The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth-oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish Cup was the national cup competition for the whole of Ireland. Linfield are the current holders after beating Crusaders 4–1 in the 2012 final.
The Irish Cup is currently sponsored by JJB Sports. It was previously sponsored by Nationwide Building Society and Bass Ireland Ltd.
Read more about Irish Cup: Format, History, Records, Final Results
Famous quotes containing the words irish and/or cup:
“I was the rector’s son, born to the anglican order,
Banned for ever from the candles of the Irish poor;
The Chichesters knelt in marble at the end of a transept
With ruffs about their necks, their portion sure.”
—Louis MacNeice (1907–1963)
“I know it does make people happy, but to me it is just like having a cup of tea.”
—Cynthia Paine (b. 1934)