FAI Women's Cup explained
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,[1] Umbro[2] and Brother International.[3]
History
Antecedents
Two reports in the Kilkenny People suggest that Evergreen (Kilkenny) defeated Avengers (Dublin) in a 1973 final.[4] [5] 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.[6] [7] 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.[8]
Early years
Although the RSSSF archives only list finals from 1989,[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]
Benfica won the cup for the third time in 1993 in controversial circumstances. College Corinthians originally defeated Benfica 1–0 in the final.[12] However a replay was held after it was discovered that Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players.[13] In the replay, a fifteen year old Ciara Grant scored twice as Benfica won 3–0 at Kilcohan Park.[14] [15]
DWSL monopoly
Following the emergence of the Dublin Women's Soccer League in 1993, its member clubs, most notably Shamrock Rovers and UCD, dominated the competition.[16] 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[17] defeated UCD in the 2006 final and in 2007 the Galway Ladies League defeated Raheny United.[18] [19] [20] Between 2008 and 2011 the DWSL dominance was restored with victories by St Francis, Peamount United and St. Catherine's.
UEFA Women's Cup
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.[21] 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[22] [23] 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.[24] [25] [26]
Women's National League era
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.[27] 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.[28]
From the 2020 season onwards, the final was staged at Tallaght Stadium on a separate day to the men's final.
List of finals
- Notes
- News: Women's Soccer Secures Continental Backing. 3 January 2016. Sport for Business. 21 August 2014.
- Web site: Rules for the 2010 UMBRO/ FAI Women's Cup competitions. www.fai.ie. 24 January 2016. 30 March 2010.
- News: No Decision Reached. Irish Independent. 9 September 1985. 17.
- News: Ladies Soccer. Kilkenny People. 16 February 1973. 15.
- News: Ladies Soccer – Sunday's Inter Provincials. Kilkenny People. 23 February 1973. 17.
- News: untitled caption with photo of Anne O'Brien. Irish Independent. 23 January 1974. 7.
- News: French pay Ann £75 – for kicks!. Sunday Independent. 20 January 1974. 1.
- News: Benfica - 20 Years Old. Munster Express. 3 May 1985. 20.
- Web site: Ireland - List of Women Cup Winners. RSSSF. 17 September 2011.
- News: Ladies Football in Ireland. 21 April 2016. Match programme Ireland v France. Ladies Football Association of Ireland. 23 September 1978.
- News: Lovely touch about this international. Irish Independent. 15 April 1976. 11.
- News: Soccer scoreboard. Irish Independent. 27 September 1993. 26.
- News: Festival of football at Kilcohan Park. The Munster Express. 19 November 1993. 21.
- News: Youngsters Show The Way. The Munster Express. 26 November 1993. 21.
- News: untitled report. Irish Press. 22 November 1993. 36.
- Web site: Farrell. Niall. WNL Focus - The magic of the Cup. extratime.ie. 24 January 2016. September 9, 2013.
- Web site: Mayo ladies make glorious history. www.mayonews.ie. 12 March 2016. 5 December 2006.
- Web site: FAI Umbro Women's Cup – Roll of Honor. Football Association of Ireland. 24 January 2016.
- Web site: Schöggl. Hans. Ireland (Women) 2006. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 24 January 2016. 16 August 2012.
- Web site: Galway League 1–0 Raheny United . RTÉ . 7 April 2011 . 14 October 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081204063137/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1014/ladiesfaicup.html . 4 December 2008 .
- Web site: Schöggl. Hans. 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 24 January 2016. 10 July 2003.
- Web site: Dundalk take women's trophy. www.rte.ie. 14 February 2016. 14 June 2007.
- Web site: Hoey pounces to seal victory. www.irishtimes.com. 14 February 2016. 5 December 2005.
- Web site: Serious split sees cup winners go it alone. www.independent.ie. 15 February 2016. 8 March 2006.
- Web site: No merger of teams for big European quest. www.independent.ie. 15 February 2016. 12 July 2006.
- Web site: Who Should Get the Women's UEFA Cup Place?. www.orielweb.com. 14 February 2016. 12 April 2006.
- Web site: FAI Women's Cup to be Staged at Aviva Stadium. Midwest Radio 96.1 FM. 24 January 2016. 5 October 2013. 30 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160130082423/http://midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/16984-fai-women-s-cup-final-to-be-staged-at-aviva-stadium. dead.
- News: McLysaght. Elmer. There's outrage after Cork City players began their FAI cup warmup during women's penalty shootout. TheJournal.ie. 24 January 2016. 8 November 2015.
