2024 FAI Cup

[culloty82]

A "revamp" has been announced, but in practical terms, it seems the preliminary round has merely been renamed the first round, as eight of the twenty non-league sides are eliminated at that stage, while the eight winners and four bye recipients join the LoI clubs in the last 32, which now becomes the second round:

https://www.extratime.com/articles/33331/fai-cup-sees-format-change-updated-first-round/

Eight MSL clubs involved seems distinctly higher than normal?

[yurt]

I end up saying it every year but think it's a nonsense how many bad ties get played in this competition. We see some average teams reach the final 4 or 8 by avoiding LOI sides. The 4 euro teams should get a bye to what is now the third round would be one less game they need to play in their congested schedule. The best junior and intermediate sides deserve a shot an LOI teams but they should have to beat a Kerry or even a Galway before being in the same pot as Shamrock Rovers or Derry in my opinion.

That being said this is an amazing competition and last years cup final would have been on a similar profile to All Ireland QFs or SFs which is a hell of an achievement from a decade ago.

The magic of the cup is alive and well here for the time being at least.

[Shinkicker]

I end up saying it every year but think it's a nonsense how many bad ties get played in this competition. We see some average teams reach the final 4 or 8 by avoiding LOI sides. The 4 euro teams should get a bye to what is now the third round would be one less game they need to play in their congested schedule. The best junior and intermediate sides deserve a shot an LOI teams but they should have to beat a Kerry or even a Galway before being in the same pot as Shamrock Rovers or Derry in my opinion.

That being said this is an amazing competition and last years cup final would have been on a similar profile to All Ireland QFs or SFs which is a hell of an achievement from a decade ago.

The magic of the cup is alive and well here for the time being at least.
I know it's your opinion, but I would disagree. The cup is an opportunity for non-league clubs to get a glamour tie, give it their best shot and get a few quid. Most know when the draw a big club they will go out so treat it as their cup final and have a great day out, but remember Saint Francis went all they way to the final one year. In NI one year non league Carrick Rangers won the cup. I may be wrong but I remember Cobh playing several replays against one of the larger clubs before going out and Ashtown Villa beating Dundalk and Derry before going out. The euro teams will most likely have the strongest panels and therfore can rotate players to deal with any opposition put in front of them.

[culloty82]

The major problem for the non-league sides is that they effectively meet LoI clubs during their pre-season, so if that stage was even held in May, it would greatly increase the possibility of upsets, perhaps combined with the European approach of always awarding the lowest-ranked side home advantage in ties.

[nigel-harps1954]

I personally think it needs more junior clubs and less intermediate clubs. The balance there is completely skewed.

[Mr A]

I personally think it needs more junior clubs and less intermediate clubs. The balance there is completely skewed.

Yeah in many places there is no intermediate football so clubs there have a far, far harder path to getting in. There is much to be done sorting out the football pyramid!

I just hope we never ever have to go back to Kilbarrack. Lovely club, great people involved, but I never ever want to go back near that craphole.

[thebronze14]

I personally think it needs more junior clubs and less intermediate clubs. The balance there is completely skewed.
Definitely considering the demise of the USL. The likes of Letterkenny and Fanad would beat a lot of those intermediate teams

[thebronze14]

Yeah in many places there is no intermediate football so clubs there have a far, far harder path to getting in. There is much to be done sorting out the football pyramid!

I just hope we never ever have to go back to Kilbarrack. Lovely club, great people involved, but I never ever want to go back near that craphole.

The only place I've been in watching football that I was worried for my safety....I've been to the Den away twice with Southampton, Serbia away with Ireland but that area and the people around it was crawling with absolute scumbags. I worked in the North Inner City for 14 years before I'm accused of being soft!

[pineapple stu]

I end up saying it every year but think it's a nonsense how many bad ties get played in this competition. We see some average teams reach the final 4 or 8 by avoiding LOI sides.
I'm not sure how you avoid that tbh. The reality is there's few enough good teams in Ireland. The gap between Premier and Div 1 is quite big, and there's a definite gap between Div 1 and non-league too. There were three all-Premier ties in the first round last year - but that's the fun of the Cup. It cleared the way for a minnow like Galway to reach the last 8 beating Bangor Celtic and UCD. But so what?

