Cork City have been warned by Pat Devlin that they’ll face a tough task to rescue their season with a FAI Cup run.

Holders Dundalk have been drawn away to First Division Cobh Ramblers in the first round of the FAI Cup.

Avondale contested five finals from 2010 to 2014, losing the first one before going on to win the next four. However, only one Munster Senior League side in Cobh Wanderers have only reached the final since.

Robbie Keane has officially announced his retirement from professional football.

Supple had earned a call-up to the Ireland squad earlier this year.

Shane Supple, who quit professional football in August 2009 and had six years out of the game, has been called up by Ireland.

Holders Cork City have been rewarded with a home draw against First Division side Athlone Town in the second round of the 2017 FAI Cup.

Holders Cork City have been drawn at home to Athlone Town in the second round of the FAI Cup.

Nobody in the ilk of Damien Duff has graced the Ireland squad since the magician retired after Euro 2012, but Daryl Horgan hopes the similarities in appearance noticed by his new teammates yesterday can in some way be replicated in a football sense.

The quarter-final draw for the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup has thrown Cork City against Shamrock Rovers.

Martin O’Neill reckons Robbie Keane could flourish when he transitions into coaching, but has cautioned his players about the perils of becoming a boss.

HOLDERS Crumlin United disposed of FAI Intermediate Cup specialists Avondale United for the second time in two seasons after coming away from Avondale Park with a hard fought 2-1 victory after extra-time on Saturday.

FAI Intermediate Cup

It’s the cup holders versus the all-time cup record-holders at Richmond Park tonight when St Patrick’s Athletic host Shamrock Rovers in the stand-out tie of a hectic FAI Cup second round weekend.

When a journalist infiltrated the ranks of the football press and identified herself as a ‘showbiz’ writer yesterday, Robbie Keane immediately quipped that she should talk to his wife.

FAI Intermediate Cup: A Roy Long-inspired Avondale United moved to within three games of an historic five FAI Intermediate Cup titles in-a-row after a deserved 3-1 win over College Corinthians in their fourth round clash at Avondale Park on Saturday.

MSL

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has introduced an Irish dimension to his vision for the club by personally involving himself in the successful pursuit of 14-year-old Dubliner Glen McAuley.

Standing alone in the centre-circle, they feel safe from the venom being discharged from the sideline.

FAI UMBRO INTERMEDIATE CUP FINAL:

Leinster senior league side Cherry Orchard caused the shock of the FAI Ford Cup second round with a 2-0 win over Longford Town.

Munster Senior League duo Douglas Hall and Everton will be seeking to upset Airtricity League opposition in their FAI Ford Cup second round ties tomorrow.

Cork came from behind to beat the DDSL in extra-time yesterday at Tolka Park and win their first FAI Inter-league Youths Cup since 1978.

Avondale United celebrated winning the Munster Senior League Premier Division title in style by qualifying for the second round of the FAI Ford Senior Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sheriff YC at Avondale Park yesterday.

Ireland’s poor record at reaching for the Under-17 European Championship finals continues after this season’s contingent were eliminated on Saturday with a game to spare.

Ireland’s U17s are playing catch-up already to reach the European Championships following defeat to Serbia in yesterday’s opening elite stage qualifier.

Aston Villa’s tyro Jack Grealish scored his fourth goal in five matches for the Ireland Under-17s last night as they completed their Algarve training week with a second win.

Waterford United will be hoping to cause an upset when they take on St Patrick’s Athletic in tonight’s FAI Ford Cup fourth-round clash at the RSC (kick-off 7.45pm).

A TALENTED striker on Arsenal’s books, who has declared for the Republic of Ireland, is attracting strong interest from Glasgow Rangers.

BIRMINGHAM CITY boss Chris Hughton says Irish striker Adam Rooney “has a great opportunity” with Blues but he can thank the manager of bitter rivals Aston Villa for his chance to play in the Championship.

St Patrick's Athletic should prove too strong for their non-league opposition as they take on Crumlin United at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

THE hiding-to-nothing prospect of facing non-league opposition on the back of four straight defeats is scarcely ideal for UCD in tonight’s FA Ford Cup clash.

GALWAY UNITED’S visit to Dundalk will be only all-Premier League tie in the Ford FAI Cup third round after the draw was made last night.

Avondale United1 Cherry Orchard 0 (after extra-time)

THE black adidas top with the Liver bird on the chest betrays Avondale United player-manager John Cotter’s ‘other’ footballing allegiance.

THIS coming Sunday is a third FAI Intermediate Cup final with Avondale United for Eoghan Lougheed.

AVONDALE UNITED face the daunting task of trying to derail Crumlin United’s bid for three-in-a-row FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup titles in tomorrow’s semi-final at Pearse Park, Crumlin (1pm).

FAI President Paddy McCaul and 1992 cup-winning captain Paul Whelan this evening made the draw for the 2011 FAI Ford Senior Cup first and second rounds at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown.

RICHIE TOWELL believes a baby-faced Republic of Ireland U21 side can use the final game of a forgettable campaign as something to build on for the future.

Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and Kevin Doyle will battle it out for the title of senior international player of the year at the 2010 FAI International Football Awards, it was announced today.

SO then, Robbie, were you rooting for your old club on Saturday night?

TIPPERARY TOWN club St Michael’s advanced to their third FAI Umbro Junior Cup final since 2000 after a surprising but well-deserved victory over local rivals Clonmel Town in Cahir yesterday.