- News: unnamed article. The Irish Times. 12 September 1981. 3.
- Suffragettes and Rathfarnham United were the finalists.
- News: Dublin Castle out to retain LFAI Cup . Derek . Jones . The Irish Times. 29 September 1983. 3.
- News: Dublin Castle too strong. Irish Examiner. 11 October 1982. 15.
- News: Glade Celtic too strong for Castle . . 3 October 1983 . 16.
- News: Glade in the Groove. . 24 November 1983. 10.
- Web site: Women's FAI Cup final: All you need to know . rte.ie . 11 December 2020 . RTÉ . 12 December 2020.
- Dublin Castle won on penalties.
- News: Fixture list for the weekend . The Irish Times. 3 November 1984 . 20.
- News: Rathfarnham superior. The Irish Times. 10 October 1985. 3.
- News: L.F.A.I. Cup for Rathfarnham. The Irish Press. 10 October 1985. 23.
- News: Women's squad is named . . 21 August 1986 . 16.
- News: take first trophy . . 21 September 1987 . 4 . Benefica made amends for their defeat last year when they won the LFAI Cup for the first time....
- News: Boyne Beaten. The Irish Press. 21 September 1987 . 15.
- News: Benfica Champions. The Munster Express. 15 September 1989. 20.
- [RSSSF]
- News: Cup final showdown for Benfica. The Munster Express. 8 September 1989. 18.
- News: Cup final showdown for Benfica. The Munster Express. 16 October 1992. 23.
- Replay held after Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players in first game.
- News: Sports Briefs – Ladies Soccer. The Mayo News. 10 September 1997. 44.
- News: Rovers' double. 10 January 2016. The Irish Times. 30 August 1999.
- Web site: Shamrock Rovers win exciting LFAI Final. Football Association of Ireland. en. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20010803172522/http://www.fai.ie/news/ladies.html. 3 August 2001. dead.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2003. RSSSF.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2004. RSSSF.
- Web site: midwestradio.ie . 2016-01-16 . 2016-01-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160130082423/http://midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/16984-fai-women-s-cup-final-to-be-staged-at-aviva-stadium . dead .
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2005. RSSSF. 12 March 2016.
- Web site: Fixtures and Results 2008 | Football Association of Ireland. www.fai.ie.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2009. RSSSF.
- Web site: Local trio help fire St Francis to WFAI Cup glory. www.independent.ie. 23 January 2016.
- News: Finn. Stephen. O'Gorman Peamount hat-trick hero. Irish Independent. July 26, 2010.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2011. RSSSF. 18 February 2016.
- Web site: Wilton and St. Catherine's set for Umbro WFAI Cup final battle. www.fai.ie. 17 February 2016. 1 August 2011.
- Web site: St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup. www.fai.ie. 17 February 2016. 7 August 2011.
- Web site: Wilton United, Cork v St Catherine's LFC, Dublin - FAI Umbro Women's Senior Challenge Cup Final 2011 Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 17 February 2016.
- Web site: Raheny United 2-1 Peamount United. RTÉ Sport. 24 January 2016. 14 October 2012.
- News: Fallon. John. Raheny triumph in Women's FAI Cup final report. The Irish Times. 24 January 2016. November 4, 2013.
- Web site: Maher. Gareth. Raheny retain FAI Continental Tyres Women's Cup. www.fai.ie. 24 January 2016. 2 November 2014.
- Web site: Wexford win first ever FAI Women's Cup final on penalties. www.irishtimes.com. 8 November 2015.
- [Wexford Youths W.F.C.|Wexford Youths]
- Web site: Five-star Shelbourne turn on the style to win FAI Women's Cup. www.independent.ie. 6 November 2016.
- Web site: Moment of magic wins Women's FAI Cup final for Cork City. www.independent.ie. 5 November 2017.
- Web site: Wexford Youths seal the treble thanks to Katrina Parrock's first-half winner. independent.
- Wexford Youths swing five-goal thriller to win FAI Cup. Ed. Leahy. November 3, 2019. www.rte.ie.
- Stephanie Roche tees things up perfectly as Peamount wrap up double. Emmet. Malone. December 12, 2020. www.irishtimes.ie.
- News: Cummiskey . Gavin . Edel Kennedy's stunner seals FAI Cup for Wexford and denies Shels a double . 21 November 2021 . . 21 November 2021.
- News: O'Connor . Seán . Shelbourne manager Noel King praises Shelbourne’s ‘future internationals’ after Reds earn redemption . 12 November 2022 . . 7 November 2022.
