Derry City face a long journey and a potentially tricky trip to Cork as they kick off their defence of the Ford-sponsored FAI Cup over the first weekend in June with Declan Devine’s side drawn to take on Munster Senior League Premier Division outfit Blarney United.
It will be the second time that City have travelled to O’Shea Park in the competition with Mark Farren scoring twice in the 3-1 win they secured on their last visit, back in May 2006.
On that occasion they went on to narrowly beat St Patrick’s Athletic in a memorable final. This time they’ll be hoping to kick off a successful follow-up to a victory completed in precisely the same way.
Two of the ties are between non-league sides with College Corinthians heading to Tolka Rovers and Sheriff YC, returning to the competition after being expelled the last time they made it this far for fielding an ineligible player, travelling to Avondale United, so despite struggling in recent seasons due the timing of the games, they will be represented in the third round.
Two more are exclusively Premier Division with last night’s opponents at RichmondPark, St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians, drawn to face UCD and Drogheda United respectively. “It’s one of the hardest draws that we could have got,” said Martin Russell, “but it’s still appetising in that you’re coming here to play one of the best teams in the league.
“When you look at the players they’ve got sitting in the stand, it’s a reminder of the gulf there is in resources compared to us but we’ve played them in the league and there was only a goal in it.
“We know that we’ll have to come and play very, very well if we’re going to go through but we showed on Friday night against Rovers that we can give anyone a game on our day.
Mick Cooke, who like Russell was at last night's game, welcomed the draw, insisting: "It's a good draw for us. They're a good young side and they're at home but I don't mind any of that. Our cup pedigree is good, we won the league cup last year, we're in the final of the Setanta Cup this year and we were put out of this competition by St Patrick's on penalties. It ranks very highly in terms of our priorities and we'll be looking forward to the game."
Second Round Draw: Tolka Rovers v College Corinthians, St Patrick's Athletic v UCD, Bray Wanderers v Mervue United, Bohemians v Drogheda United, Bluebell United v Athlone Town, Glenville v Limerck FC, Finn Harps v Wexford Youths, Waterford United v Sligo Rovers, Salthill Devon v Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's CY v Cobh Ramblers, Shelbourne v Bandon, Cork City v Kilbarrack United, Blarney United v Derry City, Longford Town v Pike Rovers, Phoenix v Dundalk, Avondale United v Sheriff YC.
Ties to be played over the weekend ending June 2nd.
