FAI Cup First Round fixture dates confirmed

Patrick McEleney (c) of Derry City raises the FAI Cup after the 2022 final

Patrick McEleney (c) of Derry City raises the FAI Cup after the 2022 final Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

The FAI Cup first round fixtures have been confirmed for the men’s competition.

The matches will be played across three days from Friday 21 July to Sunday 23 July to facilitate the teams playing in European competition.

The highlight of the Friday night fixtures is Declan Devine’s Bohemians taking on Shelbourne. It is an FAI Cup rematch from last year when the Gypsies were dumped out of the tournament 3-0 at Tolka Park at the quarter-finals stage.

Other Friday night fixtures include Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers at Weavers Park in an all-Premier Division tie, while League of Ireland new boys Kerry will take on Ringhmahon Rangers at Mounthawk Park.

Cork City will make the short trip to Munster rivals Treaty United, whereas UCD host Cobh Ramblers at the Belfield Bowl.

The four League of Ireland sides set for European action all play on Sunday 23rd July with a mouth-watering tie between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park (The Lilywhites beat the Hoops 2-0 in the league at Oriel Park last Friday).

Dundalk play in Europe against the Magpies at home the previous Thursday (20th July) and if they win that match they will play the winner of the tie between KA Akureyri from Iceland or Connah’s Quay Nomads from Wales in round two with the first leg on Thursday July 27th.

Rovers are in Iceland for their Champions League qualifier the previous Tuesday (18th July). If they win that tie they will play Copenhagen at home in the first leg on either Tuesday 25th or Wednesday 26th July.

Lose that match and they drop into the Europa Conference League second qualifying round with the first leg on Thursday 27th July.

FAI Cup holders Derry City host Athlone Town, while 2021 winners St Patrick’s Athletic visit Longford Town.



 

Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round fixtures in full

Friday, 21 July, 2023 – 19:45

Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Weavers Park

Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers, Mounthawk Park



Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps, Greendale Road

Treaty United v Cork City, Markets Field

UCD v Cobh Ramblers, UCD Bowl

Wexford v Avondale United, Ferrycarrig Park

 

Saturday, 22 July, 2023

Lucan United v St. Patrick’s CYFC, O’Hanlon Park – 11:00

Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers, Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds – 14:00

Gorey Rangers v Rockmount, Ramstown – 15:00

Galway United v Bangor Celtic, Eamonn Deacy Park – 17:00

St. Michael’s v Waterford, Cooke Park – 17:00

 

Sunday, 23 July, 2023

Portlaoise v Skerries Town, Rossleighan Park, 14:00

Derry City v Athlone Town, The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 17:00

Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 17:00

Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Bishopsgate, 18:00

Additional reporting by Andrew Dempsey

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile