The 2015–16 Irish Cup (known as the Tennent's Irish Cup for sponsorship purposes) was the 136th edition of the Irish Cup, the premier knockout cup competition in Northern Irish football since its introduction in 1881. The competition began on 18 August 2015 with the first round and concluded with the final at Windsor Park on 7 May 2016. The cup was sponsored by Tennent's Lager, the competition's first title sponsor since 2012.[1]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Northern Ireland |
| Teams | 129 |
| Defending champions | Glentoran |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Glenavon (7th win) |
| Runner-up | Linfield |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 127 |
| Goals scored | 553 (4.35 per match) |
Glentoran were the defending champions, after they lifted the cup for the second time in three seasons and for the 22nd time overall by defeating Portadown 1–0 in the 2015 final.[2] Their defence of the Cup ended in the sixth round after falling to a 4–1 home defeat against 2013–14 winners, Glenavon.
Glenavon who were the eventual winners after beating Linfield 2-0 in the final, qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
Format and schedule
edit129 clubs entered this season's competition, an increase of four clubs compared with the 2014–15 total of 125 clubs. 82 regional league clubs from tiers 4–7 in the Northern Ireland football league system entered the competition in the first round, with a further seven clubs receiving byes to proceed directly into the second round as necessitated by the number of participants. These clubs contested the first three rounds, with the 12 surviving clubs joining the 28 NIFL Championship clubs in the fourth round. The 12 NIFL Premiership clubs enter the competition in the fifth round, along with the 20 winners from the fourth round matches. All ties level after 90 minutes used extra time to determine the winner, with a penalty shoot-out to follow if necessary.
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Results
editNote: The league tier of each club at the time of entering the competition is listed in parentheses.
First round
editThe draw for the first round was made on 22 July 2015 with the matches played between 18 and 22 August 2015.
Seven clubs received byes into the second round, namely: Downpatrick (4), Dunmurry Recreation (5), Groomsport (7), Larne Tech Old Boys (5), Oxford United Stars (4), Rathfriland Rangers (5) and Seagoe (5).[3]
Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).
Source: irishfa.com
Second round
edit48 clubs competed in the second round; the 41 winners from the first round matches, along with the seven clubs that received byes. The draw took place on 25 August 2015, with the matches played on 3 October 2015.[3]
Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).
Source: irishfa.com
Third round
editThe 24 winners from the second round entered this round.[3] The draw took place on 13 October 2015, with the fixtures played on 7 November 2015. As the only tier 7 club remaining, Downshire Young Men were the lowest-ranked side to reach this stage of the competition, but were ultimately knocked out after a narrow 3–2 defeat to Crumlin United.
Note: All entrants at this stage were at regional level (tiers 4–7).
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Villa (5) | 1–1 (aet) (4–2 p) |
Dunmurry Recreation (5) |
| Ards Rangers (4) | 4–1 | St Mary's (4) |
| Comber Recreation (5) | 3–4 | Ardglass (4) |
| Crumlin Star (4) | 5–0 | Dundonald (5) |
| Downshire Young Men (7) | 2–3 | Crumlin United (4) |
| Immaculata (4) | 4–2 | Lower Maze (4) |
| Lisburn Rangers (5) | 3–0 | Tandragee Rovers (4) |
| Newtowne (4) | 3–2 | Dromara Village (5) |
| Oxford United Stars (4) | 1–0 | St Patrick's Young Men (5) |
| Rathfriland Rangers (5) | 4–2 | Sirocco Works (6) |
| Trojans (4) | 5–1 | Banbridge Rangers (4) |
| Valley Rangers (4) | 0–2 | Wellington Recreation (6) |
Source: irishfa.com
Fourth round
editThe fourth round draw was completed on 10 November 2015, with the matches completed between 5 December 2015 and 2 January 2016. The 28 NIFL Championship clubs entered the competition at this stage, and were joined by the 12 third round winners.[3] As the only tier 6 club remaining, Wellington Recreation were the lowest-ranked side to reach this stage of the competition, but they were eliminated by Harland & Wolff Welders.
