FAI Cup teams to be decided

League of Ireland fans could be forgiven for hibernating during the winter months. With the league put to bed and Friday nights surrendered to the Late Late Show there may seem little point in remaining conscious from November to March. But local competitive football is alive and well, and this weekend sees a nationwide round of Cup games that will decide the participants in next seasons FAI Cup first round.

The FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup is, as the name suggests, a competition for those teams between League of Ireland and Junior levels. In effect it comprises the best non-league sides in the country and, apart from being a competition in it’s own right, it is also used to determine which non-league sides will compete in the FAI Cup.

The opening two rounds are regional but this weekend’s third round sees the competition enter the open draw stage, where teams from Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Donegal will meet each other to determine who will win through to the fourth round and thus earn a place in the 2013 FAI Cup.

Perhaps the pick of the ties is Sunday’s meeting of Cherry Orchard and Avondale United at Elmdale. This game is a repeat of the previous two finals, both of which were won by Avondale. John Cotter’s side are also the holders of the Munster Senior League title. Both of these teams reached the third round of last seasons FAI Cup, with the Orchard taking down Longford Town in round two before losing out 3-2 to Shelbourne. Avondale, meanwhile, lost their third round tie 1-0 to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

The fun begins on Friday night when Beggsboro travel to Greystones United, Tolka Rovers host TEK United and Kildare side Leixlip United host UCD’s Leinster Senior League side. Leixlip are currently the runaway leaders of the second tier of the Leinster Senior League and these two teams drew 2-2 in the league just last weekend.

Saturday sees the only Cork derby of the round when Ringmahon Rangers entertain Bandon, while Newbridge Town make the long journey north to take on Buncrana Hearts.

The remaining eleven fixtures take place on Sunday afternoon. Dublin side Verona host Parkvilla of Meath, while six Cork sides will be making a trip to the capital. Two Dublin teams make the opposite journey with St James/Pegasus traveling to College Corinthians, and Bluebell United making their way to play Douglas Hall.

Donegal’s Swilly Rovers make the journey to Dublin to take on Phoenix FC, while Cork’s Everton make the longest journey of the round, traveling the length of the country to face Buncrana’s Cockhill Celtic.

The full draw is as follows:

Friday 30 November 2012

Greystones United v Beggsboro, Woodlands, 8pm

Leixlip United v UCD, Leixlip, 7.45pm

Tolka Rovers v TEK United, Cooke Park, 7.45pm

Saturday 1 December 2012

Ringmahon Rangers v Bandon, Ringmahon Park, 2pm

Buncrana Hearts v Newbridge Town, Maginn Park, 5pm

Sunday 2 December 2012

Glenville v Leeside, Palmerstown School, 11am

Bangor Celtic v UCC, Iveagh Grounds, 12noon

Killester United v St Mary's, Haddon Park, 2pm

Tymon Celtic v Blarney United, Roadstone, 2pm

Cherry Orchard v Avondale United, Elmdale, 2pm

St. Patrick's CYFC v Rockmount AFC, Ringsend, 2pm

Phoenix v Swilly Rovers, Scribblestown, 2pm

Verona FC v Parkvilla FC, Coolmine, 2pm

College Corinthians v St James/Pegasus, Corinthians Park, 2pm

Douglas Hall v Bluebell United, Moneygourney, 2pm.

Cockhill Celtic v Everton, Celtic Park, 2pm