Holders Drogheda to host Crumlin as big guns avoid each other in FAI Cup 2nd-round draw
THE LEAGUE OF Ireland's Premier Division big guns avoided each other in the draw for the FAI Cup second round, with all 10 top-flight clubs paired against lower-league opposition in ties due to be played on the weekend of 18-20 July.
Cup holders Drogheda United were drawn at home to Crumlin United, while Premier Division champions Shelbourne will travel to FAI Junior Cup winners Fairview United of the Limerick District League.
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Record cup holders Shamrock Rovers will host Stephen Elliott's Wexford, with Bohemians travelling across to fellow Dublin northsiders Killester/Donnycarney.
Like Shels, Derry City have an away day in Limerick on their hands as they meet Treaty United, currently sitting in fourth place in the First Division.
The Premier Division's bottom side, Sligo Rovers, will face First Division leaders Dundalk at Oriel Park, while St Patrick's Athletic host UCC.
Galway United will welcome Dublin Tolka Rovers west, and Cork City will also host Dublin opposition in the shape of Leicester Celtic.
Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady was on hand to conduct the draw at FAI headquarters and had special interest in the fortunes of St Mochta's, for whom his younger brother Liam plays as a central midfielder. The Clonsilla side will head for Premier Division club Waterford.
There will be at least one non-league team in the third-round draw as Galway's Salthill Devon were drawn at home to Tipperary side St Michael's.
The Cup is effectively worth at least €700,000 to its winners because it offers passage to Europa League qualifiers and, in the event of a defeat during those qualifiers, a backdoor opportunity to land into the Conference League.
FAI Cup 2nd-round draw
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Brutal Ange Postecoglou sacking leaves burning question for Daniel Levy: What is the point in Tottenham Hotspur?
MATE, oh mate, we'll miss you, mate. Even though you weren't our mate. And we knew that, especially if you called us "mate". Advertisement 4 Ange Postecoglou has bid an emotional goodbye to Tottenham Credit: PA 4 The Aussie leaves the north Londoners just two weeks after ending the club's trophy drought Credit: GETTY 4 Spurs chief decided not to let the club's Europa League success cloud his decision over the Aussie's future Credit: GETTY 4 Postecoglou leaves the Premier League as one of its most fiery managers in recent years Credit: GETTY Ange Postecoglou, you were the last fair-dinkum footballing romantic inside the cynical world of Premier League football. You staked your reputation, you risked your job, on winning silverware for Tottenham. You told us you always won things in your second season in any job and we laughed at you and said, "Yes, mate, but this is Tottenham". And then you went and won something in your second season. You gambled and it paid off and yet they sacked you anyway. And what could be more cynical than that? Advertisement READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM You realised that winning the Europa League would mean far more to Spurs fans than finishing in the top half of the Premier League and you told us so. Just like you told us time and again that VAR is ruining the enjoyment of football. Just like you told us that those stats bores who try to suck the joy out of the game spend most of their time spouting nonsense. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' You were right about all of those things and plenty more. You were chippy and sarcy and narky but you spoke more good, honest commonsense than any other manager in the Premier League has done for years. Ange Postecoglou fumes after being labelled a 'clown' and refuses to answer question during press conference You spoke like a true lover of the game, a true fan, with all the heart-on-sleeve emotion and all the 'us against the world' spikiness that entails. You tried to play football the right way, the Spurs way, the glory, glory way, the 'To Dare Is To Do' way. Advertisement And if it often looked naive and inflexible, then at least you never bored the pants off us. 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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
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Eric Dier, who left to join Kane at Bayern Munich in January, later claimed that Postecoglou 'really doesn't do barely any tactical work, what he does is every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.' Van de Ven and Maddison being sidelined disrupted the team's rhythm and they ended up being pipped by Aston Villa to fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Advertisement Injuries decimated Postecoglou's squad in his second season - with the Aussie's intense pressing style accused of being a contributing factor - and the league campaign began to unravel. Raw teenage talent had mainly been added in the summer - although £65million was spent on striker Dominic Solanke - and it told. Postecoglou hoped for more experience to be added in January but out of the three arrivals, only Kevin Danso fitted that description. 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