| Extra.ie FAI Cup | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Country | |
| Venue(s) | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 
| Dates | 10th August 2020 – 6th December 2020 | 
| Teams | 19 | 
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Dundalk (12th title) | 
| Runner-up | Shamrock Rovers | 
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 18 | 
| Goals scored | 67 (3.72 per match) | 
| Top goal scorer(s) | David McMillan (8 goals) | 
The 2020 FAI Cup was the 100th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary national cup competition. This edition featured clubs exclusively from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division, whereas usually non-league teams are involved. The number of teams was reduced due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions also meant that crowds were restricted or prohibited from attending.[1] The competition began on 10 August 2020 with the first of four rounds and concluded on 6 December 2020 with the final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a nominally neutral venue, which has hosted the final since 2010.
The Cup holders were Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers and they again reached the final where they were defeated 4-2 by Dundalk after extra-time.[2]
The winners of the FAI Cup earns automatic qualification for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League and would begin play in the first qualifying round. If they have already qualified for European competition through position in the 2020 Premier Division, the spot will go to league's fourth place finisher Sligo Rovers.
First round
The draw for the first round took place on 13 July 2020. Thirteen teams were drawn out to receive a bye into the second round and will join the winners of the first round matches. [3]
Teams in bold advanced to the Second Round.
| Premier Division | First Division | 
|---|---|
| 10 August 2020 | Finn Harps | 1–0 | St Patrick's Athletic | Ballybofey | 
| 19:45 GMT | Ryan Connolly  David Webster Adrian Delap Mark Coyle  | 
Report | Darragh Markey  David Titov  | 
Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Neil Doyle  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 11 August 2020 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Waterford | Dundalk | 
| 19:45 GMT | Seán Hoare  | 
Report | Kurtis Byrne  | 
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Paul McLoughlin  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 11 August 2020 | Cork City | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Longford Town | Cork | 
| 19:45 GMT | Graham Cummins  Ricardo Dinanga Ricardo Dinanga  | 
Report | Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: N/A Referee: Ray Matthews  | |
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
Second round
The draw for the second round took place on 12 August 2020 and was broadcast live on the Football Association Ireland Facebook page with Republic of Ireland senior manager Stephen Kenny conducting proceedings.[4] 6 of the 8 games from the second round will be shown live on the new streaming service WATCHLOI.[5]
Teams in bold advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Premier Division | First Division | 
|---|---|
| 28 August 2020 | Athlone Town | 5–3 (a.e.t.) | Wexford | Athlone | 
| 19:45 GMT | Lee Duffy  Ronan Manning Taner Dogan Scott Delaney Scott Delaney Lee Duffy Jack Reynolds Adam Lennon Bradley Okaidja  | 
Report | Jack Doherty  Conor English Tom Murphy James Carroll James Carroll Karl Manahan  | 
Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium Attendance: N/A Referee: Michael Connolly  | 
| 28 August 2020 | Galway United | 2–5 | Shelbourne | Galway | 
| 19:45 GMT | Enda Curran  Maurice Nugent Enda Curran Michael Place  | 
Report | Colin McCabe  Dayle Rooney Ciarán Kilduff Daniel Byrne Ryan Brennan Georgie Poynton Dayle Rooney Aaron Dobbs  | 
Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Damien MacGraith  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 29 August 2020 | Drogheda United | 0–2 | Derry City | Drogheda | 
| 17:00 GMT | Jake Hyland  Mark Hughes Chris Lyons  | 
Report | Conor McCormack  Ibrahim Meite Joe Thomson Ciaron Harkin Stephen Mallon  | 
Stadium: United Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Derek Tomney  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 29 August 2020 | Bray Wanderers | 0–2 | Finn Harps | Bray | 
| 19:45 GMT | Killian Cantwell  Paul Keegan Ryan Graydon  | 
Report | Alexander Kogler  Alexander Kogler Mark Russell Ryan Connolly  | 
Stadium: Carlisle Grounds Attendance: N/A Referee: Rob Hennessy  | 
| 30 August 2020 | Cobh Ramblers | 0–2 | Dundalk | Cobh | 
| 17:00 GMT | Lee Devitt  Greg Henry  | 
Report | Dane Massey  David McMillan  | 
Stadium: St Colman's Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Alan Patchell  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 30 August 2020 | UCD | 1–3 | Sligo Rovers | Belfield, Dublin | 
| 19:45 GMT | Paul Doyle  Michael Gallagher  | 
Report | Kyle Callan-McFadden  Ryan De Vries Ronan Coughlan Jesse Devers Niall Morahan Teemu Penninkangas  | 
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: N/A Referee: Adriano Reale  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 31 August 2020 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–1 | Cork City | Tallaght, Dublin | 
| 17:45 GMT | Daniel Lafferty  Graham Burke Gary O'Neill Daniel Lafferty Dylan Watts  | 
Report | Charlie Fleming  Gearóid Morrissey Connor Simpson Henry Ochieng  | 
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: N/A Referee: Neil Doyle  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 31 August 2020 | Bohemians | 2–0 | Cabinteely | Phibsborough, Dublin | 
| 19:45 GMT | Promise Omochere  Dinny Corcoran  | 
Report | Paul Fox  Alex Aspil  | 
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Robert Harvey  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
Quarter-finals
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 18 September 2020 after the league game of Sligo Rovers vs. Bohemians live on RTÉ2. Former Sligo Rovers FAI Cup winning captain Conor O'Grady drew the games.