Note: Intermediate clubs entered the competition at this stage (tiers 2–3).
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 December 2015 | ||
| Annagh United (2) | 2–1 | Dollingstown (3) |
| Ards (2) | 7–0 | Donegal Celtic (2) |
| Ards Rangers (4) | 2–3 | Oxford United Stars (4) |
| Armagh City (2) | 3–0 | Lisburn Rangers (5) |
| Ballyclare Comrades (2) | 0–1 | Crumlin Star (4) |
| Banbridge Town (3) | 3–3 (aet) (3–2 p) |
Crumlin United (4) |
| Dundela (3) | 0–2 | Immaculata (4) |
| Harland & Wolff Welders (2) | 3–2 | Wellington Recreation (6) |
| Loughgall (2) | 2–1 | Trojans (4) |
| Lurgan Celtic (2) | 4–0 | Ardglass (4) |
| Newington YC (3) | 1–2 (aet) | PSNI (3) |
| Queen's University (3) | 1–2 | Tobermore United (3) |
| Wakehurst (3) | 1–1 (aet) (3–2 p) |
Glebe Rangers (3) |
| 8 December 2015 | ||
| Bangor (2) | 5–0 | Coagh United (3) |
| 9 December 2015 | ||
| Institute (2) | 1–1 (aet) (5–4 p) |
Newtowne (4) |
| 19 December 2015 | ||
| Dergview (2) | 1–6 | Sport & Leisure Swifts (3) |
| Larne (2) | 2–0 | Limavady United (3) |
| Lisburn Distillery (2) | 2–3 (aet) | Knockbreda (2) |
| Portstewart (3) | 3–1 | Moyola Park (3) |
| 2 January 2016 | ||
| Abbey Villa (5) | 0–4 | Rathfriland Rangers (5) |
Fifth round
editThe fifth round draw took place on 8 December 2015, with the matches completed on 9 and 19 January 2016. The 20 winners from the fourth round matches joined the 12 NIFL Premiership clubs to make up the final 32 clubs.[3] As the sole remaining club from tier 5, Rathfriland Rangers were the lowest ranked side to reach the fifth round, but were eliminated by Crusaders.
Note: Senior clubs entered the competition at this stage (tier 1).
| 9 January 2016 | Banbridge Town (3) | 0–2 | Carrick Rangers (1) | Crystal Park, Banbridge |
| 13:30 GMT | BBC Sport | Chines  4'Kelly 53' |
| 9 January 2016 | Crumlin Star (4) | 3–2 | Oxford United Stars (4) | The Cliff, Larne |
| 13:30 GMT | Murphy 60', 67' Brown 89' |
BBC Sport | Curran 72', 79' |
| 9 January 2016 | Harland & Wolff Welders (2) | 1–4 | Glenavon (1) | Tillysburn Park, Belfast |
| 13:30 GMT | Davidson 66' |
BBC Sport | Hall 20' Bradley 63', 81'Cooper 90+1' |
| 9 January 2016 | Loughgall (2) | 5–2 | Larne (2) | Lakeview Park, Loughgall |
| 13:30 GMT | Walsh 16' Mullan 22', 44'Rea 28'Ryan 53' |
BBC Sport | Robinson 15' Keke 57' |
| 9 January 2016 | Lurgan Celtic (2) | 2–1 | Bangor (2) | Knockrammer Park, Lurgan |
| 13:30 GMT | Barton 19' Haire 65' |
BBC Sport | Walsh 58' |
| 9 January 2016 | Sport & Leisure Swifts (3) | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Institute (2) | Glen Road Heights, Belfast |
| 13:30 GMT | Glenholmes 52' Gallagher 90+3'Lynch 108' (pen.) |
BBC Sport | Friel 25' (pen.) Harkin 43' (pen.) |
| 9 January 2016 | Tobermore United (3) | 0–2 | PSNI (3) | Fortwilliam Park, Tobermore |
| 13:30 GMT | BBC Sport | Agnew 20' Anderson 65' |
| 9 January 2016 | Armagh City (2) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–1 p) | Portstewart (3) | Holm Park, Armagh |
| 15:00 GMT | Lavery 6' Campbell 13' |
BBC Sport | Bradley 67' McClements 74' |
| 9 January 2016 | Cliftonville (1) | 2–0 | Immaculata (4) | Solitude, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | Knowles 65' Curran 75' |
BBC Sport |
