Finn Harps and Letterkenny Rovers learn their FAI Cup fate

FINN HARPS AND Letterkenny Rovers this afternoon learned their fate in the second round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Senior Cup.

Ollie Horgan’s Harps were first out of the hat and will take on Crumlin United – the side who Letterkenny will play in the FAI Intermediate Cup final on May 14.

Photo caption: Letterkenny Rovers players celebrate their 2-0 win over Ringmahon Rangers in the FAI Intermediate Cup the weekend before last. Photo: Stephen Doherty

Rovers, for their part, are in the second round for the first time in their history will be looking forward to a trip to take on Athlone Town.

Ollie Horgan’s Harps made it to the semi-finals of the competition in 2014, only to go down to St Patrick’s Athletic by six goals to one in the semi-final at Richmond Park.

The Ballybofey side, a year beforehand, had lead Premier Division Drogheda United in the last eight only to go down in a replay at United Park.

Harps won the FAI Cup in 1974 for the one and only time, beating St Pat’s in the final at Dalymount Park 3-1 and then lost the 1999 final in a second replay against Bray Wanderers.

In 2006, Harps defeated Crumlin by a single goal in the second round of the competition and in 2010, two goals from Kevin McHugh and one from Packie Mailey sealed a 2-0 Harps victory in round three.

For Letterkenny Rovers, goals from Christy Connaghan and Terence Shiels sealed their place in the second round of the competition in a 2-1 win over Portmarnock FC on Sunday.

A week beforehand, Paul McVeigh and David Shovlin scored the goals in a 2-1 FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final replay over Ringmahon Rangers from Cork.

So it’s a busy time for the Leckview Park side, who play neighbours Bonagee United in the Ulster Senior League on Wednesday evening and then league leaders Cockhill Celtic on Sunday. There’s also a League Cup final on the horizon.

Athlone are second from bottom in the SSE Airtricity League Division 1 table with seven points from eight fixtures this term.

Full draw: 

Finn Harps v Crumlin United; Dundalk v Shelbourne; Bluebell United v Limerick; Bohemians v Galway United; Firhouse Clover v Wexford Youths; Athlone Town v Letterkenny Rovers; Ringmahon Rangers v Glebe North; Cobh Ramblers v Cherry Orchard; Derry City v Drogheda United; St Patrick’s Athletic v Pike Rovers; Sligo Rovers v Cabinteely; UCD v Bray Wanderers.

Ties to be played week-ending Sunday, May 22. The Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final will take place at Aviva Stadium on November 6.

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