Plum home draw for St Michael's in Sports Direct FAI Senior Cup

Tipperary Town side St Michael's AFC have received a plum home draw in this year's Sports Direct FAI Cup against League of Ireland Division 1 side Waterford.

Games will be played week ending 23 July, so the Cooke Park outfit will be back at their pre-season very soon in preparation for the visit of the Blues. Currently managed by Keith Long, Waterford lie second in the table and will be hoping to return to the top flight this year having missed out in the play-offs last season.

While it wasn't the most successful of seasons for St Michael's they did manage silverware on two fronts in 2023, winning the League Champions Cup in Munster before ending their season with a Tipperary Cup victory over Clonmel side Old Bridge.

The Saints lost out in the FAI Junior Cup final to Newmarket Celtic on penalties in a game played at Jackman Park in Limerick. They also surrendered their Tipperary Premier League title when finishing runners-up to Peake Villa of Thurles.

But news of this draw will surely give St Michael's the boost they need to kick on again for the upcoming season.

Sports Direct FAI Cup first round draw:

Galway United v Bangor Celtic
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers
Bohemians v Shelbourne
Portlaoise v Skerries Town
Kerry FC v Ringmahon Rangers
Treaty United v Cork City
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers
Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers
Lucan United v St Patrick's CY
Gorey Rangers v Rockmount
Derry City v Athlone Town
Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps
Wexford FC v Avondale United
St Michael's AFC v Waterford FC
Longford Town v St Patrick's Athletic
UCD v Cobh Ramblers