- News: Brannigan . Peter . Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final recap: Athlone Town win on penalties . 19 November 2023 . RTÉ Sport . 19 November 2023.
- Athlone won 4–3 on penalties.
List of winners by club
Dublin Castle and Castle Rovers/Shamrock Rovers have won the cup the most times, each winning the competition six times.
Wins | Team | Seasons |
---|
6 | Dublin Castle [77] | 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986 |
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 |
2 | | 2010, 2020 |
2 | | 2016, 2022 |
2 | | 1992, 1994 |
2 | St Francis | 2008, 2010 |
1 | | 1975 |
1 | Glade Celtic | 1983 |
1 | Dundalk City | 2005 |
1 | | 2006 |
1 | | 2007 |
1 | | 2011 |
1 | | 2017 |
1 | Athlone Town | 2023 | |
- Notes
- News: Women's Soccer Secures Continental Backing. 3 January 2016. Sport for Business. 21 August 2014.
- Web site: Rules for the 2010 UMBRO/ FAI Women's Cup competitions. www.fai.ie. 24 January 2016. 30 March 2010.
- News: No Decision Reached. Irish Independent. 9 September 1985. 17.
- News: Ladies Soccer. Kilkenny People. 16 February 1973. 15.
- News: Ladies Soccer – Sunday's Inter Provincials. Kilkenny People. 23 February 1973. 17.
- News: untitled caption with photo of Anne O'Brien. Irish Independent. 23 January 1974. 7.
- News: French pay Ann £75 – for kicks!. Sunday Independent. 20 January 1974. 1.
- News: Benfica - 20 Years Old. Munster Express. 3 May 1985. 20.
- Web site: Ireland - List of Women Cup Winners. RSSSF. 17 September 2011.
- News: Ladies Football in Ireland. 21 April 2016. Match programme Ireland v France. Ladies Football Association of Ireland. 23 September 1978.
- News: Lovely touch about this international. Irish Independent. 15 April 1976. 11.
- News: Soccer scoreboard. Irish Independent. 27 September 1993. 26.
- News: Festival of football at Kilcohan Park. The Munster Express. 19 November 1993. 21.
- News: Youngsters Show The Way. The Munster Express. 26 November 1993. 21.
- News: untitled report. Irish Press. 22 November 1993. 36.
- Web site: Farrell. Niall. WNL Focus - The magic of the Cup. extratime.ie. 24 January 2016. September 9, 2013.
- Web site: Mayo ladies make glorious history. www.mayonews.ie. 12 March 2016. 5 December 2006.
- Web site: FAI Umbro Women's Cup – Roll of Honor. Football Association of Ireland. 24 January 2016.
- Web site: Schöggl. Hans. Ireland (Women) 2006. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 24 January 2016. 16 August 2012.
- Web site: Galway League 1–0 Raheny United . RTÉ . 7 April 2011 . 14 October 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081204063137/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1014/ladiesfaicup.html . 4 December 2008 .
- Web site: Schöggl. Hans. 2002–03 UEFA Women's Cup. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 24 January 2016. 10 July 2003.
- Web site: Dundalk take women's trophy. www.rte.ie. 14 February 2016. 14 June 2007.
- Web site: Hoey pounces to seal victory. www.irishtimes.com. 14 February 2016. 5 December 2005.
- Web site: Serious split sees cup winners go it alone. www.independent.ie. 15 February 2016. 8 March 2006.
- Web site: No merger of teams for big European quest. www.independent.ie. 15 February 2016. 12 July 2006.
- Web site: Who Should Get the Women's UEFA Cup Place?. www.orielweb.com. 14 February 2016. 12 April 2006.
- Web site: FAI Women's Cup to be Staged at Aviva Stadium. Midwest Radio 96.1 FM. 24 January 2016. 5 October 2013. 30 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160130082423/http://midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/16984-fai-women-s-cup-final-to-be-staged-at-aviva-stadium. dead.
- News: McLysaght. Elmer. There's outrage after Cork City players began their FAI cup warmup during women's penalty shootout. TheJournal.ie. 24 January 2016. 8 November 2015.
- News: unnamed article. The Irish Times. 12 September 1981. 3.
- Suffragettes and Rathfarnham United were the finalists.
- News: Dublin Castle out to retain LFAI Cup . Derek . Jones . The Irish Times. 29 September 1983. 3.
- News: Dublin Castle too strong. Irish Examiner. 11 October 1982. 15.
