2025 FAI Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Venue(s) | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| Dates | 11 May 2025 – 9 November 2025 |
| Teams | 44 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 36 |
| Goals scored | 135 (3.75 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Colm Whelan (4 goals) |
The 2025 FAI Cup, known as the Sports Direct FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the 105th 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 2025 FAI Cup winners are set to enter the first qualifying round of the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League.[2]
Drogheda United are the defending champions, having won their second FAI Cup the previous year.
Round and dates
| Round | Draw date | Match dates | Number of fixtures | Teams | New entries this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | 8 April 2025 | 11–18 May[3] | 12 | 44 → 32 | 24 |
| Second Round | 5 June 2025 | 18–20 July | 16 | 32 → 16 | 20 |
| Third Round | 22 July 2025 | 15–17 August | 8 | 16 → 8 | None |
| Quarter-finals | 19 August 2025 | 12–14 September | 4 | 8 → 4 | None |
| Semi-finals | TBD | 3–5 October | 2 | 4 → 2 | None |
| Final | — | 9 November | 1 | 2 → 1 | None |
Teams
The 2025 FAI Cup is a knockout competition with 44 teams taking part. The competitors consist of the 20 teams from the League of Ireland and 24 teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
First round
| 11 May 2025 | North End United | 1–4 | Castlebar Celtic | Wexford Town, County Wexford |
| 14:00 | Murphy  55' |
Report | Hughes 25' Edwards 57', 68'Kelly 84' |
Stadium: Hollygrove Attendance: 57 Referee: Seamus Kelly |
| 15 May 2025 | Wayside Celtic | 4–0 | River Valley Rangers | Kilternan, County Dublin |
| 19:45 | Boylan 33' Kelly 40'Clucas 58'Whelan 67' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Jackson Park Referee: Declan Troy |
| 16 May 2025 | Crumlin United | 4–2 | Lucan United | Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
| 20:00 | Friel 5' Kavanagh 23', 90+4'O'Donohoe 51' |
Byrne 32' Kendrick 67' |
Stadium: Pearse Park Referee: Peter Mahoney |
| 17 May 2025 | Midleton | 0–6 | Killester Donnycarney | Midleton, County Cork |
| 14:00 | Jones 23' Bergin 38', 83'Nolan 63'Wall 74', 75' |
Stadium: Knockgriffin Park Referee: Darren O'Sullivan |
| 17 May 2025 | College Corinthians | 1–2 | Bangor Celtic | Douglas, County Cork |
| 15:00 | Crowley 37' |
Lovic 59' Samson 90+2' |
Stadium: Corinthians Park Referee: Robert O'Leary |
| 17 May 2025 | Fairview Rangers | 4–0 | Baldoyle United | Garryowen, County Limerick |
| 15:00 | Vysochan 27', 88' (pen.) Dore 38'Ahern 89' |
Stadium: Singland Park Referee: Brian Higgins |
| 17 May 2025 | Ringmahon Rangers | 1–3 | UCC | Mahon, County Cork |
| 15:00 | Happi 30' |
Power 48' Roberts 83'O'Brien 86' |
Stadium: Ringmahon Park Referee: Declan Fogarty |
| 17 May 2025 | St Mochta's | 4–0 | Douglas Hall | Clonsilla, Dublin 15 |
| 15:30 | Atanda 4'  45+2'Chambers 30'Brady 61'Doherty 65' |
Stadium: Porterstown Road Referee: John McCarthy |
| 18 May 2025 | Leicester Celtic | 2–1 | Fanad United | Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 |
| 14:00 | Kevin Maguire 30', 59' |
Carr 80' |
Stadium: Loreto Park Referee: Robert Redmond |
| 18 May 2025 | Salthill Devon | 2–1 | Liffey Wanderers | Salthill, County Galway |
| 14:00 | Molloy 39' Darcy 47' |
Ellis 82' |
Stadium: Drom Soccer Park Referee: Thomas Oates |
| 18 May 2025 | Tolka Rovers | 3–1 | Janesboro | Glasnevin, Dublin 11 |
| 14:00 | Mashigo 6' O'Dwyer 39' (o.g.)Baramidze 90+4' |
Lynch 63' O'Dwyer  89'  |
Stadium: Frank Cooke Park Referee: Jason Ray |
| 18 May 2025 | St Michael's | w/o | Usher Celtic | Tipperary Town, County Tipperary |
| 15:00 | Stadium: Cooke Park | |||
| Note: St Michael's were awarded a walkover. | ||||
Second round
| 18 July 2025 | Bray Wanderers | 3–0 | Wayside Celtic | Bray, County Wicklow |
