| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Ireland |
| Dates | 14 January–8 April 1922 |
| Teams | 11 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | St James's Gate(1st title) |
| Runners-up | Shamrock Rovers |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 13 |
| Goals scored | 48 (3.69 per match) |
1922–23 → | |
TheFAI Cup 1921–22 was the first ever edition ofIreland's premiercup competition,The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup orFAI Cup. The tournament began on 14 January1922 and concluded on 8 April with the final replay held atDalymount Park,Dublin. An official attendance[A] of 10,000 people watchedSt James's Gate complete theLeague and CupDouble by defeatingShamrock Rovers in a fixture marred by violence.[1] The winning goal was scored by John "Jack" Kelly.
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin United | 8-1 | Frankfort | 14 January1922 |
| 2 | Olympia | 1-3 | Shamrock Rovers | 14 January1922 |
| 3 | St James's Gate | 3-1 | Jacobs | 14 January1922 |
| 4 | West HamBelfast | 0-0 | Shelbourne | 14 January1922 |
| replay | Shelbourne | 2-1 | West HamBelfast | 21 January1922 |
| 5 | YMCA | 3-4 | Athlone Town | 14 January1922 |
| Bye | Bohemians |
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bohemians | 7-1 | Athlone Town | 28 January1922 |
| 2 | Shamrock Rovers | 5-1 | Dublin United | 28 January1922 |
| Bye | Shelbourne |
| Bye | St James's Gate |
| St James's Gate | 1–1 | Shamrock Rovers |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly | Campbell |
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| St James's Gate | 1–0 | Shamrock Rovers |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly 43[2] |
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A.^ Attendances were calculated using gate receipts which limited their accuracy as a large proportion of people, particularly children, attended football matches inIreland throughout the 20th century for free by a number of means.
Incensed with the result, Rovers supporters invaded the pitch and scuffles broke out between supporters and the victorious St. James Gate players. The Rovers fans were soon joined by their own players who invaded the opposition changing room and engaged in a mass brawl. The scene was one of mayhem and was only halted when the brother of one of the St. James Gate players took a gun from his belt and fired into the roof.
The only effort of any note was the goal which was recorded by Kelly, who decisively, and cleverly beat Nagle after 42 minutes of play
