Northern Ireland - Irish Cup

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.