Athlone Town learn fate in FAI Cup draw
Athlone Town have been drawn at home to Midleton in the second round of the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup.
Cork outfit Midleton play in the Senior Premier Division of the Munster Senior League, and Athlone, who are currently seventh in the First Division table, will be expected to advance from that tie particularly on home turf.
Athlone's most notable FAI Cup achievement in modern times was reaching the 2023 semi-finals, but the Town suffered a record 11-0 defeat to Dundalk at that stage.
Current holders Shamrock Rovers will begin the defence of the trophy against SSE Airtricity First Division leaders Cork City, while 12-time winners Dundalk will travel to meet St Mochta’s.
There will be 32 teams involved across 16 games with 20 League of Ireland teams, along with 12 teams from non-league competitions.
The second round ties will be played on the week ending Sunday, July 19 with fixture details to be confirmed in due course.
Former Bohemians captain Tony O’Connor, who won the FAI Cup in 2001, joined FAI President Paul Cooke to help with the draw which was conducted in the National Sports Campus today (Wednesday).
2026 Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup second round
Galway United v Crumlin United
Douglas Hall v Castlebar Celtic
Drogheda United v Lucan United
Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers
Ringmahon Rangers v Bohemians
Baldoyle United v Longford Town
St Patrick’s Athletic v Wexford
Waterford v Cobh Ramblers
Bangor Celtic v College Corinthians
Janesboro v Sligo Rovers
Athlone Town v Midleton
St Mochta’s v Dundalk
Derry City v Tolka Rovers
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City
Treaty United v UCD
Kerry v Shelbourne.