League of Ireland Cup

League of Ireland Cup
Organising bodyFootball Association of Ireland
League of Ireland
Founded1973
Region Ireland
Number of teams24 (2019)
Current championsDundalk
Most successful club(s)Derry City (11 titles)
N/A[1]

The League of Ireland Cup (Irish: Corn Sraithe na hÉireann), also referred to in Ireland as the 'League Cup', was an annual knockout competition in men's football in the Republic of Ireland. It was contested by League of Ireland clubs and invited clubs from the lower levels of the Republic of Ireland football league system. It has been sponsored by Electronic Arts and branded the EA Sports Cup since 2009.[2]

The competition began in 1973–74, replacing the League of Ireland Shield and the Dublin City Cup. It has had several formats since its inception and has been a knock-out competition since 2005. As there was no European qualification for winners of the League of Ireland Cup, it had a lower status than the FAI Cup and was therefore seen as the third most important trophy in the Irish playing season.

The competition was not held in 2020 and 2021 as a result of delays and restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,[1] and has yet to resume being held as of 2024.

  1. ^ a b "EA Sports Cup is cancelled". extratime.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  2. ^ "EA SPORTS confirmed as new title sponsor of League of Ireland Cup". FAI. Retrieved 5 July 2009.