| 9 January 2016 | Coleraine (1) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Ballinamallard United (1) | The Showgrounds, Coleraine |
| 15:00 GMT | Douglas 85' Harkin 90+3' |
BBC Sport | Campbell 16' Lecky 33' |
| 9 January 2016 | Crusaders (1) | 3–0 | Rathfriland Rangers (5) | Seaview, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | O'Carroll 33' Owens 48'Forsythe 60' |
BBC Sport |
| 9 January 2016 | Dungannon Swifts (1) | 4–3 | Warrenpoint Town (1) | Stangmore Park, Dungannon |
| 15:00 GMT | Teggart 24' Mitchell 31', 71'Mullan 38' |
BBC Sport | M Hughes 59' Murray 85'McMurray 90+2' |
| 9 January 2016 | Linfield (1) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Ballymena United (1) | Windsor Park, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | Waterworth 47' Bates 114' |
BBC Sport | Thompson 64' |
| 9 January 2016 | Portadown (1) | 6–1 | Wakehurst (3) | Shamrock Park, Portadown |
| 15:00 GMT | McAllister 15', 22', 57' Casement 42'Mouncey 51'Parker 83' |
BBC Sport | Loughlin 90' |
| 19 January 2016 | Annagh United (2) | 1–5 | Knockbreda (2) | Tandragee Road, Portadown |
| 19:45 GMT | McCordick 3' |
BBC Sport | Wilson 16', 40' Johnston 36'Beggs 61', 77' |
| 19 January 2016 | Glentoran (1) | 4–1 | Ards (2) | The Oval, Belfast |
| 19:45 GMT | Lavery 19', 24', 90+2' Magee 46' |
BBC Sport | Gage 44' |
Sixth round
editThe sixth round draw was made on 9 January 2016, with the matches played on 6 and 15 February 2016. The 16 winners from the fifth round matches entered this round. As the only representative from outside the Northern Ireland Football League, Crumlin Star were the lowest-ranked club to reach this stage of the competition, but they were eliminated after a narrow 1–0 defeat against Carrick Rangers.
| 6 February 2016 | Loughgall (2) | 2–0 | PSNI (3) | Lakeview Park, Loughgall |
| 13:30 GMT | Mullen 31', 58' (pen.) |
BBC Sport |
| 6 February 2016 | Lurgan Celtic (2) | 1–0 | Knockbreda (2) | Knockrammer Park, Lurgan |
| 13:30 GMT | Haire 79' |
BBC Sport |
| 6 February 2016 | Cliftonville (1) | 4–0 | Sport & Leisure Swifts (3) | Solitude, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | J.Donnelly 7', 9', 86' (pen.) Catney 79' |
BBC Sport |
| 6 February 2016 | Dungannon Swifts (1) | 1–3 | Crusaders (1) | Stangmore Park, Dungannon |
| 15:00 GMT | Burke 29' |
BBC Sport | Mitchell 11' Carvill 38'Wilson 59' (o.g.) |
| 6 February 2016 | Glentoran (1) | 1–4 | Glenavon (1) | The Oval, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | Lindsay 88' (o.g.) |
BBC Sport | Marshall 10' Martyn 17'Bradley 54'Cooper 90+2' |
| 6 February 2016 | Linfield (1) | 7–0 | Armagh City (2) | Windsor Park, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | Waterworth 10', 27', 62', 65' Burns 46', 75'Fallon 87' |
BBC Sport Report |
| 6 February 2016 | Portadown (1) | 3–1 | Coleraine (1) | Shamrock Park, Portadown |
| 15:00 GMT | Oman 31' Twigg 60' (pen.)Lowry 87' |
BBC Sport | McLaughlin 43' |
| 15 February 2016 | Carrick Rangers (1) | 1–0 | Crumlin Star (4) | Seaview, Belfast |
| 19:45 GMT | Chines 63' (pen.) |
BBC Sport |
Quarter-finals
