2025 FAI Cup

**culloty82** · 18/07/2025, 9:10 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The only game of the night that seems to have been remotely competitive

Which is odd, as yourselves and UCD were also on a par in terms of league places going into your tie, but yeah, all the other eight games looked like mismatches on paper, even if the first halves were fairly tight.

**nigel-harps1954** · 18/07/2025, 9:28 PM

Harps were really excellent tonight. Idir Zerrouk and Hans Mpongo were a real handful for UCD in attack and Corey Sheridan didn't have a save to make at the other end.
If we could take that into league form that would be just swell.

**legendz** · 18/07/2025, 9:28 PM

Dramatic night in MH Park. Kerry maintain their 100% record of getting through to the Last 16!

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 18/07/2025, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The only game of the night that seems to have been remotely competitive

Competitive game in Oriel as we were brutal and really couldn’t handle the surface. Couple of nice goals at the start of the second half. Dundalk should have scored right on half time. And Seargeant made a couple of good saves and they made a balls of when we played their striker clean through in the second half. Still at least we didn’t lose to a first division team yet like we normally do.

**Kiki Balboa** · 18/07/2025, 10:44 PM

Shades of last year for Dundalk tonight. Just making it see winning is so difficult, despite all the good play. Over the last two weeks, created enough clear opportunities to score 10, and yet scored none.

Bit surprised at Sligo, thought for a team that beat Derry last week, they were poor. Felt like their only shots were the two goals. They went long to Elding a lot, who didnt win much. Although, they just had more firepower were it mattered.

The no. 9 and their right full-back in particular were way off it. Barely First Division players.

Wouldn't be that surprised if they ended up in the play-off and lost. Certainly beatable.

Hakiki is a fantastic player, and was wasted by Jon Daly at Dundalk last year. Him with the ball at his feet is a joy to watch.

At least Dundalk are creating chances...

**EatYerGreens** · 18/07/2025, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by nr637

Games weekend 18th/19th/20th July

FAI Cup 2nd Round

Friday 18th July

Shamrock Rovers v Wexford
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
Finn Harps v UCD
Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic
Kerry vs Athlone Town
Galway United v Tolka Rovers
Killester Donnycarney v Bohemians
Waterford v St Mochta's
Treaty United v Derry City
Drogheda United v Crumlin United

Saturday 19th July

Cork City v Leicester Celtic
Salthill Devon v St Michael's

Sunday 20th July

Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town
St Pats v UCC
Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers
Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne

Isn't the Fairview-Shels game on Saturday (tomorrow), rather than Sunday?

**outspoken** · 18/07/2025, 11:32 PM

Dundalk the better team first half, Harry Groome missed an absolute sitter last kick of first half. Got to be taking those chances. Two incredible goals from Sligo who looked comfortable once they got in front. Dundalk definitely lacking in squad depth.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 19/07/2025, 5:36 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

Shades of last year for Dundalk tonight. Just making it see winning is so difficult, despite all the good play. Over the last two weeks, created enough clear opportunities to score 10, and yet scored none.

Bit surprised at Sligo, thought for a team that beat Derry last week, they were poor. Felt like their only shots were the two goals. They went long to Elding a lot, who didnt win much. Although, they just had more firepower were it mattered.

The no. 9 and their right full-back in particular were way off it. Barely First Division players.

Wouldn't be that surprised if they ended up in the play-off and lost. Certainly beatable.

Hakiki is a fantastic player, and was wasted by Jon Daly at Dundalk last year. Him with the ball at his feet is a joy to watch.

At least Dundalk are creating chances...

We’d be a lot better on the pitch in Tallaght I would hope. Our form has gotten a lot better at home since our own pitch became playable.

**culloty82** · 19/07/2025, 8:04 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Isn't the Fairview-Shels game on Saturday (tomorrow), rather than Sunday?

As indeed is Bangor vs Cobh, according to FAI Connect.

**redarmyfaction** · 19/07/2025, 8:47 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

Bit surprised at Sligo, thought for a team that beat Derry last week, they were poor. Felt like their only shots were the two goals. They went long to Elding a lot, who didnt win much. Although, they just had more firepower were it mattered.

..

We played Derry on a pitch, conducting quantum physics in no man's land is another requirement.

**nr637** · 19/07/2025, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

As indeed is Bangor vs Cobh, according to FAI Connect.

Thanks for the update

**nr637** · 19/07/2025, 9:10 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Isn't the Fairview-Shels game on Saturday (tomorrow), rather than Sunday?

Thanks for the update.

**Thewhitepele** · 19/07/2025, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by redarmyfaction

We played Derry on a pitch, conducting quantum physics in no man's land is another requirement.

The Sligo Rovers players and fans had no clue where any ball was going to bounce in the first half. While Sligo Rovers have been poor at times this season the pitch was the real leveler here. Seemed to get to grips with the pitch in the second half but fans and management will be happy to be out the door with the win.

**Kiki Balboa** · 19/07/2025, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by redarmyfaction

We played Derry on a pitch, conducting quantum physics in no man's land is another requirement.

The amount of crying Sligo fans do about everything is a sight to behold.

Has to be the wingiest fans on the island.

How come Dundalk (and many other teams this season) were able to pass the ball if the pitch was the entrance to the Netherworld?

**Another Bohemia** · 19/07/2025, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

The amount of crying Sligo fans do about everything is a sight to behold.

Has to be the wingiest fans on the island.

How come Dundalk (and many other teams this season) were able to pass the ball if the pitch was the entrance to the Netherworld?

Whatever about Sligo fans moaning, without even watching the game I'd wager they're right about the pitch. It was a disgrace of a pitch when Dundalk were in their pomp and I doubt financial troubles has helped with its upkeep and maintenance.

**nigel-harps1954** · 19/07/2025, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

The amount of crying Sligo fans do about everything is a sight to behold.

Has to be the wingiest fans on the island.

How come Dundalk (and many other teams this season) were able to pass the ball if the pitch was the entrance to the Netherworld?

Dundalk fans are just used to it. Oriels pitch is a total shambles.

While being aware there are plenty of other surfaces across the league that aren't great, Finn Park included, Oriel is on another planet when it comes to horrendous pitches.

**outspoken** · 19/07/2025, 10:49 AM

I didn't think it played any worse last night than usual, the bounce is an utter laugh though.

**2 Year Contract** · 19/07/2025, 10:49 AM

That 97th minute free kick equaliser from Joe Adams for Kerry was top class

**nigel-harps1954** · 19/07/2025, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

I didn't think it played any worse last night than usual, the bounce is an utter laugh though.

Yeah, but you can be lumped into the gang of people used to it since youre practically a Dundalk man now too

**mcgonigle** · 19/07/2025, 11:18 AM

Oriel pitch is terrible we all know that. But I think the Sligo players and management will be delighted that they are getting a pass from fans here for a very poor performance. Got out of jail last night and were second best for the majority and that wasn't because of the pitch. With better finishing and without a couple of good saves from Seargent, Sligo were going out