2025 FAI Cup

[Buckett]

This year's FAI Cup winners will qualify for the Europa League.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/14725166/shamrock-rovers-fai-cup-europa-league/

[yurt]

It does actually make it a whole lot more lucrative. Gives you a decent chance of a relatively glamorous tie with the parachute of the ECLQ2 when/if you lose.

After Drogs success last year, fans of all clubs will definitely think it could be them heading to the Europa league in 2026.

[legendz]

Europa League will be a big prize.
Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's will be starting a round earlier than Drogheda in the Conference League qualifiers. The higher cup reward seems to have a low profile. Understandable cup winners are being rewarded to protect or try and enhance the status of the traditional cups. At the same time the majority of supporters naturally rate league runners up higher than lower league cup winners.
"By the start of the licence season, the membership and/or the contractual relationship (if any) must have lasted for at least three consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the licence applicant’s men’s football first team must have participated in the official national competitions for men’s football first teams for at least three consecutive seasons (hereinafter: three-year rule)."
I take from this that the 2025 FAI Cup is Kerry's first opportunity to qualify for Europe! A supporter can dream!!! Billy Dennehy, Kerry's CEO, played in the Europa League group stage for Shamrock Rovers. He started against Spurs home and away.

[Martinho II]

Europa League will be a big prize.
Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's will be starting a round earlier than Drogheda in the Conference League qualifiers. The higher cup reward seems to have a low profile. Understandable cup winners are being rewarded to protect or try and enhance the status of the traditional cups. At the same time the majority of supporters naturally rate league runners up higher than lower league cup winners.
"By the start of the licence season, the membership and/or the contractual relationship (if any) must have lasted for at least three consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the licence applicant’s men’s football first team must have participated in the official national competitions for men’s football first teams for at least three consecutive seasons (hereinafter: three-year rule)."
I take from this that the 2025 FAI Cup is Kerry's first opportunity to qualify for Europe! A supporter can dream!!! Billy Dennehy, Kerry's CEO, played in the Europa League group stage for Shamrock Rovers. He started against Spurs home and away.

Why was the 3 year rule introduced Legendz? Was that cos of wot happened with S Fingal?

[legendz]

Why was the 3 year rule introduced Legendz? Was that cos of wot happened with S Fingal?
UEFA talk about financial stability. Waterford lost out to Pat's a few years back on the 3 year rule. I don't think Sporting Fingal influenced the UEFA decision but maybe they did!

Fri 19 Apr 2019:
"The Football Association of Ireland can confirm it has received notification from UEFA’s Licensing Department that Waterford FC’s exception request has been rejected on the non-fulfilment of the three-year rule as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations," it read.

"UEFA has informed the FAI that, following the Club Financial Control Body-Investigatory Chamber decision in this case, Waterford FC may not apply for a UEFA licence for the UEFA Club Competitions for the season 2019/20."

[JC_GUFC]

1st Round Draw complete. It is the last 16 of the FAI Intermediate Cup (excluding UCD's LSL team who were replaced by Baldoyle United, the side they beat in the last 32) and last 8 of the FAI Junior Cup, so 12 ties with the winners qualifying for the 2nd round joining the 20 League of Ireland clubs.

St. Mochta's (LSL Dublin) v Douglas Hall (MSL Cork)
St. Michael's (TDSL Tipp) v Usher Celtic (LSL Dublin)
Leicester Celtic (LSL Dublin) v Fanad United (Donegal League)
Ringmahon Rangers (MSL Cork) v UCC (MSL Cork)
Tolka Rovers (LSL Dublin) v Janesboro (Limerick League)
Fairview Rangers (Limerick League) v Baldoyle United (LSL Dublin)
Crumlin United (LSL Dublin) v Lucan United (LSL Dublin)
Midleton (MSL Cork) v Killester Donneycarney (LSL Dublin)
Salthill Devon (Galway League) v Liffey Wanderers (LSL Dublin)
North End United (Wexford League) v Castlebar Celtic (Mayo League)
Wayside Celtic (LSL Dublin) v River Valley Rangers (LSL Dublin)
College Corinthians (MSL Cork) v Bangor Celtic (LSL Dublin)

[culloty82]

Is this the first time Salthill have qualified since leaving the League?

