Dublin derby is top tie

He had hardly finished reflecting on the fact his late father, Ronnie snr, was on the last St Patrick's Athletic team to win the FAI Cup, in 1961, when Ronnie Whelan jnr pulled the Dublin club out of the hat in yesterday's draw for the quarter-finals of the Ford-sponsored competition.

And next out were Bohemians, thus ensuring the old rivals had sealed the "tie of the round" tag even before the other six teams were drawn.

"If we're going to win the cup we're going to have to do it the hard way, away to Drogheda (in the second round) and now away to Pat's," said the Bohemians manager, Seán Connor, putting a brave face on what was hardly the kindest of draws.

"You'd like a home draw, but you have to take what you can get," he said. "It should be a good game, we know each other well. It's down to whoever performs on the night."

Cup holders Derry City got themselves a home tie against UCD, while the draw produced an all-Munster affair with the pairing of Waterford United, beaten finalists in 2004, and Cork City, beaten finalists in 2005.

Limerick 37, the only First Division club left in the cup, were drawn away to Longford Town, cup winners in 2003 and 2004.

"It's a fairytale for the club to be still in it at this stage," said Limerick manager Paul McGee.

"Longford, managed by an old friend of mine, Alan Matthews, have been the cup specialists over the last five years, so we have our work cut out. But I'm hopeful."

Quarter-final draw

St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians

Derry City v UCD

Longford Town v Limerick 37

Waterford v Cork City

Fixtures to be played week ending September 23rd.