The 1988 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1987–88 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 1 May 1988 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Derry City. Dundalk won the match 1–0 to win the cup for the eighth time, and, in so doing, won their second League and Cup Double.
The 1981 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1980–81 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 26 April 1981 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Sligo Rovers. The competition was sponsored by Mitre. Dundalk won the match 2–0 to win the cup for the seventh time.
The 1977 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1976–77 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 1 May 1977 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Limerick. Dundalk won 2–0 to win the cup for the fifth time.
The 1979 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1978–79 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 22 April 1979 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Waterford. Mitre sponsored the campaign. Dundalk won the match 2–0 to win the cup for the sixth time, and, in so doing, won their first League and Cup Double.
The 1958 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1957–58 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 20 April 1958 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. Dundalk won 1–0 to win their fourth FAI Cup.
The 1952 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1951–52 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 20 April 1952 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Cork Athletic and Dundalk. The match finished 1–1, sending the final to a replay the following Wednesday 23 April 1952. Dundalk won the replay 3–0 to win their third FAI Cup.
The 1949 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1948–49 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 10 April 1949 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Shelbourne. Dundalk won 3–0 to win their second FAI Cup.
The 1942 FAI Cup Final was the final match of the 1941–42 FAI Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the Football Association of Ireland. It took place on Sunday 26 April 1942 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Cork United. Dundalk won 3–1 to win their first FAI Cup.
The 1989 League of Ireland Cup Final was the final match of the 1989–90 League of Ireland Cup, known as the Opel League Cup for sponsorship purposes, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the League of Ireland. It took place on 9 November 1989 at Oriel Park in Dundalk, and was contested by Dundalk and Derry City. Dundalk won 4–1 in a penalty shoot-out, following a 1–1 draw after extra-time.
The 1987 League of Ireland Cup Final was the final match of the 1986–87 League of Ireland Cup, a knock-out association football competition contested annually by clubs affiliated with the League of Ireland. It took place on 1 January 1987 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, and was contested by Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. Dundalk won 1–0 to win the competition for the third time.
The 1981 League of Ireland Cup Final was the final match of the 1980–81 League of Ireland Cup, a knock-out association football competition played annually by clubs affiliated with the League of Ireland. It was contested by Dundalk and Galway Rovers, and took place across two legs – with the first leg being played on 1 January 1981 at Terryland Park in Galway, and the second leg being played on 8 January 1981 at Oriel Park in Dundalk. Both legs finished scoreless and Dundalk subsequently won a penalty shoot-out to win the trophy for a second time.
The 1978 League of Ireland Cup Final was the final match of the 1977–78 League of Ireland Cup, a knock-out association football competition played annually by clubs affiliated with the League of Ireland. The competition was sponsored by Bass. The match was contested by Dundalk and Cork Alberts, and took place across two legs – with the first leg being played on 6 April 1978 at Oriel Park in Dundalk, and the second leg being played on 12 April 1978 at Flower Lodge in Cork. Both legs finished 2–2, and Dundalk subsequently won a penalty shoot-out to win the trophy for the first time.
Dundalk entered the 1987–88 season as the League Cup holders from 1986–87, having won that competition and finished as runners-up in both league and FAI Cup. 1987–88 was Turlough O'Connor's third season as manager, and was Dundalk's 62nd consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk entered the 1981–82 season, having finished as runners-up to Athlone Town the previous season. They were the holders of both the League Cup and the FAI Cup, having achieved their first domestic cup double. In the process, they had qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup. 1981–82 was Jim McLaughlin's eighth season as manager, and was Dundalk's 56th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk entered the 1978–79 season, having won the previous season's League Cup and Leinster Senior Cup. But they had finished in a disappointing 11th place in the League, which meant there would be no European football in the new season. 1978–79 was Jim McLaughlin's fifth season as manager, and was Dundalk's 53rd consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk entered the 1975–76 season on the back of a fifth-place finish the previous season. 1975–76 was Jim McLaughlin's first full season as manager, having replaced John Smith in November 1974. It was Dundalk's 50th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk entered the 1966–67 season on the back of a disappointing eighth-place finish in the League and a sixth-place finish in the Shield the previous season. 1966–67 was Alan Fox's first season as player-coach, having been appointed by the club's new board of directors in August. It was Dundalk's 41st consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk entered the 1962–63 season on the back of a disappointing eighth-place finish in the League and a fifth-place finish in the Shield the previous season. 1962–63 saw the side trained by 1932–33 title-winning veteran Gerry McCourt, assisted by Mickey Fox, Colm Bellew and Shay Noonan. Team selection was still the responsibility of the club's 10-person management committee. It was Dundalk's 37th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
Dundalk G.N.R. made their debut in the Free State League, the top tier of Irish football, in 1926–27. They had played the previous four seasons in the Leinster Senior League. The team was managed by Joe McCleery, previously of Belfast Celtic F.C., who used his connections to Northern Irish football to ensure a supply of players for the season ahead. Home matches were played at the Dundalk Athletic Grounds, but on weekends when the Athletic Grounds were unavailable, matches would usually move to the Carroll's Recreation Ground.