editThe 8 winners of the sixth round matches entered the quarter-finals. The draw took place on 6 February 2016, with the matches played on 5 March 2016. As the only two representatives from outside the NIFL Premiership, second tier sides Loughgall and Lurgan Celtic were the lowest-ranked clubs to reach the quarter-finals. It was Lurgan Celtic's first ever appearance in the quarter-finals. Most notably, this round of matches saw Ronnie McFall's reign as Portadown manager come to an end after 29 years. Appointed in December 1986, he was at the time the longest-serving manager in European football, and resigned after his side's shock 3–2 home defeat against Lurgan Celtic.[4]
| 5 March 2016 | Crusaders (1) | 3–0 | Carrick Rangers (1) | Seaview, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | Heatley 16', 52' O'Carroll 33' |
BBC Sport | Referee: Raymond Crangle |
| 5 March 2016 | Cliftonville (1) | 0–3 | Linfield (1) | Solitude, Belfast |
| 15:00 GMT | BBC Sport | Gaynor 56', 90' (pen.) Waterworth 76' |
Referee: Andrew Davey |
| 5 March 2016 | Glenavon (1) | 2–1 | Loughgall (2) | Mourneview Park, Lurgan |
| 15:00 GMT | O'Brien 40' McGrory 66' (pen.) |
BBC Sport | Mallon 67' |
Referee: Arnold Hunter |
| 5 March 2016 | Portadown (1) | 2–3 | Lurgan Celtic (2) | Shamrock Park, Portadown |
| 15:00 GMT | Soares 58' Mackle 70' |
BBC Sport | Haire 13' Conaty 54'Fitzpatrick 90' (pen.) |
Referee: Raymond Hetherington |
Semi-finals
editThe 4 quarter-final winners entered the semi-finals, with the matches played at Windsor Park on 1 and 2 April 2016. The dates for the matches were switched after the draw, following a request from the PSNI.[5] As the only representative from outside the NIFL Premiership remaining, second tier side Lurgan Celtic were the lowest-ranked club to reach the semi-finals. It was their first ever appearance in the semi-finals, but they were eliminated by Linfield.
| Linfield (1) | 3–0 | Lurgan Celtic (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Burns 60', 80', 90+2' (pen.) |
Report |
Final
editThe final was played on 7 May 2016 at Windsor Park. Linfield appeared in the final for a record 62nd time, the seventh time in eleven seasons, and the first time since winning a third consecutive cup in the 2012 final. Glenavon reached the final for the second time in three seasons after winning the cup in 2013–14. It was only the fourth ever meeting between the two sides in the final, and the first since the 1992 final when Glenavon defeated Linfield 2–1 at the Oval to win the cup for the fourth time. History would repeat itself as Glenavon went on to beat Linfield 2-0 to win the cup for the seventh time and the second time in three seasons
References
edit- ^ "IFA unveils Tennent's as new sponsor of Irish Cup". Irish Football Association. irishfa.com. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ^ "Irish Cup final: Glentoran 1-0 Portadown". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Domestic - Irish Cup". Irish Football Association. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ^ "Ronnie McFall: Europe's longest-serving boss resigns after 29 years". BBC Sport. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ "Irish Cup: Date switch for Windsor Park semi-finals". BBC Sport. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
- ^ "FIFA Referees News: Northern Ireland : 2016 Irish Cup Final". 7 May 2016.