The FAI Super Cup was an association football super cup featuring clubs from the Republic of Ireland. It was played for between 1998 and 2001. It was a pre-season tournament played in the summer before the regular League of Ireland season began. The same four clubs that qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland in UEFA competitions also qualified for the Super Cup. League of Ireland clubs had previously played in a similar competition known as the Top Four Cup. A similar competition, the LFA President's Cup, co-existed with the FAI Super Cup. Since 2014 the FAI has organised a new super cup, the President's Cup.
Format The first three tournaments were played as a single-elimination tournament, featuring two semi-finals, a third place play-off and a final. The 2001 tournament featured a single round robin group with the group winners being awarded the cup.
History In 1998 the FAI announce their plans to establish a super cup. It was to be played during the summer and it was intended to act as a warm up and provide the clubs involved in Europe with some competitive games. However the UEFA Intertoto Cup representatives had already played their tie before the FAI Super Cup kicked off. Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic, UCD and Shelbourne all won one tournament each.
List of participants Year Winners Runners up 3rd Place 4th place 1998–99 Shamrock Rovers St Patrick's Athletic Cork City Shelbourne 1999–2000 St Patrick's Athletic Shelbourne Bray Wanderers Cork City 2000–01 UCD Bohemians Cork City Shelbourne 2001–02 Shelbourne Bohemians Cork City Longford Town
Tournaments 1998 FAI Super Cup Semi-finals
3rd Place Playoff
Final
1999 FAI Super Cup Semi-finals
3rd Place Playoff
Final
2000 FAI Super Cup Semi-finals
3rd Place Playoff
Final
2001 FAI Super Cup Standings
Matches
References