The 2025 FAI Cup, known as the Sports Direct FAI Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the 105th edition of the Republic of Ireland's primary domestic association football cup competition. It features teams from the League of Ireland Premier Division and the First Division, as well as teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system.
On 15 May 2025, RTÉ announced a broadcast agreement to show a record number of FAI Cup ties over the following two seasons. In the 2025 FAI Cup the deal included the broadcast of one third round fixture, two quarter-final fixtures, both semi-final fixtures, and the final.
The 2025 FAI Cup winners are set to enter the first qualifying round of the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League.
The defending champions, Drogheda United, were beaten in the quarter-finals by Shamrock Rovers.
Round and dates RoundDraw dateMatch datesNumber of fixturesTeamsNew entries this roundFirst Round8 April 202511–18 May1244 → 3224Second Round5 June 202518–20 July1632 → 1620Third Round22 July 202515–17 August816 → 8NoneQuarter-finals19 August 202512–14 September48 → 4Semi-finals15 September 20253–5 October24 → 2Final—9 November12 → 1
Teams The 2025 FAI Cup is a knockout competition with 44 teams taking part. The competitors consist of the 20 teams from the League of Ireland and 24 teams from the regional leagues of the Republic of Ireland football league system. League of Ireland Premier Division clubsBohemiansCork CityDerry CityDrogheda UnitedGalway UnitedShamrock RoversShelbourneSligo RoversSt Patrick's AthleticWaterfordLeague of Ireland First Division clubsAthlone TownBray WanderersCobh RamblersDundalkFinn HarpsKerryLongford TownTreaty UnitedUCDWexfordProvincial league clubsBaldoyle United Bangor Celtic Castlebar Celtic College Corinthians Crumlin United Douglas Hall Fairview Rangers Fanad United Janesboro Killester Donnycarney Leicester Celtic Liffey Wanderers Lucan United Midleton North End United Ringmahon Rangers River Valley Rangers Salthill Devon St Mochta's St Michael's Tolka Rovers UCC Usher Celtic Wayside Celtic
First round
Second round
Third round
Quarter Final
Semi-finals
Final
The 2025 FAI Cup final took place on Sunday, 9 November 2025 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Shamrock Rovers entered the final having claimed the League of Ireland Premier Division title while Cork City had finished bottom of the league.
Top goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals 1 Graham Burke Shamrock Rovers 5 2 Joe Adams Kerry 4 Evan McLaughlin Cork City Chris Forrester St Patrick's Athletic Owen Elding Sligo Rovers Colm Whelan Bohemians 7 Liam Boyce Derry City 3 Tommy Lonergan Waterford John Martin Shelbourne Daragh Murtagh Longford Town Cian Brosnan Kerry
See also
2025 League of Ireland Premier Division 2025 League of Ireland First Division
References