Eight teams are left on the Road to the Aviva as the FAI Ford Cup reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend with three matches on Friday evening and one on Sunday afternoon. The eight teams remaining have a strong cup pedigree as six of them were involved in the quarter-finals last year and six were at this stage in 2012 while seven of them have won the FAI Senior Cup at least once. The eighth team, Avondale United from the Munster Senior League, are the current FAI Intermediate Cup holders having completed an historic four-in-a-row last May.The RTE cameras will be at Tallaght Stadium tonight for the tie of the round as Shamrock Rovers take on SSE Airtricity League leaders Dundalk. Despite winning the FAI Cup a record 24 times, Shamrock Rovers haven’t won it since 1987 when they beat Dundalk in the final. They’ve beaten Sheriff YC and LongfordTown en route to the last eight while Dundalk knocked out holders Sligo Rovers and Galway and are still on course for the domestic treble. Last year’s beaten finalists Drogheda United are at home to DerryCity having seen off non-league opposition – Cockhill Celtic and Ballynanty Rovers – in the previous two rounds. DerryCity, who last won the cup in 2012, defeated Cobh Ramblers in the second round and Malahide United in the third to reach the last eight. St Patrick’s Athletic are hoping to finally bridge a gap of 53 years by lifting the cup this season but they will face a tough hurdle in the shape of Bohemians who have secured their Premier Division status for next season and will be fully focused on continuing a cup run that has seen them already account for Limerick and Cork City. St Pat’s have already dismissed other Dublin opposition in the shape of St Patrick’s CY and Shelbourne. The final quarter-final tie takes place on Sunday when Avondale United host Finn Harps at AvondalePark. Avondale have accounted for Carrigaline United, Collinstown and FAI Junior Cup holders St Michael’s on their way to a first meeting with SSE Airtricity League opposition in this year’s competition. Harps, who also reached the quarter-finals last year, are facing their third successive away tie having already travelled to Belgrove and Wexford Youths.
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