Bohemians and Bray clash again

Like the marching band at the halftime interval of the final, a clash between Bohemians and Bray Wanderers has become something of an annual fixture in the Carlsberg FAI Cup in recent years.

Sure enough, last night's draw for the quarter-finals of this season's competition threw the two clubs together and their meeting at the Carlisle Grounds on Sunday week could be the highlight of the round.

Pat Devlin's side last won this competition in 1999 and every year since they have been put out by a Bohemians team that has subsequently gone on to reach the final.

There has been no shortage of tension involved in the rivalry that has developed, with the difficulties sparked three years ago by a row over Jason Byrne's suspension.

That dispute caused considerable bad feeling and eventually earned Wanderers some €35,000 in compensation from the FAI. On the pitch, however, they are still waiting to gain their revenge.

Bohemians won that game 2-1 and triumphed by the same score the following year after more ill feeling, a sprinkling of red cards and a replay. Last season there was another replay, but in the Carlisle Grounds Stephen Kenny's side came away comfortable winners, scoring four goals.

As he contemplated the two clubs' latest encounter last night Kenny was cautious about his team's prospects of making it four in a row. The historical precedents he remarked, however, could certainly be worse.

"I don't think its of too much relevance, to be honest," he said. "But I'd be a lot more unhappy if we'd lost each of the three times.

"We played out there recently and it was a very tough match, that's a better indication, I'd say, of what we can expect from them out there next week."

The round is scheduled to be played over the same weekend as the Republic of Ireland's European Championship qualifying game in Moscow, threatening to leave matches slightly overshadowed.

There was also some difficulty between officials of Finn Harps and Cork City as Harps, the home side, attempted to come up with an alternative to their regular Saturday evening kick-off time. City were pressing for the game to be played early on Sunday afternoon, which would enable the travelling party to return home on the evening of the match.

St Patrick's Athletic face a tough journey to the Brandywell, but after his team's strong start in the league manager Pat Dolan will be optimistic.

Kilkenny City are at home to Shamrock Rovers, who will be favourites - but look like potential victims of a shock unless they improve on recent form.