The Euro sides can easily cope with one more game in their season. The magic of the Cup is more than just ensuring two big teams make the final.

[Nesta99]

The major problem for the non-league sides is that they effectively meet LoI clubs during their pre-season, so if that stage was even held in May, it would greatly increase the possibility of upsets, perhaps combined with the European approach of always awarding the lowest-ranked side home advantage in ties.
and the solution is for Junior and Intermediate sides to align their season with the Senior level in the country...

[EatYerGreens]

I personally think it needs more junior clubs and less intermediate clubs. The balance there is completely skewed.

Is there only one Ulster club on that list (Cockhill)?

[culloty82]

Yes, 10 out of the 20 from Munster, 9 from Leinster (including seven Dublin clubs) and Cockhill.

[EatYerGreens]

Yes, 10 out of the 20 from Munster, 9 from Leinster (including seven Dublin clubs) and Cockhill.

I know a large part of it is qualification on merit, but that seems very unbalanced. How come no Connacht clubs either? What's happened to Mervue, Salthill etc?

[Shearer]

I know a large part of it is qualification on merit, but that seems very unbalanced. How come no Connacht clubs either? What's happened to Mervue, Salthill etc?
It's the last 4 teams of the FAI Junior Cup and the last 16 teams of the FAI Intermediate Cup.

They didn't reach the semi final of the junior.

[Mr A]

It's the last 4 teams of the FAI Junior Cup and the last 16 teams of the FAI Intermediate Cup.

They didn't reach the semi final of the junior.

Intermediate football only exists in Leinster at scale, the Munster SL is all Cork if I recall correctly, so for the most part clubs have only access to junior football (unless they want to jump to senior) and have to make the final 4 to get in FAI cup. It's a bit mad.

[culloty82]

Pike Rovers vs Villa FC looks like the prime first round clash, elsewhere:

College Corinthians (Cork) vs Cobh Wanderers
Wayside Celtic vs Collinstown (both Dublin)
Cockhill Celtic vs Ayrfield United (Dublin)
Midleton vs St Francis
Wilton United v Glebe North
Ballyfermot United vs Rockmount
Maynooth University Town vs Gorey Rangers

Byes:
Ringmahon Rangers
Carrigaline United
Leeds AFC (Cork)
Kilbarrack United (Dublin)

Ties to be played w/e May 19th

[Mr A]

Byes:
Ringmahon Rangers
Carrigaline United
Leeds AFC (Cork)
Kilbarrack United (Dublin)

Ties to be played w/e May 19th

Oh no

[nr637]

Pike Rovers(Limerick) vs Villa FC(Waterford) looks like the prime first round clash, elsewhere:

College Corinthians (Cork) vs Cobh Wanderers(Cork)
Wayside Celtic vs Collinstown (both Dublin)
Cockhill Celtic(Buncrana, Donegal) vs Ayrfield United (Dublin)
Midleton(Cork) vs St Francis
Wilton United(Cork) v Glebe North
Ballyfermot United vs Rockmount(Cork)
Maynooth University Town(Kildare) vs Gorey Rangers(Wexford)

Byes:
Ringmahon Rangers(Cork)
Carrigaline United(Cork)
Leeds AFC (Cork)
Kilbarrack United (Dublin)

Ties to be played w/e May 19th




Just added where most teams are from for those interested! :confused:

[KilbarrackUltra]

The only place I've been in watching football that I was worried for my safety....I've been to the Den away twice with Southampton, Serbia away with Ireland but that area and the people around it was crawling with absolute scumbags. I worked in the North Inner City for 14 years before I'm accused of being soft!

I'd be very interested to hear how your safety was compromised. I was selling programmes in the Away End and from what I seen everything passed without issue. Obviously the odd chant back and forth but that is to be expected. The only scare Harps faced in Kilbarrack was the very near possibility of been sent out of the cup by an LSL team

[Neish]

I end up saying it every year but think it's a nonsense how many bad ties get played in this competition. We see some average teams reach the final 4 or 8 by avoiding LOI sides. The 4 euro teams should get a bye to what is now the third round would be one less game they need to play in their congested schedule. The best junior and intermediate sides deserve a shot an LOI teams but they should have to beat a Kerry or even a Galway before being in the same pot as Shamrock Rovers or Derry in my opinion.

