A total of 40 teams competed in the 2015 competition, which commenced in March 2015. The teams entered from the2015 League of IrelandPremier Division andFirst Division received byes into the second round stage. Four non-league clubs also received byes to the second round. The remaining 12 teams entered at the first round stage. These non-league teams are composed of the sixteen clubs, which reached the fourth round of the 2014–15 FAI Intermediate Cup, and the semi-finalists of theFAI Junior Cup in 2014–15.[1]
The draw for the First Round of the FAI Cup was made on 7 April 2015 at Abbotstown by FAI President Tony Fitzgerald and Brendan Clarke.20 intermediate and junior clubs were present in the draw.[3]
The draw for the Second Round of the FAI Cup was made on 6 May 2015 at the Aviva Stadium byPaul McGrath and FAI President Tony Fitzgerald and contained 32 teams, with the 20 League of Ireland teams entering the competition. Ties played on the weekend ending 31 May 2015.[4][5]
The draw for the third round took place in Sligo on 17 July and was made by Republic of Ireland managerMartin O'Neill and FAI president Tony Fitzgerald. Fixtures were played on the weekend of August 23.[6]
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup were made on 23 August with Irish under 21 manager Noel King and FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin overseeing proceedings.[7][8]Ties were played on Friday 11 September. The draw featured 6 League of Ireland Premier Division teams and 2 non-league sides.
The draw was made by former Republic of Ireland international Keith Fahey, who was a member of the St Patrick’s Athletic team that won the trophy in 2014, and Fran Gavin, Director of Competitions at the Football Association of Ireland. The draw was broadcast live on RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme and also on RTE News Now. On Friday 2 October Dundalk defeated Longford Town 2 - 0.[9] Cork City defeated Bray Wanderers 1-0 on Sunday 4 October. The match was broadcast live on RTÉ2.[10]
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