Irish Cup

Irish Cup
Current season or competition:
Irish Cup 2008–09
Sport Football
Founded 1880
Country(ies) Ulster banner.svg Northern Ireland
St Patrick's saltire3.svg Ireland (until 1921)
Most recent
champion(s)
Linfield F.C. (2007-08)
TV partner(s) Irish Cup Final, Live of BBCNI
Official website [1]

The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world. Prior to the break-away from the Irish Football Association by clubs from what would become the Irish Free State in 1921, the Irish Cup was the national cup competition for the whole of Ireland. Linfield are the current holders of the Irish Cup after defeating Dungannon Swifts on penalties on 5 May 2007.

The Irish Cup is currently sponsored by JJB Sports. It was previously sponsored by Nationwide Building Society and Bass Ireland Ltd.

Contents

Format

The competition is open to all clubs in Northern Ireland enjoying “intermediate” or “senior” status. Clubs obtain such status by meeting minimum criteria laid down by the Irish Football Association in respect of facilities, etc. Each club, for example, must have its own enclosed ground. The twelve senior clubs of the IFA Premiership are exempt until the fourth round, which consists of 32 clubs and is played in January. The seventeen members of the IFA Championship enter in the third round. The competition begins in October with the first round. In 2008–09, a total of 101 clubs entered the competition.

The competition format is that of a knock-out. Teams are drawn against each other randomly. The team who is drawn first from each tie is the home team, except in the case (from the fifth round onwards) of an intermediate team drawn first against a senior team, when the tie is played at the ground of the senior team. Prior to the fourth round, if the match finishes in a draw, extra time is played and (if necessary) penalties are used to decide the winner. From the fourth round until the sixth round (the quarter-finals), if the match finishes in a draw, there is no extra time and a replay is played at the ground of the second-drawn team (except in the case of a tie between a senior team and an intermediate team, in which case the replay will always be at the senior team’s ground). In the replay, if the scores are still level at full time, extra time is played and (if necessary) penalties. At the semi-final stage, the two ties are played at neutral venues, with a draw resulting in extra time and penalties as necessary. The final is now traditionally on the first Saturday in May, and is played to a finish, with extra time and penalties as necessary. Since 1996, the final has always been played at Windsor Park, Belfast.

Different formats and rules have been used in the past in respect of eligibility to enter the competition, the number of teams and rounds, replays, extra time, penalties, etc., but since its inception in 1881, the competition has always been a randomly-drawn knock-out competition, and has always been, and continues to be, considered the most important such competition in Northern Ireland (and, prior to 1921, Ireland), second only to the Irish Premier League. The Cup Final is the climax of the domestic season in Northern Ireland and usually attracts the biggest attendance of any club match.

The winners of the Irish Cup qualify to represent Northern Ireland in the following season’s UEFA Cup, except when they have also won the Premier League championship (and thus qualified for the UEFA Champions League), in which case the losing finalists are entered into the UEFA Cup. Similarly, the winners (or runners-up if the winners have already qualified via the Premier League) also qualify for the next season’s all-Ireland Setanta Cup.

History and records

The Irish Cup started in the 1880–81 season. The draw for the first round took place on 10 January 1881. The trophy was first awarded to Moyola Park (from Castledawson in Co. Londonderry) when they beat Cliftonville (from Belfast) 1–0 in the final at Cliftonville, Belfast on 9 April 1881.

Since the inception of the Irish Football League in 1890-91 (and excluding the First and Second World War years when the League was suspended), the Cup has been won by Irish League teams on every occasion except three famous ‘giant-killing’ occasions when "junior" teams beat senior opponents in the final: in 1928, Willowfield beat Larne 1–0; in 1955, Dundela beat Glenavon 3–0; and in 1976, Carrick Rangers beat Linfield 2–1.

From 1881 to 1921, when the Irish Cup was an all-Ireland competition, southern clubs (from what would become the Irish Free State and later the Republic of Ireland) only won the competition four times out of a possible 41: Shelbourne (from Dublin) won three times (in 1906, 1911 and 1920); and Bohemians (also from Dublin) won it in 1908. During this period, southern clubs reached the final 14 times: Bohemians was the first to do so (1895), and played in a total of six finals; Shelbourne also 1897 and the Freebooters (from Dublin) in 1901. There were two all-southern finals: Bohemians defeating Shelbourne in 1908, and Shelbourne defeating Bohemians in 1911 (both ties required replays).

