City Cup (Northern Ireland)

The City Cup was a Northern Irish football competition that ran from 1894 to 1976. It was considered a major trophy in Northern Irish football, second only to the Irish League in prestige for much of its existence.

The tournament typically involved the leading teams in the Irish League. The format varied over the years, ranging from a straight knockout competition to league formats or combinations thereof. The City Cup was known for providing a platform for competitive matches during the early part of the football season. It served as a significant pre-season tournament for many teams, allowing them to test their squads and strategies before the Irish League campaign began in earnest.

The competition was officially discontinued in 1976, reflecting changes in the structure and priorities of Northern Irish football. The emergence of other cup competitions and the increasing demands of league play contributed to its eventual demise. While no longer active, the City Cup remains a notable part of Northern Irish football history, remembered for the many memorable matches and significant achievements it witnessed. Teams such as Linfield, Glentoran, and Belfast Celtic (until their demise) were frequent participants and often winners of the trophy.