The FAI Cup Final, known recently as the SportsDirect FAI Cup Final for sponsorship reasons, is an annual soccer match which is the last game in the Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup. It is the culmination of a knock-out competition among clubs belonging to the Football Association of Ireland, generally competed for by clubs from the Republic of Ireland, although representatives from Northern Ireland (most notably Derry City) have competed and even won the Cup. Shelbourne, Bohemians and Derry City are the only clubs to win both the (Northern) Irish Cup and the FAI Cup, although Shelbourne and Bohemians only won it before partition, whilst Derry City remained in the Northern Irish league system until 1973, entering the League of Ireland in 1985.
The FAI Cup final was played at Dalymount Park until 1990, since when it has been played at several venues. The 2006 final was the last soccer game to be played at the old Lansdowne Road before it was redeveloped and rebranded the Aviva Stadium. It was contested between St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City, who ran out eventual 4-3 winners after extra-time. The original FAI Cup was also retired after this game with a brand new version of the trophy used in the following seasons. The cup final has been held at the Aviva Stadium since 2010.
List of results
Performance by club ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning YearsShamrock Rovers 1925, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2019, 2025.Dundalk 1942, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1988, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020Shelbourne 1939, 1960, 1963, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000Bohemians 1928, 1935, 1970, 1976, 1992, 2001, 2008Derry City 1989, 1995, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2022St. Patrick's Athletic 1959, 1961, 2014, 2021, 2023Sligo Rovers 1983, 1994, 2010, 2011, 2013Drumcondra 1927, 1943, 1946, 1954, 1957Cork City 1998, 2007, 2016, 2017Waterford United 1937, 1980Cork Athletic 1951, 1953Drogheda United 2005, 2024Limerick 1971, 1982Cork/Fordsons 1926, 1934Cork Hibernians 1972, 1973Cork United 1941, 1947Longford Town 2003, 2004St. James's Gate 1922, 1938Bray Wanderers 1990, 1999Finn Harps 1974Galway United 1991 Alton United 1923Athlone Town 1924Transport 1950 Home Farm 1975 UCD AFC 1984 Sporting Fingal 2009 Cork Celtic - Brideville - Dolphin - St. Francis - Notes: 1 Since 1985 when Derry City joined to the league. 2 Includes Waterford. 3 Includes Drogheda. 4 Includes Limerick United.
List of Match Officials
Year Referee Assistant Referees Fourth Official 2026 2025 Paul Norton Richard Storey, David Connolly Marc Lynch 2024 Rob Harvey Allen Lynch, Emmett Dynan Paul Norton 2023 Paul McLaughlin Eoin Harte, Darren Carey Rob Harvey 2022 Damien MacGraith Christopher Campbell, Brian Fenlon Ben Connolly 2021 Robert Hennessy Dermot Broughton, Michelle O'Neill Damien MacGraith 2020 Rob Harvey Alan Sherlock, Darren Corcoran Sean Grant 2019 Derek Tomney Robert Clarke, Darragh Keegan Robert Hennessy 2018 Neil Doyle Mark Gavin, Declan Toland (AAR Rob Harvey & Damien MacGraith) Rob Rogers 2017 Paul McLaughlin Robert Clarke, Wayne McDonnell (AAR Rob Hennessy & Ray Matthews) Derek Tomney 2016 Rob Rogers Allen Lynch, Emmett Dynan (AAR Tomás Connolly & Derek Tomney) Tomás Connolly 2015 David McKeon Dermot Broughton, Mark Gavin Rob Rogers 2014 Padraigh Sutton Ciaran Delaney, Wayne McDonnell Paul McLaughlin 2013 Paul Tuite Damien MacGraith, Michelle O'Neill Derek Tomney 2012 Neil Doyle Emmett Dynan, Robert Clarke Damien Hancock 2011 Richie Winter Mark Gavin, Dermot Broughton Graham Kelly 2010 Tomás Connolly Damien MacGraith, Wayne McDonnell Padraigh Sutton 2009 Alan Kelly Allen Lynch, Terence Moyne Neil Doyle 2008 Anthony Buttimer Eddie Foley, Ken Hennessy Richie Winter 2007 David McKeon Damien MacGraith, Fran Cunningham Pat Whelan 2006 Damien Hancock (Dublin) Ciaran Delaney (Dublin), Marc Douglas (Louth) David McKeon (Dublin) 2005 Ian Stokes Dave Wogan, JP Kelly Declan Hanney 2004 John Feighery (Dublin) Martin Moloney (Edenderry, Co Meath), Rhona Daly (Athlone, Co Roscommon) Ian Stokes (Dublin) 2003 Alan Kelly (Cork) Eddie Foley, Barry McDonnell Paul Tuite 2001-02 Paul McKeon (Dublin) 1994-95 Michael Tomney 1987-88 John Spillane 1983 Robert Finn Liam Gavin, Sean Ware Wilfred Wallace 1980-81 Paddy Mulhall 1978-79 Paddy Daly (Dublin) 1976-77 Noel Breen 1957-58 Denis Howell (Birmingham) 1951-52 C. Fletcher (Cheshire) 1948-49 E. Roland 1941-42 T. Dwyer 1934-35 Mr Booth (Preston) 1930-31 (Replay) Mr H.N. Mee (Nottingham) 1928-29 Mr Hull (Burnley) 1927-28 Jean Langenus (Belgium) 1926-27 Mr J.T. Howcroft (Bolton) 1924-25 Mr Howcroft (Bradford) 1921-22 M. Broderick (Athlone)
See also FAI Cup
References
15. https://www.fai.ie/latest/match-officials-chosen-sports-direct-mens-fai-cup-final
External links "'You can't lose, you'll make the league look bad'", RTÉ Sport, 13 May 2020.