In the second competition in 1881–82, Queen's Island became the first Belfast team to win the Cup and the Cup didn't leave Belfast again for another 24 years when Shelbourne became the first team from Dublin to win it in 1905–06. Of the 127 competitions played since 1880–81, Belfast teams have won the Cup 94 times. The most successful team from outside Belfast has been Ballymena United, who have won the Cup six times.

The first final to be played outside Belfast was in 1901, when Cliftonville defeated Freebooters at Jones's Road, Dublin.

The first final between two teams from outside Belfast was in 1908, when Bohemians beat Shelbourne.

In 1921, Glenavon became the first team from Co. Armagh to reach the final, but no team from Armagh won the Cup until Glenavon in 1957. Co. Down's first Cup finalists and winners were Ards in 1927; and Co. Antrim's were Ballymena United in 1929. In 2007, Dungannon Swifts became the first team from Co. Tyrone to reach the final.

In the early years, Army regiments stationed in Ireland entered teams, three of which reached the final: the Gordon Highlanders in 1890, the Black Watch in 1892 and the Sherwood Foresters in 1897. The Gordon Highlanders was the only Army team to win the Cup.

The longest gap between Irish Cup wins was 70 years between Cliftonville’s wins in 1909 and 1979.

The longest gap between Irish Cup finals was 55 years between Bangor’s appearances in the 1938 and 1993 finals.

Larne have been to the most finals (five) without ever winning.

The highest score recorded in a Cup final was 10–1, when Linfield defeated Bohemians in 1895.

Over the years, 19 replays have been required, the first in 1890 after Cliftonville and the Gordon Highlanders drew 2–2. On eight occasions, a second replay was required, and the last time this occurred was 1993 when Bangor defeated Ards 1–0 after two 1–1 draws. It was decided after this that there should only be one replay in which penalties would be used to determine the winner if necessary, and eventually the rules for the final were changed to remove replays altogether, with penalties being used if necessary after extra time in the first match. The first final to be won on penalties was in 2007, when Linfield beat Dungannon Swifts 3–2 on penalties following a 2–2 draw after extra time.

On three occasions the final was not played. In 1912, three of the four semi-finalists (Cliftonville, Glentoran and Shelbourne) resigned from the Irish Football Association, leaving Linfield as the only remaining team in the competition, who were awarded the Cup. In 1920, Shelbourne, who had beaten Glenavon in one semi-final, were awarded the Cup without playing the final, when the two other semi-finalists, Belfast Celtic and Glentoran, were both disqualified. (Celtic were disqualified after their supporters at fired shots into the Glentoran supporters; and Glentoran were disqualified for fielding an unlisted player.) In 1999, Portadown were awarded the Cup when the other finalists, Cliftonville, were disqualified after it came to light that they had fielded an ineligible player during the earlier rounds.

A total of 21 different teams have won the Irish Cup, and 32 different teams have reached the final.

The most common final has been Glentoran v Linfield. These teams have played each other in fourteen finals: first in 1899 and most recently in 2006. Linfield won on eight occasions and Glentoran on six.

On four occasions the same two teams have reached the final in consecutive years: in 1885 and 1886, Distillery and Alexander; in 1913 and 1914, Glentoran and Linfield; in 1930 and 1931, Ballymena United and Linfield; and in 2003 and 2004, Coleraine and Glentoran.

Linfield hold the records both for the most wins (39 times between 1891 and 2008) and the most finals (59 between 1891 and 2008).

Glentoran hold the record for the most consecutive wins: four times from 1985 to 1988. Distillery (1884–1886) and Linfield (1891–1893 and 2006–2008) have each won the Cup three times in a row.

Linfield hold the record for the most consecutive finals: five times from 1891 to 1895 (equalled between 1912 and 1916 if 1912 – when the final was not played – is counted). Four consecutive finals has been achieved four times: Shelbourne from 1905 to 1908; Linfield from 1960 to 1963 and from 1975 to 1978; and Glentoran from 1985 to 1988. Three consecutive finals has been achieved six times: Cliftonville from 1881 to 1883; Distillery from 1884 to 1886; Ballymena United form 1929 to 1931; Linfield from 1944 to 1946, and again from 2006 to 2008; and Glenavon from 1996 to 1998.

