DFC | Date confirmed for Dundalk FC’s FAI Cup quarter-final with Drogheda United

First FAI Cup Louth Derby since 2013 to take place on September 8

Dundalk’s Brian Gartland beats Drogheda United’s Declan O’Brien to this ball in the FAI Cup semi final at United Park in 2013. PICTURE: MICK SLEVIN

Dundalk’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup quarter-final with Drogheda United will take place at Oriel Park on Friday, September 8th at 7.45pm.

This will be the first time that the two Louth clubs have met since the infamous semi-final at United Park in 2013 when the Boynesiders beat a nine-man Dundalk side 1–0.

Referee Anthony Buttimer took centre stage on the day, sending Lilywhites winger Darren Meenan off for an innocuous challenge on Paul O’Conor.

Four minutes later, he gave Chris Shields his marching orders for taking down Drogheda United striker Declan O’Brien in the box.

And then there were nine …. Dundalk’s Chris Shields (5) reacts furiously after receiving a straight red card from referee Anthony Buttimer as Andy Boyle, John Sullivan and Richie Towell look on in disbelief during the FAI Cup semi-final in 2013. PICTURE: MICK SLEVIN

Gavin Brennan scored the resulting penalty to give Drogheda the lead but the match official’s performance had Stephen Kenny threatening to pull his players off the pitch.

Kenny and members of his staff tried to confront Buttimer at the half-time whistle with both assistant boss Vinny Perth and fitness coach Graham Byrne dismissed during the interval.

Friday week’s cup tie will be followed by the third league Louth Derby of the season at Oriel Park a fortnight later on September 22nd.

Leinster Senior Cup semi-final

Elsewhere, Dundalk’s Leinster Senior Cup semi-final tie with UCD has been fixed for Tuesday, September 19th at the UCD Bowl with a 7.45pm kick-off. The winners of the match will face Shelbourne in the final.