The 2014–15 Irish Cup was the 135th edition of the Irish Cup, the premier knockout cup competition in Northern Irish football since its introduction in 1881. The competition began on 23 August 2014 with the first round, and concluded on 2 May 2015 with the final. For the first time since 1995, the Oval was chosen as the final venue following the discovery of damage to a stand at Windsor Park during the stadium's redevelopment.[1]

2014–15 Irish Cup
Tournament details
Country Northern Ireland
Teams125
Defending championsGlenavon
Final positions
ChampionsGlentoran (22nd win)
Runner-upPortadown
Tournament statistics
Matches played124
Goals scored511 (4.12 per match)

Glenavon were the defending champions, following their 2–1 win over Ballymena United in the 2014 final.[2] However, this season they were eliminated in the sixth round after a shock 2–0 defeat to second-tier side Harland & Wolff Welders.[3]

Glentoran were the eventual cup winners for the second time in three seasons and the 22nd time overall by defeating Portadown 1–0 in the final,[4] and subsequently qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.

Format and schedule

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125 clubs entered this season's competition, an increase of six clubs compared with the 2013–14 total of 119 clubs. Initially there had been 128 entrants, however three clubs – Draperstown Celtic, Lisanally Rangers and Mountjoy United – all withdrew after the first round draw had been made, with Lisanally Rangers later dissolving.[5]

80 regional league clubs from tiers 4–7 in the Northern Ireland football league system entered the competition in the first round. A further 4 clubs proceeded directly into the second round; one club received a bye (necessitated by the number of participants), while the other 3 clubs had no first round matches after their opponents withdrew from the competition. These clubs contested the first three rounds, with the 11 surviving clubs joining the 29 NIFL Championship clubs in the fourth round.

The 12 NIFL Premiership clubs then entered the competition in the fifth round, along with the 20 winners from the fourth round matches. In a major change to the rules from previous seasons, replays were abolished. All ties level after 90 minutes used extra time to determine the winner, with a penalty shoot-out to follow if necessary.

Round Draw date First match date Fixtures Clubs
First round 29 July 2014 23 August 2014 40 125 → 85
Second round 1 September 2014 4 October 2014 22 85 → 63
Third round 6 October 2014 8 November 2014 11 63 → 52
Fourth round 10 November 2014 6 December 2014 20 52 → 32
Fifth round 17 December 2014 10 January 2015 16 32 → 16
Sixth round 10 January 2015 7 February 2015 8 16 → 8
Quarter-finals 7 February 2015 28 February 2015 4 8 → 4
Semi-finals 28 February 2015 21 March 2015 2 4 → 2
Final 2 May 2015 1 2 → 1

Results

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The league tier of each club at the time of entering the competition is listed in parentheses.

First round

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The draw for the first round was made on 29 July 2014 with the matches played on 23 August 2014. Markethill Swifts received a bye into the second round. After the draw was made, Draperstown Celtic, Lisanally Rangers and Mountjoy United withdrew, and their first round opponents subsequently proceeded to the second round.[6]

Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Abbey Villa (4) walkover Lisanally Rangers (4) (withdrew)
Albert Foundry (4) 1–0 Portaferry Rovers Rovers (6)
Ardglass (4) 4–3 (aet) Fivemiletown United (4)
Ards Rangers (4) 3–2 Islandmagee (4)
Ballymacash Rangers (4) 2–1 Dromara Village (5)
Ballynahinch Olympic (6) 3–1 Grove United (6)
Ballynahinch United (6) 2–3 (aet) Lisburn Rangers (5)
Ballywalter Recreation (6) 2–0 Bryansburn Rangers (7)
Banbridge Rangers (4) walkover Draperstown Celtic (4) (withdrew)
Bangor Amateurs (7) 2–1 Dundonald (5)
Chimney Corner (4) 2–3 (aet) Malachians (4)
Comber Recreation (4) 1–2 Hanover (5)
Crewe United (4) 0–7 St Mary's (4)
Crumlin Star (4) 2–1 Larne Technical Old Boys (5)
Crumlin United (5) 5–1 Orangefield Old Boys (5)
Derriaghy Cricket Club (4) 3–1 Newcastle (6)
Drumaness Mills (4) 2–1 Downshire Young Men (6)
Dungiven Celtic (4) 0–1 Donard Hospital (7)
Dunloy (4) 2–0 Ballysillan Swifts (4)
Dunmurry Recreation (5) 3–0 Downpatrick (5)
East Belfast (6) 3–2 Lower Maze (4)
Groomsport (7) 0–4 1st Bangor Old Boys (6)
Holywood (7) walkover Mountjoy United (4) (withdrew)
Immaculata (4) 2–0 St Patrick's Young Men (5)
Killyleagh Youth (4) 2–2 (aet)
(3–2 p)
Barn United (5)
Killymoon Rangers (4) 2–5 (aet) Newtowne (4)
Kilmore Recreation (4) 2–5 Brantwood (4)
Kilroot Recreation (7) 0–8 Sirocco Works (6)
Lurgan Town (5) 2–3 (aet) UUJ (5)
Magherafelt Sky Blues (4) 4–2 Dromore Amateurs (7)
Moneyslane (5) 1–4 Colin Valley (7)
Newbuildings United (4) 1–3 Desertmartin (4)
Nortel (4) 2–2 (aet)
(2–3 p)
Shankill United (4)
Oxford Sunnyside (5) 1–3 Ardstraw (4)
Rathfern Rangers (6) 3–1 Iveagh United (7)
Rathfriland Rangers (5) 4–0 Seagoe (5)
Richhill (5) 0–2 Oxford United Stars (4)
Roe Rovers (4) 1–3 (aet) Broomhill (4)
Saintfield United (7) 2–2 (aet)
(8–9 p)
Shorts (7)
Strabane Athletic (4) 1–4 (aet) Newry City (4)
Tandragee Rovers (4) 4–1 Dunmurry Young Men (6)
Valley Rangers (5) 2–3 Bloomfield (6)
Wellington Recreation (6) 3–2 (aet) Ballynure Old Boys (4)

Source: irishfa.com

Second round

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The draw for the second round took place on 1 September 2014, with the matches played on 4 October 2014. The 40 winners from the first round matches entered this round, along with Abbey Villa, Banbridge Rangers, Holywood and Markethill Swifts.[6]

Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).

Team 1  Score  Team 2
1st Bangor Old Boys (6) 2–0 Colin Valley (7)
Abbey Villa (4) 2–0 Ardstraw (4)
Ardglass (4) 2–4 Ards Rangers (4)
Ballynahinch Olympic (6) 2–2 (aet)
(2–3 p)
Immaculata (4)
Ballywalter Recreation (6) 4–5 Shankill United (4)
Banbridge Rangers (4) 4–3 (aet) Shorts (7)
Bloomfield (6) 2–3 St Mary's (4)
Brantwood (4) 4–2 Bangor Amateurs (7)
Crumlin United (5) 7–0 Broomhill (4)
Derriaghy Cricket Club (4) 3–2 Holywood (7)
Desertmartin (4) 1–3 Newtowne (4)
Dunmurry Recreation (5) 0–2 Oxford United Stars (4)
Hanover (5) 4–4 (aet)
(5–3 p)
Magherafelt Sky Blues (4)
Killyleagh Youth (4) 0–3 Drumaness Mills (4)
Malachians (4) 1–4 (aet) Crumlin Star (4)
Markethill Swifts (5) 1–5 East Belfast (6)
Newry City (4) 1–0 Donard Hospital (7)
Rathfern Rangers (6) 2–5 Albert Foundry (4)
Rathfriland Rangers (5) 3–0 Dunloy (4)
Sirocco Works (6) 1–1 (aet)
(1–3 p)
Lisburn Rangers (5)
Tandragee Rovers (4) 5–1 Ballymacash Rangers (4)
UUJ (5) 2–0 Wellington Recreation (6)

Source: irishfa.com

Third round

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The draw for the third round took place on 6 October 2014, with the matches played on 8, 15 and 29 November 2014. The 22 winners from the second round entered this round.[6]

Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).

