Fans of our glorious domestic cup can look forward to a packed weekend of Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup First-Round action, as full details have been confirmed.
All fixtures have been spread across three days, beginning Friday, 21 July and running until the final kickoff in Bishopsgate at 6:00 pm Sunday, 23 July.
As always, the mixture of League of Ireland and non-league participants is fascinating, with the prospect of a historic cup upset only 90 minutes away.
We'll have some super ties live on LOITV in the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup First Round.
Watch the action live from Friday night!
👉 https://t.co/17aAofHRL1#FAICup pic.twitter.com/V4zUKnsiMC
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) July 18, 2023
Wexford FC are in action on Friday and welcomes the trip of Avondale United to Ferrycarrig Park.
James Keddy's side is brimming with confidence following a 3-nil League victory in Bray last weekend, with the prospect of a cup run very much on the manager's mind.
"I've been involved the last few years with different clubs, and we've always had a Premier team," he told Shaun Connolly on SportsBeat Xtra.
"I'm delighted with the draw. We'll do our homework on Avondale - they have a great record in the FAI Intermediate.
"We will give them the respect they deserve."
Kick-off is at 7:45 pm on Friday, 21 July, at Ferrycarrig Park.
⏭️𝙐𝙋 𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏
🆚: Avondale Utd
🏟: Ferrycarrig Park
⌚️: KO 7:45pm
📅: Fri, 21st July
🎟️: https://t.co/VlgLyrGqlSPlease note season tickets are not valid for FAI Cup matche pic.twitter.com/OxGpViQz7C
— Wexford FC (@WexfordFC) July 18, 2023
Waterford FC begins their FAI Cup junior under Keith Long at Cooke Park, Co Tipperary, against St.Michael's.
The tie presents another opportunity for a potential cup upset, and Long is taking nothing for granted against his non-league opponent.
"It's a great draw for St.Michael's, and it's a great draw for us," Long said while speaking on SportsBeat Xtra.
"We'll take nothing for granted. I'll be brutally honest with you, and this is where we're at - we're not good enough to underestimate any team.
"We have to perform to our maximum every time we cross the white line, and that's the mentality that we have to have against every opposition."
🏆 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙥
As we prepare for the start of the FAI Cup this weekend, we take a look back at our First Round match from the 2021 season.
The match finished 4-4 in Athlone with penalties needed to separate the sides.#WaterfordFC pic.twitter.com/qP52zA0PHC
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) July 19, 2023
The tie is provisionally set for a 5:00 pm start on Saturday, 22 July, in Cooke Park, but this is subject to approval.
We await further news and will update accordingly.
Full fixture details are below
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
Friday, 21 July 2023 – 7:45 pm
Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Weavers Park
Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers, Mounthawk Park
Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps, Greendale Road*
Treaty United v Cork City, Markets Field
UCD v Cobh Ramblers, UCD Bowl
Wexford v Avondale United, Ferrycarrig Park
Saturday, 22 July 2023
Lucan United v St. Patrick’s CYFC, O’Hanlon Park – 11:00 am
Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers, Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds – 2:00 pm
Gorey Rangers v Rockmount, Ramstown – 3:00 pm
Galway United v Bangor Celtic, Eamonn Deacy Park – 5:00 pm
St. Michael’s v Waterford, Cooke Park – 15:00 pm*
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Portlaoise v Skerries Town, Rossleighan Park, 2:00 pm
Derry City v Athlone Town, The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 5:00 pm
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 5:00 pm
Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Bishopsgate, 6:00 pm
*Provisional and subject to approval
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