It was contested by League of Ireland clubs and invited clubs from the lower levels of the Republic of Ireland football league system.

It has been sponsored by Electronic Arts and branded the EA Sports Cup since 2009.

[2] The competition began in 1973–74, replacing the League of Ireland Shield and the Dublin City Cup.

It has had several formats since its inception and has been a knock-out competition since 2005.

As there was no European qualification for winners of the League of Ireland Cup, it had a lower status than the FAI Cup and was therefore seen as the third most important trophy in the Irish playing season.