Should the FAI restore a League Cup competition?

[nr637]

12,297 at Windsor Park for the Northern Ireland League Cup Final.https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2026/march/another-big-day-at-the-betmclean-cup-final/Maybe A chance for smaller clubs to get some silverware, create good days out for fans, create game time for squad players at clubs. The format could look at the possiblity of excluding the 4 European clubs, so fixture congestion is less of an issue. Opportunity for the new third tier clubs to compete against higher league opposition. If the FAI were to secure a sponsor on board who will market the competition using the current LOI growth. Maybe RTE could be offered a Cup coverage deal to draw in some more media outlets

[Buckett]

I would love to see this return. I've heard that it's actually the clubs themselves voting against it

[Buller]

No definitely not for Premier sides anyway. We've enough matches per year as it is and getting rid of it has been great; less meaningless, low crowd matches.

[sessylU]

I'd like to see it return, but I can't really think of a compelling argument for it to return other than "it's good and I like it."

[pineapple stu]

No definitely not for Premier sides anyway. We've enough matches per year as it is and getting rid of it has been great; less meaningless, low crowd matches.
This.

I'd actually have preferred it it had come back in place of the shambolic LSC. But there's definitely no room for both.

[Roones26]

Fundamentally there is little distinction between the League Cup and FAI Cup

The issue is the number of games against the same sides - Rovers playing Bohs 5 or 6 times in one year is not a good look for the league and there is essentially no space for it in the current calendar.

Cross border is a much better argument than the League Cup

[EalingGreen]

12,297 at Windsor Park for the Northern Ireland League Cup Final.https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2026/march/another-big-day-at-the-betmclean-cup-final/MaybeThey had 14,539 the previous season between Cliftonville and Glentoran, a figure which might even have been a bit higher had the capacity not been reduced for segregation/security reasons.

However, NIFL's circumstances are somewhat different from those of the LOI. With 12 teams in the Prem, IL teams actually play 38 league games a season - 33 before the split and 5 post-split. This means that each team plays the other 11 a guaranteed three times a season, and five of them a fourth time.

And thinking about it, our teams do seem to play a good few more games than their LOI counterparts, top-flight at least, which is surprising considering most of our teams are p-t. For as well as two extra league games, there up to 5 League Cup games for the Finalists, these latter being played midweek, up until the Final (Sunday game).

While the Irish Cup is the same again - up to five games for the Finalists, though these games are weekends.

Then add in the County Antrim Shield, dating from 1888/89(!), where 7 or 8 of the Prem sides play up to another four midweek games:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_County_Antrim_Shield

One modification from this season for the League Cup is that the winners now get a shot at the 4th European place, since the winners of the competition are now guaranteed a place in the European play-off final at the end of the campaign. I assume this must be to make the League Cup more attractive:
https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2026/march/growth-of-the-betmclean-cup/

While they've also increased the League Cup Prize Money, with the winners receiving £20k and the Runners-Up £10k.

As against all that, the four IL teams who qualify don't tend to play so many games in Europe as their LOI counterparts(!), but even there, it's usually only one or two LOI teams who get through to the Group stage, meaning it doesn't apply to the majority of LOI clubs.

[EalingGreen]

Cross border is a much better argument than the League CupIn principle, perhaps. But in practice I suspect that barring maybe the four f-t teams (Linfield/Glentoran/Coleraine/Larne), there's no great appetite for that amongst IL clubs, for a variety of reasons.

[sbgawa]

The 4 teams who qualify for Europe are the four best teams (probably) so you cant really have a cup compeittion without them (who would want to sponsor a compeitiion with the best teams taken out and what would be the prestige of winning it...............How about the compeition is run off in the summer when there arent as many league matches but only by the 16 other teams who play dowwn to a final where they are joined by the winners of a route involving the othr 4 cliubs.It means that everyone is still in the same comp but for the European teams its 2 ganes to a final and while that might seem unfair it means that the bottom 6 of th PD or the FD are guatanteed a place in the final when often finals are between 2 teams from the top 4......in summary id like it back i was at the last final in Oriel , it s a good day out (and we were robbed by the ref btw :) )

[Longfordian]

I'll always have fond memories of winning it at home in 2004, but it's hard to make an argument for it outside of sentiment.

[legendz]

The provincial cups seem to be filling the void in Munster and Leinster. I'd prefer provincial league cups for LoI clubs only. The MSC and LSC are being entertained for whatever reason.

[brendy_�ire]

No definitely not for Premier sides anyway. We've enough matches per year as it is and getting rid of it has been great; less meaningless, low crowd matches.

