FAI Cup first round draw set for June 6 with Sports Direct as new cup sponsor

Derry City and Shelbourne are the reigning men's and women's FAI Cup holders

Derry City and Shelbourne are the reigning men's and women's FAI Cup holders Credit: Eddie Lennon / Peter Fitzpatrick

The FAI have announced a new three-year partnership with Sports Direct as the sports retail group become title sponsor of the Men’s and Women’s FAI Cups.

They take over from the DMG Media group as sponsor of the competitions mostly recently known as the extra.ie FAI Cup and the evoke.ie FAI Women’s Cup.

The draw for the first rounds of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup and Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup will take place on Tuesday June 6.

In the draw will be a total of 32 clubs who will be a part of the men’s competition, won by Derry City last year, with 15 clubs in the women’s competition - Shelbourne the current trophy holders.

The FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “We are pleased to announce this new partnership with Sports Direct who, as title sponsor, will play a key role in helping us bring both cups to an even bigger audience.”

Sean Kavanagh, Commercial Director of the FAI commented: “It was clear to us in our conversations with Sports Direct that they share the same vision and ambition as us for the competitions.

“Together, we will work closely across a range of different campaigns and activations all of which will help us engage an even bigger audience for the Sports Direct Men’s and Women’s FAI Cups from the first round right through to the finals in November at the Aviva Stadium and Tallaght Stadium.”