play-offs were introduced at the end of the 2001/02 season. Since then, three League winners – Greystones in 2001/02, Waterpark in 2002/03 and Highfield in 2003/04 – have failed to win the Division Three title after the play-offs. Only Greystones (2004/05) have bucked the trend. To date, nine different clubs (four from Leinster, two Munster, two Ulster and one Connacht) have qualified for a Division Three final.
DIVISION THREE: LIST OF CHAMPIONS:
UCD – 2 TIMES (1993/94, 98/99), GREYSTONES – 2 TIMES (2001/02, 04/05)
NIFC – 1 TIME (1994/95), MONKSTOWN – 1 TIME (1995/96), BUCCANEERS – 1 TIME (1996/97), PORTADOWN – 1 TIME (1997/98 with a 100% record), BALLYNAHINCH – 1 TIME (1999/00), THOMOND – 1 TIME (2000/01), WATERPARK – 1 TIME (2002/03), HIGHFIELD – 1 TIME (2003/04)
DIVISION THREE: LIST OF TABLE TOPPERS:
UCD – 2 SEASONS (1993/94, 98/99), GREYSTONES – 2 SEASONS (2001/02*, 04/05)
NIFC – 1 TIME (1994/95), MONKSTOWN – 1 TIME (1995/96), BUCCANEERS – 1 TIME (1996/97), PORTADOWN – 1 TIME (1997/98 with a 100% record), BALLYNAHINCH (1999/00), THOMOND – 1 TIME (2000/01), WATERPARK – 1 TIME (2002/03*), HIGHFIELD – 1 TIME (2003/04*), CLONAKILTY – 1 TIME (2005/06)
* Did not win the play-offs
PLAY-OFF FINALS: RECORD:
2001/02 – Connemara 25 Dublin University 21; Captains: Bernard Keaney, Donal Crotty; Referee: Simon McDowell
2002/03 – Wanderers 51 Waterpark 5; Captains: Bevan Cantrell, David Cruickshank; Referee: David Keane
2003/04 – Greystones 18 Ards 11; Captains: Eoin O’Brien and Neil Magannety, Michael Creighton; Referee: David Keane
2004/05 – Greystones 39 Instonians 20; Captains: Liam Murphy, Fergus Gallagher; Referee: George Clancy
DIVISION THREE CHAMPIONS: STATISTICS:
* Greystones (twice), Waterpark, Highfield and Clonakilty (plus Suttonians) have been promoted into Division Two over the last five seasons.
* UCD won Division Three in 1993/94 and 1998/99 and also won the Division Two title in 2000/01.
* Greystones have reached two Division Three finals – and were successful on both occasions.
* Ulster clubs have graced the final twice and both times finished as runners-up.
* Both Clonakilty and Suttonians are making their debuts in the Division Three final.
* No Munster or Ulster club has won the Division Three Championship.
* Statistics compiled by Des Daly