Don't agree with that.
We used to have the LC, cup replays, plus other competitions (e.g. Texaco/Setanta Cup). Why can't teams, with bigger, professional squads, cope with a handful of extra games?

The LC used to have a pre-season group stage. It was always Derry, Harps, Sligo and Fanad in the northwest. I loved it. Never did get to Traigh-a-Loch away, mind.
It could be updated with the new teams coming into the league this year.
Certainly more interesting than, say, us playing Sligo in Dungannon.

[yurt]

If it were to come back I think it'd make a lot of sense to play out the first couple of rounds in January, it'd essentially raise the profile of a couple of games that'd otherwise be friendlies and if 75% of clubs are eliminated before the season starts it'd reduce the headache of fixture congestion for the vast majority.

[pineapple stu]

That's effectively what the LSC is (and the MSC too I think)

Obviously can't have both of them. Would have no complaints getting rid of the LSC of course, which is a glorified underage competition at this stage, with frequent withdrawals too

[Nesta99]

Dundalk still holders? so maybe we vote against to always have a senior trophy in the cabinet.

[legendz]

Listening to Mark Scanlon at the end of last year, there seems to be no talk of the League Cup returning. With 36 games in the Premier and First Division, would be hard to fit in. I think both would have to expand to 12 over 33 games to even consider it. The LSC and MSC are it for the foreseeable.

I'm in the minority who would like to see a European playoff. The top 5 playoff in the First Division has achieved it's intention of being a lifeline. The top 5 in the Premier guaranteed at least a European playoff for the last European spot would add a bit of spice but the bit of spice isn't welcome!

[yurt]

I don't hate the euro playoff idea but I personally don't think it'd add to a 10 team league which is busy enough as it is. Race for top 3/4 and the bottom 2 mean there isn't too much scope for mediocrity and dead rubbers.

In a 12 team league (which I don't want) I could see it being more realistic

[EalingGreen]

I don't hate the euro playoff idea but I personally don't think it'd add to a 10 team league which is busy enough as it is. Race for top 3/4 and the bottom 2 mean there isn't too much scope for mediocrity and dead rubbers.

In a 12 team league (which I don't want) I could see it being more realisticWhy don't you want a 12 team league? (Genuine question). Is it the "too much mediocrity and dead rubbers" argument? A need to have only f-t professional clubs in the top flight?

Looking from the outside, I really don't see why a country with ROI's population/resources/history can't sustain more than 19 Senior Clubs (i.e. excluding DCFC).

While with only 20 clubs in two divisions, and a fairly truncated FAI Cup, I'd have thought there should be room in the calendar for a League Cup, were that thought to be desirable.

[legendz]

I don't hate the euro playoff idea but I personally don't think it'd add to a 10 team league which is busy enough as it is. Race for top 3/4 and the bottom 2 mean there isn't too much scope for mediocrity and dead rubbers.
Carlsberg don't do European playoffs but if they did - it might involve 4th placed Bohs taking on 5th placed St. Pat's in the Aviva Stadium to start the season! ;)

[2 Year Contract]

Carlsberg don't do European playoffs but if they did - it might involve 4th placed Bohs taking on 5th placed St. Pat's in the Aviva Stadium to start the season! ;)A European playoff would be at the end of the season, not the start of it.

[legendz]

A European playoff would be at the end of the season, not the start of it.
There is the small matter of the FAI Cup final. Just shooting the breeze. FAI Cup final ending a season. European playoff starting a season.
Some will point to budgeting for the season ahead against it or the league fixtures played early for those in Europe. Valid points as well.

[2 Year Contract]

There is the small matter of the FAI Cup final. Just shooting the breeze. FAI Cup final ending a season. European playoff starting a season.Some will point to budgeting for the season ahead against it or the league fixtures played early for those in Europe. Valid points as well.This has been pointed out multiple times on this forum, potentially to you, though I can’t remember for sure. Clubs will never ever ever agree to a European playoff at the start of the season for budgeting reasons, as you’re aware of, so it’s not really a point worth even discussing further

[legendz]

This has been pointed out multiple times on this forum, potentially to you, though I can’t remember for sure. Clubs will never ever ever agree to a European playoff at the start of the season for budgeting reasons, as you’re aware of, so it’s not really a point worth even discussing further

Firstly, maybe I should have written the following "Some will point to budgeting for the season ahead against it " in block capitals...
SOME WILL POINT TO BUDGETING FOR THE SEASON AHEAD AGAINST IT...

