Drogheda start FAI Cup defence against Crumlin United, holders Shels handed tough opener
Drogheda United's defence of the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup will begin with a home tie against Crumlin United following the second-round draw today.
Kevin Doherty's side were paired with the Dublin outfit, who were 4-2 victors over Lucan United in the first round.
Fellow Leinster Senior League side Killester Donnycarney have also Premier Division opposition in their sights after being handed a home tie against Bohemians.
Last year's finalists Derry City will travel to face Treaty United while league champions Shelbourne will also be in Limerick to face Fairview Rangers.
One provincial league club is guaranteed to be in the third round with Salthill Devon hosting Tipperary's St Michael's
UCC, conquerors of Ringmahon Rangers, who were in the news this week due to an expected €3million payday following Caoimhín Kelleher's move to Brentford, have been handed an away tie to Finn Harps.
Current Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers will have home advantage against Wexford.
Elsewhere, Dundalk host Sligo Rovers, Leicester Celtic travel to Cork City, Wayside Celtic are in Bray, Kerry at home to Athlone Town, Tolka Rovers travel to Galway United, Bangor Celtic welcome Cobh Ramblers and Waterford are at home to St Mochta's.
The matches will take place from 18-20 July.
Television coverage on RTÉ will begin in the third round of the men's competition, followed by two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the final at Aviva Stadium, which will take place on Sunday, 9 November.
Meanwhile, in the women's draw, champions Shelbourne face a tough opening defence of their crown at home to Galway United.
Non-league outfits Newbridge Town and Whitehall Rangers will face off while Athlone Town, beaten 6-1 in last year's final, are at home to Terenure Rangers.
Sligo Rovers, beaten semi-finalists in 2024, face DLR Waves with Cork, who also reached the last four, hosting Peamount United.
Wexford have been drawn at home to Bohemians while Treaty United welcome Ferns United in a repeat of last year's first round fixture, which the Limerick side won 9-0. Shamrock Rovers are at home to Waterford.
Ties are to be played on the week ending 29 June.
FA Cup men's second round draw:
Shamrock Rovers v Wexford
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne
Cork City v Leicester Celtic
Finn Harps v UCD,
Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic
Kerry v Athlone Town
St Patrick's Athletic v UCC
Salthill Devon v St Michael's
Galway United v Tolka Rovers
Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers
Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town
Killester Donnycarney v Bohemians
Waterford v St Mochta's
Treaty United v Derry City
Drogheda United v Crumlin United
FAI Cup women's first round draw
Wexford v Bohemians
Cork City v Peamount United
Treaty United v Ferns United
Newbridge Town v Whitehall Rangers
Shelbourne v Galway United
Athlone Town v Terenure Rangers
Shamrock Rovers v Waterford
Sligo Rovers v DLR Waves
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
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Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford) A quiet night until the 52nd minute when he made a brilliant tip-of-the-fingers save from Krépin Diatta's header. Could do nothing about Senegal's equaliser. Brentford have themselves a bargain. Rating: 8 Matt Doherty (Wolves) This fella's international career looked done and dusted not so long ago, but after a good season with Wolves, he's continued his solid form for Ireland. Replaced by Jake O'Brien on 67 minutes. Rating: 7 Nathan Collins (Brentford) Helped set up Kasey McAteer's opening goal and was rarely troubled by a Senegal attack that was on the decidedly lacklustre side ... until they equalised. Rating: 7 Dara O'Shea (Ipswich) As with Collins, his central defensive partner, he didn't have a whole lot to do at the back, but was left furiously frustrated by that 82nd-minute leveller. Rating: 7 READ MORE Robbie Brady (Preston) No more than his team-mates, the newly crowned senior men's international player of the year would have expected a busier night. Instead, he was able to push forward at will. Rating: 7 Ryan Manning (Southampton) Came close enough to making it 2-0 after Will Smallbone's initial shot was saved early in the second half, and was an attacking threat on the flanks in the first half. Replaced by Killian Phillips on 67 minutes. Rating: 7 Jason Knight (Bristol City) 'Industrious', as we know, is his middle name, but despite an impressive showing from the team, he was never really able to put his mark on the game. Rating: 6 Will Smallbone (Southampton) Some loose passing and gave up possession too cheaply at times but, as ever, no end of work-rate. Brought out a fine save from Yehvann Diouf early in the second half. Rating: 6 Jack Taylor (Ipswich) Largely anonymous in his first start for Ireland, couldn't get in to the game at all. Replaced by Evan Ferguson on 57 minutes. Rating: 5 Adam Idah (Celtic) Got the nod ahead of Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott in the central attacking role, but hold-up play not the best, nor was his service. Ineffective. Rating: 5 Kasey McAteer (Leicester City) Marked his first start for Ireland with a goal on 21 minutes, nimble feet helping him turn home the rebound from the bar after Yehvann Diouf's brilliant initial save. A lively and impressive showing from the Leicester man. Rating: 8 Substitutes Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Killian Phillips (St Mirren), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Andrew Moran (Brighton). Rating: 6 Manager : Heimir Hallgrímsson. Selected a surprisingly experimental-ish line-up when he was expected to go for a more tried and trusted eleven in the build-up to September's World Cup qualifiers. Nearly paid off, though. Rating: 7
