FAI Cup Quarter-Final Preview

In this post, you can find our FAI Cup Quarter-Finals Preview as we gear toward the business end of Ireland’s premier cup competition.

The Club Orange FAI Cup quarter-finals have thrown up some well-matched ties with an average of only 1.75 places in the difference between each opponent's Premier Division position.

Acca Selections

FAI Cup Acca Selections

Drogheda United vs Galway United – Drogheda @ 13/10

Waterford vs Sligo Rovers – Waterford @ 7/10

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians  – Bohemians

Derry City vs Dundalk – Dundalk

Drogheda United vs Galway United

Drogheda United vs Galway United – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Drogheda United  – 13/10

Galway United – 17/10

Draw  – 2/1

Preview

Drogheda United currently find themselves in a very similar situation to when they won the 2024 FAI Cup, with their Premier Division far from guaranteed with seven league games remaining.  Their second-half collapse against Dundalk in the Louth Derby to lose 2-3 has only confounded fears that they may be in trouble, with them now more than a win away from getting out of the relegation playoff place. The FAI Cup tends to bring them solace though, and they’ve taken full advantage of “favourable” draws against Lucan United and College Corinthians .

Galway United will never be “fashionable” certainly under the stewardship of John Caulfield, but they will always be effective with a style of play which some would argue is more akin to Rugby at times than Football! Nevertheless, they retain a knack of picking up points which will surely keep them safe come the end of 2026 and with stalwarts like David Hurley , Stephen Walsh and Aaron Bolger will always give them a fighting chance in any game.

Prediction: Drogheda United 1-0 Galway United

There hasn't been more than a goal separating these two sides from their last eight meetings so expected an extremely tight cup tie on Friday night. I think home advantage may just swing it in the favour of Drogheda though.

Best Bet: Drogheda @ 13/10

Waterford vs Sligo Rovers

Waterford vs Sligo Rovers – Friday 7.45 pm, LOI TV

Odds

Waterford  – 7/10

Sligo Rovers -  14/5

Draw  – 12/5

Preview

Waterford’s flying form under Graham Coughlan continued last weekend when a 0-2 win over St Patrick’s Athletic means they’ve now accumulated eleven points in their last five league games, putting them top of the form table with a +1 better goal difference over Shamrock Rovers. To reach this round of the competition, they’ve won out in hard-fought cup ties against Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town .

Though long-term Darren Purse looks to be a decent appointment for Sligo Rovers, in the short-term their Premier Division status looks to be all but doomed with seven games remaining; they sit bottom and seven adrift of Drogheda immediately above them. A cup run provides some degree of solace though, and they have beaten Janesboro and Kerry FC to reach this stage.

Prediction: Waterford 2-0 Sligo Rovers

Waterford have been absolutely exceptional recently and it's hard not to back them against an out-of-sorts Bit O'Red side.

Best Bet: Waterford @ 7/10

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Bohemians Saturday 4 pm, RTÉ 2

Odds

St Patrick’s Athletic – TBC

Bohemians – TBC

Draw  – TBC

Preview

St Patrick’s Athletic continued their innate ability at fluffing their lines in the Premier Division last weekend when losing to Waterford . Consequently, any real challenge of a title challenge seems to be all but over unless they can win each of their remaining seven league games and have results elsewhere go their way. An FAI Cup win is the only thing which may save their season somewhat, and after defeating Wexford and Shamrock Rovers they stand a strong chance, especially if they win this tie.

For all the criticism Alan Reynold s has received as Bohemians Manager, he’s quietly doing a decent job so far this season. Currently third in the league, level on points with second, they’ve all but secured a return to European Football for the 2027 season. However, the one thing which has ailed the club is a trophy since their 2010 Setanta Sports Cup victory, but another cup win is badly needed, and with their controversial second-round bye and a dominant win over Longford Town, they stand a strong chance of landing an FAI Cup.

Prediction: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-3 Bohemians

Of there last five meetings they're tied at one win a piece with the three previous games being 0-0 draws. I can forsee goals on this occasion though with Bohemians winning out in a thriller.

Best Bet: St Patrick’s Athletic

Derry City vs Dundalk

Derry City vs Dundalk – Sunday 4 pm, RTÉ 2

Odds

Derry City  – TBC

Dundalk - TBC

Draw – TBC

Preview

Derry City’s season has been nothing if not turbulent both on and off the field, and though there seems to have been an improvement in their performances, they continue to underwhelm, last weekend squandering a two-goal lead over Shamrock Rovers to only earn a point. Nevertheless, after dispatching Tolka Rovers and UCD with the talent that is at this squad's disposal, they still can’t be ruled out of winning an FAI Cup .

Dundalk ended what was a poor period in what has been a real positive campaign on the whole last weekend when they came from behind to win 2-3 in the Louth Derby following a terrific 89th-minute free-kick from Daryl Horgan . To reach this stage of the FAI Cup, they’ve made routine work of ties against St Mochta’s and Castlebar Celtic .

Prediction: Derry City 1-2 Dundalk

Derry City have the opportunity to "save their season" if they can make a run and win the FAI Cup , but I do fancy Dundalk for this one due to the mommentum from their Louth Derby victory last weekend.

Best Bet: Dundalk

Prices are subject to fluctuation

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