FAI Cup QFs preview: UCD and Dundalk face awkward trips

Treaty United v UCD, Markets Field, 7.45pm

Sunday's pair of games probably turn more heads but the FAI Cup quarter-finals get underway tonight, with simultaneous games on Shannonside and in Waterford.

UCD are in buoyant mood following their recent upturn of form in the league. The Students nipped ahead of Finn Harps in the suddenly cut-throat relegation battle, following their 3-2 win at home to Dundalk last week.

Andy Myler's side have won three of their past seven league games, an impressive burst given they had registered only one league win all season prior to that.

Harps, and their redoubtable manager, have acquired a reputation of the league's great survivors in recent years but UCD are putting the shivers up them in 2022.

Teenager Tommy Lonergan struck a brace in the 3-2 win over Dundalk, and had done the same in their last FAI Cup outing, away to Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett hasn't been enthused by the size of the Markets Field crowds this season but a Cup quarter-final may entice some of the locals.

Treaty, in their second season back in the league, have effectively guaranteed their place in the First Division promotion playoff - not an especially lofty target given that fifth position in a nine-team division will suffice.

Their 2-1 win over Bray Wanderers last week, combined with Wexford's defeat in Athlone, effectively scotched the notion that anyone might usurp them in fifth place, with nine points now separating them from Wexford.

The Limerick outfit have avoided League of Ireland opposition until now in this year's Cup, demolishing Usher Celtic and Maynooth University Town 5-0 and 3-0 respectively. Top scorer Enda Curran, signed from Galway United at the beginning of the