FAI Cup 2021

[EatYerGreens]

According to RTE Sport Twitter, Waterford want a new challenge and have been drawn to play Tipperary in the Hurling.

Obviously still sore at the FAI over that European decision a couple of years back.

[D24Saint]

When will the draw for the next round be held.

[Mr A]

The draw for the Second Round of the FAI Senior Challenge Cup will take place on Tuesday, July 27th at 18:30 live on RTÉ's GameOn.

[boynemunich]

Drogs assistant manager none to pleased with the ref(Paul McLoughlin) in today's tie v Derry.

Didn't see the match my-self so maybe someone who did can let us know if his comments are justified? (Having seen McLoughlin in action a few times already this season i kinda already know the answer!)




https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status/1418984699419144195

Wanted to wait until I could see the highlights before commenting on the referee's performance on Saturday as I didn't get a good view of either decision bar the hand ball which I think in real time the ref didn't have much of a choice.

However, the James Brown "dive" which resulted in his 2nd yellow and us going down to 9 men hasn't even been included in the highlights so I'm presuming it was definitely the wrong decision if it has been omitted.

The 2nd penalty also looked a very harsh call, can see Heeney pulling away from the challenge and Junior just running into him, clever play on his behalf but the ref should really be doing better.

We can definitely feel hard done by as this squad really deserved a good run at the cup, hopefully we can use this as extra motivation and keep our European hopes alive for a few more weeks at least.

[D24Saint]

I'm not looking for your man with the voice from the pools on the bbc but I thought the presentation of the cup draw on 2fm was awful , amateur hour by RTE.

[joey B]

Waterford v Kilnamanagh;
Dundalk v St Mochta’s;
Finn Harps v Derry City;
Maynooth University Town v Cobh Ramblers;
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers;
Cork City v St Patrick’s Athletic;
UCD v Longford Town;
Killester Donnycarney v Wexford FC.

[nigel-harps1954]

I'm not looking for your man with the voice from the pools on the bbc but I thought the presentation of the cup draw on 2fm was awful , amateur hour by RTE.

Yeah, everything about it was atrocious. How hard is it for the FAI to even live stream the draw over social media and youtube? It's really pathetic that the national cup is drawn over radio.

[sbgawa]

Well that's at least three of the current top 5 gone. Could be a bad year to finish 4th

[placid casual]

Dundalks streak of luck continues. And yet they just aren't very convincing.
Pat's in Cork could be an interesting one, although you'd have to assume that O'Donnell will send them out ready to fight, unlike sligo in recent weeks.
Rovers away to boez is 50/50 I guess. Get Joey to do a job on Kelly and that should be that.

[Dalymountrower]

Dundalks streak of luck continues. And yet they just aren't very convincing.
Pat's in Cork could be an interesting one, although you'd have to assume that O'Donnell will send them out ready to fight, unlike sligo in recent weeks.
Rovers away to boez is 50/50 I guess. Get Joey to do a job on Kelly and that should be that.

Pat's should dispose of Cork, might get their usual red card or two in doing so.
The Bohs game should be interesting, will be won in midfield rather than a Georgie Kelly v your ageing hoofer contest, I would think.
Pity it wont be a big crowd, 600-800 will be about as good as it gets at that stage. Gardai would object to the Aviva being used.

[Finlay Harp]

I’m not sure what to make of our draw. Home is a positive I guess.

[yurt]

Pat's should dispose of Cork, might get their usual red card or two in doing so.
The Bohs game should be interesting, will be won in midfield rather than a Georgie Kelly v your ageing hoofer contest, I would think.
Pity it wont be a big crowd, 600-800 will be about as good as it gets at that stage. Gardai would object to the Aviva being used.

It really is a shame if this is the only reason that's this keeping this fixture from the Aviva. Maybe I'm a dreamer but seeing the interest in Bohs at the minute and the draw Rovers already have I don't think it's out of the question that this cup tie could have potentially topped 15/20k in the Aviva if restrictions allowed.

In a post covid life, I wonder if Bohs would look to try and move their home games vs Shamrock Rovers to the Aviva (similar to what Leinster do for their games vs Munster). If they are going to be selling out Dalymount within minutes you'd think it'd make sense financially. If properly advertised and put on RTE I could see that Dublin derby being a staple in the Aviva with huge crowds a couple times a year.