That being said this is an amazing competition and last years cup final would have been on a similar profile to All Ireland QFs or SFs which is a hell of an achievement from a decade ago.

The magic of the cup is alive and well here for the time being at least.

IMO: I'm bamboozled as to how you can talk of the magic of the cup yet complain about too many junior/ intermediate teams being involved in the later rounds. Thats is exactly what make cup competition magic for me.

[yurt]

IMO: I'm bamboozled as to how you can talk of the magic of the cup yet complain about too many junior/ intermediate teams being involved in the later rounds. Thats is exactly what make cup competition magic for me.

For me the magic of the cup is in the huge since of occasions that the final has become. Same with there being sell out crowds for semi and quarter final with a winner takes all atmosphere.

I personally get no energy from an in season Galway being drawn against an out of season Glebe North. The games haven't been competitive for a long time and these clubs obviously don't really have any match going fanbases to create a real cup day atmospheres.

I realise it's an unpopular opinion. If we just had a proper pyramid playing in the same calendar I think we'd see much better matched cup ties in general. The gap in standard between Intermediate and Junior football with the LOI is only getting wider and I feel like it's a massive problem that needs to be solved for Irish football.

Genuine question - When was the last time there was a worthwhile (competitive) fixture between a premier and non-league team?

[Zico]

If we are ever to create a proper football pyramid then junior clubs would be excluded from FAI cup entry (via FAI junior cup qualification). We keep talking about 3rd tier etc., but the real issue is how dysfunctional the junior and intermediate game is, in particular in Munster. How do we start to incentivise the top clubs in limerick, Waterford etc to join the Munster senior league? You would have very good top flight if the likes of Fairview, St Michaels, Villa FC played against the top Cork clubs. Right now it’s legacy things like local rivalries (especially in Limerick) and probably cost that prevents this - allowing junior clubs into FAI cup will do little to change the status quo either. It would be great if the powers that be in Munster could figure this one out for the best interests of the game.

[KilbarrackUltra]

For me the magic of the cup is in the huge since of occasions that the final has become. Same with there being sell out crowds for semi and quarter final with a winner takes all atmosphere.

I personally get no energy from an in season Galway being drawn against an out of season Glebe North. The games haven't been competitive for a long time and these clubs obviously don't really have any match going fanbases to create a real cup day atmospheres.

I realise it's an unpopular opinion. If we just had a proper pyramid playing in the same calendar I think we'd see much better matched cup ties in general. The gap in standard between Intermediate and Junior football with the LOI is only getting wider and I feel like it's a massive problem that needs to be solved for Irish football.

Genuine question - When was the last time there was a worthwhile (competitive) fixture between a premier and non-league team?

You're looking at that from a Galway United perspective and it's understandable that an LOI Premier Division side won't get the magic of the cup going to an LSL/MSL/Junior side but it's the magic of the cup for the Intermediate/Junior club that yous might draw.

You could also ask the question when was the last time an LOI First Division side done well in the FAI Cup? Does that mean they shouldn't compete in it? Wouldn't be much magic for Galway the past number of years if that was the case.

A true FAI Cup incorporates League and Non-League sides like an FA Cup does in England.

Let us Non-League sides have our day out in the early rounds, you can enjoy your "magic of the cup" in a later stage - if you manage to get that far!

And to answer your last question, we had a very competitive game v Finn Harps in the cup last year, we only lost 1-0 and there really wasn't difference in quality at all, they avoided a banana skin and I'm sure a lot of other Non-League teams will say the same.

[nr637]

2024 FAI Cup (First Round) Weekend 17th of May to 20th

Friday 17th May 2024
Wayside Celtic (Dublin) v Collinstown (Dublin) 19.45

Saturday 18th May
Midleton (Cork) v St. Francis (Dublin) 14.00
Maynooth Town (Kildare) v Gorey Rangers (Wexford) 15.00
College Corinthians (Cork) v Cobh Wanderers (Cork) 16.00

Sunday May19th
Pike Rovers (Limerick) v Villa FC (Waterford)) 14.00
Ballyfermot (Dublin) v Rockmount (Cork) 14.00
Wilton (Cork) v Glebe North (Dublin) 14.30
Cockhill Celtic (Donegal) v Ayrfield (Dublin) 15.00

Carrigaline United (Cork), Ringmahon Rangers (Cork), Leeds FC (Cork) & Kilbarrack (Dublin) received byes to the second round.

