ALL of the Premier Division's bigger club's were kept apart in yesterday's draw for the second round of the Harp Lager FAI Cup with several, including Bohemians, St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City being handed home ties against First Division or non-league opposition.
Donegal club Fanad United, who scored one of the best wins of the first round when they overran first division leaders Bray Wanderers 4-0, were handed the chance to cause an even greater upset against top of the league St Patrick's while Kilkenny, who surprised UCD last week, must this time travel to Dublin's northside in order to visit Bohemians.
Cup holders Derry, meanwhile, were drawn at home to last year's quarter-finalists - Avondale United from Cork while once again Shelbourne are involved in the biggest tie of the round with Damien Richardson's side having to visit Drogheda United for the only all-Premier Division clash.
"Obviously we're disappointed to be drawn away again," said Fanad manager Eamon McConigley yesterday. "This means we'll have to travel to Dublin two weeks in a row as we play Workmen's club the week before in the Intermediate Cup."
In fact, McConigley's men are all too familiar with St Patrick's as the Dublin club have travelled to Fan ad for pre-season friendlies several times in recent years but that is something that the underdogs' manager feels might work out to Brian Kerr's advantage rather than his own.
"To be honest this was the only draw I really didn't want but now we've got it we just have to get on with coping and if we stay injury free and keep playing as well as we have been then we might take a draw down there which would be a terrific result for us."
Kerr declared himself to be happy enough with the draw particularly given that his side will be at home but, with the margin of United's win at the Carlisle Grounds firmly fixed in his mind, he makes it abundantly clear that he will be taking nothing for granted about the fixture.
Bohemians too must seek to nip a giant-killing run in the bud when they take on Kilkenny City at Dalymount and, like Alfie Hale, Turlough O'Connor feels that City's growing strength makes them a threat to be wary of.
"We played them earlier in the season in the Leinster Cup and we nicked it 1-0 but they've got a few good players in since then and I'd expect that they will give us a good few problems on the day," he said.
Having overcome Shamrock Rovers over two matches Shelbourne must this time travel to United Park in search of another Cup win but Damien Richardson was also happy with the task his side had been handed and expressed confidence that last year's beaten finalists could progress once more.
"In a way part of the excitement of the Cup is dealing with the uncertainties that non-league or first division teams present but I'm happy enough to be dealing with certainties. Once again we're involved in the tie of the round and I'm sure there'll be a full house at United Park for the game but, with a bit of luck, we can keep on going forward."
Last year's winning manager, Felix Healy, also received what, on the face of it _ is a good draw but, he pointed out, "you're dealing with a side who will be coming here with absolutely nothing to lose. In that way we'll be under a bit of pressure but at the end of the day we're at home and if you had the choice you'd prefer to play a non-league side to a Premier Division outfit so I can't complain."
Elsewhere Cork City were presented with another trip to Dublin where Home Farm will this time be waiting for them while Wayside Celtic, the competition's third remaining non-league side, were drawn away to Waterford United.
Winners in 1994, Sligo Rovers must beat Limerick at Rathbane if they are to make this year's second round although neither manager will be worrying about the match too much just yet.
"We have three tough matches to play before than so I'll think about Limerick slightly nearer to when I have to worry about them," said Rovers manager Steve Cotterill last night.
For Limerick, though, the immediate difficulties are somewhat pressing with Noel King in fairly urgent need of some new players after a string of suspensions and defections at the club.
King had just one substitute to call on in midweek against UCC and has said that he is seeking to sign six players from the Dublin area in the very near future. Pat Tobin is about to join both King and Pat Finnan on the suspended list while Daithi McMahon and David Minihan are believed to be headed for America, further depleting an already understaffed squad of players.