[TVFBLOCKF]

Is this the first time Salthill have qualified since leaving the League?


No, they lost to Malahide on penalties in 2022.

[Kingdom]

1st Round Draw complete. It is the last 16 of the FAI Intermediate Cup (excluding UCD's LSL team who were replaced by Baldoyle United, the side they beat in the last 32) and last 8 of the FAI Junior Cup, so 12 ties with the winners qualifying for the 2nd round joining the 20 League of Ireland clubs.

St. Mochta's (LSL Dublin) v Douglas Hall (MSL Cork)
St. Michael's (TDSL Tipp) v Usher Celtic (LSL Dublin)
Leicester Celtic (LSL Dublin) v Fanad United (Donegal League)
Ringmahon Rangers (MSL Cork) v UCC (MSL Cork)
Tolka Rovers (LSL Dublin) v Janesboro (Limerick League)
Fairview Rangers (Limerick League) v Baldoyle United (LSL Dublin)
Crumlin United (LSL Dublin) v Lucan United (LSL Dublin)
Midleton (MSL Cork) v Killester Donneycarney (LSL Dublin)
Salthill Devon (Galway League) v Liffey Wanderers (LSL Dublin)
North End United (Wexford League) v Castlebar Celtic (Mayo League)
Wayside Celtic (LSL Dublin) v River Valley Rangers (LSL Dublin)
College Corinthians (MSL Cork) v Bangor Celtic (LSL Dublin)

The big country clubs (in the main) couldn't have asked for better draws.

[Nesta99]

UEFA talk about financial stability. Waterford lost out to Pat's a few years back on the 3 year rule. I don't think Sporting Fingal influenced the UEFA decision but maybe they did!

Fri 19 Apr 2019:
"The Football Association of Ireland can confirm it has received notification from UEFA’s Licensing Department that Waterford FC’s exception request has been rejected on the non-fulfilment of the three-year rule as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations," it read.

"UEFA has informed the FAI that, following the Club Financial Control Body-Investigatory Chamber decision in this case, Waterford FC may not apply for a UEFA licence for the UEFA Club Competitions for the season 2019/20."

There is wee bit more, Waterford owner Lee Power renamed the club under the guise of big rebranding,return to past tradition etc but he also formed a new holding company to tun the club, that cut debt obligations from the newly defunct company. Waterford FC became a new debt free club and so were not the 3 years in existance needed and mentioned. As Waterford fan and former officer John Delaney was sat on UEFA council and at WFC it was believed he would clear the way for the club to play, with his cronies in NYON. He blotted his copybook and was out before he could pull his strings. It does mean that the old WFC/United, are not the same club as WFC, one closed and another opened in the main to avoid paying bills blatantly and not through receivership to give creditors a chance. Not even a phoenix club. The legacies and tophies from the 60s truly are with the old club an not the current version.

[Partizan]

There is wee bit more, Waterford owner Lee Power renamed the club under the guise of big rebranding,return to past tradition etc but he also formed a new holding company to tun the club, that cut debt obligations from the newly defunct company. Waterford FC became a new debt free club and so were not the 3 years in existance needed and mentioned. As Waterford fan and former officer John Delaney was sat on UEFA council and at WFC it was believed he would clear the way for the club to play, with his cronies in NYON. He blotted his copybook and was out before he could pull his strings. It does mean that the old WFC/United, are not the same club as WFC, one closed and another opened in the main to avoid paying bills blatantly and not through receivership to give creditors a chance. Not even a phoenix club. The legacies and tophies from the 60s truly are with the old club an not the current version.

Different holding company/business entity, same club. The issue was with the legal holding company that had to have been in existence for three years. That's where we fell down on.

