Big guns face early Cup exit

ONE of the Premier Division's top two will fall at the first hurdle in the FAI Cup as St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk were paired with each other in the draw for the third round.

One of two all-Premier battles along with the Drogheda United-UCD tie, the Dundalk-Pats tie at Oriel is the pick of the draw and hands the Saints a tough test to the Cup campaign as they try to land the trophy for the first time since 1961.

Other Premier Division sides have been given what appear to be handy ties, with Bohemians drawn away to non-league side Glenville, from Palmerstown in Dublin, with Shamrock Rovers are at home to Wexford Youths and Sporting Fingal at home to Mervue United. There will be at least one non-league side in the fourth round as Dublin club Belgrove were paired with Avondale.

FAI FORD CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW

Belgrove v Avondale United, FC Carlow v Monaghan United, Cork v Bluebell United, Derry City v Bray Wanderers, Drogheda United v UCD, Dundalk v St Pats, Dublin Bus v Shelbourne, Finn Harps v Crumlin United/Bonagee United, Galway United v Malahide United, Glenville v Bohemians, Limerick v Tolka Rovers/Tralee D, Longford Town v, Waterford United, Shamrock Rovers v Wexford Youths, Sligo Rovers v Athlone Town, Sporting Fingal v Mervue United, Tullamore Town v Salthill Devon.

p Ties to be played on weekend of June 6th