FAI Cup preview: Opportunity knocks for Galway United

The Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-finals all take place tonight as several of the top Premier Division outfits and some First Division sides pursue a last four spot.

At this stage of the competition there can often be talk a league and cup double, but with the top two sides already eliminated, and facing off in the league tonight, focus is more on the race for Europe.

This year's FAI Cup brings a even greater prize this year as the winner will go into the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying, rather than the first.

It means a better chance of reaching the group stage and a guaranteed prize haul of €450,000.

Bohemians, St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk are currently vying for a top three finish knowing they can reach Europe that way.

Shelbourne, out of the competition, are also in the mix, and if it a top three side were to win the FAI Cup, fourth place would mean Europe.

The draw left all of the remaining big guns apart.

The only all-Premier Division match sees Bohemians face a tricky assignment away to Drogheda.

The Gyspies have won all three matches so far in the league. However a great season so far has seen the Boynesiders move to the brink of safety and they can go all-in on this FAI Cup clash.

Another side with pressure off is Galway United.

Their magnificent First Division season will see them return to the top flight in 2024.

Tonight a packed Eamonn Deacy Park will welcome Dundalk and their Galwegian manager Stephen O’Donnell.

The Lilywhites face a big battle to reach Europe again through the league.

There is major pedigree having won the competition 12 times - two of which came under Stephen Kenny - while O'Donnell has also lifted the trophy as a manager with St Patrick's Athletic in 2021.

Cork City have not