FAI Cup

The Football Association of Ireland Senior Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FAI Cup, is an annual knockout football competition based in the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, this cup is open to clubs from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland that play in the Republic of Ireland leagues.

All teams from the League of Ireland are eligible to participate. Additionally, non-league clubs (levels 3-7 in the pyramid) can enter if they have qualified for the FAI Intermediate Cup or FAI Junior Cup. Consequently, the number of contestants has varied over the years as non-league football has expanded.

The competition runs on a spring-to-autumn schedule, typically from April to November, and follows a single-elimination format, with all rounds played over one leg. Match-ups are determined by a draw, except for the final.

The FAI Cup champion qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League. If the winner has already secured European qualification through league performance, the ticket passes to the next best-placed team in the league that did not qualify. Additionally, the FAI Cup holder earns a spot in the President of Ireland’s Cup for the following season, where they face the league champion, or the runner-up if the FAI Cup champion has also won the league.

St. James's Gate lifted the inaugural FAI Cup crown, narrowly defeating Shamrock Rovers for the 1921-22 title. Since then, Shamrock Rovers have dominated the competition, despite a trophy drought from 1987 to 2019. Meanwhile, Dundalk, Derry City, St Patrick's Athletic, and Cork City have all achieved significant success since the turn of the century.