| 19:45 | Kinsella Bishop 42' P. Murphy 66'M. Murphy 80' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Carlisle Grounds Attendance: 1,186 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 18 July 2025 | Drogheda United | 5–0 | Crumlin United | Drogheda, County Louth |
| 19:45 | Keeley 44' Oluwa 48'Thomas 70' (pen.)Markey 76'O'Sullivan 85' |
Report | Stadium: Sullivan and Lambe Park Attendance: 2,286 Referee: Oliver Moran |
| 18 July 2025 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Sligo Rovers | Dundalk, County Louth |
| 19:45 | Report | McManus 51' Doyle-Hayes 54' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,038 Referee: Aaron O'Dowd |
| 18 July 2025 | Finn Harps | 3–0 | UCD | Ballybofey, County Donegal |
| 19:45 | Lomboto 30' Mpongo 52'McNamee 64' |
Report | Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: 559 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 18 July 2025 | Galway United | 2–0 | Tolka Rovers | Galway, County Galway |
| 19:45 | Walsh 18' Hurley 74' |
Report | Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: 1,033 Referee: Ryan Maher |
| 18 July 2025 | Kerry | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Athlone Town | Tralee, County Kerry |
| 19:45 | Adams 90+7' Amechi 92' |
Report | Oyenuga 56' |
Stadium: Mounthawk Park Attendance: 590 Referee: Daryl Carolan |
| 18 July 2025 | Killester Donnycarney | 0–7 | Bohemians | Phibsborough, Dublin 7 |
| 19:45 | Report | Strods 8', 19' Whelan 18' (pen.), 37', 63' (pen.), 79'Brennan 67' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 3,484 Referee: Daniel Murphy | |
| Note: Killester Donnycarney were drawn as the home team but both clubs agreed to switch the venue to Bohemians' Dalymount Park home ground. | ||||
| 18 July 2025 | Treaty United | 1–5 | Derry City | Garryowen, County Limerick |
| 19:45 | Devitt 79' |
Report | Boyce 59', 74', 85' (pen.) Bannon 71'Mullen 86' |
Stadium: Markets Field Attendance: 1,215 Referee: Lucas Keating |
| 18 July 2025 | Waterford | 5–1 | St Mochta's | Waterford, County Waterford |
| 19:45 | Lonergan 10', 85' Noonan 35'Coyle 83'Amond 87' |
Report | Casey 38' (pen.) |
Stadium: RSC Attendance: 1,322 Referee: Glen Geraghty |
| 18 July 2025 | Shamrock Rovers | 4–0 | Wexford | Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
| 20:00 | Ozhianvuna 8' Burke 76'Gaffney 84'Mandroiu 90' |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 2,420 Referee: Mark Houlihan |
| 19 July 2025 | Cork City | 3–0 | Leicester Celtic | Turners Cross, County Cork |
| 12:00 | Lutz 69' (pen.) Nelson 72'Curry 88' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 893 Referee: Darragh White |
| 19 July 2025 | Salthill Devon | 1–0 | St Michael's | Salthill, County Galway |
| 14:00 | Molloy 13' |
Stadium: Drom Soccer Park Attendance: 131 Referee: Declan Toland |
| 19 July 2025 | Bangor Celtic | 0–2 | Cobh Ramblers | Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
| 15:00 | Bellis 67' Whelan 87' |
Stadium: Pearse Park Attendance: 150 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 19 July 2025 | Fairview Rangers | 0–4 | Shelbourne | Garryowen, County Limerick |
| 18:00 | Martin 4', 73', 86' Kelly 24' |
Stadium: Singland Park Attendance: 950 Referee: Marc Lynch |
| 20 July 2025 | Castlebar Celtic | 3–6 | Longford Town | Castlebar, County Mayo |
| 17:00 | Cunningham 4' Hughes 16'Loftus 39' (pen.) |
Murtagh 11', 18', 22' George 75', 90+4'Campbell 89' |
Stadium: Celtic Park Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 20 July 2025 | St Patrick's Athletic | 8–0 | UCC | Inchicore, Dublin 8 |
| 18:00 | Murphy 19' (o.g.) Kavanagh 40'Keena 43'Forrester 45+1', 68'Kazeem 46'Mulraney 49'Carty 51' |
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 1,243 Referee: Alan Patchell |
Third round
| 15 August 2025 | Bohemians | 0–1 | Sligo Rovers | Phibsborough, Dublin 7 |
| 19:45 | Report | Elding 53' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,246 Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan |
| 15 August 2025 | Cork City | 2–1 | Waterford | Turners Cross, County Cork |
| 19:45 | Murray 3' Kamara 81' |
