FAI Cup Overview

The FAI Cup, Ireland's premier knockout club competition and one of Europe's oldest, returns with its second round this coming weekend. First played in 1921 as the Irish Free State Cup, the Football Association of Ireland Senior Challenge Cup, to give it its full title, has been around longer than the likes of the Coppa Italia, DFB-Pokal and Taca de Portugal. In fact, the FAI Cup was one of the first knockout cup competitions to be formed after the first world war, so it is a tournament steeped in history and tadition.

The second round is the juncture that sees the League of Ireland clubs enter the competition, with the 20 league clubs joining the 12 non-league teams who have already set out on their quest to reach November's final at the home of Irish football, the national Aviva Stadium.

Irish football is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment with the domestic game booming with sold out matches, record attendances and increased TV, radio and general media coverage. We recently told the story of Shelbourne's incredible rise from the ashes of relegation and near financial ruin to becoming champions last season under ex-Chelsea man Damien Duff, who has played a huge part in the surge in popularity for the LOI.

𝘾𝙪𝙥 𝙁𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 ❤️🖤

With focus on the FAI Cup this week, we take you back to preparations in 2003 as De Town were getting set to face St. Patrick's Athletic at Lansdowne Road...

The magic of the cup was in full swing 🏆#Town2025 I #CmonDeTown | 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/dyHZrrSxED

— Longford Town FC (@LongfordTownFC) July 16, 2025

Further proof of the added interest in the LOI, which has for many decades had to play second fiddle in the eyes of the sporting public to the English Premier League and Gaelic Games, is the fact that the last two FAI Cup finals have set record breaking attendance figures. The 2023 final between Dublin rivals St. Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians was witnessed by 43,881, while last year's final set a record attendance for a final involving two teams from outside of the capital as 43,881 turned out to watch Drogheda United defeat Derry City.

On a side note, Drogheda United qualified for Europe thanks to that 2-0 win in the final, but have since fallen foul of the same multi-club owner rule that saw Crystal Palace kicked out of the Europa League. Unfortunately for Drogheda, who's Danish sister club Silkeborg IF are also due to compete in Europe next season, a place in the UEFA Conference League was the prize for winning the FAI Cup last season, so they were booted out of Europe altogether by UEFA, becoming the first ever club to be removed from a European competition under said rule.

This season's FAI Cup is being described as the most lucrative ever, as the winner of the 2025 edition will earn a place in the Europa League qualifiers thanks to the LOI's improved performances in Europe in recent years, with the league now inside the top 32 on UEFA's coefficient table.

So, with all of that in mind, here's a game by game guide to the second round, which starts on Friday and runs right through the weekend into Sunday. The vast majority of these matches will be available to watch live on the league's official streaming platform, LOI TV.

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Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Fri, 7.45, Oriel Park

We will start with the tie of the round as First Division (second-tier) leaders Dundalk hosts relegation threatened Sligo Rovers from the Premier Division. When I say relegation threatened, that possibility has become more remote in recent weeks with the Bit O'Red showing much improved form in the top-flight, which Dundalk were relegated themselves from last year.

If you've followed Irish football at all in the last decade or so, you'll be well familiar with Dundalk FC, who made international headlines in 2016, thanks to an inspired run into the Europa League group stages under future Ireland manager, Stephen Kenny. Even after Kenny's departure to take up the top job in the country, Dundalk became the first Irish club to reach the group stages twice, earning a place in a group containing Arsenal in 2020.

When Dundalk knocked out Sligo Rovers at the death in the 2019 Semi-Final 🤯

The two meet again in the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup on Friday night in Oriel. pic.twitter.com/BY6Zg2otOM

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) July 15, 2025

However, financial mismanagement almost saw Dundalk disappear entirely last year, only for a local businessman to step in and save the club at the eleventh hour. John Temple's purchase of the club didn't come in time to save the Lilywhites from the drop, but he has given new manager Ciaran Kilduff, part of that famous 2016 side, the tools required to compete for an instant return to the Premier Division.

Kilduff, who scored a famous late equaliser away to AZ Alkmaar in that 2016 Europa League group stage appearance, was appointed after winning the Women's Premier Division with Athlone Town for the first time in the Westmeath clubs history, and he has adapted to the men's game brilliantly with Dundalk losing just two of 23 league games under him.

