The 1917–18 Irish Cup was the scheduled edition of the premier knock‑out football competition organized by the Irish Football Association (IFA) for clubs in Ireland. Owing to the ongoing First World War, the competition was not contested during the 1917–18 season; the Irish Cup was suspended from the 1915–16 season through the 1918–19 season and resumed in 1919–20.
Background
- The Irish Cup, established in 1881, is the oldest national football cup competition on the island of Ireland.
- The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 caused widespread disruption to organized sport, and many domestic football competitions were either cancelled or significantly altered.
Impact of the War on the Irish Cup
- From 1915–16 to 1918–19, the IFA suspended the Irish Cup, citing both practical difficulties (e.g., player enlistment, travel restrictions, and resource constraints) and a general consensus that competitive sport should be curtailed during wartime.
- During the suspension, regional wartime leagues and charity matches were occasionally organized, but no official Irish Cup tournament took place.
Resulting Status
- Consequently, there is no champion, runner‑up, or match record for the 1917–18 Irish Cup.
- Historical records list the season as “not held” in official IFA archives and reputable football historiography.
Reference
- Irish Football Association, “Irish Cup – History and Winners”.
- RSSSF (Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation), “Ireland – List of Cup Finals”.
Note: No further competitive details exist for the 1917–18 Irish Cup because the tournament was not organized.