FAI Cup | |
Year: | 2024 |
Country: | Republic of Ireland |
Dates: | 17 May 2024 – 10 November 2024 |
Num Teams: | 40 |
Matches: | 32 |
Goals: | 110 |
Scoring Leader: | Ciaran Griffin (4 goals) |
Prev Season: | 2023 |
Next Season: | 2025 |
The 2024 FAI Cup, known as the Sports Direct FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the 104th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. It features teams from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division, as well as teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
The competition format for this season has altered slightly, with no qualifying rounds. The preliminary round, traditionally held before the first round, will now merge with the first round of the competition. This year the first round will feature 20 clubs, comprising the last 16 teams from the 2023/24 FAI Intermediate Cup and the final four clubs from the 2023/24 FAI Junior Cup. Following the completion of the first round, League of Ireland clubs will enter the competition in the second round.[2]
The winners of the 2024 FAI Cup will qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League.
The 2024 FAI Cup is a knockout competition with 40 teams taking part. The competitors consist of the 20 teams from the League of Ireland and 20 teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
The draw for the first round ties was made on 17 April and was made by former FAI Cup winner Stephen McGuiness and PFAI President Paul Cook.[3] All ties were played the week ending 19 May. Teams receiving byes into the second round were: Carrigaline United, Ringmahon Rangers, Leeds and Kilbarrack United.
The draw for the second round took place on 6 June. Ties were played on the week ending 21 July.[4]
The draw for the third round of the FAI Cup took place on 23 July. Ties were played on the weekend of 18 August.
The draw for the Quarter-Finals took place on 20 August 2024. The draw was made by Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 15 September.
Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 6 October.
The FAI Cup Final is due to be played on 10 November 2024 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.