The 1980–81 Irish Cup was the 101st edition of the Irish Cup, Northern Ireland's premier football knock-out cup competition. It began on 31 January 1981, and concluded on 2 May 1981 with the final.

1980–81 Irish Cup
Tournament details
Country Northern Ireland
Teams16
Defending championsLinfield
Final positions
ChampionsBallymena United (3rd win)
Runner-upGlenavon
Tournament statistics
Matches played19
Goals scored52 (2.74 per match)

The defending champions were Linfield who won the cup for the 32nd time the previous season, defeating Crusaders 2–0 in the 1979–80 final.[1] They reached the semi-finals this time, where they were defeated 1–0 by Glenavon. Ballymena United won the cup for the third time (fourth time if you include Ballymena's record), defeating Glenavon 1–0 in the final.[2]

Results

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First round

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Team 1  Score  Team 2
Ards 3–0 Ballyclare Comrades
Bangor 1–2 Newry Town
Chimney Corner 1–21 Cliftonville
Coleraine 1–2 Ballymena United
Crusaders 1–3 Glentoran
Glenavon 3–2 Distillery
Larne 0–12 Carrick Rangers
Linfield 3–01 Portadown

1These ties required a replay, after the first games ended as 0–0 draws.[2]
2This tie required a replay, after the first game ended as 1–1 draw.[2]

Quarter-finals

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Team 1  Score  Team 2
Ards 1–3 Glentoran
Cliftonville 1–4 Ballymena United
Glenavon 2–1 Carrick Rangers
Linfield 4–1 Newry Town

Semi-finals

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Team 1  Score  Team 2
Ballymena United 2–03 Glentoran
Glenavon 1–0 Linfield

3This tie required a replay, after the first game ended as a 2–2 draw.[2]

Final

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Ballymena United1 – 0Glenavon
McQuiston   Report

References

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  1. ^ "Northern Ireland Cup Finals". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. RSSSF. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Northern Ireland 1980/81". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. RSSSF. Retrieved 26 October 2012.