2018 League of Ireland Cup

Last updated
2018 League of Ireland Cup
EA Sports Cup
CountryFlag of Ireland.svg  Republic of Ireland
Dates12 March – 16 September
Teams24
Champions Derry City
Runners-up Cobh Ramblers
Matches played23
Top goal scorer(s) Ronan Curtis (Derry City)
Aaron McEneff (Derry City)
James English (Shelbourne)
Jamie Doyle (Shelbourne)
(3 each)
2017
2019

The 2018 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2018 EA Sports Cup, was the 45th season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams. Derry City won the cup for a record 11th time.

Contents

Teams

Pool 1Pool 2Pool 3Pool 4

Clubs denoted with * received a bye into Second round

First round

All teams were divided into four pools based on geographical location. Two random teams per pool received a bye into the second round. The draw for the first round took place on 9 February 2018. Ties were scheduled to begin on 5 March 2018 but were subsequently postponed due to the aftermath of extreme weather from a cold wave known as the Beast from the East combined with Storm Emma. Rescheduled ties were set for various dates across March and April 2018.

12 March 2018 Finn Harps 4–3 Mayo League Finn Park
19:457' Devers

41' O'Connor 51' Toland

56' O'Flynn
59' 82' Lavelle 71 ' Morrissey
13 March 2018 Wexford 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(7–8 p)
Cobh Ramblers* Ferrycarraig Park
20:00
19 March 2018 Galway United 1–0 Cockhill Celtic Eamonn Deacy Park
19:4551' Gill (OG)
26 March 2018 Waterford 4–1 UCC Regional Sports Centre
19:4511' Martin 32' Puri 40' Daly 66' Akinade 55' Hennessy
26 March 2018 Bray Wanderers 0–3 Shelbourne Carlisle Grounds
19:4524' 61' English 29' BoyneAttendance: 208
Referee: Alan Carey
26 March 2018 Bohemians 5–1 Cabinteely Dalymount Park
19:4537' 76' Watts 38' 42' Manley 65' Grant8' Fitzpatrick
27 March 2018 Athlone Town 0–2 UCD Athlone Town Stadium
19:4534' Molloy 84' Mahdy
9 April 2018 Drogheda United 3–2 St Mochta's United Park
19:4528' Doyle 31' McPhillips 40' Meaney20' Kelly (Pen) 89' Hughes

Second round

The draw for the Second round took place on 22 March 2018 and was made on a regional pool basis. Ties were scheduled for Easter Monday 2 April 2018. Four second round fixtures were postponed due to heavy rainfall causing unplayable pitches. Rearranged fixtures were set for 9 April, 23 April and 24 April.

2 April 2018 Bohemians 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
U.C.D. Dalymount Park
15:00 Eoghan Stokes Soccerball shade.svg54'
Jonathan Lunney Soccerball shade.svg85' (pen)
Report Yousef Mahdy Soccerball shade.svg21'
Gary O’Neill Soccerball shade.svg35'
Attendance: 314
Referee: Derek Tomney
Penalties
Dan Casey Soccerball shad check.svg
Jamie Hamilton Soccerball shad check.svg
Ryan GraydonSoccerball shad check.svg
Jonathan Lunney Soccerball shad check.svg
Eoghan Stokes Soccerball shad check.svg
Soccerball shad check.svg Gary O’Neill
Soccerball shad check.svg Timmy Molloy
Soccerball shad check.svg Ben Hanrahan
Soccerball shade cross.svg Paul Doyle
2 April 2018 Finn Harps 1–2 Derry City Finn Park
17:00Ciaran Coll Soccerball shade.svg11' Report Aaron McEneff Soccerball shade.svg29' (pen)
Rory Patterson Soccerball shade.svg63'
Attendance: 935
Referee: John McLoughlin
2 April 2018 Galway United 0–1 Sligo Rovers Eamonn Deacy Park
17:00 Report Adam Morgan Soccerball shade.svg83'Referee: Raymond Matthews
2 April 2018 St Patrick's Athletic 4–4 (a.e.t.)
(7–8 p)
Dundalk* Richmond Park
17:00 Fagan Soccerball shade.svg58'
Kelly Soccerball shade.svg60'
Leahy Soccerball shade.svg97'
Leahy Soccerball shade.svg104'
Tagbajumi Soccerball shade.svg3'
Murray Soccerball shade.svg45'
Leahy Soccerball shade.svg102' (og.)
Massey Soccerball shade.svg120'
Referee: Adriano Reale
Penalties
Fagan Soccerball shad check.svg
Clarke Soccerball shade cross.svg
Doona Soccerball shad check.svg
Kelly Soccerball shad check.svg
Lennon Soccerball shad check.svg
Toner Soccerball shad check.svg
Leahy Soccerball shad check.svg
Madden Soccerball shad check.svg
Markey Soccerball shade cross.svg
Massey Soccerball shade cross.svg
McGrath Soccerball shad check.svg
Poynton Soccerball shad check.svg
Adorján Soccerball shad check.svg
Gartland Soccerball shad check.svg
Mountney Soccerball shad check.svg
O'Donnell Soccerball shad check.svg
Folan Soccerball shad check.svg
Tagbajumi Soccerball shad check.svg
9 April 2018 Limerick 0–1 Cobh Ramblers Markets Field
20:4590' O'RiordanReferee: Anthony Buttimer
23 April 2018 Waterford* 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
Cork City Regional Sports Centre
19:45100' Duffus112' O'Hanlon
24 April 2018 Shelbourne 7–2 Drogheda United Tolka Park
20' Mulcahy 22' Rooney 25' Kavanagh
27' 48' 90' Doyle 60' Farrell
69' Trimble 70' Hondermack
24 April 2018 Shamrock Rovers 0–1 Longford Town Tallaght Stadium
19:45 Report Daniel O’Reilly Soccerball shade.svg89'Attendance: 304
Referee: Thomas Dempsey

Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 10 April 2018 and was an open draw, unlike previous rounds which were drawn on a geographic pooled basis. Ties are due to be played on 7/8 May 2018.

7 May 2018 Derry City 7–3 Shelbourne Brandywell Stadium
17:00 Ronan Curtis Soccerball shade.svg5', 15', 40'
Ronan Hale Soccerball shade.svg36'
Aaron McEneff Soccerball shade.svg43' (pen)
Nicky Low Soccerball shade.svg83'
Nathan Boyle Soccerball shade.svg90'
Report David O’Sullivan Soccerball shade.svg21', 28'
James English Soccerball shade.svg81'
Attendance: 1000 (estimate)
Referee: Damien MacGrait
8 May 2018 Cobh Ramblers 2–0 Longford Town St. Colman's Park
19:30Darren Murphy Soccerball shade.svg43'
Andrew Wall Soccerball shade.svg88'
Report Referee: Anthony Buttimer
8 May 2018 Dundalk 3–0 Bohemians Oriel Park
19:45Dylan Connolly Soccerball shade.svg8', 21'
Jamie McGrath Soccerball shade.svg88'
Report Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)
Referee: Robert Rogers
8 May 2018 Sligo Rovers 1–0 Waterford The Showgrounds
19:45 David Cawley Soccerball shade.svg63' Report Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Semi-finals

The draw for the semi-finals of the 2018 EA Sports Cup was made on 13 May 2018. Both ties were played on 6 August 2018.

6 August 2018 Sligo Rovers 0–1 Derry City The Showgrounds
17:00 Report Rory Hale Soccerball shade.svg24'Referee: Graham Kelly
6 August 2018 Cobh Ramblers 1–0 Dundalk St. Colman's Park
17:00Christopher Hull Soccerball shade.svg75' Report Referee: Sean Grant

Final

The final of the League of Ireland Cup took place on 16 September 2018. Home advantage was decided by a coin toss, which Derry City won.

16 September 2018 Derry City 3–1 Cobh Ramblers Brandywell Stadium
16:00Ronan Hale Soccerball shade.svg23'
Darren Cole Soccerball shade.svg54'
Aaron McEneff Soccerball shade.svg72' (pen)
Report Christopher Hull Soccerball shade.svg26'Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Ben Connolly

Related Research Articles

The 2011 FAI Senior Challenge Cup, also known as the 2011 FAI Ford Cup, is the 91st season of the national football competition of the Republic of Ireland. The winners of the competition will earn spots in both the second qualifying round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League and the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup.

The 2013 season was St. Patrick's Athletic F.C.'s 84th year in existence and their 62nd consecutive season in the League of Ireland. It was the second year that Liam Buckley was the team's manager, following replacing Pete Mahon in December 2011. St Pat's finished the season as the 2013 League of Ireland Premier Division champions. They were also Leinster Senior Cup runners up. They also competed in the UEFA Europa League, the FAI Cup, the Setanta Cup and the League of Ireland Cup.

The 2013 FAI Senior Challenge Cup, also known as the 2013 FAI Ford Senior Cup, was the 93rd season of the national football competition of the Republic of Ireland. The winners of the competition earned a spot in the first qualifying round of the 2014-15 UEFA Europa League.

The 2014 League of Ireland Cup, also known as the 2014 EA Sports Cup, was the 41st season of the Irish football knockout competition.

