The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Irish Football Association (IFA) have today officially launched a new cross-border tournament and its trophy, the Unite the Union Champions Cup. Sponsored by the trade union Unite, the competition will s
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Irish Football Association (IFA) have today officially launched a new cross-border tournament and its trophy, the Unite the Union Champions Cup.
Sponsored by the trade union Unite, the competition will see the SSE Airtricity League Champions play the winners of the Danske Bank Premiership in a two-legged final.
The tournament was formally launched at the union’s Fifth Irish Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel, Malahide. The competition will feature current Danske Bank Premiership Champions Linfield who will face the 2019 Champions of the SSE Airtricity League, with the season set to conclude in October.
Unite have signed a three-year deal to sponsor the cross-border tournament with €50,000 set to go to the winners, €25,000 for the runners-up and a further €25,000 ring-fenced for community-based projects in the competing team’s local areas.
Representatives from both respective leagues were in attendance at the conference and got a first glimpse of the trophy teams will be competing for.
Fran Gavin, FAI Competitions Director, said: "There has always been excitement and intrigue of a competition between the North and the South. It brings together the two associations and unites people from all communities and their love of football. We are set for two fantastic games of football and it will be fascinating to see who lifts the trophy come November.”
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish FA, said: “This is a hugely exciting tournament and one that will bring benefits to clubs and the wider football family in Northern Ireland. I am looking forward to the games in November and to seeing this tournament become a regular fixture on the football calendar - North and `South.”
Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite, said: “This is the first time a union has sponsored an initiative like this and what is important is that this is a competition that will contribute to the communities where the clubs operate. It is a fantastic opportunity for the teams involved and congratulations to the FAI and the IFA in making this happen.”
