The road to the Aviva Stadium will begin for junior league teams on Sunday-week when the 2017/18 FAI Junior Cup gets underway.
Two seasons ago, Glengad United reached the quarter-finals of the competition and Shane Byrne’s team will host Culdaff FC at The Crua in this season’s opener. It is a rare home tie in the Cup for Glengad, who are more accustomed to being on their travels.
Glengad, Greencastle, Kildrum Tigers and Drumoghill FC reached the fifth round of last season’s competition.
Inishowen League Premier Division side Greencastle make the voyage to Donegal Saturday League side Arranmore United in a novel pairing.
Kildrum are away to Whitestrand United and Drumoghill are not included in this season’s Cup.
QPS v Illies Celtic and Milford United v Bonagee are two of the other ties that jump out.
The games will be played on Sunday-week, September 17.
FAI JUNIOR CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW
Glenree United v Drumkeen United
Cappry Rovers v Drumkeen United ‘B’
Convoy Arsenal v Cranford United
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Orchard United
Rathmullan Celtic v Strand Rovers
Keadue Rovers v Lifford Celtic
Whitestrand United v Kildrum Tigers
Glenea United v Lagan Harps
Cavan Town v Ballybofey United
Castlefin Celtic v Clones Town
Arranmore United v Greencastle FC
Quigley’s Point Swifts v Illies Celtic
Glengad United v Culdaff
Milford United v Bonagee United
Glaslough Villa v Carndonagh
Bye: Gweedore Celtic
