All-Island Cup Explained

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]

Background

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]

2023 competition

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Final

2024 edition

The 2024 edition of the All-Island Cup was drawn on 22 February 2024.[10]

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Inaugural Draw for Avenir Sports Women's All-Island Cup Announced - The Home of Irish Football . Extra Time . 2023-05-18 . 2023-08-31.
  2. Web site: Fiona . Halligan . Draw for inaugural All Island Cup has been made . Irish Examiner . 2023-05-18 . 2023-08-31.
  3. Web site: First women's All-Island Cup draw made with Wexford Youths, Peamount and Shamrock Rovers handed tough group . Irish Independent . 18 May 2023 . 2023-08-31.
  4. Web site: The Showgrounds to Host First Ever Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Final . 12 July 2023 . Her Sport . 2023-08-31.
  5. Web site: McCann . Lauren . All-Island Cup: Everything you need to know about the new cross-border competition . BBC Sport . 2023-06-15 . 2023-08-31.
  6. Web site: All-Island Cup: Cliftonville draw Bohs in inaugural competition . BBC Sport . 2023-05-18 . 2023-08-31.
  7. News: International fixtures may delay All-Island Cup decider . Belfast Telegraph . 2023-08-31 . 8 July 2023 .
  8. Web site: Avenir Sports All Island Cup Final Details Confirmed . NIFL . 2023-08-31.
  9. Web site: Galway United Women claim first national trophy . Galway Advertiser . 2023-08-31 .
  10. Web site: All-Island Cup: Irish Premiership winners Glentoran draw holders Galway United . BBC Sport . 2024-02-22 . 2024-03-21.