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FAI Women's Cup

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FAI Women's Cup
Organising bodyWomen's Football Association of Ireland
Founded1975
Region Ireland
Number of teams15 (2024)[1]
Current championsShelbourne (3rd title)
Most successful club(s)Dublin Castle 6 LFAI CUP WINNERS Castle Rovers/
Shamrock Rovers (6)
WebsiteFAI Women's Cup at fai.ie
2023 FAI Women's Cup

The Football Association of Ireland Women's Cup is the senior cup competition for women's association football in the Republic of Ireland. It is commonly known as the Women's FAI Cup, the WFAI Cup, or prior to 2001, the Ladies FAI Cup or the LFAI Cup. Organised by the Women's Football Association of Ireland, like the Women's National League, the Cup is currently sponsored by Sports Direct and is known as the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup. Previous sponsors include EVOKE.ie, Continental Tyres,[2] Umbro[3] and Brother International.[4]

History

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Antecedents

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Two reports in the Kilkenny People suggest that Evergreen (Kilkenny) defeated Avengers (Dublin) in a 1973 final.[5][6] Two 1974 articles in the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent report that Anne O'Brien won the Drumcondra Cup with All-Stars (Dublin) in 1972.[7][8] A 1985 article in the Munster Express, marking Benfica's twenty year anniversary, claims the club first played in a national Cup as early as in 1968.[9]

Early years

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Although the RSSSF archives only list finals from 1989,[10] a match programme from a 1978 international between the Republic of Ireland and France confirmed that the Ladies FAI Cup was first played for in 1975 with Limerick defeating C.S.O. (Dublin) 2–1 in the final.[11] Records from the early 1980s are more clear and during this period the three strongest teams were Dublin Castle, Benfica and Rathfarnham United. The former two clubs were both members of the Ladies League of Ireland. Dublin Castle was founded in the mid-1970s as a works team by Margaret Griffin, a former camogie player from Ennis, County Clare who later became a Republic of Ireland international. At the time Griffin was working for the Irish Revenue Commissioners based at Dublin Castle.[12]

Benfica won the cup for the third time in 1993 in controversial circumstances. College Corinthians originally defeated Benfica 1–0 in the final.[13] However a replay was held after it was discovered that Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players.[14] In the replay, a fifteen year old Ciara Grant scored twice as Benfica won 3–0 at Kilcohan Park.[15][16]

DWSL monopoly

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Following the emergence of the Dublin Women's Soccer League in 1993, its member clubs, most notably Shamrock Rovers and UCD, dominated the competition.[17] This monopoly was briefly broken in 2006 and 2007 by the representative teams of two regional women's leagues. A team representing the Mayo Ladies League[18] defeated UCD in the 2006 final and in 2007 the Galway Ladies League defeated Raheny United.[19][20][21] Between 2008 and 2011 the DWSL dominance was restored with victories by St Francis, Peamount United and St. Catherine's.

UEFA Women's Cup

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Between 2001 and 2010 the FAI Women's Cup served as a qualifier for the UEFA Women's Cup. In 2002–03, after winning the 2001 cup, Shamrock Rovers became the first women's team to represent the Republic of Ireland in Europe.[22] UCD became the second Republic of Ireland team to qualify for Europe after winning the cup. UCD played in the 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 UEFA Women's Cups. The Mayo Ladies League, the Galway Ladies League, St Francis and Peamount United all represented the Republic of Ireland in Europe after winning the cup.

In 2005 Dundalk City won the FAI Women's Cup[23][24] and as a result qualified for the 2006–07 UEFA Women's Cup. However, in 2006 a split developed within Dundalk City over a plan for the club to fully merge with Dundalk F.C. This saw the emergence of two separate women's teams. Dundalk City was re-established as an independent club while Dundalk W.F.C. became affiliated with the League of Ireland club. Following complications that resulted from the split, it was Dundalk W.F.C. that went on to represent the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Women's Cup.[25][26][27]

Women's National League era

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The establishment of the Women's National League in 2011–12 led to a revamp for the FAI Women's Cup. Played between August and November, it serves as a warm up competition for the WNL season. Between 2013 and 2019 the final was staged as part of double header at the Aviva Stadium along with the men's FAI Cup final. This idea had previously been tried out in 2004 and 2005 when Lansdowne Road hosted both finals on the same day. Since 2013 the final has also been broadcast live on RTÉ Two.[28] In 2015 the double header system caused controversy when the FAI Women's Cup final went to extra-time and penalties. During the penalty shoot-out, Cork City F.C. players began their warm up preparations for the men's FAI Cup on the pitch.[29]

From the 2020 season onwards, the final was staged at Tallaght Stadium on a separate day to the men's final.