Despite that, Dundalk remain just four points clear of second and six points ahead of third-placed Bray Wanderers, who beat a wasteful Dundalk on Friday. The Louthmen have not been clinical or put enough games to bed this season and as a result, they are being pushed by part-time teams despite the fact they are the First Divisions only full-time outfit.

All ten Premier Division teams are full-time professional outfits and as a result, there is a big gulf in the quality between the two divisions. Sligo, who sit second-bottom in the Premier Division, which may see them having to enter a play-off with the First Division play-off winners at the end of the season to decide who gets that top-flight spot, have been beaten in just one of their last five games.

𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 📝

12-time champions.
A team ready to write their own history.

It all starts Friday night under the lights at Oriel.

🎫 https://t.co/nUTOgWGLk5 #Cmonthetown | #DLK2025 pic.twitter.com/F1RxRdBNUt

— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) July 15, 2025

On Friday, they took a huge stride towards avoiding automatic relegation by defeating title chasing Derry City, a result that moved Sligo eight points clear of crisis club, Cork City. In their previous outing, Derry had beaten Waterford 7-2. In Sligo's previous start, they took a well deserved point off the title favourites and league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

If Sligo play anywhere near the level shown in their last two games, they'll have far too much for Dundalk.

Verdict: Sligo Rovers

Drogheda United v Crumlin, Fri, 7.45, Sullivan & Lambe Park

The cup holders have been given a cushy first round assignment as they host non-league opposition in the shape of Crumlin. While Crumlin are one of the Leinster Senior League's top sides (the best non-league competition - there is no direct pyramid in the Republic of Ireland) the gulf between the league clubs and those who play outside it is widening by the season.

Drogheda do not play a league game again this month, so expect them to go full strength and win this comfortably.

Verdict: Drogheda United

Treaty United v Derry City, Fri, 7.45, Market Fields

A repeat of the semi-final from 2022 which was won by Derry, albeit not in the comfortable fashion many expected. Treaty United are enjoying a good campaign in the second tier, but they are barely semi-pro in terms of their squad makeup while Derry City have one of the biggest budgets in Ireland.

City should have no issue advancing here and have a good cup pedigree, going on to win the cup in 2022 after beating the Limerick side in the last four.

Verdict: Derry City

Galway United v Tolka Rovers, Fri, 7.45, Eamonn Deacy Park

The home team are suffering a drop off of late after a hugely successful return to the top-flight last season. With just a few games remaining last season Galway were genuinely in the title discussion. However, they eventually finished a highly respectable fifth.

At present, the Tribesmen are only 8th of ten teams in the Premier Division, with the loss of star striker Moses Dyer to Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown coming as a huge set back.

However, this is a great chance for Galway to keep their season alive with non-league opposition coming to the West of Ireland venue. Galway are one of the league's most physical sides and Tolka Rovers most likely won't be able to cope with that.

Verdict: Galway United

The FAI Cup starts all over again on Friday, what's your favourite United moment in the cup? 🏆

Tickets for Tolka Rovers 🎟️👉 https://t.co/92Qzjly2xn#ItsATribalThing | #GUFC2025 | #UnitedAsOne | Partners: @CoppFur pic.twitter.com/gXojc7fANT

— Gaillimh Aontaithe 🇱🇻 (@GalwayUnitedFC) July 14, 2025

Kerry FC v Athlone Town, Fri, 7.45, Mounthawk Park

A meeting of the First Division's bottom two.

Kerry FC, the league's newest entity having only joined in 2023, have regressed massively in recent weeks with four consecutive losses and the concession of 11 goals in their last three. Athlone are rock bottom with a new manager and owners unable to lift them from the foot in recent weeks.

Defensively, these are two of the worst teams in the entire country, which will hopefully mean plenty of goals in this one. Athlone showed better signs in their scoreless draw against Wexford FC last week, and Kerry couldn't have defended worse in their latest defeat to Longford, with their goalkeeping situation now a major concern after their apparent number two made a string of errors, after being brought in for their number one in that game.

This may be a rare but good time to side with Athlone.

Verdict: Athlone Town

Killester v Bohemians, Fri, 7.45, Dalymount Park

Bohemians went viral after the release of their Oasis jersey recently but on the pitch they've been electric of late. Friday's 3-0 win at home to Galway lifted the Gypsies to second and they'll be hoping for another good cup run this year having lost the final in 2023.

This is an ideal starting point on that quest as they take on non-league opposition. The game is taking place at Bohemians home ground due to Killester's ground not meeting FAI requirements. Expect a big Bohs win.