Team 1  Score  Team 2
8 November 2014
Albert Foundry (4) 6–1 St Mary's (4)
Banbridge Rangers (4) 0–2 Tandragee Rovers (4)
Crumlin United (5) 3–0 UUJ (5)
Derriaghy Cricket Club (4) 2–2 (aet)
(2–0 p)
Oxford United Stars (4)
Drumaness Mills (4) 1–2 Brantwood (4)
East Belfast (6) 3–5 Newtowne (4)
Immaculata (4) 0–2 Crumlin Star (4)
Lisburn Rangers (5) 2–7 (aet) Ards Rangers (4)
Newry City (4) 4–0 Hanover (5)
15 November 2014
Abbey Villa (4) 1–2 Shankill United (4)
29 November 2014
1st Bangor Old Boys (6) 1–1 (aet)
(6–5 p)
Rathfriland Rangers (5)

Source: irishfa.com

Fourth round

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The fourth round draw was made on 10 November 2014, with the matches played on 6 December 2014. The 11 winners from the third round matches entered this round, along with the 29 NIFL Championship clubs.[6] 1st Bangor Old Boys were the lowest ranked team to reach this round – the only representatives as low as the sixth tier of the Northern Ireland football league system that still remained in the competition. However, the run came to an end after a 3–0 defeat to Annagh United.

Note: Intermediate clubs from tiers 2 and 3 entered the competition at this stage.

Team 1  Score  Team 2
Annagh United (3) 3–0 1st Bangor Old Boys (6)
Armagh City (2) 2–0 Shankill United (4)
Banbridge Town (3) 1–4 Ards (2)
Bangor (2) 2–1 Lurgan Celtic (3)
Carrick Rangers (2) 4–1 Albert Foundry (4)
Coagh United (3) 0–2 Brantwood (4)
Dergview (2) 0–1 Larne (2)
Derriaghy Cricket Club (4) 3–2 Wakehurst (3)
Donegal Celtic (2) 2–3 (aet) Ballyclare Comrades (2)
Dundela (2) 4–1 Ballymoney United (3)
Harland & Wolff Welders (2) 2–0 Dollingstown (3)
Limavady United (3) 1–3 (aet) Tobermore United (3)
Lisburn Distillery (2) 0–1 Crumlin Star (4)
Loughgall (2) 6–2 Tandragee Rovers (4)
Moyola Park (3) 3–2 Glebe Rangers (3)
Newtowne (4) 4–1 Crumlin United (5)
Portstewart (3) 2–1 Newry City (4)
PSNI (2) 2–1 Knockbreda (2)
Queen's University (3) 2–3 Newington YC (3)
Sport & Leisure Swifts (3) 2–6 Ards Rangers (4)

Source: irishfa.com

Fifth round

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The draw for the fifth round took place on 17 December 2014, with the games played on 10 and 20 January 2015. The 20 winners from the fourth round matches entered this round, along with the 12 NIFL Premiership clubs.[6] The 5 clubs from the fourth tier that made it through to this round were the lowest ranked clubs remaining in the competition.

Note: Senior clubs from tier 1 entered the competition at this stage.

