All-Island Cup | |
Organiser: | Football Association of Ireland |
Founded: | 2023 |
Region: | |
Number Of Teams: | 16 |
Current Champions: | Galway United |
Most Successful Club: | Galway United (2 titles) |
The All-Island Cup, known as the Avenir Sports Women's All-Island Cup for sponsorship purposes,[1] is a women's association football competition held on an all-Ireland basis between women's football clubs from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 2023.[2]
Historically, association football in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was organised separately due to the two associations holding separate UEFA membership. In 2023, the Republic of Ireland's Football Association of Ireland came up with the idea of an all-Ireland competition in advance of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, designed to keep competitive women's football going during this time.[3] It was also envisaged to showcase women's association football in the island of Ireland.[4] The idea was supported by Northern Ireland's Irish Football Association and the competition was planned with 11 teams from the FAI's League of Ireland Women's Premier Division and 5 from the IFA's Women's Premiership.[5] The draw for the inaugural competition was made at the FAI's Headquarters in Dublin.[6]
Prior to the semi-finals, due to Cliftonville qualifying, there was concern over the date of the final due to a potential clash with either the Northern Ireland women's national football team matches or the 2023 NIFL Women's Premiership League Cup Cliftonville were due to play in.[7] However the Irish League agreed to move it.[8] Galway United were the first All-Ireland Cup champions by defeating Cliftonville 1-0 at The Showgrounds, Sligo, winning their first major women's trophy.[9]
The 2024 edition of the All-Island Cup was drawn on 22 February 2024.[10]