Report | Lonergan 22' |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 2,112 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 15 August 2025 | Finn Harps | 3–1 | Bray Wanderers | Ballybofey, County Donegal |
| 19:45 | Cullen 14' Hutchison 27'Mpongo 30' (pen.) |
Report | Curtis 8' O'Neill 55' |
Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: 707 Referee: Damien Macgraith |
| 15 August 2025 | Kerry | 2–0 | Cobh Ramblers | Tralee, County Kerry |
| 19:45 | Brosnan 10' Adams 64' (pen.) |
Report | O'Donovan 1' Griffin 90' |
Stadium: Mounthawk Park Attendance: 520 Referee: Aaron O'Dowd |
| 15 August 2025 | Salthill Devon | 0–4 | Galway United | Galway, County Galway |
| 19:45 | Report | Buckley 11' Walsh 36'Hickey 66'McGuinness 90+1' |
Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: 2,507 Referee: Paul Norton | |
| Note: Salthill Devon were drawn as the home team but both clubs agreed to switch the venue to Galway United's Eamonn Deacy Park home ground. | ||||
| 16 August 2025 | Derry City | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (0–3 p) | Drogheda United | Derry, County Londonderry |
| 20:00 | Duffy 73' Doherty 120+2' |
Report | Quinn 2' |
Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: 2,662 Referee: Robert Harvey |
| Penalties | ||||
Stott  Frizzell Mullen |
Keeley  Oluwa Lambe |
|||
| Note: Broadcast on RTÉ2 | ||||
| 17 August 2025 | St Patrick's Athletic | 2–0 | Shelbourne | Inchicore, Dublin 8 |
| 17:00 | Melia 45+4' Forrester 53' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 3,003 Referee: Paul Mclaughlin |
| 17 August 2025 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–1 | Longford Town | Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
| 19:00 | McGovern 8' (pen.) Burke 84' (pen.) |
Report | Ugbesia 25' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 1,744 Referee: Alan Patchell |
Quarter Final
| 12/13/14 September 2025 | Drogheda United | v | Shamrock Rovers | Drogheda, County Louth |
| Stadium: Sullivan and Lambe Park |
| 12/13/14 September 2025 | Finn Harps | v | Cork City | Ballybofey, County Donegal |
| Stadium: Finn Park |
| 12/13/14 September 2025 | Kerry | v | Sligo Rovers | Tralee, County Kerry |
| Stadium: Mounthawk Park |
| 12/13/14 September 2025 | St Patrick's Athletic | v | Galway United | Inchicore, Dublin 8 |
| Stadium: Richmond Park |
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Colm Whelan
|
Bohemians | 4 |
| 2 | Chris Forrester
|
St Patrick's Athletic | 3 |
.svg.png){kind=small} Liam Boyce
|
Derry City | ||
| Tommy Lonergan
|
Waterford | ||
| John Martin
|
Shelbourne | ||
| Daragh Murtagh
|
Longford Town | ||
| 6 |  Joe Adams
|
Kerry | 2 |
| Daniel Bergin
|
Killester Donnycarney | ||
| Dylan Edwards
|
Castlebar Celtic | ||
| Dean George
|
Longford Town | ||
| Eoghan Hughes
|
Castlebar Celtic | ||
 Hans Kamta Mpongo
|
Finn Harps | ||
| Reece Kavanagh
|
Crumlin United | ||
| Kevin Maguire
|
Leicester Celtic | ||
| Timmy Molloy
|
Salthill Devon | ||
 Markuss Strods
|
Bohemians | ||
| Oleg Vysochan
|
Fairview Rangers | ||
| James Wall
|
Killester Donnycarney | ||
| Stephen Walsh
|
Galway United |
Television rights
On 15 May 2025, RTÉ announced a broadcast agreement to show a record number of FAI Cup ties over the following two seasons. In the 2025 FAI Cup the deal included the broadcast of one third round fixture, two quarter-final fixtures, both semi-final fixtures, and the final.[4]
References
- ^ "Mike Ashley's Sports Direct to become new FAI Cup sponsors". FAI.ie. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Looking good for the League of Ireland UEFA coefficient". extratime.ie. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Fixtures confirmed for 2025 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup First Round". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ "RTÉ and FAI announce two-year broadcast agreement to show record number of Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup ties". rte.ie. RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 19 July 2025.