List of finals

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Date Winner Score Runners-up Venue
1975 Limerick 2–1 C.S.O. (Dublin)[11]
1976 Dublin Castle Waterford
1977 Suffragettes Avengers (Dublin)
1978 Dublin Castle Green Angels (Dublin)
1979 Dublin Castle Avengers (Dublin)
1980 Suffragettes 4–1 [30] Rathfarnham United
1981 Suffragettes[note 1][30] Rathfarnham United
10 October 1982 Dublin Castle [31][32] 5–0 Cork Celtic Waterford Glass Sports Centre
1983 Glade Celtic 2–0 Dublin Castle [33] Belfield Park[34]
1984 Dublin Castle [35] 2-2 [note 2] Killeady/Cork Rangers [36]
1985 Rathfarnham United 2–2 (a.e.t.) Belvedere Hogan Park, Rathbane
Replay Rathfarnham United 2–0 Belvedere[37][38] Dalymount Park[4]
1986 Dublin Castle Benfica[39][40]
1987 Benfica 3–2 Boyne Rovers [40][41] Dalymount Park
1988 Rathfarnham United [42]
1989 Benfica 4–2 (a.e.t.) Rathfarnham United [note 3] The Farm[42][43]
1990 Rathfarnham United Boyne Rovers
1991 Rathfarnham United Belvedere
18 October 1992 Welsox Benfica Dalymount Park[44]
1993 College Corinthians 1–0 Benfica
Replay Benfica 3–0 [note 4] College Corinthians Kilcohan Park[13][14][15][16]
1994 Welsox Verona FC
1995 Rathfarnham United College Corinthians
1996 Castle Rovers O'Connell Chics
1997 Shamrock Rovers[45] 4–0 Shelbourne
1998 Shamrock Rovers Listowel Celtic
29 August 1999 [46] Shamrock Rovers 2–0 Shelbourne AUL Complex
2000 Shamrock Rovers Bealnamulla
29 July 2001 Shamrock Rovers 3–1 St. Catherine's AUL Complex[47]
1 September 2002 UCD 2–1 Shamrock Rovers
10 August 2003 [48] UCD 2–0 Lifford (Clare) Richmond Park
24 October 2004 [49] UCD 4–1 Dundalk City Lansdowne Road[50]
16 October 2005 [23][24][51] Dundalk City 1–0 Peamount United Lansdowne Road[50]
2 December 2006 [20] Mayo Ladies League 1–0 UCD Richmond Park[18]
14 October 2007 [21] Galway Ladies League 1–0 Raheny United Dalymount Park
22 November 2008 [52] St Francis 2–1 Peamount United Richmond Park
25 July 2009 [53] St Francis 1–0 St. Catherine's Richmond Park[54]
25 July 2010 [55] Peamount United 4–2 Salthill Devon Tolka Park
7 August 2011 [56][57][58][59] St. Catherine's 3–1 Wilton United Turners Cross
13 October 2012 [60] Raheny United 2–1 Peamount United Dalymount Park
3 November 2013 [61] Raheny United 3–2 (a.e.t.) Castlebar Celtic Aviva Stadium[28]
2 November 2014 [62] Raheny United 2–1 (a.e.t.) UCD Waves Aviva Stadium
8 November 2015 [63] Wexford Youths 2–2 [note 5] Shelbourne Aviva Stadium
6 November 2016 [64] Shelbourne 5–0 Wexford Youths Aviva Stadium
5 November 2017 [65] Cork City 1–0 UCD Waves Aviva Stadium
4 November 2018[66] Wexford Youths 1–0 Peamount United Aviva Stadium
3 November 2019[67] Wexford Youths 3–2 Peamount United Aviva Stadium
12 December 2020[68] Peamount United 6–0 Cork City Tallaght Stadium
21 November 2021[69] Wexford Youths 3–1 Shelbourne Tallaght Stadium
6 November 2022[70] Shelbourne 2–0 Athlone Town Tallaght Stadium
19 November 2023[71] Athlone Town 2–2[note 6] Shelbourne Tallaght Stadium
20 October 2024[72] Shelbourne 6–1 Athlone Town Tallaght Stadium
Notes
  1. ^ Suffragettes and Rathfarnham United were the finalists.
  2. ^ Dublin Castle won on penalties.
  3. ^ RSSSF lists Boyne Rovers as the runners-up. However a report in The Munster Express identifies Rathfarnham United as the runners-up. The same report also identifies Rathfarnham United as the previous years winners.
  4. ^ Replay held after Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players in first game.
  5. ^ Wexford Youths won 4–2 on penalties.
  6. ^ Athlone won 4–3 on penalties.

