Cup Competitions
The FAI Cup is the national cup competition of the country. It was first run in 1922. The tournament has a straight knockout format with non-league and junior sides competing in the first round before the league clubs join in the second round.
The League of Ireland Cup is the other main cup in the country. It was first held in 1974. This tournament's format has changed over the years. Previously it had group stages in the opening round but it now is straight knockout but clubs are divided into regional groups in the opening rounds. All 22 league clubs take part with the addition of 2 non-league clubs in order to bring the number up to 24.
League of Ireland clubs also compete in the Setanta Cup. This competition is played between clubs from both the League of Ireland and the Irish League in Northern Ireland. Six clubs from both sides of the border take part. Clubs who finish in the top four positions in the Airtricity League and Carling Premiership are invited to participate, along with the winners of both major domestic cup competitions.
This tournament was first played in 2005.
Munster also run a cup for all clubs located in Munster including league clubs.
Each of the provincial and local amateur leagues also run cup competitions for their league clubs.
Defunct cup competitions include:
- Texaco Cup
- Blaxnit Cup
- Dublin City Cup
- Dublin and Belfast Intercity Cup
- FAI Super Cup
- League of Ireland Shield
- Top Four Cup
Read more about this topic: Association Football In The Republic Of Ireland
Famous quotes containing the word cup:
“I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man: wine is not so noble a liquor; and think of dashing the hopes of a morning with a cup of warm coffee, or of an evening with a dish of tea! Ah, how low I fall when I am tempted by them! Even music may be intoxicating. Such apparently slight causes destroyed Greece and Rome, and will destroy England and America.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)