As we contemplate the reconstitution of the inter-provincial series, Gerry Byrne reviews the results from past tournaments between 1966 and 2004.
Winners of Interprovincial Championships
Competition started in 1966 featuring 6 teams, Munster, North Leinster, North West, South Leinster, Ulster Country, Ulster Town.
From time to time teams that made up Ulster Country and Ulster Town changed, often depending on strength of teams in the two areas. North and South Leinster were divided by the River Liffey and the teams stayed constant. Dublin University was just on the South side but was included in North Leinster
For the first 20 years the competition was sponsored by Guinness and was known as Guinness Cup. Even though Guinness ceased to be sponsors after 20 years the competition had become synonymous with that name and many still use that name to refer to it .
Initially the competition was based on time matches which could be drawn and the team batting first had to judge the timing of their declarations. Points were changed from time to time to reflect different aspects of how the regulators felt the game should be played or addressed. At later stages limits were put on the number of overs a side could bat but even if both faced the same number of overs a draw was possible unless the side batting second, if it had scored less that the side batting first, was all out.
Year Winner (time won)
1966 North West (1)
1967 Ulster Country (1)
1968 North Leinster (1)
1969 North West (2)
North Leinster and North West tied and North West won Play Off.
1970 Ulster Country (2)
1971 Ulster Town (1)
1972 North Leinster (2)
1973 Ulster Country (3)
1974 Ulster Country (4)
Due to political unrest competition divided into North and South Zones. The two winners played a final in Dublin in which Ulster Country beat North Leinster
1975 North Leinster (3)
1976 Ulster Country (5)
1977 North West (3)
1978 South Leinster (1)
1979 Ulster Country (6)
First time winning team won all 5 of their matches except in 1974 when cup was played in zones.
1980 Ulster Town (2)
1981 Ulster Town (3)
1982 North Leinster (4)
1983 Ulster Town (4)
+ See below re regulation changes 1983.
1984 South Leinster (2)
Between 1999 and 1984 Ulster Town played 23 matches without defeat, of which they won 16. They won the Cup 3 times in this period.
1985 North Leinster (5)
North West (4)
The first time the cup was shared. Dreadful weather had 7 matches abandoned and North West could only play once.
After 20 Years Guinness withdrew from sponsorship. However the 6 team structure continued until 1995.
1986 North West (5)
1987 Ulster Town (5)
Bonus Points for certain wickets taken introduced and rain affected draws earned points meaning every match counted.
1988 South Leinster (3)
1989 North West (6)
1990 Ulster Country (7)
Batting Bonus points introduced this year.
1991 South Leinster (4)
1992 North West (7)
1993 North West (8)
1994 North West (9)
1995 South Leinster (5)
+ Regulation changes for 1983.
Matches limited to 60 overs per side
Highest total of runs wins
If team batting second bats at least 30 overs, team with best run rate over its innings wins
If team batting second does not reach 30 overs null and void (unless all out)
Points: Win 10; Tie 5 (irrespective of wickets lost). League table on %age basis
This ended the 6 team format of the Competition Summary of wins is as follows:-
North West 9 .
Ulster Country 7
Ulster Town 5
North Leinster 5
South Leinster 5
Munster 0
This includes North West sharing one title being the only team to achieve a hat trick of wins
The Interprovincial Tournament continued from 1996 to 2004 (though not in 2001) but with varying formats
1996 Development XI 1
Benson & Hedges regulations introduced. 5 teams – Development XI; Leinster; Munster; North West; Ulster
1997 Northern 1
Same teams. Players who played for Development XI could play for their home teams if not required by Dev XI.
1998 North 1
Reduced to 3 teams because of pressure of International Matches.
1999 Leinster 1
Back to 4 teams, same as in 1997 but Development XI Abandoned
2000 Leinster 2
Northern 2
North West 1
No tie breaking regulations in so 3 teams shared title
2001 No Interprovincials in 2001
2002 South 1
3 teams as in 1998. Each team played one two day match and one Limited Overs match. Separate regulations for each type of match
2003 North Leinster 1
Four teams. South divided into North Leinster and South [South Leinster and Munster]. Each team to play others twice. Overs could be reduced if rain came and target set by DL
2004 North Leinster 2
Same structure and regulations as previous year. Final match for each side cancelled when Northamptionshire played in Dublin on weekend they were scheduled. These do not count in table