2024–25 Irish Cup Explained

The 2024–25 Irish Cup (known as the Clearer Water Irish Cup for sponsorship purposes) is the 145th edition of the Irish Cup, the premier knock-out cup competition in Northern Irish football since its inauguration in 1881. The winners qualify for the 2025–26 Conference League second qualifying round.^{[1] [2]}

Results

First round

107 clubs in Tier 3 and below entered the first round. The draw was held on 2 July 2024.^[3]

The following teams received byes:

• NIFL Premier Intermediate League (3): Banbridge Town and Oxford Sunnyside
• Ballymena & Provincial Football League Intermediate Division (4): Belfast Celtic, Desertmartin, and Donegal Celtic
• Northern Amateur League Premier Division (4): 1st Bangor Old Boys, Ards Rangers, Derriaghy Cricket Club, Dromara Village, Immaculata, Malachians, and Shankill United
• Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A (5): Moneyslane and Seagoe
• Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate B (5): Bourneview Mill
• Northern Amateur League Division 1A (5): Ballynahinch Olympic and St Oliver Plunkett
• Northern Amateur League Division 1B (6): 18th Newtownabbey Old Boys and Mossley
• Northern Amateur League Division 1C (7): Bloomfield and Short Brothers

!colspan="3" align="center"|10 August 2024|-!colspan="3" align="center"|13 August 2024|}

Second round

The 43 first round winners and 21 teams given byes entered the second round. The draw was held on 13 August 2024.^[4]

!colspan="3" align="center"|13 September 2024|-!colspan="3" align="center"|14 September 2024|}

Third round

The 32 second round winners entered the third round. The draw was held on 16 September 2024.^[5]

!colspan="3" align="center"|26 October 2024|-!colspan="3" align="center"|2 November 2024|}

Fourth round

The 16 third round winners entered the fourth round. The draw was held on 28 October 2024.^[6]

!colspan="3" align="center"|23 November 2024|-!colspan="3" align="center"|30 November 2024|}

Fifth round

The 8 fourth round winners, the 12 teams from the 2024–25 NIFL Premiership, and the 12 teams from the 2024–25 NIFL Championship entered the fifth round. The draw was held on 26 November 2024.^[7]

!colspan="3" align="center"|4 January 2025|}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tennent's Irish Cup. Irish Football Association. 16 July 2019.
2. Web site: Summary - Irish Cup - Northern Ireland. Soccerway. 10 August 2024.
3. Web site: Clearer Water Irish Cup First Round draw . Irish Football Association. 2 July 2024.
4. Web site: Clearer Water Irish Cup Second Round draw . Irish Football Association. 13 August 2024.
5. Web site: Clearer Water Irish Cup Third Round draw. Irish Football Association. 16 September 2024.
6. Web site: Clearer Water Irish Cup Fourth Round draw. Irish Football Association. 28 October 2024.
7. Web site: Clearer Water Irish Cup Fifth Round draw. Irish Football Association. 26 November 2024.