Bohemians and Shelbourne, each a finalist in the Men’s FAI Cup over the past two years, have been drawn together in the first round of the competition, now sponsored for the next three years by Sports Direct.
Shamrock Rovers face a trappy away trip to Dundalk and holder Derry City will also be on the road away to Athlone Town.
There are three all non-League of Ireland ties from the 16 games to have been drawn earlier today.
The First Round games are scheduled to take place on the week ending Sunday, July 23 with the Final in Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 12.
In the Women’s FAI Cup, current holders Shelbourne will begin their defence of the trophy in the Quarter-Finals after receiving a bye.
The stand-out tie from the First Round will see two-time winners Peamount United come up against Treaty United.
Six-times Cup winners Shamrock Rovers are back involved in the competition for the first time since 2013 and they will provide a big day out for the non-league hopefuls of Killester Donnycarney on the opposite side of the city.
The opening games in the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup will be played on the week ending Sunday, August 27 with all sights set on reaching the Final on Sunday, November 5.
2023 Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup – First Round
Galway United v Bangor Celtic
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers
Bohemians v Shelbourne
Portlaoise v Skerries Town
Kerry FC v Ringmahon Rangers
Treaty United v Cork City
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers
Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers
Lucan United v St. Patrick’s CY
Gorey Rangers v Rockmount
Derry City v Athlone Town
Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps
Wexford v Avondale United
St. Michael’s v Waterford
Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic
UCD v Cobh Ramblers
2023 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup – First Round
Treaty United v Peamount United
DLR Waves v Wexford Youths
Sligo Rovers v Bonagee United
Shamrock Rovers v Killester Donnycarney
Terenure Rangers v Cork City
Cabinteely v Bohemians
Athlone Town v Galway United
*Shelbourne received a bye to the quarter-finals
Sport for Business Perspective
The magic of the Cup is that anything can happen and the Final of the Men’s competition at the Aviva Stadium is one of the most colourful and atmospheric dates in the sporting calendar.
The excitement can start to build now with each of the teams knowing their first round opponents and the big Dublin Derby does stand out as being a cracker.
