Wikipedia - FAI Intermediate Cup

The FAI Intermediate Cup (Irish: Corn Comortais Peile na hÉireann), also known as the FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup and the Pat O'Brien Intermediate Challenge Cup, is a cup competition organized by the Football Association of Ireland for intermediate association football clubs from the Republic of Ireland. These include clubs competing in the Leinster Senior League and the Munster Senior League. It was originally known as the FAI Qualifying Cup and from the beginning it has been used as a qualifying competition for the senior FAI Cup. It is currently sponsored by Umbro and has previously been sponsored by Carlsberg.

History

FAI Qualifying Cup

The competition was originally known as the FAI Qualifying Cup before it was renamed the FAI Intermediate Cup at the start of the 1931–32 season. The cup's first winners were Drumcondra who beat Cobh Ramblers in the inaugural 1926–27 final. Drumcondra, who at the time were playing in the Leinster Senior League, subsequently went onto complete a cup double when they defeated Brideville 1–0 in the 1926–27 FAI Cup final. The competition continues to act a qualifying competition for the FAI Cup with clubs who reach the Round of Sixteen being invited to compete in the senior cup.

League of Ireland

In addition to being the inaugural winners, Drumcondra were also the first of several future League of Ireland clubs to win the FAI Intermediate Cup. Cork Bohemians, Sligo Rovers, Longford Town, UCD, Cobh Ramblers, St Patricks Athletic, Albert Rovers, Bray Wanderers, Home Farm and Cork Hibernians, playing as AOH, all subsequently won the cup before joining the national league. Athlone Town were also finalists on one occasion. Jacobs, St. James's Gate and Transport all won the cup after leaving the League of Ireland. With five wins, Longford Town were the competitions most successful club until Bluebell United equalled their record in 1999–2000 and Avondale United surpassed it in 2013–14. The reserve teams of League of Ireland clubs have also won the cup on several occasions. These include Bohemians, Shelbourne, Drumcondra and St Patrick's Athletic. Limerick B and UCD Reserves were also runners up.

2000s and 2010s

During the 2000s and 2010s Avondale United and Crumlin United have been the cup's most successful clubs. In 2013–14 Avondale United became only the second club after Distillery to win the cup four times in a row. In 2012 the FAI introduced a new cup, the Tom Hand Memorial Cup, which saw the winners of the FAI Intermediate Cup play off against the winners of the FAI Junior Cup. Avondale United won the inaugural match, defeating Sheriff Y.C. 2–1 at the AUL Complex. In 2014 it was announced that future finals would be hosted at the Aviva Stadium. The 2014–15 and 2015–16 finals were both played as double headers along with the FAI Junior Cup finals.

愛爾蘭足協中級盃是一個在愛爾蘭舉辦的足球錦標賽。該比賽由愛爾蘭足球協會主辦,旨在提供一個平台,讓中級水平的球隊能夠展示他們的技術和競爭力。

這個比賽吸引了來自全國各地的球隊參加,包括來自不同城市和地區的球會。參賽球隊將在一系列的比賽中進行角逐,直到最終冠軍產生。

愛爾蘭足協中級盃不僅是一個競技活動,也是一個聚集愛爾蘭足球愛好者的盛會。球迷們可以在比賽中觀看到精彩的進球、技巧和激烈的對抗。這也是一個讓球迷們聚集在一起,共同為自己支持的球隊加油的機會。

除了比賽本身,愛爾蘭足協中級盃還提供了一個交流和互動的平台。球隊和球迷們可以在比賽期間建立新的友誼和聯繫,分享他們對足球的熱愛和經驗。

愛爾蘭足協中級盃是一個重要的足球盛事,對於愛爾蘭足球的發展和推廣起著重要的作用。它不僅提供了一個展示球技的舞台,也為球迷們帶來了無盡的樂趣和激情。無論是球隊還是球迷,參與愛爾蘭足協中級盃都是一個難忘的體驗。