The four remaining ‘big clubs’ in the FAI Carlsberg Cup have managed to avoid each other in the draw for the quarter-final stage which took place in a Dublin hotel this evening.
Interestingly, however, the all must play away from home.
Bohemians, last year's beaten finalists and champions two seasons ago, are pitted against Bray Wanderers for the fourth time in as many years in a fixture that has proved full of incident.
Last year, Bray had manager Pat Devlin banished to the stands and two players sent off after losing out 2-1 in a highly charged encounter at Dalymount Park.
Their semi-final clash in 2000 was also dogged in controversy after Bohemians lodged an objection to Bray playing striker Jason Byrne amid a suspension dispute.
St Patrick’s Athletic face a tricky trip north to play Derry at the Brandywell. St Pat’s have made an electric start to their league season and will fancy their chances against a Derry side who have managed just four points from six league games.
Cork City are also in flying form despite requiring a replay to dispose of first division Monaghan United in the previous round. They face, however, a potential banana skin having been drawn away to 1999 runners-up Finn Harps of Ballybofey and will not relish the 700 mile round trip to Donegal.
The remaining tie sees Kilkenny City host Cup traditionalists Shamrock Rovers at Buckley Park.
Rovers, who play the second leg of their UEFA Cup qualifier against Djurgarden in Stockholm on Thursday, have endured a miserable start to the season and will look to the Cup to get their campaign back on track.
All ties will be played on the week ending September 8th.
FAI Carlsberg Cup Quarter-finals
Bray Wanderers v Bohemians
Derry City v St Patrick's Athletic
Finn Harps v Cork City
Kilkenny City v Shamrock Rovers