Linfield is the only team to have lost three finals in a row when they were beaten in the 1975, 1976 and 1977 finals by Coleraine, Carrick Rangers and Coleraine respectively. They avoided losing four in a row when they defeated Ballymena United 3–1 in the 1978 final. Teams have lost two finals in a row on six occasions: Cliftonville in 1881 and 1882; Alexander in 1885 and 1886; Shelbourne in 1907 and 1908; Glenavon in 1921 and 1922; Ballymena United in 1930 and 1931; and Glentoran in 1942 and 1943.

In 2001, the final was broadcast live on television for the first time, and has been on every occasion since.

Shelbourne, Bohemians and Derry City are the only clubs to win both the Irish Cup and the FAI Cup.

Windsor Park has hosted the most finals (64, including replays), followed by The Oval with 24, Solitude with 22, Celtic Park with 12 and Dalymount Park with 8.

Final results

Season Date Winner Score Runner-up Venue Attendance
1880–81 09.04.81 Moyola Park 1 – 0 Cliftonville Cliftonville, Belfast 1,500
1881–82 13.05.82 Queen's Island 2 – 1 Cliftonville Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 2,000
1882–83 5.05.83 Cliftonville 5 – 0 Ulster Bloomfield Ground, Knock, Belfast 2,000
1883–84 19.04.84 Distillery 5 – 0 Wellington Park Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 2,000
1884–85 21.3.85 Distillery 2 – 0 Limavady United Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 2,000
1885–86 27.3.86 Distillery 1 – 0 Limavady United Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 1,000
1886–87 12.2.87 Ulster 3 – 0 Cliftonville Broadway Ground, Belfast 4,000
1887–88 17.3.88 Cliftonville 2 – 1 Distillery Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 3,000
1888–89 16.03.89 Distillery 5 – 4 YMCA Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 3,500
1889–90 08.03.90 Gordon Highlanders 2 – 2 Cliftonville Ulster Ground, Ballynafeigh, Belfast 4,500
Replay 12.03.90 Gordon Highlanders 3 – 1 Cliftonville Ulsterville, Belfast 3,500
1890–91 14.03.91 Linfield 4 – 2 Ulster Solitude, Belfast 5,000
1891–92 12.03.92 Linfield 7 – 0 The Black Watch Solitude, Belfast
1892–93 11.03.93 Linfield 5 – 1 Cliftonville Ulsterville, Belfast
1893–94 17.03.94 Distillery 2 – 2 Linfield Solitude, Belfast 5,500
Replay 18.04.94 Distillery 3 – 2 Linfield Solitude, Belfast
1894–95 23.03.95 Linfield 10 – 1 Bohemians Solitude, Belfast 2,000
1895–96 14.03.96 Distillery 3 – 1 Glentoran Solitude, Belfast 6,000
1896–97 20.03.97 Cliftonville 3 – 1 Sherwood Foresters Grosvenor Park, Belfast 5,000
1897–98 19.03.98 Linfield 2 – 0 St Columb's Hall Celtic The Oval, Belfast 3,000
1898–99 18.03.99 Linfield 2 – 1 Glentoran Solitude, Belfast 7,000
1899–1900 24.03.00 Cliftonville 2 – 1 Bohemians Grosvenor Park, Belfast 5,500
1900–01 13.04.01 Cliftonville 1 – 0 Freebooters Jones's Road, Dublin(1)
1901–02 15.03.02 Linfield 5 – 0 Distillery Solitude, Belfast
1902–03 14.03.03 Distillery 3 – 1 Bohemians Dalymount Park, Dublin
1903–04 17.03.04 Linfield 5 – 1 Derry Celtic Grosvenor Park, Belfast
1904–05 11.03.05 Distillery 3 – 0 Shelbourne Solitude, Belfast 13,000
1905–06 28.04.06 Shelbourne 2 – 0 Belfast Celtic Dalymount Park, Dublin
1906–07 23.03.07 Cliftonville 1 – 0 Shelbourne Celtic Park, Belfast
Replay 20.04.07 Cliftonville 1 – 0 Shelbourne Dalymount Park, Dublin
1907–08 21.03.08 Bohemians 1 – 1 Shelbourne Dalymount Park, Dublin
Replay 28.03.08 Bohemians 3 – 1 Shelbourne Dalymount Park, Dublin
1908–09 03.04.09 Cliftonville 0 – 0 Bohemians Windsor Park, Belfast
Replay 10.04.09 Cliftonville 2 – 1 Bohemians Dalymount Park, Dublin
1909–10 26.03.10 Distillery 1 – 0 Cliftonville The Oval, Belfast 10,000
1910–11 25.03.11 Shelbourne 0 – 0 Bohemians Dalymount Park, Dublin
Replay 15.04.11 Shelbourne 2 – 1 Bohemians Dalymount Park, Dublin
1911–12 Linfield (Default winner. Other semi-finalists withdrew)
1912–13 29.03.13 Linfield 2 – 0 Glentoran Celtic Park, Belfast 20,000
1913–14 28.03.14 Glentoran 3 – 1 Linfield Grosvenor Park, Belfast 20,000
1914–15 27.03.15 Linfield 1 – 0 Belfast Celtic Solitude, Belfast
1915–16 25.3.16 Linfield 1 – 1 Glentoran Celtic Park, Belfast
Replay 1.4.16 Linfield 1 – 0 Glentoran Grosvenor Park, Belfast
1916–17 31.3.17 Glentoran 2 – 0 Belfast Celtic Windsor Park, Belfast 20,000
1917–18 30.3.18 Belfast Celtic 0 – 0 Linfield The Oval, Belfast
