Tom Bonner and Kevin McDaid from Drumkeen United, who were given a bye in the FAI Ford Cup First Round Draw. Photo: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
BY CHRIS MCNULTY
DRUMKEEN United’s reward for qualifying for the FAI Ford Senior Cup for the first time is a bye into the second round of the blue ribband competition – with the name of the St Patrick’s Park outfit set to join the illustrious names of the likes of League of Ireland Champions Shamrock Rovers, and the rest of the senior clubs, in the round two draw.
Drumkeen booked their passage into the senior cup for the first time by reaching the last 16 of the FAI Intermediate Cup by way of a 3-1 win over Cork outfit Carrigaline United. Sean Ferry’s double and a Peter McNamee strike created a little nugget of history in December for the side managed by Benny Bonner.
Drumkeen will now watch with interested at the first round results.
At least two Donegal clubs will be in the hat for the second round with Finn Harps entering for round two. Kildrum Tigers could join them – but first Raymond McDaid’s side must overcome the challenge of Clonmel Celtic in Round One. The St Johnston side bowed out of the Intermediate Cup following a narrow 2-1 defeat to College Corinthians, but having reached the last 16 the Tigers are into the FAI Senior Cup for the third time in their history.
Their last venture was in 2009 when they lost 4-0 to Crumlin United in Dublin. Kildrum, one of 16 intermediate sides in the pot yesterday evening for the draw, were paired with one of the four Junior clubs, but Crumlin head for Station Road Park with a strong Cup pedigree – having just sent Pike Rovers (who gave Milford United a bad beating in the Junior Cup recently) packing from the FAI Junior Cup.
The Kildrum v Clonmel tie takes place at Station Road Park on Sunday April 1st.
The draw for the First Round was made at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown. FAI President Paddy McCaul and former Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Shelbourne star Mick Neville made the draw.
Four clubs received byes into the Second Round draw: Blarney United, Everton AFC, St Patrick’s CY and Drumkeen United.
FAI Ford Cup First Round draw: Kildrum Tigers v Clonmel Celtic; Douglas Hall v Killester United; Pheonix FC v Lucan United; Malahide United v College Corinthians; Avondale United v Sheriff YC; Cherry Orchard v Verona FC; Ballymun United v Mayfield United; Crumlin United v Kilbarrack United.
c.mcnulty@donegalnews.com
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