Top Mayo club handed home FAI Cup draw

Castlebar Celtic will host North End United in the first round of the 2026 Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup, after the draw took place at FAI Headquarters this afternoon.

The draw featured 24 amateur and intermediate sides, with all first round fixtures scheduled for the week ending Sunday, May 17.

The FAI will confirm specific dates, venues and kick-off times in the coming weeks.

It is a repeat of last year's first round pairing, only this time on Castlebar Celtic’s terms. In the 2025 edition, Celtic were drawn away to North End United, and they made the long trip count.

Stevie Gavin's side took the lead after nine minutes through Eoghan Hughes, and though North End United levelled through Paul Murphy early in the second half, Celtic's character showed.

Dylan Edwards restored the advantage and then added a third to send the travelling Castlebar support into celebration. Luke Kelly added a fourth late on to seal an emphatic 4-1 win.

The ‘Hoops will be confident of progressing again, this time with home advantage.

The 12 first round winners will advance to the second round, where they join the League of Ireland clubs in the draw.

The road to the 2026 final is now under way, five months on from Shamrock Rovers' win over Cork City at the Aviva Stadium.