Irish Universities Rugby Union

The magnificent old Cup was first contested in 1904, having been presented by the then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, William Ward, Earl of Dudley, following a visit to Ireland by King Edward VII in 1903. While in Cork, the King indicated a desire to bestow a memento of the visit and when “a Cup for the rugger” was suggested, he entrusted the task to Lord Dudley.

In its early years, the Dudley Cup was contested between what were then the three Queen’s Colleges, Cork, Galway and Belfast. Trinity and UCD did not participate in the Dudley Cup until 1919/20 when UCD won it in their first season as a senior club. Trinity also played that season but did not do so again until, the Dudley Cup was revived in 1976 when Trinity won their first Dudley Cup.

Previously played in a traditional knock-out cup format, the growing success of university clubs in the All-Ireland League made it increasingly difficult to schedule Dudley Cup fixtures. In 2018, an innovative alternative was introduced; a challenge format similar to that used in New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield. The Dudley Cup is now awarded to the winner of a match between the current holder and a challenger, with all participating teams getting a regular opportunity to play for the trophy. Where possible, AIL fixtures are designated as Dudley Cup challenges.

The Dudley Cup is played for now among the five senior grade University clubs playing in the AIL, namely University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin (playing as the Dublin University Football Club), Queen's University Belfast, MU Barnhall RFC and University College Cork. The current holders are University College Cork, who won the cup by defeating Queens University Belfast on 22 March 2025 by 28-29 at the Mardyke in Cork.


Combined Roll of Honour

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