FAI Cup Preliminary Round draw made

It seems like an awfully long time ago that St Patrick’s Athletic beat Bohemians on penalties to win the 2021 FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium. It was the Saints’ fourth time to lift the famous old trophy and their first time doing so in seven years.

The Inchicore club could be forgiven for wanting to savour their victory for as long as possible but time stands still for no man and the opening draw of the 2022 competition took place on Tuesday lunchtime to decide the Preliminary Round fixtures.

None of the Premier or First Division clubs are involved at this stage. The Preliminary Round involves the 19 Intermediate and Junior clubs who have earned a place in the competition via the FAI Intermediate and Junior cups.

Seven of those clubs were given byes to the First Round while the remaining twelve were pitched against each other in games to be played on the weekend of 22/24 April.

Among those to get a free pass to Round One were Maynooth University Town who reached last seasons’ Quarter-Finals where they went out to beaten finalists Bohemians. Donegal’s Bonagee United and Cockhill Celtic were also waved through.

All three of the Munster Senior League representatives were drawn away from home with Carrigaline United traveling to Killester Donnycarney, Rockmount going to the Red Cow to face Bluebell United, while Everton will travel to play Limerick Junior side, Pike Rovers.

Waterford Junior side Villa FC will host Inchicore Athletic of the Leinster Senior League while Galway side Salthill Devon are on the road to Dublin where they will meet Liffey Wanderers. There is also a Dublin derby with Usher Celtic hosting  St Francis.

The six Preliminary Round ties will be played over the weekend of the 22/24 April with the First Round proper due to be played in July.

BYES

Maynooth University Town

Bonagee United

Oliver Bond Celtic

Cockhill Celtic

Bangor GG FC

Malahide United

Lucan United

FAI CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND

Usher Celtic                v          St Francis

Bluebell United            v          Rockmount

Villa FC                       v          Inchicore Athletic

Killester Donnycarney v          Carrigaline United

Liffey Wanderers         v          Salthill Devon

Pike Rovers                v          Everton AFC

Fixtures to be played on weekend of April 24th