Both England and Scotland had announced their withdrawal from future competition, citing waning interest in the games, crowded international fixture lists and a sharp rise in hooliganism.

The football competition was instituted in 1884, but this edition was the 87th tournament to be staged due to a five-year hiatus during World War I, a seven-year gap in World War II and the cancellation of the 1981 competition following threats of violence during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The tournament was surprising in its outcome, as the favourites in England and Scotland played each other into a 1–1 draw in the final game, thus allowing Northern Ireland to claim victory on goal difference, with Wales second.

It also marked the first time since 1928 that neither Scotland nor England placed in the top two.

The trophy was permanently awarded to the Irish FA.