FAI Cup: The non-League clubs received the most intriguing draws for the second round of the FAI Carlsberg Challenge Cup last night.
Representatives from every senior side along with the 10 qualifiers attended the event held, with Dublin City as the backdrop, in the Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar.
In just their first time in the cup, junior team Carrick United will get the opportunity of a lifetime as they travel to the capital to play Shamrock Rovers. Manager Gerrard Walsh was obviously excited at the chance of pitting the men of Coolnamuck against the aristocrats of the competition - with 24 titles Rovers will always be the main attraction for the minnows.
"When the shock wears off I'll be alright," enthused Walsh. "We just wanted to hear our name called out of the draw but to be playing away to Shamrock Rovers is a dream come true."
The arrival of as many as 4,000 fans from Carrick-on-Suir will certainly ensure the right atmosphere at Richmond Park, and the pragmatic Rovers manager, Liam Buckley, is aware of the threat Carrick will pose.
"They'll be decent and we'll make sure we see them over the next few weeks," he said. "A lot of our players are still around from the cup final of a few years ago and they will be keen to get there again.
"We will have respect for Carrick. You just have to be careful, as there is a potential banana skin in every round. We will make sure we are up for it; our homework will be done and the application will be right."
Stephen Kenny's Bohemians and defending champions Longford Town have similar conundrums to figure out as they face intermediate Cork sides Ringmahon Rangers and Leeds respectively, with Longford forced to head south.
League champions Shelbourne are at home to lower-division opposition in Finn Harps.
Potentially the most exciting tie of the round will be the all-Louth affair between Dundalk and Drogheda United, with the former having the advantage of staging the game at Oriel Park.
In-form Cork City, currently flying high in the UEFA Cup after a draw in Holland against NEC Nijmegen last weekend, will have a tricky opening test against Pete Mahon's rejuvenated UCD in Belfield Park.
"A home draw against probably the best team in Ireland at the moment; you have to be happy with that," Mahon reflected "They have got quality all over the pitch but the cup is all about surprises. However, it will be a very difficult match but home advantage is big."
So well have Mahon's young side been playing this season they look certain to return to the top flight, after just one season out, and are a decent bet to produce the shock of the round.
"We have a lot of young players and this is another part of their development but it will be very difficult, yet every game we approach in a positive manner," added Mahon.
Elsewhere, last year's runners-up, St Patrick's Athletic, also face unknown opposition in the form of Wayside Celtic, but there will be at least two non-league teams in the third round as Rockmount meet Portmarnock while Quay Celtic entertain Drumcondra.
All matches will be played on the week ending July 25th.
