Cork City drawn away to Shamrock Rovers in a repeat of last season's FAI Cup final

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026 - 13:05

Dylan O’ Connell

Cork City will open their FAI Cup campaign with a repeat of last year's final against Shamrock Rovers, this time at Tallaght Stadium on the weekend of July 17-19.

Cobh Ramblers are also on the road, with Fran Rockett and his players making the short journey to the RSC to face Waterford.

Munster Senior League champions Ringmahon Rangers will welcome League of Ireland side Bohemians, another standout tie. Midleton will travel to Athlone Town, Douglas Hall will host Castlebar Celtic, and College Corinthians will meet Bangor Celtic away from home.

The Rebel Army will go into this edition of the FAI Cup after losing last year's final to Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.

City, who last lifted the trophy in 2017, got to the decider by defeating Leicester Celtic, Waterford FC, Finn Harps, and St. Patrick's Athletic.

The Rebel Army have a good record in the competition in recent years after reaching the final in 2025 and semi-finals in 2023.

Cobh Ramblers will enter the FAI Cup hoping for their first run since 2016, when Stephen Henderson led the club to the quarter-finals with victories over Cherry Orchard and Ringmahon Rangers.

The club have struggled to go far in recent years, with Dundalk proving to be a familiar foe between 2018 and 2020. Non-league Maynooth University Town knocked them out in 2021, Cork City in 2022, UCD in 2023, and Kerry in 2024 and 2025.

The last time Cobh had a prolonged adventure in a knock-out competition was in 2018, when they made it to the final of the League of Ireland Cup and lost 3-1 to Derry City at the Brandywell.

The Munster Senior League is represented by Ringmahon Rangers, Douglas Hall, Midleton, and College Corinthians after their first-round victories.

Midleton overcame Mayfield United, Ringmahon needed extra-time and penalties to see off Liffey Wanderers, Douglas Hall defeated Fanad United by the bare minimum, and Corinthians slipped past Killester Donnycarney.

The last Munster Senior League team to go on a run was Rockmount in 2023. The then FAI Intermediate Cup champions downed Home Farm and Gorey Rangers before losing to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Avondale United famously reached the quarter finals in 2014, through victories over Carrigaline United, Collinstown, and St. Michael's. They drew 1-1 with Finn Harps in the quarter finals and lost the replay 4-1 in Donegal.

FAI Cup draw:

Galway United v Crumlin United,

Douglas Hall v Castlebar Celtic,

Drogheda United v Lucan United,

Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers,

Ringmahon Rangers v Bohemians,

Baldoyle v Longford Town,

St Patrick's Athletic v Wexford,

Waterford v Cobh Ramblers,

Bangor Celtic v College Corinthians,

Janesboro v Sligo Rovers,

Athlone Town v Midleton,