Football in the Republic of Ireland Quiz

Answer: 1921

Prior to the foundation of the Republic of Ireland in 1921, all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom, and teams from the south of Ireland either competed in the Belfast-based Irish League or in provincial leagues such as the Leinster Senior League.

The inaugural LOI season of 1921-22 consisted of eight teams, all from Dublin, with St James's Gate being the first champions. The first edition of the FAI Cup took place the following season, with St James's Gate also being the first winners of that competition.

Answer: Alton United

Alton United were a club based in the Falls Road area of Belfast, but who chose to affiliate themselves with the FA of Ireland, south of the border. In season 1922-23, they eliminated Midland Athletic, Shelbourne United and Jacobs FC, before defeating Shelbourne FC in the final at Dalymount Park. Sadly, the club folded shortly afterwards.i

Answer: Dundalk

Dublin clubs such as Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Bohemians dominated the first few seasons of the League of Ireland, before Dundalk took the title to County Louth in 1933. The "Lilywhites", who play home games at Oriel Park, defeated Bohemians in Dublin to win the league with a game to spare.

Answer: Cork Wanderers

The city of Cork's football history is littered with clubs who folded and were, briefly, replaced by a similarly named club. Cork FC, originally named Fordson's FC were first off, existing between 1921 and 1938. When they folded, Cork City were formed, but they only existed for three years (they are not connected to the 21st century club of that name).

Cork United succeeded them and they lasted from 1940 until 1948, when Cork Athletic took their place. Athletic were quite successful, winning league titles in 1950 and 1951 and the FAI Cup twice, but they still went bankrupt in 1957. Next up were Cork Hibernians, who lasted until 1976, with a lone title success in 1971. The next Cork team were Albert Rovers (formed in 1976), also known as Cork Alberts and Cork United. They lasted only until 1982. A new Cork City team replaced them in 1984.

Cork Celtic were not related to these other teams, and existed between 1951 and 1979, winning the league in 1974.

Answer: Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers are a Dublin club who were the most successful in Republic of Ireland history. They won a record 21st league title in 2023 and a record 25th FAI Cup in 2019. Between 1964 and 1969, they won six straight FAI Cup finals, defeating Cork Celtic (twice), Limerick (twice), St Patrick's Athletic and Waterford in the finals.

Their amazing run finally came to an end when they lost in the first round to Shelbourne in 1970.

Answer: Ballybofey

Finn Harps were founded in 1954 in the town of Ballybofey, County Donegal. Named after the river which flows through the town, the club play home games at Finn Park. In season 1973-74, they went on a terrific cup run, eliminating Home Farm, Bohemians and Athlone Town to set up a meeting with St Patrick's Athletic in the final at Dalymount Park. Brendan Bradley scored twice and Charlie Ferry once to give Harps a 3-1 victory.

Answer: Galway

Atlone Town, from a small town in County Westmeath, won two titles, in 1981 and 1983; Drogheda United, from county Louth, were champions for the first time in 2007; and Waterford United had a golden era in the late 1960s/early 1970s, winning six titles between 1966 and 1973.
Galway United won the FAI Cup in 1991, with zero title success.

Answer: Cobh Ramblers

Cobh Ramblers were formed in 1922 but didn't join the League of Ireland until 1985. They are based at Colman's Park in the County Cork town of Cobh, formerly called Queenstown, and best known as the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912.

Roy Keane was born in Cork and signed for Cobh Ramblers in 1989, and made just 23 appearances for them before Brian Clough signed him for Nottingham Forest in 1990. He moved to Manchester United in 1993.

Answer: Aviva Stadium

The final of the FAI Cup has always taken place in Dublin. Dalymount Park hosted the majority of the matches until 1989, after which a number of other grounds, including Tolka Park, hosted the game. The Aviva Stadium, the home of Irish international football and rugby union teams, became the permanent venue in 2010, with Sligo Rovers becoming the first team to win the trophy there.

Croke Park is the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and does not normally host soccer or rugby matches.

Answer: Derry City

Derry City are based at the Brandywell Stadium in Derry/Londonderry, the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland. They were members of the (northern) Irish league from 1928 until 1972, winning the title in 1965, but withdrew in the early 1970s, mainly due to the league refusing to let them play home games at the Brandywell due to security concerns. After operating as a junior club for a few years, they were admitted into the League of Ireland in 1985, winning the title in both 1989 and 1997.

The other clubs listed in the options are all members of the (northern) Irish League.