- News: Glade Celtic too strong for Castle . . 3 October 1983 . 16.
- News: Glade in the Groove. . 24 November 1983. 10.
- Web site: Women's FAI Cup final: All you need to know . rte.ie . 11 December 2020 . RTÉ . 12 December 2020.
- Dublin Castle won on penalties.
- News: Fixture list for the weekend . The Irish Times. 3 November 1984 . 20.
- News: Rathfarnham superior. The Irish Times. 10 October 1985. 3.
- News: L.F.A.I. Cup for Rathfarnham. The Irish Press. 10 October 1985. 23.
- News: Women's squad is named . . 21 August 1986 . 16.
- News: take first trophy . . 21 September 1987 . 4 . Benefica made amends for their defeat last year when they won the LFAI Cup for the first time....
- News: Boyne Beaten. The Irish Press. 21 September 1987 . 15.
- News: Benfica Champions. The Munster Express. 15 September 1989. 20.
- [RSSSF]
- News: Cup final showdown for Benfica. The Munster Express. 8 September 1989. 18.
- News: Cup final showdown for Benfica. The Munster Express. 16 October 1992. 23.
- Replay held after Corinthians had fielded two unregistered players in first game.
- News: Sports Briefs – Ladies Soccer. The Mayo News. 10 September 1997. 44.
- News: Rovers' double. 10 January 2016. The Irish Times. 30 August 1999.
- Web site: Shamrock Rovers win exciting LFAI Final. Football Association of Ireland. en. 17 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20010803172522/http://www.fai.ie/news/ladies.html. 3 August 2001. dead.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2003. RSSSF.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2004. RSSSF.
- Web site: midwestradio.ie . 2016-01-16 . 2016-01-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160130082423/http://midwestradio.ie/index.php/sport/16984-fai-women-s-cup-final-to-be-staged-at-aviva-stadium . dead .
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2005. RSSSF. 12 March 2016.
- Web site: Fixtures and Results 2008 | Football Association of Ireland. www.fai.ie.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2009. RSSSF.
- Web site: Local trio help fire St Francis to WFAI Cup glory. www.independent.ie. 23 January 2016.
- News: Finn. Stephen. O'Gorman Peamount hat-trick hero. Irish Independent. July 26, 2010.
- Web site: Ireland (Women) 2011. RSSSF. 18 February 2016.
- Web site: Wilton and St. Catherine's set for Umbro WFAI Cup final battle. www.fai.ie. 17 February 2016. 1 August 2011.
- Web site: St. Catherine's claim FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup. www.fai.ie. 17 February 2016. 7 August 2011.
- Web site: Wilton United, Cork v St Catherine's LFC, Dublin - FAI Umbro Women's Senior Challenge Cup Final 2011 Photos. www.sportsfile.com. 17 February 2016.
- Web site: Raheny United 2-1 Peamount United. RTÉ Sport. 24 January 2016. 14 October 2012.
- News: Fallon. John. Raheny triumph in Women's FAI Cup final report. The Irish Times. 24 January 2016. November 4, 2013.
- Web site: Maher. Gareth. Raheny retain FAI Continental Tyres Women's Cup. www.fai.ie. 24 January 2016. 2 November 2014.
- Web site: Wexford win first ever FAI Women's Cup final on penalties. www.irishtimes.com. 8 November 2015.
- [Wexford Youths W.F.C.|Wexford Youths]
- Web site: Five-star Shelbourne turn on the style to win FAI Women's Cup. www.independent.ie. 6 November 2016.
- Web site: Moment of magic wins Women's FAI Cup final for Cork City. www.independent.ie. 5 November 2017.
- Web site: Wexford Youths seal the treble thanks to Katrina Parrock's first-half winner. independent.
- Wexford Youths swing five-goal thriller to win FAI Cup. Ed. Leahy. November 3, 2019. www.rte.ie.
- Stephanie Roche tees things up perfectly as Peamount wrap up double. Emmet. Malone. December 12, 2020. www.irishtimes.ie.
- News: Cummiskey . Gavin . Edel Kennedy's stunner seals FAI Cup for Wexford and denies Shels a double . 21 November 2021 . . 21 November 2021.
- News: O'Connor . Seán . Shelbourne manager Noel King praises Shelbourne’s ‘future internationals’ after Reds earn redemption . 12 November 2022 . . 7 November 2022.
- News: Brannigan . Peter . Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup final recap: Athlone Town win on penalties . 19 November 2023 . RTÉ Sport . 19 November 2023.
- Athlone won 4–3 on penalties.
- 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.