Replay 13.4.18 Belfast Celtic 0 – 0 Linfield Solitude, Belfast
2nd replay 24.4.18 Belfast Celtic 2 – 0 Linfield Grosvenor Park, Belfast
1918–19 29.03.19 Linfield 1 – 1 Glentoran Celtic Park, Belfast 18,000
Replay 05.04.19 Linfield 0 – 0 Glentoran Grosvenor Park, Belfast
2nd replay 07.04.19 Linfield 2 – 1 Glentoran Solitude, Belfast
1919–20 - Shelbourne (final not played)
1920–21 26.03.21 Glentoran 2 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast
1921–22 25.03.22 Linfield 2 – 0 Glenavon Solitude, Belfast
1922–23 31.3.23 Linfield 2 – 0 Glentoran Solitude, Belfast
1923–24 29.3.24 Queen's Island 1 – 0 Willowfield Windsor Park, Belfast
1924–25 21.3.25 Distillery 2 – 1 Glentoran Solitude, Belfast 20,000
1925–26 27.3.26 Belfast Celtic 3 – 2 Linfield Solitude, Belfast
1926–27 26.3.27 Ards 3 – 2 Cliftonville The Oval, Belfast
1927–28 25.4.28 Willowfield 1 – 0 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast
1928–29 30.5.29 Ballymena 2 – 1 Belfast Celtic Solitude, Belfast
1929–30 29.03.30 Linfield 4 – 3 Ballymena Celtic Park, Belfast
1930–31 28.03.31 Linfield 3 – 0 Ballymena The Oval, Belfast
1931–32 26.03.32 Glentoran 2 – 1 Linfield Celtic Park, Belfast
1932–33 08.04.33 Glentoran 1 – 1 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast 33,000
Replay 12.04.33 Glentoran 1 – 1 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast 25,000
2nd replay 28.04.33 Glentoran 3 – 1 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast
1933–34 14.04.34 Linfield 4 – 0 Cliftonville The Oval, Belfast
1934–35 06.04.35 Glentoran 0 – 0 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast 15,000
Replay 10.04.35 Glentoran 0 – 0 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast
2nd replay 30.04.35 Glentoran 1 – 0 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast 10,545
1935–36 04.04.36 Linfield 0 – 0 Derry City Celtic Park, Belfast
Replay 08.04.36 Linfield 2 – 0 Derry City Celtic Park, Belfast
1936–37 10.04.37 Belfast Celtic 3 – 0 Linfield The Oval, Belfast
1937–38 09.04.38 Belfast Celtic 0 – 0 Bangor Solitude, Belfast
1937–38 07.05.38 Belfast Celtic 2 – 0 Bangor Solitude, Belfast
1938–39 29.04.39 Linfield 2 – 0 Ballymena United Solitude, Belfast
1939–40 20.04.40 Ballymena United 2 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast
1940–41 26.04.41 Belfast Celtic 1 – 0 Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
1941–42 18.04.42 Linfield 3 – 1 Glentoran Celtic Park, Belfast
1942–43 17.04.43 Belfast Celtic 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast
1943–44 17.04.44 Belfast Celtic 3 – 1 Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast
1944–45 14.04.45 Linfield 4 – 2 Glentoran Celtic Park, Belfast 20,000
1945–46 13.04.46 Linfield 3 – 0 Distillery Celtic Park, Belfast 20,137
1946–47 26.04.47 Belfast Celtic 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 25,000
1947–48 Linfield 3 – 0 Coleraine Celtic Park, Belfast 31,000
1948–49 16.04.49 Derry City 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 27,000
1949–50 22.04.50 Linfield 2 – 1 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast 17,000
1950–51 28.04.51 Glentoran 3 – 1 Ballymena United Windsor Park, Belfast 25,000
1951–52 26.04.52 Ards 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 20,000
1952–53 Linfield 5 – 0 Coleraine Solitude, Belfast 21,000
1953–54 24.04.54 Derry City 2 – 2 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 35,000
Replay 29.04.54 Derry City 0 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 28,000
2nd replay 10.05.54 Derry City 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 28,000
1954–55 23.04.55 Dundela 3 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 10,000
1955–56 21.04.56 Distillery 2 – 2 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 16,000
Replay 26.04.56 Distillery 0 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast
2nd replay 30.04.56 Distillery 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 20,000
1956–57 13.04.57 Glenavon 2 – 0 Derry City Windsor Park, Belfast 23,000
1957–58 Ballymena United 2 – 0 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 24,000
1958–59 18.04.59 Glenavon 1 – 1 Ballymena United Windsor Park, Belfast 18,000
Replay 29.04.59 Glenavon 2 – 0 Ballymena United Windsor Park, Belfast
1959–60 Linfield 5 – 1 Ards The Oval, Belfast 20,000
