The draw was made for the Sports Direct sponsored FAI Women’s Cup First Round this afternoon, with three of the seven games being all Women’s Premier Division clashes.
As the current holders, Shelbourne can relax while the seven ties are due to be played the week ending Sunday August 27th, but for the rest it is some tricky ties, with all four non league teams drawn against Premier opposition.
Forever a thorn in the side of the Treaty women over the last few years, Peamount head for the Markets Field, a repeat of the quarter final last year, which Peamount won 0-2.
Laura Heffernan’s first Cup tie as manager of DLR Waves, is a home tie against the beaten semi finalists from last year Wexford Youths, four time winners Wexford looking to win back the cup they failed to defend last season.
Non league Bonagee United make the short trip from Donegal to take on Sligo Rovers, while another non-league side Killester Donnycarney have a big away trip, a short journey to Tallaght Stadium to face Shamrock Rovers.
Cork City head to the capital to meet Terenure Rangers, Terenure won the FAI Women’s Intermediate Shield last season, they will now look to cause an upset, one of two home draws for non-league clubs, the other seeing Cabinteely face high flying Bohemians, also beaten in the semi final stage last year, a 1-0 loss to Shelbourne.
The final tie of the round has last year’s beaten finalists Athlone Town hosting Galway United in Lissywollen, a first outing for the Galway side in the competition, under their new title, while Tommy Hewitt’s side are out to make another big splash in the cup.
Women’s Sports Direct FAI Cup Draw:
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
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.