10 January 2015 Harland & Wolff Welders (2) 2 – 0Derriaghy Cricket Club (4)Tillysburn Park, Belfast
13:30 GMT Deans   30'
Armstrong   80'
Report
10 January 2015 Portstewart (3) 3 – 2Dundela (2)Seahaven, Portstewart
13:30 GMT Stewart   8', 16'
Peden   59'
Report Keenan   7'
Jackson   42'
10 January 2015 PSNI (2)1 – 2 (a.e.t.) Portadown (1) Newforge Lane, Belfast
13:30 GMT Agnew   24' Report Twigg   7'
Casement   110'
10 January 2015 Tobermore United (3)0 – 2 Linfield (1) Fortwilliam Park, Tobermore
13:30 GMT Report Waterworth   25', 81'
10 January 2015 Annagh United (3)1 – 3 Ballyclare Comrades (2) Tandragee Road, Portadown
15:00 GMT Campbell   53' Report Reid   9'
Brown   10', 87'
10 January 2015 Armagh City (2) 3 – 0Newtowne (4)Holm Park, Armagh
15:00 GMT Hoey   28'
Boyle   40'
Haveron   80'
Report
10 January 2015 Ballymena United (1) 4 – 0Crumlin Star (4)Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena
15:00 GMT Tipton   4' (pen.)
McCutcheon   27'
Boyce   70', 83'
Report
10 January 2015 Bangor (2) 4 – 0Brantwood (4)Clandeboye Park, Bangor
15:00 GMT McDowell   12'
Youle   16'
Forsythe   25'
Nixon   79'
Report
10 January 2015 Cliftonville (1) 6 – 0Ards Rangers (4)Solitude, Belfast
15:00 GMT Gormley   12', 52'
J. Donnelly   42', 90'
McDaid   47'
Murray   75'
Report
10 January 2015 Coleraine (1)1 – 3 Warrenpoint Town (1) Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine
15:00 GMT Miskimmin   82' Report D. Hughes   65'
S. Hughes   79', 88'
10 January 2015 Crusaders (1) 6 – 0Newington YC (3)Seaview, Belfast
15:00 GMT Clarke   16'
Adamson   31'
Molloy   37'
O'Carroll   57', 84'
O'Flynn   81'
Report
10 January 2015 Dungannon Swifts (1) 4 – 2 (a.e.t.)Ballinamallard United (1)Stangmore Park, Dungannon
15:00 GMT Hazley   2'
Glackin   18'
Liggett   98', 106'
Report Courtney   37'
Kee   75'
10 January 2015 Glentoran (1) 2 – 0Ards (2)The Oval, Belfast
15:00 GMT McKee   60'
McCaffrey   90'
Report
10 January 2015 Institute (1) 5 – 1Loughgall (2)Riverside Stadium, Drumahoe
15:00 GMT McFadden   24'
Curry   51'
McManus   54', 59' (pen.)
Walsh   73'
Report Ferguson   12'
10 January 2015 Larne (2)A – ACarrick Rangers (2)Inver Park, Larne
15:00 GMT Match abandoned with the score at 0–0 after 28 minutes due to a serious player injury.
Report
10 January 2015 Moyola Park (3)2 – 3 Glenavon (1) Mill Meadow, Castledawson
15:00 GMT Walls   13'
Dowie   30'
Report Braniff   48', 62'
Bradley   89'
20 January 2015 Larne (2)1 – 2 Carrick Rangers (2) Inver Park, Larne
19:45 GMT McCabe   65' Report Chines   38' (pen.)
McCloskey   75'

Sixth round

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The sixth round draw took place after the fifth round matches had been played, with the fixtures played on 7 February 2015. The 16 winners from the fifth-round matches entered this round.[6] Third-tier club Portstewart were the lowest-ranked side to reach this stage of the competition.

Linfield's home tie against Warrenpoint Town was initially delayed until 16 February 2015 to allow time for an IFA investigation into allegations that a Warrenpoint Town player, Darren Forsyth, who had played in the 3–1 win over Coleraine in the previous round may have been ineligible. In the event of Forsyth being deemed as ineligible, Warrenpoint Town would have faced expulsion from the competition, with Coleraine reinstated as Linfield's sixth round opponents.[7] However, the IFA later cleared Forsyth to play. At the request of both clubs, the match was rescheduled back to its original date of 7 February 2015.[8]