1960–61 22.04.61 Glenavon 5 – 1 Linfield Solitude, Belfast 22,000
1961–62 Linfield 4 – 0 Portadown The Oval, Belfast 20,000
1962–63 20.04.63 Linfield 2 – 1 Distillery The Oval, Belfast 20,000
1963–64 25.04.64 Derry City 2 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 19,000
1964–65 24.04.65 Coleraine 2 – 1 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 18,000
1965–66 23.04.66 Glentoran 2 – 0 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 20,000
1966–67 22.04.67 Crusaders 3 – 1 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 20,000
1967–68 27.04.68 Crusaders 2 – 0 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 18,000
1968–69 19.04.69 Ards 0 – 0 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast 17,000
Replay 23.04.69 Ards 4 – 2 Distillery Windsor Park, Belfast 16,000
1969–70 04.04.70 Linfield 2 – 1 Ballymena United Solitude, Belfast 12,000
1970–71 03.04.71 Distillery 3 – 0 Derry City Windsor Park, Belfast 6,000
1971–72 22.04.72 Coleraine 2 – 1 Portadown Windsor Park, Belfast 8,000
1972–73 28.04.73 Glentoran 3 – 2 Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
1973–74 27.04.74 Ards 2 – 1 Ballymena United Windsor Park, Belfast 7,000
1974–75 19.04.75 Coleraine 1 – 1 Linfield The Showgrounds, Ballymena 5,600
Replay 23.04.75 Coleraine 0 – 0 Linfield The Showgrounds, Ballymena 5,400
2nd replay 29.04.75 Coleraine 1 – 0 Linfield The Showgrounds, Ballymena 5,200
1975–76 10.04.76 Carrick Rangers 2 – 1 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 9,500
1976–77 Coleraine 4 – 1 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 10,000
1977–78 29.04.78 Linfield 3 – 1 Ballymena United The Oval, Belfast 12,000
1978–79 Cliftonville 3 – 2 Portadown Windsor Park, Belfast 15,000
1979–80 26.04.80 Linfield 2 – 0 Crusaders The Oval, Belfast 12,000
1980–81 02.05.81 Ballymena United 1 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 6,000
1981–82 24.04.82 Linfield 2 – 1 Coleraine The Oval, Belfast 12,000
1982–83 30.04.83 Glentoran 1 – 1 Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
Replay 07.05.83 Glentoran 2 – 1 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 8,000
1983–84 05.05.84 Ballymena United 4 – 1 Carrick Rangers Windsor Park, Belfast 5,000
1984–85 04.05.85 Glentoran 1 – 1 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 12,000
Replay 11.05.85 Glentoran 1 – 0 Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
1985–86 03.05.86 Glentoran 2 – 1 Coleraine Windsor Park, Belfast 8,000
1986–87 02.05.87 Glentoran 1 – 0 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast 8,000
1987–88 30.04.88 Glentoran 1 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 10,000
1988–89 06.05.89 Ballymena United 1 – 0 Larne The Oval, Belfast 5,000
1989–90 05.05.90 Glentoran 3 – 0 Portadown Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
1990–91 04.05.91 Portadown 2 – 1 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 12,000
1991–92 02.05.92 Glenavon 2 – 1 Linfield The Oval, Belfast 12,000
1992–93 01.05.93 Bangor 1 – 1 (aet) Ards Windsor Park, Belfast 8,500
Replay 08.05.93 Bangor 1 – 1 (aet) Ards Windsor Park, Belfast 6,000
2nd replay 11.05.93 Bangor 1 – 0 (aet) Ards Windsor Park, Belfast 5,000
1993–94 07.05.94 Linfield 2 – 0 Bangor The Oval, Belfast 10,000
1994–95 06.05.95 Linfield 3 – 1 Carrick Rangers The Oval, Belfast 6,800
1995–96 04.05.96 Glentoran 1 – 0 Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 10,000
1996–97 03.05.97 Glenavon 1 – 0 Cliftonville Windsor Park, Belfast 8,222
1997–98 02.05.98 Glentoran 1 – 0 (aet) Glenavon Windsor Park, Belfast 8,250
1998–99 n–a Portadown w–o Cliftonville (disqualified)
1999–00 06.05.00 Glentoran 1 – 0 Portadown Windsor Park, Belfast 8,355
2000–01 05.05.01 Glentoran 1 – 0 (aet) Linfield Windsor Park, Belfast 14,190
2001–02 11.05.02 Linfield 2 – 1 Portadown Windsor Park, Belfast 11,129
2002–03 03.05.03 Coleraine 1 – 0 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 9,000
2003–04 01.05.04 Glentoran 1 – 0 Coleraine Windsor Park, Belfast 8,300
2004–05 07.05.05 Portadown 5 – 1 Larne Windsor Park, Belfast 5,431
2005–06 06.05.06 Linfield 2 – 1 Glentoran Windsor Park, Belfast 12,500
2006–07 05.05.07 Linfield 2 – 2 (aet)
(3 – 2 on pens)
Dungannon Swifts Windsor Park, Belfast 7,600
2007–08 03.05.08 Linfield 2 – 1 Coleraine Windsor Park, Belfast 8,452