As for the League, FAI Cup, League Cup, First Division, Munster Senior Cup, U-21 etc. honours from 1930 to 2016, we still have them and they are still credited to Waterford FC by the FAI. That's good enough for us.

[Nesta99]

That would be the FAI run by John Delaney until 2019 3 years beyond when the new club was formed. Yup credit where its due, a proud tradition passed on by decent folk!

[EatYerGreens]

That would be the FAI run by John Delaney until 2019 3 years beyond when the new club was formed. Yup credit where its due, a proud tradition passed on by decent folk!

There's clearly continuity between the former and current versions of Waterford.

There are plenty of clubs all arouhd Europe in a similar situation, and the convention is that if there is clear continuity in tersm of stadium, players, name, colours, fams etc etc then it's the same club - even if operating within a different legal shell. The CRO does not determine who owns the history/trophies in Irish football.

[2 Year Contract]

Anyone see anything about the St Michael's vs Usher Celtic game? It’s down as a 3-0 St Michael's win on FAI Connect, down as "Cancelled" when you google it and down as "Awarded win" on LiveScore but I don’t see any confirmation or announcement from the FAI on it

[Nesta99]

Yeah its very LSC, if clubs dont or cant fulfill fixtures is there an argument that they dont get a berth subsequently?

[Shearer]

Anyone see anything about the St Michael's vs Usher Celtic game? It’s down as a 3-0 St Michael's win on FAI Connect, down as "Cancelled" when you google it and down as "Awarded win" on LiveScore but I don’t see any confirmation or announcement from the FAI on it
A walkover I'd say. I don't think the FAI would have wanted to draw attention to it.

The amateur teams don't care much about the competition unless it's a glamour tie, obviously.

[2 Year Contract]

A walkover I'd say. I don't think the FAI would have wanted to draw attention to it.

The amateur teams don't care much about the competition unless it's a glamour tie, obviously.
I get that it looks bad but as a matter of fairness and transparency to the other sides in the competition they should really acknowledge it rather than sweeping it under the carpet.

Anyways, we now have the sides for the second round confirmed after today’s first round results.

Bangor Celtic (Dublin)
Castlebar Celtic (Mayo)
Crumlin United (Dublin)
Fairview Rangers (Limerick)
Killester Donnycarny (Dublin)
Leicester Celtic (Dublin)
Salthill Devon (Galway)
St Michael's (Tipperary)
St Mochta's (Dublin)
Tolka Rovers (Dublin)
Wayside Celtic (Dublin)
UCC (Cork)

Are the teams that will join the 20 LOI sides in the second round. Draw will take place on the 5th of June and fixtures to take place 18/19/20 July

[cláirseach]

As far as a group of LSL sides go that's not bad - most of those are nice to visit, obviously bar Leicester. Tolka Rovers & Killester are particularly pleasant.

[EatYerGreens]

I get that it looks bad but as a matter of fairness and transparency to the other sides in the competition they should really acknowledge it rather than sweeping it under the carpet.

Anyways, we now have the sides for the second round confirmed after today’s first round results.

Bangor Celtic (Dublin)
Castlebar Celtic (Mayo)
Crumlin United (Dublin)
Fairview Rangers (Limerick)
Killester Donnycarny (Dublin)
Leicester Celtic (Dublin)
Salthill Devon (Galway)
St Michael's (Tipperary)
St Mochta's (Dublin)
Tolka Rovers (Dublin)
Wayside Celtic (Dublin)
UCC (Cork)

Are the teams that will join the 20 LOI sides in the second round. Draw will take place on the 5th of June and fixtures to take place 18/19/20 July

What happened to the Donegal cliubs this year (e.g. Cockhill)? Usuually at least one makes it through.

[2 Year Contract]

What happened to the Donegal cliubs this year (e.g. Cockhill)? Usuually at least one makes it through.
Fanad United were the only Donegal club in the first round this year and were beaten 2-1 by Leicester Celtic today

[Kingdom]

As far as a group of LSL sides go that's not bad - most of those are nice to visit, obviously bar Leicester. Tolka Rovers & Killester are particularly pleasant.

