Preview: Dublin derby kicks off FAI Cup first round

The first round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup begins tonight with little fanfare due to European exploits and the FIFA Women's World Cup, but there are many clubs dreaming of the Aviva Stadium in November.

At least two Premier Division clubs will exit the competition tonight, with the highlights of the seven matches a Dublin derby between Bohemians and Shelbourne.

The sides met last week in an exciting 1-1 draw which the home side had the better of for large spells, only for Bohs to finish strongly and almost win it.

Tonight’s game will bring the same intensity as Shels look to repeat their great run under Damien Duff last year as they reached Lansdowne Road.

He said: "I think the cup run brought us on leaps and bounds, I'd put the final in that bracket too. You learn the most from defeats and bad defeats in particular, can bring you on as a person. That’s where the most learning and growing up came for our lads.

"Guys that played in the Aviva last November and were involved. I think there’s motivation there. They know the last game was against Derry and that was a tough day, a very hard one to take. I think those lads will go out with a point to prove, and I think players should embrace that feeling.

"Listen we all approach games differently but that’s what I loved as a player, having to prove people wrong, I loved being slaughtered, being given out to, I think it made me a better player, carrying that bit of anger, that gave you an edge. If I became calm and nice and played that way it never brought the best out of me."

The other all-Premier Division clash sees Drogheda United host Sligo Rovers at Weavers Park.

Coincidentally these sides also face back-to-back meetings with a vitally important league game next week.

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