Secondly - Pat's didn't care about budgeting reasons when they took Waterford's European spot in April 2019.

Thirdly - if any club, outside of Kerry who were unable to apply due to the 3 year rule, had applied for a European spot last year - I don't think that club would have cared about budgeting reasons if they were next in line to take Drogheda's European spot.

[Kiki Balboa]

With the National League coming soon, I think it would be a good way of them to have more contact with Premier Division clubs

[nigel-harps1954]

Firstly, maybe I should have written the following "Some will point to budgeting for the season ahead against it " in block capitals...SOME WILL POINT TO BUDGETING FOR THE SEASON AHEAD AGAINST IT...Secondly - Pat's didn't care about budgeting reasons when they took Waterford's European spot in April 2019. Thirdly - if any club, outside of Kerry who were unable to apply due to the 3 year rule, had applied for a European spot last year - I don't think that club would have cared about budgeting reasons if they were next in line to take Drogheda's European spot.It would be the start of a new season, where European places are decided off the previous season. Different squads competing for a place the previous squad won is a non-starter for me.

[pineapple stu]

It's a bizarrely daft suggestion. An end-of-season play-off for the last Conference League spot - yeah, whatever. Happens in the North and Wales among other clubs. But before the following season? It makes literally no sense. If nothing else, clubs wouldn't know what to plan for in pre-season in terms of squad strengthening for Europe. It'd do more damage for the league than anything.

I'm sure Pat's would much rather have known in 2019 pre-season that they were going to be in Europe - they could have put a stronger squad together and avoided losing home and away in the first round.

[legendz]

With the National League coming soon, I think it would be a good way of them to have more contact with Premier Division clubs

MSC and LSC will provide some opportunity. Connacht and Ulster might consider something similar with more teams to enter.

[oriel]

Absolutely no way.............................would mean we would have to return the trophy last won in 2019, and one pen kick away from a first ever treble too that season.

Would have been only the 4th club to have achieved that.

[2 Year Contract]

Firstly, maybe I should have written the following "Some will point to budgeting for the season ahead against it " in block capitals...SOME WILL POINT TO BUDGETING FOR THE SEASON AHEAD AGAINST IT...Secondly - Pat's didn't care about budgeting reasons when they took Waterford's European spot in April 2019. Thirdly - if any club, outside of Kerry who were unable to apply due to the 3 year rule, had applied for a European spot last year - I don't think that club would have cared about budgeting reasons if they were next in line to take Drogheda's European spot.Firstly, maybe I should have written the following “as you’re aware of” in block capitals…AS YOU’RE AWARE OF…Secondly, as Stu says, if Pats had earlier confirmation of their European place in 2019 they might’ve been able to better equip the playing squad to help them not get knocked out of Europe at the first hurdle which they did that season

[legendz]

There are some fair counter points on European playoff. Not looking to labour the point. Just shooting the breeze.

Waterford and Bray was a shoot out for Premier football. Very few of those knock out games where both teams have to win without safety nets or insurance prizes from elsewhere.

[Buckett]

Maybe instead of a playoff for the last Euro spot, give it to the winners of the new League Cup

[Roones26]

I think playoffs proposed here are gimmicky that would accomplish little long term

[outspoken]

I think playoffs proposed here are gimmicky that would accomplish little long term

Interesting to note in Belgium they are scraping their very unique play off system next season and expanding to an 18 team league with a traditional home/away set up. I don't think there's any need for play offs in the premier division

[legendz]

The Belgian playoff of splitting the table in 3 and halving points was unique alright. First Division playoffs are more straightforward thankfully. First Division clubs seem content to carry on with the current format.

[outspoken]

The Belgian playoff of splitting the table in 3 and halving points was unique alright. First Division playoffs are more straightforward thankfully. First Division clubs seem content to carry on with the current format.

While it's probably not right having half the league in a play off, the first division clubs would die a slow painful death without having that carrot at the end of the season

[pineapple stu]

I don't know if they'd die a death without the playoffs - that seems a bit melodramatic - but the crowds those games attract show the potential benefit of a European playoff too

[legendz]

While it's probably not right having half the league in a play off, the first division clubs would die a slow painful death without having that carrot at the end of the season

4th and 5th are overly rewarded in my humble opinion. After everyone has played each other 4 times - I'd be more in favour of 2nd and 3rd having home advantage in one off semi finals. The higher placed finalist then with home advantage in a one off final.
The promotion/relegation playoff e.g. Waterford v Bray seems more appropriate for two legs when clashing for the first time all season. Up to the clubs anyway. The FAI were pushing for breaks during international windows - First Division clubs pushed back. The clubs will decide and they seem happy enough with the way things are.