Do Leicester play on that astro beside where the schoolboy set-up is, or do they use the SDCC astro in Marley Pk?


Fanad United were the only Donegal club in the first round this year and were beaten 2-1 by Leicester Celtic today

I was surprised to see they'd knocked out Fanad - is the years of good work underage paying off for the Leicester Senior side and would being a Rovers affiliate team have any impact on the quality of player playing senior football for them?

[2 Year Contract]

Do Leicester play on that astro beside where the schoolboy set-up is, or do they use the SDCC astro in Marley Pk?



I was surprised to see they'd knocked out Fanad - is the years of good work underage paying off for the Leicester Senior side and would being a Rovers affiliate team have any impact on the quality of player playing senior football for them?

They play on the Astro at Loreto Park beside the nutgrove shopping centre. Their team has no ex LOI academy or ex senior LOI players either

[WeAreRovers]

Leicester Celtic play at Damian Duff Park at the back of Nutgrove.

[Martinho II]

Leicester Celtic play at Damian Duff Park at the back of Nutgrove.

didnt know there was a Damien Duff park??

[Burnsie]

ironically, it doesn't have any wings. The pitch is 49 metres wide. Look it up on Google maps if you want a laugh

[nigel-harps1954]

Do Leicester play on that astro beside where the schoolboy set-up is, or do they use the SDCC astro in Marley Pk?



I was surprised to see they'd knocked out Fanad - is the years of good work underage paying off for the Leicester Senior side and would being a Rovers affiliate team have any impact on the quality of player playing senior football for them?

Fanad were missing a few key players, to be fair. They were bitterly disappointed to lose that one.

[Burnsie]

went along myself for a look, albeit i missed the first 25 minutes or so. From what I saw, Leicester were worth it on the day and might have been further ahead before Fanad pulled one back with 10 left and put on a bit of late pressure. To be honest the standard was poor and you'll see far stronger junior and intermediate sides than those so you'd fear for Leicester in the next round.

[nr637]

What happened to the Donegal cliubs this year (e.g. Cockhill)? Usuually at least one makes it through.

Fairview Rangers have a great setup, facilities on and off the pitch. The Fairview stadium gives fans a choice of a 250 approximate covered seating stand, covered terracing opposite seated stand, while there is plenty of viewing around an enclosed pitch and an excellent clubhouse bar offering all the necessary facilities.

[bohsmug]

Fairview Rangers have a great setup, facilities on and off the pitch. The Fairview stadium gives fans a choice of a 250 approximate covered seating stand, covered terracing opposite seated stand, while there is plenty of viewing around an enclosed pitch and an excellent clubhouse bar offering all the necessary facilities.

Just had a google there, very nice. If Treaty could get the money together something like that main stand would make a big improvement to any section of the ground really. Modest capacity as it is. To be fair would make a big improvement in a lot of grounds.

Not sure how accurate it is but their chairman said the capacity of the stand was 340/350 in this interview: https://www.live95fm.ie/news/sport/fairview-rangers-unveil-new-fairgreen-facilities-in-glamour-friendly-with-treaty-united/

EDIT: After getting a better look at it, it's not quite what I first thought. Presume they did a bit of work on a pre-existing structure. Either way it's a tidy job.

[2 Year Contract]

Just had a google there, very nice. If Treaty could get the money together something like that main stand would make a big improvement to any section of the ground really. Modest capacity as it is. To be fair would make a big improvement in a lot of grounds.

Not sure how accurate it is but their chairman said the capacity of the stand was 340/350 in this interview: https://www.live95fm.ie/news/sport/fairview-rangers-unveil-new-fairgreen-facilities-in-glamour-friendly-with-treaty-united/

EDIT: After getting a better look at it, it's not quite what I first thought. Presume they did a bit of work on a pre-existing structure. Either way it's a tidy job.

