The 56 teams in tiers 1-3 of the Irish League, plus the 8 highest ranked sides in tier 4 automatically have a place in the draw on accepting.
Other Division 4 sides have the chance to fill any places not taken up: then later, all Division 3 and 4 sides not in round two of the cup be invited to compete in the Irish League Youth Plate.
Teams are invited in ranking order as the FTP coding uses the order of invitation to determine who does, and does not, make the draw should a cut need to be made. This ensures the above rules are applied and the strongest competition possible. Note: Despite being a T20 competition, One Day rankings are used.
Competition Details:
- It is a knock-out cup.
- There will be 32 or 64 teams, depending on how many accept.
- The draw is random (there is no seeding).
- Games played are T20 friendlies, so will not impact your players’ fatigue in league matches.
- Games are played on a Wednesday.
- Local weather conditions are applied and the pitch prepared is at the whim of the home team’s groundskeeper (so randomly selected).
- Entry is free. In return we ask that those who can please consider pulling Ireland youth players as their contribution; but this is voluntary and not enforced.
- Both finalists win an award of Pavilion membership.
- Develop a sense of identity, belonging and community to the Irish league setup.
- Support the Irish national side by encouraging youth pulls where possible.
- Have fun.
- The cup also offers sides in lower divisions the chance to test themselves against higher league opposition.