Cup draw to savour as big four thrown together

AN extraordinary draw for the second round of the Carlsberg FAI Cup last night ensured that two of the top four teams in the league will exit the competition at an unusually early stage.

The top four teams in the country were pitted together when the draw was made by Brian Kerr and former international manager Eoin Hand at the Guinness premises in Dublin. St Patrick's Athletic were drawn first out of the hat, followed by Shamrock Rovers. The unpredictable nature of the open draw was illustrated within minutes when Cork City were given a home draw against current league leaders Shelbourne.

In contrast the 10 non-league teams fared well. Seven of them were favoured with a home match. Only one was given a match against a premiership team, Tolka Rovers at home to Longford Town, while only two were drawn together, the Dublin teams Cherry Orchard against St Mochta's of Clonsilla.