Verdict: Bohemians

Finn Harps v UCD AFC, Fri, 7.45, Finn Park

UCD beat Finn Harps comfortably in the league on Friday but now they travel to Donegal where the pitch must be of huge concern.

The Finn Park playing surface is tight and bobbly, and UCD are a possession based team whose form suffered when their own patch was in poor condition in the early part of the year.

Since the UCD Bowl pitch was repaired UCD's form has improved so they could have done with a home draw here. Finn Harps are a rather limited outfit but UCD have been dealt a blow ahead of this tie with the news that star midfielder Sean Brennan is leaving to join Bray.

This is arguably the toughest tie of the second-round to call.

Verdict: Draw

Waterford FC v St Mochtas, Fri, 7.45, RSC

Waterford, now managed by former Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman, defeated local rivals Cork City 2-0 in the Munster Derby on Friday. Their attack is spearheaded by former Newport striker Padraig Amond who, even at 37, is still the best frontman in the country. He's the Premier Division's top scorer, and the league class will see Waterford through here against non-league opposition.

Verdict: Waterford

Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic, Fri, 7.45, Carlisle Grounds

Bray will be boosted ahead of this local derby by their win at home to league leaders Dundalk last time and the signing of UCD star man, Sean Brennan. Bray sit just six points off the top in the second-tier and have been lighting it up with their young talent this year. Billie O'Neill is being linked to some huge European clubs and could have a field day against the non-leaguers here.

Verdict: Bray Wanderers

Shamrock Rovers v Wexford FC, Fri, 7.45, Tallaght Stadium

Premier Division leaders against First Division strugglers, this could be a cricket score.

Not much else to be said, really. We don't see Wexford putting up much of a fight here.

Verdict: Shamrock Rovers

In this week’s 32-page edition of Seagulls Scene for @waysideceltic in the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup.

🟢 From the Dug-out - Paul Heffernan
🟢 Player interview – Danú Kinsella-Bishop
🟢 Michael Duffy - on this day
🟢 Match previews
🟢 Bray player stats 2025 season
🟢… pic.twitter.com/xJlKifo6V2

— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) July 16, 2025

Cork City v Leicester Celtic, Sat, 12:00, Turners Cross

Cork City are in a state of crisis right now. Bottom of the Premier Division and staring relegation in the face, their fans are also restless with a number of supporters confronting players and staff following last week's derby defeat to Waterford. Calls for the club owner to go are growing with the league's most expensive ticket prices one of the reasons for his unpopularity.

A small crowd is expected for this unglamorous tie, with little known non-league opposition, but those who do turn out should see a rare Cork City win.

Verdict: Cork City

Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers, Sat, 3.00

Cobh Ramblers missed a huge chance on Friday to move to within one point of league leaders Dundalk, when the Rams suffered defeat in a Munster derby away to Treaty United.

Ramblers invested heavily this season in a bid to push for promotion and are well positioned in second at this stage of the season. A cup run would be a bonus for them, and they have been handed a second-round tie against a non-league team.

Verdict: Cobh Ramblers

Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne, Sat, 6:00, Limerick

At the time of writing, Shelbourne are currently winning in the UEFA Champions League away to Linfield. The Reds are the League of Ireland champions and are taking on non-league opposition. There will be no giant killing here - the gulf in standard is far too high.

Verdict: Shelbourne

Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town, Sun, 5:00, Mayo

When this draw was made, many would have circled this fixture as the potential upset. However, Longford Town have shown improved form in recent weeks with just one defeat in six. They scored three against Kerry on Saturday, and arguably should have scored more.

Castlebar play in a very weak league, winning their most recent game 13-0. Again, the gulf in standard is huge. Longford, a First Division team, have great cup pedigree, winning it back-to-back in 2003/04.

Verdict: Longford Town

St. Patrick's Athletic v UCC, Sunday, 6.00, Richmond Park

Like Fairview Rangers v Shamrock Rovers, this cup tie sees a European team in St. Pat's taking on non-leaguers. Pat's, managed by former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, reached the UEFA Conference League play-off round last year, where they went down on their sword against Istanbul Başakşehir.

The Saints currently lead Lithuanian opposition 1-0 on aggregate in the UECL qualifiers before a second leg on Thursday. They'll rest players for this as a result, but they've got a stacked squad and should score some goals after a lean spell of late.

Verdict: St.Pat's