The cup is named after its donor, Mr. John Kirk, J.P, who was a member of the Antrim club.
[2] In the early years of the competition it was also known as the Ulster Senior Challenge Cup.
The winners of each Group proceed to semi-final matches, with the ties decided via an open draw.
The group winners contested the semi-final with the ties decided by an open draw.
For the start of the 2011–12 season the entry was restricted to the Premier League teams.