The moment that 11 Pike Rovers players emerge onto the Aviva Stadium turf this afternoon will mark a first in the careers of each and every one of them.

Saturday, 9^th April, 7.30pm – Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore

The top two in the league will be hoping to remain on course for the ultimate cup clash at the Aviva Stadium when the FAI Cup quarter-finals take place this evening.

After a clear the air meeting with manager John Caulfield and a goal on his return to action in the 4-0 FAI Cup rout of St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday, Billy Dennehy says he’s now firmly back in the Cork City fold.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill designated it the “tie of the round” yesterday after he helped pair Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic in the draw for the Third Round of the FAI 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.

Tipperary management insist Ian Fahey will play in the EirGrid All-Ireland U21 football semi-final against Dublin next Saturday.

Non-league Bluebell United were the toast of the FAI Ford Cup third round as they frustrated holders Derry City to earn a 0-0 draw at the Brandywell.

Ray Houghton has welcomed the decision of LA Galaxy to allow Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane to join up with the national squad in time for the prestige friendly against England at Wembley next Wednesday.

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.

Runaway Munster Senior League leaders Avondale United got the home draw they wanted in the FAI Ford Cup, first round — but they’ll still be up against it when they meet Dublin side Sheriff YC, who have an added incentive to do well in the Blue Riband this year.

Shelbourne 4 Limerick FC 3

IT’S a case of contrasting fortunes on the venue front for Irish football, with Barcelona officially ruled out as the location for Ireland’s game against Andorra in October but Shamrock Rovers thrown a lifeline which means they still hope to stage their Europa League games in Tallaght.

The quarter-final draw for the 2011 FAI Ford Cup has been made tonight on MNS.

The draw for the fourth round of the FAI Ford Senior Cup has been made today.

TWO second-half goals from John Rock saw non-league Sheriff YC dump Salthill Devon out of the FAI Ford Cup in their own backyard at Drom last night.

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.

LIMERICK’S Pike Rovers are out for revenge when they face St Michael’s of Tipperary in tomorrow’s FAI Junior Cup final at Turners Cross (3pm).

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 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).