[Shearer]

You're looking at that from a Galway United perspective and it's understandable that an LOI Premier Division side won't get the magic of the cup going to an LSL/MSL/Junior side but it's the magic of the cup for the Intermediate/Junior club that yous might draw.

You could also ask the question when was the last time an LOI First Division side done well in the FAI Cup? Does that mean they shouldn't compete in it? Wouldn't be much magic for Galway the past number of years if that was the case.

A true FAI Cup incorporates League and Non-League sides like an FA Cup does in England.

Let us Non-League sides have our day out in the early rounds, you can enjoy your "magic of the cup" in a later stage - if you manage to get that far!

And to answer your last question, we had a very competitive game v Finn Harps in the cup last year, we only lost 1-0 and there really wasn't difference in quality at all, they avoided a banana skin and I'm sure a lot of other Non-League teams will say the same.
Athlone Town, Treaty United, Waterford FC and Galway United have all reached the last four of the competition in the last four seasons.

[KilbarrackUltra]

Athlone Town, Treaty United, Waterford FC and Galway United have all reached the last four of the competition in the last four seasons.

Correct, I'm aware of 6 instances that First Division sides reached the Semi Finals in the last 10 seasons of the cup. And while I'm not knocking their achievements, my point stands that compared to the Premier Division the First Division does not do nearly as well - and understandably so, but they equally deserve to compete in it is my point.

Similar to us Non-League sides not doing nearly as well compared to First Division sides, that's just how a football ladder works. We equally have every right in the FAI Cup even if the first few rounds isn't as glamorous for Premier Division sides. Let's not forget upsets Non-League sides have caused in this competition over the years too - hopefully one for Kilbarrack United this season if we get an LOI team!

[yurt]

You're looking at that from a Galway United perspective and it's understandable that an LOI Premier Division side won't get the magic of the cup going to an LSL/MSL/Junior side but it's the magic of the cup for the Intermediate/Junior club that yous might draw.

You could also ask the question when was the last time an LOI First Division side done well in the FAI Cup? Does that mean they shouldn't compete in it? Wouldn't be much magic for Galway the past number of years if that was the case.


I'm not trying to change anyone's mind here but just to respond.

As Shearer has said first division clubs have actually performed really well in recent seasons. Many examples of first division teams picking off premier opposition. Same can't be said from non-league playing LOI. I would be interested to see how much better non-LOI teams would fair if they were also playing in a summer season.



A true FAI Cup incorporates League and Non-League sides like an FA Cup does in England.
Let us Non-League sides have our day out in the early rounds, you can enjoy your "magic of the cup" in a later stage - if you manage to get that far!

And to answer your last question, we had a very competitive game v Finn Harps in the cup last year, we only lost 1-0 and there really wasn't difference in quality at all, they avoided a banana skin and I'm sure a lot of other Non-League teams will say the same.

My question was when was the last competitive game between a premier division team and a non-league side.

The point I am trying to get to is that I would much prefer to see a tie between a Kilbarrack team who are midseason playing Harps/Longford/Kerry rather than a pre-season Kilbarrack playing against Pat's.

I'll row back on the 'less non-league teams' comment because that's what people are focusing on but think better cup fixtures can easily be engineered with a few tweaks.

[nigel-harps1954]

And to answer your last question, we had a very competitive game v Finn Harps in the cup last year, we only lost 1-0 and there really wasn't difference in quality at all, they avoided a banana skin and I'm sure a lot of other Non-League teams will say the same.

One of Harps worst performances of the year, in a ground that was a leveller, in one of our worst seasons in our history.

That's not much of a brag.

[EatYerGreens]

2024 FAI Cup (First Round) Weekend 17th of May to 20th
Saturday 18th May
Midleton (Cork) v St. Francis (Dublin) 14.00
College Corinthians (Cork) v Cobh Wanderers (Cork) 16.00

Sunday May19th
Wilton (Cork) v Glebe North (Dublin) 14.30



It's all happening on Leeside in the cup this weekend! Did/would the College Corinthians v Cobh Wanderers game draw a decent crowd?

