Shels at home to Derry pick of opening FAI Cup ties

EIRCOM League champions and current leaders Shelbourne at home to Derry City was the pick of the bunch when the draw for the Carlsberg FAI Cup second round was made in Dublin last night.

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, who drew the balls along with FAI President Milo Corcoran, immediately identified the Shels-Derry game as "the biggest match" of the round, but Kerr was also particularly taken with the prospect of his old club St. Patrick's Athletic travelling to the RSC to face last year's cup runners-up, Waterford United.

The 2004 winners, Longford Town, seeking to make it three-in-a-row, face non-league opposition at home in the opening game in the defence of their crown, with the visit of Waterford Crystal.