List of winners by club

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Dublin Castle and Castle Rovers/Shamrock Rovers have won the cup the most times, each winning the competition six times.[10][19]

Wins Team Seasons
6 Dublin Castle [note 1] 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986 [32]
6 Castle Rovers/Shamrock Rovers 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
5 Rathfarnham United 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995
4 Wexford Youths 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021
3 Benfica 1987, 1989, 1995
3 UCD 2002, 2003, 2004
3 Raheny United 2012, 2013, 2014
3 Shelbourne 2016, 2022, 2024
2 Peamount United 2010, 2020
2 Welsox 1992, 1994
2 St Francis 2008, 2010
1 Limerick 1975
1 Glade Celtic 1983
1 Dundalk City 2005
1 Mayo Ladies League 2006
1 Galway Ladies League 2007
1 St. Catherine's 2011
1 Cork City 2017
1 Athlone Town 2023

Source:[10][19]

Notes
  1. ^ An Irish Examiner report on 1982 final states that 1982 was third time Dublin Castle had won cup but does not identify the earlier years.

References

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  1. ^ https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0606/1453368-womens-fai-cup-draws-pits-galway-against-shelbourne/
  2. ^ "Women's Soccer Secures Continental Backing". Sport for Business. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Rules for the 2010 UMBRO/ FAI Women's Cup competitions". www.fai.ie. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "No Decision Reached". Irish Independent. 9 September 1985. p. 17.
  5. ^ "Ladies Soccer". Kilkenny People. 16 February 1973. p. 15.
  6. ^ "Ladies Soccer – Sunday's Inter Provincials". Kilkenny People. 23 February 1973. p. 17.
  7. ^ "untitled caption with photo of Anne O'Brien". Irish Independent. 23 January 1974. p. 7.
  8. ^ "French pay Ann £75 – for kicks!". Sunday Independent. 20 January 1974. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Benfica - 20 Years Old". Munster Express. 3 May 1985. p. 20.
  10. ^ a b c "Ireland - List of Women Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Ladies Football in Ireland". Match programme Ireland v France. Ladies Football Association of Ireland. 23 September 1978. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Lovely touch about this international". Irish Independent. 15 April 1976. p. 11.
  13. ^ a b "Soccer scoreboard". Irish Independent. 27 September 1993. p. 26.
  14. ^ a b "Festival of football at Kilcohan Park". The Munster Express. 19 November 1993. p. 21.
  15. ^ a b "Youngsters Show The Way". The Munster Express. 26 November 1993. p. 21.
  16. ^ a b "untitled report". Irish Press. 22 November 1993. p. 36.
  17. ^ Farrell, Niall (September 9, 2013). "WNL Focus - The magic of the Cup". extratime.ie. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Mayo ladies make glorious history". www.mayonews.ie. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  19. ^ a b c "FAI Umbro Women's Cup – Roll of Honor". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  20. ^ a b Schöggl, Hans (16 August 2012). "Ireland (Women) 2006". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Galway League 1–0 Raheny United". RTÉ. 14 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  22. ^ Schöggl, Hans (10 July 2003). "2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Dundalk take women's trophy". www.rte.ie. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
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  25. ^ "Serious split sees cup winners go it alone". www.independent.ie. 8 March 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  26. ^ "No merger of teams for big European quest". www.independent.ie. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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  28. ^ a b "FAI Women's Cup to be Staged at Aviva Stadium". Midwest Radio 96.1 FM. 5 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  29. ^ McLysaght, Elmer (8 November 2015). "There's outrage after Cork City players began their FAI cup warmup during women's penalty shootout". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  30. ^ a b "unnamed article". The Irish Times. 12 September 1981. p. 3.
  31. ^ Jones, Derek (29 September 1983). "Dublin Castle out to retain LFAI Cup". The Irish Times. p. 3.
  32. ^ a b "Dublin Castle too strong". Irish Examiner. 11 October 1982. p. 15.
  33. ^ "Glade Celtic too strong for Castle". The Irish Times. 3 October 1983. p. 16.
