Final could now be a threepeat
HOLDERS Cork City and Dundalk could meet in the FAI Cup final for the third year in a row having been kept apart in last night’s semi-final draw. The Rebels were drawn at home to Limerick – who they face in the league next week – in the first of the last-four meetings. That game is on Friday, September 29 at 7.15pm and will be live on RTE television. A replay, if required, will take place at Markets Field on Monday, October 7. Cork booked their place in the semi-final with a 4-1 win away to Longford on Saturday while Limerick won 2-1 at Galway United. Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers clash in the other semi-final in what will be a repeat of this Saturday’s EA Sports Cup final. But the FAI Cup last-four clash will be played at Oriel Park after the Lilywhites landed home advantage. That game will be played on Sunday, October 1 at 4.45pm and will also be shown live on RTE. If required, a replay would take place at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday, October 4. Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk crushed derby rivals Drogheda 4-0 in Friday’s quarter-finals while Stephen Bradley’s Hoops saw off gutsy non-league outfit Bluebell United 4-2. Both Kenny and Bradley will be hoping to end the season with a cup double having been blown away by Cork City in the league. The FAI Cup final will be played at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, November 5. Last season, Seanie Maguire snatched victory for Cork with an extra-time winner while Richie Towell won it for Dundalk in 2015.