Irish League Cup - History and Statistics

History and Statistics

Linfield have won the cup nine times, more than any other club. Linfield and Glentoran share the record for most appearances in the final, with twelve appearances each.

The highest score recorded in a final was 4–0, when Linfield defeated Coleraine in 2000.

A total of ten different clubs have won the cup, and twelve different clubs have reached the final.

The most common final has been Glentoran v Linfield. These clubs have played each other in seven finals. Linfield have won on four occasions and Glentoran on three.

Newry City and Larne have appeared in the final twice, losing on both occasions. In 2010–11, Lisburn Distillery became the tenth different club to win the cup, in what was their first ever appearance in the final.

Linfield hold the record for the most consecutive wins: three times from 1997–98 to 1999–2000.

The 1988–89 final, played between Glentoran and Linfield at the Oval on 11 November 1988 was won courtesy of a goal by Glentoran Goalkeeper Alan Patterson via a kick from his own penalty area. This was the first time that a Goalkeeper had scored in a British football final.

In 2008–09, Portadown became the first intermediate team to reach the final, and subsequently became the first intermediate team to win the cup after defeating Newry City 1–0.

The 2008–09 final between Newry City and Portadown was the first to be played outside Belfast, with Mourneview Park, Lurgan hosting a 1–0 win for the Ports. This match was attended by UEFA President Michel Platini and Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington who was in Northern Ireland for the FIFA meeting held in Newcastle, County Down.