After looking at the outcome of the draw its strengthened by belief the competition format needs to be looked at. Not having a go at Cobh, but they look set to be in the cup quarter final by beating 2 junior teams. The tail end of the competition isn't going to be much of a spectacle if the requirements for entry can be this low.

[Nesta99]

If i'd picked the draw out myself it wouldnt be as much fun! Only miss is Cork v Cobh.

[Nesta99]

Dundalks streak of luck continues. And yet they just aren't very convincing.
Pat's in Cork could be an interesting one, although you'd have to assume that O'Donnell will send them out ready to fight, unlike sligo in recent weeks.
Rovers away to boez is 50/50 I guess. Get Joey to do a job on Kelly and that should be that.

Its great stuff!

[Yossarian]

I see the clamour for the Bohs Rovers game to be played in the Aviva but I really don’t see the logic from Bohs perspective. Why give up home advantage in the hardest cup game you could have got. Fair enough they’d get a much larger crowd but if it was say 6k or 8k at the Aviva with probably half Rovers fans then I don’t see why they’d do it.

[boynemunich]

Can't see it happening in the Aviva unfortunately, could be imagining this but wasn't the 2019 semi final draw a bit 'suspect' with the way they were both picked out to play each other ? Unfortunately I think from a Gardai perspective Bohs Rovers in the Aviva is to be avoided at all costs, will be interesting to see if/when it happens.

[EatYerGreens]

It really is a shame if this is the only reason that's this keeping this fixture from the Aviva. Maybe I'm a dreamer but seeing the interest in Bohs at the minute and the draw Rovers already have I don't think it's out of the question that this cup tie could have potentially topped 15/20k in the Aviva if restrictions allowed.

In a post covid life, I wonder if Bohs would look to try and move their home games vs Shamrock Rovers to the Aviva (similar to what Leinster do for their games vs Munster). If they are going to be selling out Dalymount within minutes you'd think it'd make sense financially. If properly advertised and put on RTE I could see that Dublin derby being a staple in the Aviva with huge crowds a couple times a year.

After looking at the outcome of the draw its strengthened by belief the competition format needs to be looked at. Not having a go at Cobh, but they look set to be in the cup quarter final by beating 2 junior teams. The tail end of the competition isn't going to be much of a spectacle if the requirements for entry can be this low.

The small minority of scumbags on both sides would ruin it sooner or later by acting like the English.

The proposed 6,000 capacity for the new Dalymount really does need increasing though.

[Nesta99]

The small minority of scumbags on both sides would ruin it sooner or later by acting like the English.

The proposed 6,000 capacity for the new Dalymount really does need increasing though.

8k would make more sense but there is nothing wrong with having a bit of a clamour for tickets if demand just outstrips capacity which I think 6k would. Being able to increase capacity should be factored in to the design mind.

On holding the Dublin Derby in the Aviva, if both clubs were agreeable, the last thing that should be influencing the decision is whether little scrotes may act up!! I know its highly likely they would try but proper security and policing should be par for the course, there would have been bigger crowds with potential for trouble eg v N.I. previously that passed off without incident. Some common sense ticketing arrangements by ticketmaster et al might come out of it which would be of great benefit to all especially when it comes to Cup Final day and the way tickets have been released being totally ridiculous. Dundalk fans have no shortage of experience in how cup final ticket arrangements lack an ounce of sense!!

yurt I think part of the interest in the cup, romance even, is how it can pitch non league clubs in to the mix. I dont think it detracts from the competition and tbh it I doubt it happens that often that non league teams get drawn together and one might progress a round or two. St Francis is the obvious example and that in itself generated a interest in that cup final. There are of course the upsets like Ashtown Villa beating both Derry and Dundalk in '91 I think when both clubs would have been table toppers (Dundalk ending up league champions).

[yurt]

8k would make more sense but there is nothing wrong with having a bit of a clamour for tickets if demand just outstrips capacity which I think 6k would. Being able to increase capacity should be factored in to the design mind.

On holding the Dublin Derby in the Aviva, if both clubs were agreeable, the last thing that should be influencing the decision is whether little scrotes may act up!! I know its highly likely they would try but proper security and policing should be par for the course, there would have been bigger crowds with potential for trouble eg v N.I. previously that passed off without incident. Some common sense ticketing arrangements by ticketmaster et al might come out of it which would be of great benefit to all especially when it comes to Cup Final day and the way tickets have been released being totally ridiculous. Dundalk fans have no shortage of experience in how cup final ticket arrangements lack an ounce of sense!!

yurt I think part of the interest in the cup, romance even, is how it can pitch non league clubs in to the mix. I dont think it detracts from the competition and tbh it I doubt it happens that often that non league teams get drawn together and one might progress a round or two. St Francis is the obvious example and that in itself generated a interest in that cup final. There are of course the upsets like Ashtown Villa beating both Derry and Dundalk in '91 I think when both clubs would have been table toppers (Dundalk ending up league champions).

