Either Ballymun United or FC Carlow will be Ian Foster’s opponents in his first ever outing as Dundalk manager, when the Lilywhites lineout in the Leinster Senior Cup (LSC) for the first time in over nine years. The six-times winners have been drawn away from home, and Foster hopes to confirm a date for the game as soon as possible, with it set to take place on the weekend ending 28 February.

With the League of Ireland Premier Division due to commence the following weekend, it is likely that the trip will form the final part of Dundalk’s preparations for the big kick-off. The club have not played in the LSC since defeating Shelbourne 2-0 at Oriel Park on 5 December 2000, as the cup was placed on the shelf shortly after. This year, the border outfit will be looking to win the trophy for the first time since 1977/78, a year which saw them complete back-to-back final wins over Bohemians.

This makes the current DFC Match schedule as follows:

Sunday 7th February - Dundalk v Athlone Town - 2pm
Tuesday 9th February - Dundalk v Shelbourne - 7.45
Tuesday 16th February - Dundalk v Drogheda United - 7.45 (Jim Malone Cup).
W/E 28th Feb - Ballymun/Carlow v Dundalk (TBC).

The full Leinster Senior Cup draw is as follows:

Bohemians v Bluebell United or Wayside Celtic

Shamrock Rovers v Wexford Youths

Tolka Rovers or St Kevins Boys v Shelbourne

Sporting Fingal v Longford Town

Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town

Ballymun United or F C Carlow v Dundalk

Bangor Celtic or Tullamore Town v U C D

St Patricks Athlletic v Drogheda United

(Fixtures to be played on or before Sunday February 28th)