It is Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi-final weekend and it promises to be an exciting weekend of action. SSE Airtricity League leaders Dundalk welcome SSE Airtricity League First Division Champions UCD to Oriel Park on Friday, September 28. With the
It is Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi-final weekend and it promises to be an exciting weekend of action.
SSE Airtricity League leaders Dundalk welcome SSE Airtricity League First Division Champions UCD to Oriel Park on Friday, September 28. With the Lilywhites on the cusp of claiming the Premier Division title after their Tuesday night victory over Derry City, Stephen Kenny's side will be eager to progress as they aim for a domestic double.
UCD will be going all out to secure their own domestic double after winning the First Division title following a fantastic campaign. Manager Collie O'Neill has constructed a youthful, attacking side which has taken the First Division by storm this season but face their toughest test yet in the FAI Cup semi-finals.
Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Holders Cork City travel to Bohemians on Sunday, September 30 in the second semi-final. Bohemians have enjoyed a fantastic run of form with nine straight victories coming into the game, including a 4-2 win over the Leesiders this month in the Premier Division.
John Caulfield's Cork travel to a sold-out Dalymount Park having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the SSE Airtricity League against title-rivals Dundalk last time out and will be hoping to reach their fourth consecutive FAI Cup final.
Dundalk v UCD
Friday, September 28
Oriel Park, 7.30pm
Live on RTE2
Dundalk's FAI Cup Form
First Round: 3-0 v Cobh Ramblers (h)
Second Round: 2-0 v Finn Harps (h)
Quarter-Finals: 4-0 v Limerick (a)
UCD's FAI Cup Form
First Round: 2-0 v Pike Rovers (h)
Second Round: 2-6 (AET) v CIT Ranch (a)
Quarter-Finals: 2-1 v Waterford (h)
Key Man - Conor Davis (UCD)
Having only signed for the Students in August, Davis has started life at Belfield in fantastic form having scored seven goals already.
His late equaliser saw UCD clinch the First Division title in a 1-1 draw against Finn Harps and he also scored a magnificent second-half hat-trick against Drogheda United in a 3-0 win.
Dundalk are heavy favourites to progress to the FAI Cup final but Conor Davis could have that star quality which will make all the difference at Oriel Park.
Bohemians v Cork City
Sunday, September 30
Dalymount Park, 5.45pm
Live on RTE2
Bohemians' FAI Cup Form
First Round: 7-0 v Wexford (a)
Second Round: 2-0 v Galway United (a)
Quarter-Finals: 3-1 v Derry City (a)
Cork City's FAI Cup Form
First Round: 5-1 v Home Farm (a)
Second Round: 4-0 v Maynooth University Town (h)
Quarter-Finals: 7-0 v Longford Town (a)
Key Man - Daniel Kelly - Bohemians
Since his move to Dalymount Park in July from Bray Wanderers, Kelly has enjoyed a fantastic start to life and already knows what it feels like to be a match-winner against Cork City.
His fantastic brace at Dalymount Park this month helped secure a 4-2 win over Cork City and mixed in with Keith Long's bright, young stars, Kelly will fancy his chances of being the match-winner once again.
Keith Long played a second string side at St. Patrick's Athletic last time out where Academy product Ali Reghba notched an impressive brace so watch out whether he can force his way into the Bohemians' match-day squad.