| Premier Division | First Division | 
|---|---|
| 31 October 2020 | Athlone Town | 4–1 | Shelbourne | Athlone | 
| 15:00 | Dean George  Scott Delaney Ciaran Grogan Dean George Dean George Dean George  | 
Report | Ciaran Kilduff  Alex O'Hanlon Dan Byrne Oscar Brennan  | 
Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium Attendance: N/A Referee: Damien McGrath  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 20 November 2020 | Finn Harps | 2–3 | Shamrock Rovers | Ballybofey | 
| 17:30 | Barry McNamee  Stephen Folan Mark McGinley  | 
Report | Joey O'Brien  Aaron McEneff Aaron McEneff Aaron McEneff Graham Burke Thomas Oluwa  | 
Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Rob Hennessey  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 20 November 2020 | Bohemians | 1–4 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Andre Wright  Rob Cornwall Conor Levingston Michael Barker Michael Barker  | 
Report | Michael Duffy  Cameron Dummigan Chris Shields David McMillan David McMillan Nathan Oduwa  | 
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: N/A Referee: Robert Harvey  | 
| Note: Live coverage on RTÉ2 | ||||
| 25 November 2020 | Sligo Rovers | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–1 p)  | Derry City | Sligo | 
| 19:30 | David Cawley  Garry Buckley Regan Donelon  | 
Report | Ciaran Coll  Conor McCormack  | 
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: N/A Referee: Neil Doyle  | 
| Penalties | ||||
| Ronan Coughlan  Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe Alex Cooper Garry Buckley  | 
||||
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
Semi-finals
The draw for the semi-finals took place at 6pm on 30 October 2020 live on RTE 2FM.[6]
| Premier Division | First Division | 
|---|---|
| 
 | 
| 29 November 2020 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–0 | Sligo Rovers | Tallaght, Dublin | 
| 14:00 | Aaron McEneff  Ronan Finn Aaron McEneff  | 
Report | David Cawley  Ronan Coughlan  | 
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: N/A Referee: Paul McLaughlin  | 
| Note: Live coverage on www.watchloi.ie | ||||
| 29 November 2020 | Athlone Town | 0–11 | Dundalk | Athlone | 
| 19:05 | David Brookes  Scott Delaney Ciaran Grogan Dean George  | 
Report | Michael Duffy  Andy Boyle John Mountney Patrick McEleney David McMillan Chris Shields Nathan Oduwa Jordan Flores Sean Murray  | 
Stadium: Athlone Town Stadium Attendance: N/A Referee: Rob Hennessey  | 
| Note: Live coverage on RTÉ2 | ||||
Final
| 6 December 2020 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–4 (a.e.t.) | Dundalk | Ballsbridge, Dublin | 
| 18:40 | Dylan Watts  Joey O'Brien Aaron Greene Liam Scales Roberto Lopes Graham Burke  | 
Report | 
  | 
Stadium: Aviva Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Rob Harvey  | 
| Note: Live coverage on RTÉ2 | ||||
References
- ↑ "FAI announces first round fixtures and byes for second round". RTÉ.ie. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
 - ↑ "McMillan hits hat-trick as Dundalk win classic Cup final after extra time". The 42. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
 - ↑ "Dundalk to host Waterford in FAI Cup first round". RTÉ.ie. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
 - ↑ "FAI Cup second round draw to take place on Wednesday". RTÉ.ie. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
 - ↑ "Rovers Cup clash with Cork to be shown live on WatchLOI". RTÉ.ie. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
 - ↑ "The Full Draw for the Extra.ie FAI Cup Semi-Finals Has Been Made". 30 October 2020.