[Shearer]

It's all happening on Leeside in the cup this weekend! Did/would the College Corinthians v Cobh Wanderers game draw a decent crowd?
Their fourth meeting in 9 months, I can't imagine so regardless of the competition.

[nigel-harps1954]

Cockhill Celtic 7-1 Ayrfield United

[Jd2793]

if a non league club is drawn at home vs loi side can they play it at their home ground? or is there minimum requirements to host ? i.e stands etc

[Another Bohemia]

if a non league club is drawn at home vs loi side can they play it at their home ground? or is there minimum requirements to host ? i.e stands etc

Well I have watched Bohs play in the cup vs Malahide in Malahides ground and I know a harps supporter on here has said before that they played Kilbarrack in Kilbarrack either last season or the season before so if there are requirements they would be fairly minimal i.e. able to manage crowds and check tickets

[pineapple stu]

Sheriff have used Fairview Park in Clontarf, which is an astro cage with goals on wheels, and markings for rugby in white and football in orange.

So yeah, I think "minimal" would be the right word alright!

[nr637]

College Corinthians 4 Cobh Wanderers 5, winning penalty for Cobh in the 90+5 minute!

The magic of the cup! :)

[ForzaForth]

Gorey Rangers had a 4-1 win over Maynooth University Town in this competition at the weekend.

[brendy_éire]

So yeah, I think "minimal" would be the right word alright!

Pretty much, but what matters more is proper egress routes, stewarding, etc. for an much larger number of fans than usual. Rarely happens, I suppose, but could have moved grounds because of that.
I remember Cockhill playing Sligo a few years back and moving the match to Maginn Park, maybe an example of it.
Cockhill are in the first round again this year. An away trip to Buncrana in the middle of summer is most Derry fans ideal draw.

[Martinho II]

Pretty much, but what matters more is proper egress routes, stewarding, etc. for an much larger number of fans than usual. Rarely happens, I suppose, but could have moved grounds because of that.
I remember Cockhill playing Sligo a few years back and moving the match to Maginn Park, maybe an example of it.
Cockhill are in the first round again this year. An away trip to Buncrana in the middle of summer is most Derry fans ideal draw.

I remember us playin Cockhill in FAI cup 9 years ago away think it was Maginn Park where are Cockhill from again as game was in Buncrana or maybe Im wrong?

[nigel-harps1954]

I remember us playin Cockhill in FAI cup 9 years ago away think it was Maginn Park where are Cockhill from again as game was in Buncrana or maybe Im wrong?

Cockhill are from Buncrana too.

They've done some work on their ground and will almost certainly host their home game if they get drawn as such.

[KilbarrackUltra]

One of Harps worst performances of the year, in a ground that was a leveller, in one of our worst seasons in our history.

That's not much of a brag.

Trust me Nigel we're not bragging, we should have taken our chances and bet yous. Doesn't take anything away from us though giving yous a good game in our off season.

[KilbarrackUltra]

Last year the draw for the next round was the Tuesday after the June Bank Holiday. If that's the case this year we should expect it June 4th.

[JC_GUFC]

I think ideally what is now known as the 2nd round should be played either around now, or even two weeks later at the start of August.

The problem with having it in August is that the whole competition becomes really condensed, as happened in 2019.

1st round was weekend 11th August
2nd round w/e 25th August
QFs w/e 9th September
SFs w/e 30th September

I remember this really disrupted the league that season.

[sbgawa]

Anyone know when the second round draw is on?

[placid casual]

I can feel a Rovers Vs Bohs cup final coming this year,for some reason.

[EatYerGreens]

I can feel a Rovers Vs Bohs cup final coming this year,for some reason.

Bohs are far too inconsistent for that. Unless they get a very lucky draw all the way through, plus no doubt one necessary big uncharacteristic performance.

[placid casual]

I think the last few years have shown that you don't have to be the best team in the league to get to the cup final,as the better teams drawing each other through the competition narrows the chances of that happening.

[joey B]

Draw for the next round of the cup is the 6th of June.

[KilbarrackUltra]

Draw for the next round of the cup is the 6th of June.

Looking forward to it!

[joey B]

1795859816314728600

Full list of teams in the draw,1/4 of the teams from Cork even more than Dublin!

[EatYerGreens]

Where are the 'Leeds' above based ? And do they play in all white?