Northern Ireland - Irish Cup

About Irish Cup

Irish Cup History, Format, Organization, Media Coverage

The Irish Cup, also known as the Irish Football Association Challenge Cup, is Northern Ireland’s premier knockout cup competition. It was founded in 1881, making it the fourth-oldest national cup tournament in the history of the beautiful game. All teams from Northern Ireland with intermediate or senior status are permitted to participate. Eight rounds, including the quarter-finals and semi-finals, must be played before the finalist are decided. The 24 senior NIFL Premiership and NIFL Championship teams are given byes to the fifth round. All games are played in a single-leg format, with extra-time and penalty shootouts being the tie-breakers.