The FAI Cup 1925-26 was the fifth edition of Ireland's premier cup competition, The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup or FAI Cup. The tournament began on 9 January 1926 and concluded on 17 March with the final held at Dalymount Park, Dublin. An official attendance of 25,000 people watched inspirational goalkeeper Bill O'Hagan guide Fordsons to their first and only FAI Cup title by defeating the defending champions Shamrock Rovers.
First round
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate1Athlone Town4-0Brideville9 January 19262Bohemians0-0Shamrock Rovers9 January 1926replayShamrock Rovers2-2Bohemians16 January 1926replay(2)Shamrock Rovers2-0Bohemians20 January 19263Bray Unknowns5-2St James's Gate9 January 19264Fordsons2-2Shelbourne9 January 1926replayShelbourne1-2Fordsons16 January 19265Lindon4-2Pioneers9 January 19266Jacobs5-1Barrackton United10 January 1926
Second round
Tie noHome teamScoreAway teamDate1Lindon1-1Jacobs23 January 1926replayJacobs4-2Lindon31 January 19262Athlone Town2-3Fordsons24 January 1926
ByeBray UnknownsByeShamrock Rovers
Semi-finals
Replay
Final
Winner of FAI Cup 1925–26Fordsons1st Title
Notes A. From 1923 to 1936, the FAI Cup was known as the Free State Cup.
B. Attendances were calculated using gate receipts which limited their accuracy as a large proportion of people, particularly children, attended football matches in Ireland throughout the 20th century for free by a number of means. However, in the instances of capacity crowds attending, this practice might not have been as common as usual or have had as large an effect on actual attendances.
C. The official attendance of 25,000 was a record for the first five FAI Cup finals and the joint highest official attendance for the first ten.
References General
External links FAI Website