2024 FAI Cup


The 2024 FAI Cup, known as the Sports Direct FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 104th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. It featured 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.
Drogheda United defeated Derry City in the final, winning their first FAI Cup since 2005. As winners, Drogheda United qualified for the second qualifying round of the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League.
St Patrick's Athletic were defending champions, but were eliminated by Derry City in the second round.
The competition format for this season was altered slightly, with no qualifying rounds. The preliminary round, traditionally held before the first round, was merged with the first round of the competition. This year the first round featured 20 clubs, comprising the last 16 teams from the 2023–24 FAI Intermediate Cup and the final four clubs from the 2023–24 FAI Junior Cup. Following the completion of the first round, League of Ireland clubs entered the competition in the second round.

Teams

The 2024 FAI Cup is a knockout competition with 40 teams taking part. The competitors consist of the 20 teams from the League of Ireland and 20 teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
League of Ireland Premier DivisionLeague of Ireland First DivisionLeinster Senior LeagueMunster Senior LeagueOther leagues

  • Athlone Town
  • Bray Wanderers
  • Cobh Ramblers
  • Cork City
  • Finn Harps
  • Kerry
  • Longford Town
  • Treaty United
  • UCD
  • Wexford
  • Ayrfield United
  • Ballyfermot United
  • Collinstown
  • Glebe North
  • Gorey Rangers
  • Kilbarrack United
  • Maynooth University Town
  • St. Francis
  • Wayside Celtic
  • Carrigaline United
  • Cobh Wanderers
  • College Corinthians
  • Leeds AFC
  • Midleton
  • Ringmahon Rangers
  • Rockmount
  • Wilton United
  • Cockhill Celtic
  • Pike Rovers
  • Villa FC

    • First round

    The draw for the first round ties was made on 17 April and was made by former FAI Cup winner Stephen McGuiness and FAI President Paul Cooke. All ties were played the week ending 19 May. Teams receiving byes into the second round were: Carrigaline United, Ringmahon Rangers, Leeds and Kilbarrack United.

    Second round

    The draw for the second round took place on 6 June. Ties were played on the week ending 21 July.

    Third round

    The draw for the third round of the FAI Cup took place on 23 July. Ties were played on the weekend of 18 August.

    Quarter-finals

    The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 20 August 2024. The draw was made by Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Ties were played on the weekend of 15 September.

    Semi-finals

    The draw for the semi-finals was made on 14 September live on RTE2 following a televised game. Ties were played on the weekend of 6 October.

    Final

    The final was held on 10 November 2024 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.