Bit of good old fashioned spoofing from him there. Just looked up a picture of the stand and there are 3 blocks of 87 seats totalling its capacity at 261. Still a very good little facility all the same

[thebronze14]

Do Leicester play on that astro beside where the schoolboy set-up is, or do they use the SDCC astro in Marley Pk?



I was surprised to see they'd knocked out Fanad - is the years of good work underage paying off for the Leicester Senior side and would being a Rovers affiliate team have any impact on the quality of player playing senior football for them?

I believe Fanad had a lot of players injured and away

[cláirseach]

What happened to the Donegal cliubs this year (e.g. Cockhill)? Usuually at least one makes it through.

USL gone and a lot less reliable to progress through the Junior route than through the Intermediate Cup route.

[placid casual]

Draw for the 2nd round today at 1pm.
I'm expecting Rovers to get one of Bohs,Derry, Dundalk or Shel's away and thus their cup chances will evaporate for another year :)

[culloty82]

Women's Cup draw made first:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GsrdOxVWMAAdkOr.jpg?name=small&format=webp

[2 Year Contract]

Think all the big boys will be happy with their draws. Increases the inevitable of some big games in the next round

[culloty82]

Men's Draw:

Shamrock Rovers vs Wexford
Dundalk vs Sligo Rovers
Fairview Rangers vs Shelbourne
Cork City vs Leicester Celtic
Finn Harps vs UCD
Bray Wanderers vs Wayside Celtic
Kerry vs Athlone Town
St Pats vs UCC
Salthill Devon vs St Michael's
Galway United vs Tolka Rovers
Bangor Celtic vs Cobh Ramblers
Castlebar Celtic vs Longford Town
Killester Donnycarney vs Bohemians
Waterford vs St Mochta's
Treaty United vs Derry City
Drogheda United vs Crumlin United

No standout tie, but Dundalk vs Sligo looks intriguing, and of the non-league vs LoI matchups, Castlebar could prove the trickiest banana skin.

[EatYerGreens]

Men's Draw:

Shamrock Rovers vs Wexford
Dundalk vs Sligo Rovers
Fairview Rangers vs Shelbourne
Cork City vs Leicester Celtic
Finn Harps vs UCD
Bray Wanderers vs Wayside Celtic
Kerry vs Athlone Town
St Pats vs UCC
Salthill Devon vs St Michael's
Galway United vs Tolka Rovers
Bangor Celtic vs Cobh Ramblers
Castlebar Celtic vs Longford Town
Killester Donnycarney vs Bohemians
Waterford vs St Mochta's
Treaty United vs Derry City
Drogheda United vs Crumlin United

No standout tie, but Dundalk vs Sligo looks intriguing, and of the non-league vs LoI matchups, Castlebar could prove the trickiest banana skin.

Date for the fixtures?

[culloty82]

Weekend of July 20.

[Buckett]

Men's Draw:

Shamrock Rovers vs Wexford
Dundalk vs Sligo Rovers
Fairview Rangers vs Shelbourne
Cork City vs Leicester Celtic
Finn Harps vs UCD
Bray Wanderers vs Wayside Celtic
Kerry vs Athlone Town
St Pats vs UCC
Salthill Devon vs St Michael's
Galway United vs Tolka Rovers
Bangor Celtic vs Cobh Ramblers
Castlebar Celtic vs Longford Town
Killester Donnycarney vs Bohemians
Waterford vs St Mochta's
Treaty United vs Derry City
Drogheda United vs Crumlin United

No standout tie, but Dundalk vs Sligo looks intriguing, and of the non-league vs LoI matchups, Castlebar could prove the trickiest banana skin.

Unlike the other non league teams, Castlebar will be mid season.

[Martinho II]

Unlike the other non league teams, Castlebar will be mid season.

Last time we met Castlebar Celtic was in League Cup in 92/93 season I would imagine that there will be huge interest in this one! Think ex town player Stephie Gavin is their mgr. Wots Castlebars ground like does anyone know?

