The Albany Cup or the Copa d'Albany is an annual football match in Ireland that takes place between the Universidad de Corinthians (also known as Corinthians) of Wexford and the Capital City Harriers F.C. (also known as Harriers) of Dublin, the location of the match alternates between Dublin and Wexford from year to year. Participants are all members of the gay community, most notably, Coleman Hudson who is renowned for his bingo calling skills in The George, Dublin on Friday nights. He is also rumoured to have had a passionate affair with a high profile member of the Dáil in the late 90's. The mission of the tournament is to promote Gay pride in the global game of Soccer.

History ==
The inaugural match took place on June 12th, 2003 in Crossabeg, County Wexford; the Corinthians won 2-1. The following year, the Harriers won 5-3 at University College Dublin. In 2005, the match took place in Rosslare, County Wexford. In the closest battle yet the match seemed to be heading for penalties until a last gasp strike gave the Harriers a second consecutive Albany Cup victory 3-2. The 2006 Albany Cup is planned to be held Dublin.

2003 Corinthians CL Hudson (c)

2004 Harriers L MacDonald (c)

2005 Harriers C Campbell (c)

== Trivia

The trophy is actually a shield, not a cup.

The top scorer in Albany Cup history so far is Harriers striker, Justin Howlett, who scored three goals in 2004.

The only player not to come from either Wexford or Dublin is Eamon Kavanagh who is from Waterford City, and plays for the Corinthians.

Universidad de Corinthians are the only team in Ireland to have a Spanish name. The reason for this is unclear, although it has been suggested that it eminates from the founder's appreciation for South-American football.

The match is named after the house some of the players from both Harriers and Corinthians used to inhabit in Dublin, and where the idea was conceived.

Due to the mass immigration in the region, Corinthians have players who are second and third generation Brazilians, Argentineans, Italians,and Spaniards, whilst the Harriers have Greek, Italian, and South-African players in their squad.

Scandal

The first transfer between the clubs nearly happened in June 2005 according to reports. Corinthians midfielder Barry 'Ze Learzinho' O'Leary agreed to join the Harriers after allegedly being labelled surplus to requirements at the Wexford club. Barry is of Dublin birth and thus the transfer would have been legitimate. It was then revealed that a rogue official acted illegally and informed Learzinho that he was not wanted at the club. The player was minutes away from signing for the Harriers until Corinthians Chairman Coleman Liam Hudson contacted him and informed him of the hoax. Harriers were absolved of any wrongdoing in this incident.

On Sunday 12/12/2005 U de C number 10 Juan Guillermo Nevon was embroiled in controversy yet again following a league match whilst playing for UWBFC in Bangor, North Wales. After receiving a second yellow card for a foul on a player whilst defending, the volatile player threw his boot, which had fallen off during the challenge, at the referee and struck him in the back. Nevon received a further red-card for this offence, and most definitely faces a suspension and/or fine.