Completely agree on not bowing down to the fear of scrote-ish behavior. I don't know much about what it takes to police football stadium but I refuse to believe that we don't have the resources in Dublin for this to take place safely.

Just to confirm my point on restructuring the cup. I'm not suggesting that we don't include Junior teams, I just think having 22 out of 32 teams ,not playing in the top flight, in an open draw will mean that there's a decent chance some poor teams will get an easy route through to the business end of the competition. I'm all for the magic of the cup but I think it needs to be earned.

The upsets your talking about happened 30 years ago at this stage. I think it's fair to say the gulf in quality is significantly bigger now. I just personally think that it'd make for better cup ties if the Junior teams played a round or two against first division teams to make sure we are left with something which more accurately represents the best 16 teams in the country.

This format made a lot more sense when there was 22 and 24 LOI teams but now that we're down to 2 divisions of 10 I don't think its fit for purpose anymore.

[Nesta99]

Specific examples of upsets above may be 30 yrs ago (jeez way to go and make a chap feel old;)) but I dont think such possible results are done and dusted. Dundalk are improving currently but I think but there are some junior sides that I wouldnt have bet the house on Dundalk beating a few months back. As P Casual likes to point out at every opportunity, there is the luck in the draw, so for Dundalk currently, if it isn't broken don't fix it!! :p There are senior 1st Division sides that could go out to non league sides; the same argument could be made for 1st Division sides progressing beyond a point if drawn against each other, in theory all the way to the final, when better sides have been beaten due tp the draw - that's a significant part of cup competition for me. An all amateur Wexford Youth's playing Derry in the League Cup, maybe a bit more contemporary albeit both in the senior structure. There is enough sanitising or streamlining competitions to suit the elite without doing so in the domestic cup. Even if its a mismatch, junior sides are in the draw on merit, more so than senior clubs even.

It would be easier to police the Aviva with bigger numbers than Dalymount imo, possibly Tallaght too. Either way, as mentioned, the risk of a very small minority causing grief shouldn't factor in. It is a legitimate concern of course, as it was in cup final games with Dundalk v Cork and Rovers where ye were just imploring 'fans' not to mess it up for the rest of us - with flares never mind respective scrotes getting at each other.

[sbgawa]

I think the potential for trouble is overdone, there hasn't been any real trouble between rovers and bohs fans for years bar a few eejits outside on the streets. Not much more than an average Friday night in Dublin City centre

[placid casual]

But the difference is the location Sbgawa.
A few burbery uniformed (complete opposite of casual! ) pavement dancers in ballsbridge will have the D4 locals lobbying Joe Duffy & their local TD.
These people, don't forget, got the landsdowne stadium plans upended so the stadium now looks like a plastic chamber pot that's been melted at one end.
Why boez would seek to give up home advantage for this game is beyond me, and I'm assuming that isn't the case.

[Calcio Jack]

But the difference is the location Sbgawa.
A few burbery uniformed (complete opposite of casual! ) pavement dancers in ballsbridge will have the D4 locals lobbying Joe Duffy & their local TD.
These people, don't forget, got the landsdowne stadium plans upended so the stadium now looks like a plastic chamber pot that's been melted at one end.
Why boez would seek to give up home advantage for this game is beyond me, and I'm assuming that isn't the case.

Rest assured D4 locals/these people will never lobby the ‘€400k a year cheerleader for the masses’ Joe Duffy .

[placid casual]

Fair point. He's probably too busy talking to a woman from clontarf.

[sbgawa]

Rest assured D4 locals/these people will never lobby the ‘€400k a year cheerleader for the low IQ masses ’ Joe Duffy .


Fixed that for you

[TonyD]

These people, don't forget, got the landsdowne stadium plans upended so the stadium now looks like a plastic chamber pot that's been melted at one end.

;););) It’s actually a bed pan (those of you who ever had to suffer the indignity in hospital will know what I’m talking about.)

[EatYerGreens]

After watching Bohs in the Aviva again tonight, and think there's actually something in the idea of the Rovers-Bohs derbies being held there.