[yurt]

Could have done with 1 all premier tie to have a stand out fixture. But happy enough that this should mean we don't have any teams getting an easy ride to a semi final like we have in recent seasons.

10/11 of the best teams in the country should all make their way into the final 16. Which will mean we're set for some great cup ties throughout the rest of the competition.

Is there a game from this round scheduled for RTE? Hard to look past the Dundalk v Sligo game if there is

[D24Saint]

Could have done with 1 all premier tie to have a stand out fixture. But happy enough that this should mean we don't have any teams getting an easy ride to a semi final like we have in recent seasons.

10/11 of the best teams in the country should all make their way into the final 16. Which will mean we're set for some great cup ties throughout the rest of the competition.

Is there a game from this round scheduled for RTE? Hard to look past the Dundalk v Sligo game if there is

From what I've seen online there is no TV game scheduled for this round.

[WeAreRovers]

2nd Round coverage from next year -

2025’s coverage will begin in the Third Round followed by two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and the Final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 9 capturing the the magic of the Cup right the way through.

The 2026 competition will then see RTÉ broadcast from the Second Round all of the way to the Final including the Third Round, two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and the Final.

[sbgawa]

From Rovers point of view our best draw in years, Was it last year we were playing Bohs away on the Sunday in between rounds in Europe.
Not saying Wexford will be a definite win but at least its at home and agaisnt a team we SHOULD be beating.

Bray v Wayside celtic is a local derby with plenty of pllayers who will know each other well.

[2 Year Contract]

Bray v Wayside celtic is a local derby with plenty of pllayers who will know each other well.

Just had a look at the Wayside team and bar 1 lad that played for Bray’s under 15s in 2018, they’ve no players with any LOI underage experience. The average age of their team is late 20s compared to Bray’s team made up of lads in their early 20s or teenagers. I’d be surprised if any of the players on opposing teams knew each other at all.


Delighted with Pats drawing UCC at home, having been dished out 6 away draws in a row in the cup before this

[Shearer]

Just had a look at the Wayside team and bar 1 lad that played for Bray’s under 15s in 2018, they’ve no players with any LOI underage experience. The average age of their team is late 20s compared to Bray’s team made up of lads in their early 20s or teenagers. I’d be surprised if any of the players on opposing teams knew each other at all.


Delighted with Pats drawing UCC at home, having been dished out 6 away draws in a row in the cup before this
Dean Zambra and Luke Clucas both played Senior League of Ireland.

[Buckett]

Last time we met Castlebar Celtic was in League Cup in 92/93 season I would imagine that there will be huge interest in this one! Think ex town player Stephie Gavin is their mgr. Wots Castlebars ground like does anyone know?

It's a fairly tight ground, no shelter, but there are steps on the clubhouse side. Nice clubhouse with a bar. Lovely ground for junior football but I'd doubt you could fit more than 1,500 people in there. Close to the centre of the town too

[2 Year Contract]

Dean Zambra and Luke Clucas both played Senior League of Ireland.

Good shouts, I was basing it off Wayside’s most recent match on LOI Connect and neither were in the squad. And it now also dawns on me that I was looking at their Saturday team rather than the Sunday one! Neither of those 2 have played LOI since 4 years ago, would either of them have played with any of the current Bray squad?

[sbgawa]

A lot of connections with cabo and braybare full of cabo people these days. I was at the wayside v wexford match last year and a lot of the local cabo bray people/ players were there for it.
Wayside are one of the closest teams to cabo, they are a brilliant old club with fantastic facilities . Senegal are training ipnthere apparently

[Shearer]

Good shouts, I was basing it off Wayside’s most recent match on LOI Connect and neither were in the squad. And it now also dawns on me that I was looking at their Saturday team rather than the Sunday one! Neither of those 2 have played LOI since 4 years ago, would either of them have played with any of the current Bray squad?
Assuming you were on fai connect that was their Major Saturday team you may have been looking at.