The 2015 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2015 EA Sports Cup, was the 42nd season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams.

The 2016 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2016 EA Sports Cup, was the 43rd season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams.

The 2016 FAI Senior Challenge Cup, also known as the 2016 FAI Irish Daily Mail Senior Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 96th season of the national Football competition of the Republic of Ireland. The winners of the competition earned a spot in the First qualifying round of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League.

The 2017 season was St. Patrick's Athletic F.C.'s 88th year in existence and was the Supersaint's 66th consecutive season in the top-flight of Irish football. It was the sixth year that Liam Buckley is the team's manager, following replacing Pete Mahon in December 2011. With the new change to the League of Ireland structure, 3 clubs were set to be relegated from the Premier Division, which has created an intense relegation between many clubs, including Pats' due to their lower budget than previous years following a poor 2016 season in which they finished 7th in the league, making 2017 the first year in 7 years without European football. The relegation battle went right down to the last day of the season, where Pat's secured the necessary point to stay up following a 1–1 draw away to Derry City.

The 2017 League of Ireland Cup, known for sponsorship reasons as the 2017 EA Sports Cup, was the 44th season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup features teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams.

The 2017 FAI Senior Challenge Cup was the 97th season of the knockout national Football competition of the Republic of Ireland. The winners of this season's cup earned a place in the 2018–19 Europa League and would have entered in the first qualifying round.

The 2018 FAI Cup was the 98th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. It began with the qualifying round on 21 April 2018, and concluded with the final on 4 November 2018. The winner qualified for the 2019–20 Europa League first qualifying round.

The 2019 season was St. Patrick's Athletic F.C.'s 90th year in existence and was the Supersaint's 68th consecutive season in the top-flight of Irish football. It was the first season Harry Kenny took charge of the club, following Liam Buckley's spell in charge for the previous seven seasons. The fixtures were announced on 19 December 2018, with the Saints facing Cork City at home on the opening day of the season for the second year in a row, with the Inchicore side set to play champions Dundalk away from home on the final night of the season. Harry Kenny left his post on the 24th August following a 3–1 loss away to bottom of the table UCD in the FAI Cup. He was replaced by Stephen O'Donnell on the 31st August, his first managerial role. Pats finished 5th in the league and won the Leinster Senior Cup, playing the semi-final and final with their underage sides after the league season had ended for the senior team.

The 2019 FAI Cup was the 99th edition of the annual Republic of Ireland's cup competition. Forty teams participated in the competition, including all teams from the Premier Division and First Division. The competition began on 19 April 2019 with the first of five rounds and ended on 3 November 2019 with the final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a nominally neutral venue, which has hosted the final since 2010.

The 2019 League of Ireland Cup, also known for sponsorship reasons as the 2019 EA Sports Cup, was the 46th season of the League of Ireland's secondary knockout competition. The EA Sports Cup featured teams from the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions, as well as some intermediate level teams. Dundalk defeated Derry City in the final in a penalty shoot-out, following a 2-2 draw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Dundalk F.C. season</span> Dundalk 2020 football season

Dundalk entered the 2020 season as the reigning League Champions and League of Ireland Cup holders from 2019. Having qualified for European football for the seventh season in a row, they were entered in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League. It was manager Vinny Perth's second season as manager until his dismissal following Dundalk's exit from Europe in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. The 2020 season was Dundalk's 12th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 85th in all, and their 94th in the League of Ireland.

The 2020 FAI Cup was the 100th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. This edition featured clubs exclusively from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division, whereas usually non-league teams are involved. The number of teams was reduced due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions also meant that crowds were restricted or prohibited from attending. The competition began on 10 August 2020 with the first of four rounds and concluded on 6 December 2020 with the final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a nominally neutral venue, which has hosted the final since 2010.

The 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division, known as the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division for sponsorship reasons, is the 38th season of the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top Irish league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1985. Shamrock Rovers were the defending champions, having won their nineteenth Premier Division title the previous season. They retained the title on 24 October as a result of Derry City drawing 0-0 away to Sligo Rovers.

Dundalk entered the 2022 season having finished in sixth place in the league the previous season and having failed to qualify for European football for the first time since the 2012 season. They were still the League of Ireland Cup holders because, after they had won it in 2019, the competition was not held in 2020 or 2021. 2022 was Dundalk's 14th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 87th in all, and their 96th in the League of Ireland. The 100th anniversary of the club's entry to the Leinster Senior League and therefore its first match as a senior club passed on 7th October 2022.

The 2022 FAI Cup is the 102nd edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. This edition features teams from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division, as well as non-league teams. The competition began with qualifying on the week ending 22 April 2022.

References