Sligo Rovers have been drawn away to Longford Town in the opening round of this year’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup.
The draw took place in Kilkenny on Friday morning, and has also presented Finn Harps with a home game against Bohemians.
Rovers, last winners of the cup in 2013, and 11-time finalists overall, will face the First Division side at City Calling Stadium in Longford on the second weekend of August.
Longford’s only success in the competition came with back-to-back wins in 2003 and 2004. They are currently in fifth position in the First Division table, while Rovers are ninth in the Premier Division ahead of the weekend fixtures – just one place outside of the relegation zone.
Harps and Bohemians, meanwhile, clashed only last weekend in Finn Park in the league, with Harps emerging with an impressive 2-1 victory.
The Phibsboro outfit are seven-times winners of the cup, while Harps’ solitary triumph came back in 1974.
That game is one of three top-flight clashes in the opening round, with holders Cork City paired with Bray Wanderers, and last year’s beaten finalists Dundalk due to take on Derry City.
Meanwhile, Rovers journey to Limerick tomorrow in the league.
New signing Rhys McCabe says it is an important game…
Harps are not in action until Monday, when they host Derry City in a rescheduled northwest derby.
Here’s Harps keeper Ciaran Gallagher…