  34. ^ "Glade in the Groove". Irish Independent. 24 November 1983. p. 10.
  35. ^ "Women's FAI Cup final: All you need to know". rte.ie. RTÉ. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  36. ^ "Fixture list for the weekend". The Irish Times. 3 November 1984. p. 20.
  37. ^ "Rathfarnham superior". The Irish Times. 10 October 1985. p. 3.
  38. ^ "L.F.A.I. Cup for Rathfarnham". The Irish Press. 10 October 1985. p. 23.
  39. ^ "Women's squad is named". The Irish Times. 21 August 1986. p. 16.
  40. ^ a b "Benefica [sic] take first trophy". The Irish Times. 21 September 1987. p. 4. Benefica made amends for their defeat last year when they won the LFAI Cup for the first time...
  41. ^ "Boyne Beaten". The Irish Press. 21 September 1987. p. 15.
  42. ^ a b "Benfica Champions". The Munster Express. 15 September 1989. p. 20.
  43. ^ "Cup final showdown for Benfica". The Munster Express. 8 September 1989. p. 18.
  44. ^ "Cup final showdown for Benfica". The Munster Express. 16 October 1992. p. 23.
  45. ^ "Sports Briefs – Ladies Soccer". The Mayo News. 10 September 1997. p. 44.
  46. ^ "Rovers' double". The Irish Times. 30 August 1999. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  47. ^ "Shamrock Rovers win exciting LFAI Final". Football Association of Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 August 2001. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  48. ^ "Ireland (Women) 2003". RSSSF.
  49. ^ "Ireland (Women) 2004". RSSSF.
  50. ^ a b "midwestradio.ie". Archived from the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
  51. ^ "Ireland (Women) 2005". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  52. ^ "Fixtures and Results 2008 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  53. ^ "Ireland (Women) 2009". RSSSF.
  54. ^ "Local trio help fire St Francis to WFAI Cup glory". www.independent.ie. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  55. ^ Finn, Stephen (July 26, 2010). "O'Gorman Peamount hat-trick hero". Irish Independent.
  56. ^ "Ireland (Women) 2011". RSSSF. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  57. ^ "Wilton and St. Catherine's set for Umbro WFAI Cup final battle". www.fai.ie. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  58. ^ "St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup". www.fai.ie. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  59. ^ "Wilton United, Cork v St Catherine's LFC, Dublin - FAI Umbro Women's Senior Challenge Cup Final 2011 Photos". www.sportsfile.com. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  60. ^ "Raheny United 2-1 Peamount United". RTÉ Sport. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  61. ^ Fallon, John (November 4, 2013). "Raheny triumph in Women's FAI Cup final report". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  62. ^ Maher, Gareth (2 November 2014). "Raheny retain FAI Continental Tyres Women's Cup". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  63. ^ "Wexford win first ever FAI Women's Cup final on penalties". www.irishtimes.com. 8 November 2015.
  64. ^ "Five-star Shelbourne turn on the style to win FAI Women's Cup". www.independent.ie. 6 November 2016.
  65. ^ "Moment of magic wins Women's FAI Cup final for Cork City". www.independent.ie. 5 November 2017.
  66. ^ "Wexford Youths seal the treble thanks to Katrina Parrock's first-half winner". independent.
  67. ^ Leahy, Ed (November 3, 2019). "Wexford Youths swing five-goal thriller to win FAI Cup" – via www.rte.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  68. ^ Malone, Emmet (December 12, 2020). "Stephanie Roche tees things up perfectly as Peamount wrap up double" – via www.irishtimes.ie. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  69. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (21 November 2021). "Edel Kennedy's stunner seals FAI Cup for Wexford and denies Shels a double". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  70. ^ O'Connor, Seán (7 November 2022). "Shelbourne manager Noel King praises Shelbourne's 'future internationals' after Reds earn redemption". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  71. ^ Brannigan, Peter (19 November 2023). "Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final recap: Athlone Town win on penalties". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  72. ^ Pyne, Anthony (20 October 2024). "FAI Cup final recap". RTE. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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