Get both teams to agree in advance of a new season that they'll play all their league games there, so that no-one loses or gains any advantage from it. Then have a big marketing push around each of the fixtures, and decent ticket prices for them too (€10 per adult, €30 for family of 4 etc). Try it out as an experiment for a season and see what happens. All going well it should increase ticket sales for both clubs, and then have a positive knock-on effect on the interest levels for their other fixtures (and potentially for the league overall). Plus increased merchandise sales, sponsorship etc.

It would also be worth the FAI doing the clubs a deal for a season to encourage the experiment, as if it worked out it would mean another 3 day's worth of rental for them every year too.

It could even be bundled up into a league-wide 'derby day', similar to what they do in the Irish League on Boxing Day.

Things like this should definitely be tried. The crowds for Bohs-Rovers games leading up to Covid were really strong, so would be good to see what could be achieved with a good stadium, lots of capacity, some solid marketing and a bit of hype. The upsides would massively outweigh any downside from it (not that I can think of any genuine ones).

[placid casual]

;););) It’s actually a bed pan (those of you who ever had to suffer the indignity in hospital will know what I’m talking about.)
Yeah that's actually what I meant thanks. 👍
I'm really, really fortunate that Ive never had an overnight stay in a hospital so the indignity of those is beyond me.

[DCSIL]

Fair point. He's probably too busy talking to a woman from clontarf.

Yeoooooo!

[Nesta99]

Yeah that's actually what I meant thanks. 
I'm really, really fortunate that Ive never had an overnight stay in a hospital so the indignity of those is beyond me.

Ah sadly for us all its eventually a matter of when not if!

[sbgawa]

The aul bed pan isnt great but the other option is worse

[TonyD]

The aul bed pan isnt great but the other option is worse

:D:D Fair point.

[Nesta99]

Obviously talking Tallaght or Aviva! Bedpan or worse...

[sbgawa]

Waterford v Kilnamanagh;
Dundalk v St Mochta’s;
Finn Harps v Derry City;
Maynooth University Town v Cobh Ramblers;
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers;
Cork City v St Patrick’s Athletic;
UCD v Longford Town;
Killester Donnycarney v Wexford FC.

Not impossible that we could have only 4 premier teams in the last 8
A last 8 of Waterford, Dundalk, Harps, Cobh, Rovers, Cork, UCD, Killester with Rovers drawing Dundalk in the next round would have lots of teams dreaming of Cup glory.

[Stav]

Not sure. The barrage of flares ( each one costing the club money), gardai with dogs on the pitch in Dalymount a couple of years ago. Idiots running onto pitch to have a go at the other side but to be fair no trouble afterwards. No reason it should not be tried but I assume the crowds would have to be substantially bigger to justify the rent and additional costs.
Well worth a try it could lead to something positive across the league.

[lofty9]

After watching Bohs in the Aviva again tonight, and think there's actually something in the idea of the Rovers-Bohs derbies being held there.

Get both teams to agree in advance of a new season that they'll play all their league games there, so that no-one loses or gains any advantage from it. Then have a big marketing push around each of the fixtures, and decent ticket prices for them too (€10 per adult, €30 for family of 4 etc). Try it out as an experiment for a season and see what happens. All going well it should increase ticket sales for both clubs, and then have a positive knock-on effect on the interest levels for their other fixtures (and potentially for the league overall). Plus increased merchandise sales, sponsorship etc.

It would also be worth the FAI doing the clubs a deal for a season to encourage the experiment, as if it worked out it would mean another 3 day's worth of rental for them every year too.

It could even be bundled up into a league-wide 'derby day', similar to what they do in the Irish League on Boxing Day.

Things like this should definitely be tried. The crowds for Bohs-Rovers games leading up to Covid were really strong, so would be good to see what could be achieved with a good stadium, lots of capacity, some solid marketing and a bit of hype. The upsides would massively outweigh any downside from it (not that I can think of any genuine ones).


Definitely could push the Bohs/Rovers to the drunken masses that travel to Dublin. Imagine the carnage it would cause in D4!

[EatYerGreens]

We have to be prepared as a league to try things like this IMO. Do it for one season, with each game hyped to the ballix, and then review afterwards.

We've not exactly been innovative in the LOI over the years (beyond constantly p!ssing around with the number of teams in each tier).

[PartySaint]

Fair play to Cork, they have given Pats a 10% allocation of tickets for Friday. 90 away fans, first proper away trip in well over a year.