[Neish]

Not sure if many clubs would want it, early/mid week games which for most clubs outside of Dublin and possibly Galway and Cork offer same match day cost with about 30-40% less gate receipts until it gets to quarter final stage

But maybe could something could be worked between 1st division and the new 3rd tier to give a shot at some silverware

[legendz]

Seems very unlikely the League Cup will come back. If it was to surprisingly come back, at least 3 rounds would probably have to played during pre-season. Possibly with 4 regional pools of 5 teams to reduce travel before the last 4. 3 pre-season rounds would mean trying to fit in semi finals and final during the regular season. Any drive for any return will have to come from the clubs. Haven't heard or seen anything to indicate any interest.

[wonder88]

I think it should return and have the final in the Aviva. Have a double header with the women's All-Ireland cup final, around early October.

[Eminence Grise]

It could be a useful addition to give third tier teams a chance to play first and premier teams – gain experience, boost a couple of home gates, get a bit of marketing traction, that kind of thing. Smaller match day squads, say 16, with only three subs allowed and with a sliding requirement for starting a minimum number players aged under 21 – more for Premier teams, half the number for first division, no minimum for third tier – might cut costs, help player development and level the playing field a bit. With 40 teams (eventually) in the three tiers, eight groups of five in a round robin gives eight quarter-finalists: seven games to win it. Might be too many (and definitely would be if second placed teams qualified), so you'd look to byes and knockout single-tie rounds, but still need up to six games to win it (though more likely 5: prelim round of 16 with 24 byes, to get to a last 32, then 16, quarters, semis, final).

I’d be against a play-off for a European spot, but a double-header with the President’s Cup, a President’s Shield as it were, with the league cup winners playing the first division champions could have some merit – a bit of additional revenue for both if nowt else. Would there be enough in two games to justify staging them in the Aviva as a season curtain raiser (sorry to rain on Bohs parade there!)?

[legendz]

Be really surprised if the League Cup was to return. I think the Scottish League Cup has moved to the first half of their season. If the League Cup was to return, it should probably have a final in May at the latest before European campaigns begin.

[Nesta99]

Run it as a super cup, every 4 years on the performance for the previous league 4 seasons. Era cup if you like. Big wedge of cash for winner. If there is only I league winner in the last 4 years then it doesnt even have to be played.....Shield for 1st Division even if all in the PL. Well there are no shortage of mad ideas to resurrect it. It has the potential for a crossborder effort if done wright but needs that European possibility so winner goes in to IL playoffs.....

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Big wedge of cash for a team who has probably been playing in Europe every season and getting a big wedge of cash already

[Nesta99]

Yeah I dont think there was too much in that post that was particularly serious. Buuuttt if you want a successful return of the LC it needs the usual, good prizemoney, and or a possibility of Europe. It could be a cross border thing but of course they'd have to provide the European play-off opportunity.....

Whether a club is making money shouldn't really be part of the decision making. Its not the Socialist Workers Party League of Ireland!

[legendz]

On the back of a pack of cigarettes...

NW
Derry, Sligo, Galway, Harps, Longford.
NE
Shels, Bohs, Drogs, Dundalk, Athlone.
SE
Shams, Pat's, Bray, UCD, Wexford.
SW
Waterford, Cork, Cobh, Treaty, Kerry.

4 regional pools of 5. 3 knockout rounds during pre-season. Lowest 2 on league placing from each pool starting in round 1. After 3 knockout rounds, each regional pool would provide 1 semi finalist. A matter then of FAI & clubs agreeing semi final and final dates during the regular season.

[thebronze14]

Be grand as pre season comp that's regionalised for the early round. We usually end up playing Sligo and Derry every year anyway. Semi finals later in year

[legendz]

Run it as a super cup, every 4 years on the performance for the previous league 4 seasons.

A mad notion something along those lines for the old Super Cup...

Shels are the FAI Super Cup holders (2001). When there are 3 different league champions to join the Super Cup holders, have another staging of the Super Cup. Could be end of season.
A resurrected Super Cup could involve the last 3 league winners outside of Shels. The next staging then waiting until there are 3 different league winners to join the Super Cup holders.
The last 3 different league winners outside of Shels are Rovers 2025, Dundalk 2019 and Cork 2017. It would be a rare event, while bizarre or unique depending on your perspective.