7 February 2015 Harland & Wolff Welders (2) 2 – 0Glenavon (1)Tillysburn Park, Belfast
13:30 GMT Rainey   11'
Davidson   74'
Report
7 February 2015 Portstewart (3)0 – 2 Portadown (1) Seahaven, Portstewart
13:30 GMT Report Twigg   77'
Murray   90'
7 February 2015 Bangor (2)0 – 2 Crusaders (1) Clandeboye Park, Bangor
15:00 GMT Report O'Carroll   17' (pen.)
O'Flynn   63'
7 February 2015 Carrick Rangers (2) 3 – 1 (a.e.t.)Institute (1)Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus
15:00 GMT Lagan   88'
Chines   95'
Dick   110'
Report McFadden   75'
7 February 2015 Cliftonville (1)1 – 2 Ballymena United (1) Solitude, Belfast
15:00 GMT McMullan   47' (pen.) Report Cushley   90', 90+3'
7 February 2015 Glentoran (1) 4 – 1Armagh City (2)The Oval, Belfast
15:00 GMT Gordon   50'
McAlorum   58'
Allen   69'
McCaffrey   81'
Report Murray   79'
7 February 2015 Linfield (1) 5 – 0Warrenpoint Town (1)Windsor Park, Belfast
15:00 GMT Burns   10'
Waterworth   45', 83', 87'
Lowry   90+1'
Report

Quarter-finals

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The quarter-final draw took place on 7 February 2015 after the sixth round matches had been played, with the matches played on 28 February 2015. The 8 winners of the sixth round matches entered the quarter-finals.[6] Carrick Rangers and Harland & Wolff Welders were the lowest ranked sides to reach the quarter-finals, as the only two clubs from outside the top-flight remaining in the competition.

28 February 2015 Harland & Wolff Welders (2)2 – 3 Ballymena United (1) Tillysburn Park, Belfast
13:30 GMT McLellan   34' (pen.), 51' Report Boyce   78'
Tipton   85'
Thompson   90+5'
28 February 2015 Crusaders (1) 4 – 1Carrick Rangers (2)Seaview, Belfast
15:00 GMT Clarke   55', 85'
O'Carroll   64'
Whyte   86'
Report McClean   41' (o.g.)
28 February 2015 Glentoran (1) 3 – 0Dungannon Swifts (1)The Oval, Belfast
15:00 GMT Allen   14'
Kane   67'
Henderson   85'
Report
28 February 2015 Portadown (1) 3 – 2Linfield (1)Shamrock Park, Portadown
15:00 GMT Casement   8' (pen.)
Twigg   23', 43'
Report Lowry   72', 85'

Semi-finals

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The 4 quarter-final winners entered the semi-finals, with the matches played on 21 March 2015 at neutral venues.[6]

21 March 2015 Crusaders (1)0 – 1 Glentoran (1) Mourneview Park, Lurgan
15:00 GMT Report Allen   39'
21 March 2015 Ballymena United (1)1 – 3 Portadown (1) The Oval, Belfast
17:30 GMT Boyce   70' Report McAllister   4'
Gault   16'
McMahon   27'

Final

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On 2 May 2015, the final was played at the Oval, Belfast for the first time since 1995. It was switched from the usual venue following the discovery of damage to a stand at Windsor Park.[1] Glentoran had reached the final for the second time in three seasons, after winning the cup in 2013. Portadown had last reached the final in 2010, when they lost 2–1 against Linfield. It was only the third ever meeting between the two sides in the final, with Glentoran being the victors on both previous occasions. In fact, Portadown had never scored a goal against the Glens in a final, losing 3–0 in 1990 and 1–0 in the last meeting in 2000. The trend continued, with Glentoran winning once again without conceding a goal, to lift the cup for the 22nd time overall.

Glentoran (1)1 – 0Portadown (1)
Scullion   54' BBC Sport
IFA
Attendance: 8,072
Referee: Ross Dunlop

References

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  1. ^ a b "Irish Cup final switched to the Oval". BBC Sport. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Irish Cup final: Ballymena Utd 1-2 Glenavon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Irish Cup sixth round: Holders Glenavon beaten by H&W Welders". BBC Sport. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Irish Cup final: Glentoran 1-0 Portadown". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Facebook - Lisanally Rangers Football Club". Facebook. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Domestic - Irish Cup". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Challenge Cup Committee Statement". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  8. ^ "IRISH CUP: LINFIELD V WARRENPOINT TOWN". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
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