Performance By Club

Club Winners Runners-up Winning Years
Linfield 39 20 1890–91, 1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1897–98, 1898–99, 1901–02, 1903–04, 1911–12, 1912–13, 1914–15, 1915–16, 1918–19, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1938–39, 1941–42, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1947–48, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1969–70, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08
Glentoran 20 19 1913–14, 1916–17, 1920–21, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1950–51, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2003–04
Distillery 12 7 1883–84, 1884–85, 1885–86, 1888–89, 1893–94, 1895–96, 1902–03, 1904–05, 1909–10, 1924–25, 1955–56, 1970–71
Cliftonville 8 9 1882–83, 1887–88, 1896–97, 1899–00, 1900–01, 1906–07, 1908–09, 1978–79
Belfast Celtic 8 4 1917–18, 1925–26, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1940–41, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1946–47
Ballymena United 6 8 1928–29, 1939–40, 1957–58, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1988–89
Glenavon 5 10 1956–57, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1991–92, 1996–97
Coleraine 5 6 1964–65, 1971–72, 1974–75, 1976–77, 2002–03
Ards 4 2 1926–27, 1951–52, 1968–69, 1973–74
Portadown 3 6 1990–91, 1998–99, 2004–05
Derry City 3 3 1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64
Shelbourne 3 3 1905–06, 1910–11, 1919–20
Crusaders 2 1 1966–67, 1967–68
Queen's Island 2 1881–82, 1923–24
Bohemians 1 5 1907–08
Bangor 1 2 1992–93
Carrick Rangers 1 2 1975–76
Ulster 1 2 1886–87
Willowfield 1 1 1927–28
Dundela 1 1954–55
Gordon Highlanders 1 1889–90
Moyola Park 1 1880–81
Larne 5
Derry Celtic(2) 2
Limavady United 2
The Black Watch 1
Dungannon Swifts 1
Freebooters 1
Sherwood Foresters 1
Wellington Park 1
YMCA 1

Notes

External links