FAI Cup: Bumper second round preview

It's the weekend where non-league clubs dream of causing an upset and the more established sides stare fearfully at the fixture list, hoping they’re not the ones dumped out by lesser opposition.

In all there are 16 FAI Cup second round games to be decided between now and Sunday, with 12 non-league teams hoping to make it to round three.

Eight of those will face league opposition, meaning there’s a guarantee that two non-league outfits will be into the last 16.

The focus will be on potential giantkilling sprees however, with the likes of Cork minnows Mayfield United making the trip to Drogheda and Drumkeen United travelling to Dalymount Park to meet Bohemians.

There are six clashes between Airtricity League sides too, of course, with the weekend getting underway at the Carlisle Grounds when Bray Wanderers host Shelbourne at 7.05pm. Jason Byrne looks set to miss out for the Seagulls after tweaking his hamstring earlier in the week with Adam Mitchell also a major doubt, against a Shels side that are near full-strength.

Meanwhile there are nine games kicking-off at 7.45pm across the country. All but one of the host sides are Airtricity League outfits, with the exception being Cork’s Blarney United, who welcome Leinster Senior League outfit Malahide United to O’Shea Park.

Also on Leeside, Cork City welcome Athlone Town and former chairman John O’Sullivan, who is now CEO at Lissywoollen, to Turner’s Cross at 7.45pm, with captain Dan Murray still ruled out for the Premier Division team, along with long-term absentees Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan and Kevin Murray. Jamie Murphy and Shane O’Connor are also both ruled out for Tommy Dunne’s side.

Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan is expecting Drumkeen United to be strong when they clash at the same time in Phibsborough and the Gypsies boss will plan without the services of skipper Owen Heary, goalkeeper Andy McNulty, John O’Connor, Luke Byrne and Michael Barker. Roberto Lopes is a also a doubt for Bohs.

It’ll be a busy night in Louth, with both Dundalk and Drogs inviting non-league sides to their lair, in Mayfield and St Patrick’s CY respectively. Drogs boss Mick Cooke says he won’t be taking the Cork outfit lightly and his only absentee is likely to be Stephen Quigley, who is out with a calf injury.

Another big clash will be at the Showgrounds as early Premier Division pacesetters and cup holders Sligo Rovers entertain bottom of the table Monaghan United, fresh from a fantastic couple of home results against Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers last Monday. Sligo will be without Romauld Boco, Iarfhlaith Davoren and Joseph Ndo, while Mons will be missing John Reilly, Aidan Collins, Gareth O’Connor and Shaun Maher.

Limerick, meanwhile, make the trip to Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers. After two years of incredible success, the Hoops haven’t exactly started the campaign on fire but Stephen Kenny’s side must still be fancied to go through against their First Division opponents.

Across south Dublin, UCD host Phoenix of the Leinster Senior League and Martin Russell will be forced to plan without Ger Barron, Sean Russell, Cillian Morrison and Chris Mulhall, who are all injured, while John Kelly and Tyrone McNelis are both cup tied.

Finn Harps make the short but difficult trip across the county border toDerry and the Candystripes must plan without injured duo Stewart Greacen and Kevin Deery. These two met in the EA Sports Cup last month with City triumphing 4-0 and a similar result wouldn’t be a surprise this time around.

The Friday night line-up will be completed by yet another derby, this time betweenSD Galway and Mervue United at Eamon Deacy Park, with another close outcome likely after they drew 2-2 in the league recently.

On Sunday there are five more games, all with non-league outfits at home, though the only one of those without an Airtricity League side making a trip is the meeting of Kildrum Tigers and FAI Intermediate Cup championsAvondale United at Station Road Park, kicking off at 1pm.

The away side may be very slight favourites to get a result and though captain Karl Caulfield is ruled out through suspension, they have plenty of experience with former Cork City players Eoghan Lougheed and Michael Mulconry part of a large panel.

At 2pm Cherry Orchard have a tasty tie at home to First Division leaders Longford Town, while Cork’s Douglas Hall will look to upset Wexford Youths at Moneygourney.

There’s sure to be some feisty challenges when Crumlin United and St Patrick’s Athletic meet in a local derby at Richmond Park at 3pm, while the second round comes to a conclusion when Everton of the Munster Senior League bring Waterford United to their windy airport base in a clash of the blues.