On the game, there is a decent chance of an upset. Pats are missing

John Mountey
Lee Desmond
Paddy Barrett
Sam Bone
Shane Griffin
Robbie Benson

The only leaves Bermo as a first choice defender, Christ knows what our back 4 will look like. Our new RB who only signed last week will probably start and then it is anyone's guess, Jay McClelland has played left back a couple of times this season so he might go in there and SOD might push Bermo into center back with 16 year old James Abankwah or even throw Jamie Lennon back there who played RB against Derry earlier in the season but got sent off that day.. A really good chance for Cork to go and beat us.

[El-Pietro]

Fair play to Cork, they have given Pats a 10% allocation of tickets for Friday. 90 away fans, first proper away trip in well over a year.

On the game, there is a decent chance of an upset. Pats are missing

John Mountey
Lee Desmond
Paddy Barrett
Sam Bone
Shane Griffin
Robbie Benson

The only leaves Bermo as a first choice defender, Christ knows what our back 4 will look like. Our new RB who only signed last week will probably start and then it is anyone's guess, Jay McClelland has played left back a couple of times this season so he might go in there and SOD might push Bermo into center back with 16 year old James Abankwah or even throw Jamie Lennon back there who played RB against Derry earlier in the season but got sent off that day.. A really good chance for Cork to go and beat us.

On the other hand... we are ****.

[sidcon]

Bohs have managed to get approval for increased attendance for Sunday, Dalymount now will hold 650 instead of 400

[nigel-harps1954]

Fair play to Cork, they have given Pats a 10% allocation of tickets for Friday. 90 away fans, first proper away trip in well over a year.



Two weeks in a row! Pats fans are spoiled.

[Hitman]

Fair play to Cork, they have given Pats a 10% allocation of tickets for Friday. 90 away fans, first proper away trip in well over a year.

On the game, there is a decent chance of an upset. Pats are missing

John Mountey
Lee Desmond
Paddy Barrett
Sam Bone
Shane Griffin
Robbie Benson

The only leaves Bermo as a first choice defender, Christ knows what our back 4 will look like. Our new RB who only signed last week will probably start and then it is anyone's guess, Jay McClelland has played left back a couple of times this season so he might go in there and SOD might push Bermo into center back with 16 year old James Abankwah or even throw Jamie Lennon back there who played RB against Derry earlier in the season but got sent off that day.. A really good chance for Cork to go and beat us.

Hi @stpatsfc, nice to meet you. We're @CorkCityFC
- joint third bottom of the first division. We play at Turner's Cross.

We just took our first ever point off Cabinteely and our goalkeeper is older than the club.

See you tomorrow!

[PartySaint]

Hi @stpatsfc, nice to meet you. We're @CorkCityFC
- joint third bottom of the first division. We play at Turner's Cross.

We just took our first ever point off Cabinteely and our goalkeeper is older than the club.

See you tomorrow!

All I'm saying is Cork at 11/2 is worth a punt.

[sbgawa]

Rovers looking light at the back for Sunday with Hoare, Grace and Kavanagh injured and Scales gone.
Pico , Joey O Brien and Gannon (not a CB in my opinion) only recognised first teamers fit for the normal 5 defensive positions (and Joey rarely if ever plays two 90 mins in a row) Finner has been playing RWB and maybe stick Greener in as LWB.
Will disrupt the normal triangles at the back but the derbies often end up a bit more direct.
Looking forward to it

[Martinho II]

Im at game in Belfield bowl tonight dont think we will win tbh.. Im going to Dungannon Glentoran game tmw and doing an overnighter in Dublin thats chief reason why I am up!

[pineapple stu]

Im at game in Belfield bowl tonight dont think we will win tbh.. Im going to Dungannon Glentoran game tmw and doing an overnighter in Dublin thats chief reason why I am up!
You can get your programme here (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/programme) Marty btw!

Features Longford's first game as a senior club, and a 1958 tie which I think is our only domestic game in June before summer soccer.

[El-Pietro]

City the better side so far but without forcing the keeper to do... anything.

[pineapple stu]

Dundalk's season keeps giving - St Mochta's have equalised in Oriel, after the new French guy gave Dundalk an early lead.

[D24Saint]

Kilnamanagh Rockets one down in Waterford.

[CorribsideSteve]

They're already dancing in the streets of St.Mochtas as we type. Surely Dundalk can do enough to win this?