Longford and Cork meet in cup crunch - December 12, 2000
High-flying Longford will entertain Eircom Premier rivals Cork City in the plum tie of the FAI Cup second round.
Otherwise, yesterday's draw has been relatively kind to the top teams,keeping them apart for the time being at least. Shelbourne are at home to Monaghan United, Bohemians have been paired with Drogheda United at Dalymount and Shamrock Rovers will host non-league Dublin Bus.
The only other all-Premier tie is a bottom-of-the-table affair, with Galway United hosting Kilkenny City.
Longford boss Steve Kenny said: "It couldn't be tougher - Cork were Cup champions two years ago. But I'm thinking in terms of the tremendous boost it will give to soccer throughout the county. Our league form has won us lots of new fans and this draw will generate huge interest."
"It's a plum draw," Cork manager Derek Mountfield said. "We had a great game the last time we travelled to Strokestown Road. Unfortunately we came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. But like all cup games, this is a once-off and anything could happen."
The draw also ensured that at least two non-league teams will make it through to the third round: Portmarnock have been drawn to meet Rockmount - Roy Keane's former team,who had a great run in the League Cup last season. And Moyle Park have been handed a home tie against Cherry Orchard.
The draw in full: Portmarnock v Rockmount; Moyle Park v Cherry Orchard; Bohemians v Drogheda United; Home Farm Fingal v Athlone Town; St. Patrick's Athletic v Wayside Celtic; Longford Town v Cork City; Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers; Rathcoole Boys v Derry City; Shelbourne v Monaghan United; Shamrock Rovers v Dublin Bus; Dundalk v Limerick; Home Farm v Finn Harps; UCD v Youghal United; Cobh Ramblers v St. Michael's; Galway United v Kilkenny City; Waterford United v St. Francis.