FAI Intermediate Cup preview: Munster Senior League sides dominate the Round of 16

The FAI Intermediate Cup is back and sixteen teams will fight it out to reach the quarter finals, with the slate of games including a heavyweight clash between Munster Senior League sides Midleton and Rockmount.

The defending champions Rockmount are aiming for a threepeat, and they will travel to Knockgriffen Park for a game against the Magpies on Sunday January 21st at 3pm.

The Mount have been struggling this season with a team filled with League of Ireland veterans and are currently sixth in the Premier Division table level on points with Carrigaline United, Ringmahon Rangers, and UCC.

Three teams can get relegated this season from the top tier of the Munster Senior League, meaning any one of those sides could face the drop at the end of the year.

Their squad includes former Cobh Ramblers and Galway United midfielder Cian Murphy, Republic of Ireland Amateur international Luke Casey, and former Cork GAA goalkeeper Brendan O’Connell.

Midleton are fifth in the table, and they are managed by former Cork City FC player Kevin Murray.

Friday night will also see a rematch of the Keane Cup semi-final between Carrigaline United and Leeds AFC, with this game set to be played at Ballea Park.

Perennial challengers Maynooth University Town – buoyant from their victory over Carrigtwohill United in the previous round – are on the road and they will travel to the Old Market Green to take on Glebe North.

This is one of many games that  Maynooth University Town will have to play in the coming weeks as they are drawn into Group B of the Leinster Senior Cup with Shamrock Rovers, Athlone Town, and Longford Town.

Munster Senior League Premier Division leaders College Corinthians will make the short trip to the Stephen Ireland Astro for a fixture with Cobh Wanderers.

The two time runners-up last reached the quarter finals in 2022, and they have a squad containing former League of Ireland players Craig Donnelan and Ian Turner.

They are coached by Gary Hackett, who worked as Joe Gamble’s assistant during their cup treble winning season in 2021-22.

Sunday will see a Ringmahon Rangers team featuring former League of Ireland players Eric Grimes, Cameron Harlson, Gearoid Morrissey, and Anthony McAlavey face Ayrfield United in Dublin.

The Ringers reached the semi-finals last season, and they lost to eventual runners up Cockhill Celtic. They have since went on to lift the Beamish Stout Senior Cup and the Keane Cup.

This round will finish off with a game between Wilton – who knocked Cork City FC out of the Munster Senior Cup at the beginning of the month – and Wayside Celtic at Pat Bowdren Park.

FAI Intermediate Cup Round of 16:

19th January 2024:

Kilbarrack United v Collinstown FC

Cobh Wanderers v College Corinthians

Glebe North v Maynooth University Town

Ballyfermot United v St Francis FC

Carrigaline United v Leeds AFC

21st of January 2024

Ayrfield United FC V Ringmahon Rangers

Midleton FC v Rockmount

27th of January 2024

Wilton United v Wayside Celtic

AFCON Round-up https://t.co/A4hxJsb5fDpic.twitter.com/0kJcAen1GQ

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) January 18, 2024