Historic Dalymount farewell and high‑stakes clashes as 2026 Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup semi-finals confirmed

The dates and kick-off times for the 2026 Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup semi-finals have been confirmed, setting up two nationally televised ties that will shape the climax of Ireland’s premier domestic cup competition.

Bohemians will host Waterford FC at Dalymount Park on Friday, 9 October, with Galway United at home to Derry City in Eamonn Deacy Park the following day. RTÉ Sport will broadcast both fixtures live as part of its current agreement to screen the latter stages of the men’s FAI Cup.

Showpiece of Ireland’s national cup competition

The Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup is the Football Association of Ireland’s primary national knockout competition, open to clubs from across the domestic pyramid and run under the governance of the Football Association of Ireland. Progressing to the final is a major milestone for League of Ireland clubs, with the competition occupying a central place in the Irish football calendar and sitting alongside the league as a key route to silverware and, in many seasons, to European qualification.

For Bohemians, Waterford, Galway United and Derry City, these semi-finals represent a chance to move within one match of lifting the FAI Cup and all the sporting and commercial benefits that follow, including increased prize money, visibility for club sponsors and enhanced profiles for players seeking to consolidate or elevate their careers.

Dalymount Park’s last FAI Cup tie before redevelopment

The opening semi-final will see Bohemians welcome Waterford to Dalymount Park on Friday, 9 October, with kick-off at 7.45pm.

The match is set to be the last ever FAI Cup game played at the old Dalymount Park before planned renovation works begin in the winter, adding a layer of heritage significance to an already high-stakes occasion. The historic Dublin venue has staged some of Irish football’s defining moments, and its temporary farewell in a national cup semi-final provides a symbolic bridge between generations of supporters.

On the pitch, the fixture carries clear narrative weight for both clubs. Bohemians have lost two FAI Cup finals to St Patrick’s Athletic in 2021 and 2023 and have not lifted the trophy since their double-winning campaign in 2008. A home semi-final offers a pathway to end that drought and to convert recent near-misses into tangible honours.

Waterford, whose last FAI Cup success dates back to 1980, are looking to turn a long history in the competition into a modern-era breakthrough. Reaching the final would underline the club’s current project and strengthen its position among the leading sides in the domestic game.

Galway United and Derry City chase contrasting forms of history

The second semi-final is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October at 3pm, when Galway United host Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway are seeking their first FAI Cup final appearance in 35 years, with that previous run also yielding their only victory in the competition. A return to the showpiece would be a landmark moment for the club and city, reinforcing Galway’s status within the national game and offering a potential springboard for future investment, squad building and player development.

Derry City, nicknamed the Candystripes, are aiming for a seventh FAI Cup triumph. A semi-final win in Galway would keep them on course to add further silverware to an already rich cup history and to maintain the club’s reputation for delivering in knockout football.

For both clubs, navigating this tie successfully could have knock-on effects for selection decisions, contract planning and squad rotation around the wider domestic schedule, as cup finalists often adjust resources to maximise their chances on the national stage.

Broadcast reach and domestic calendar impact

RTÉ Sport’s decision to televise both semi-finals ensures national exposure for the four clubs involved and underlines the status of the FAI Cup as a key broadcast property within Irish football. Live free-to-air coverage gives players an opportunity to perform in front of a significantly expanded audience, with potential implications for future transfers and international recognition.

The timing of the semi-finals in early October means clubs will be managing these games alongside league commitments. For managers and technical staff, that raises familiar questions around squad rotation and load management, particularly where league positions and potential European places remain in play. The balance between pursuing immediate cup success and protecting form in the league is a recurring strategic theme in the Irish domestic calendar.

Confirmed 2026 Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup semi-final fixtures

• Bohemians v Waterford, Dalymount Park – Friday, 9 October at 7.45pm
• Galway United v Derry City, Eamonn Deacy Park – Saturday, 10 October at 3pm

With two historically significant clubs seeking to end long waits for cup glory and two established cup forces chasing further honours, the semi-finals offer a concentrated snapshot of the competitive and institutional importance of the FAI Cup within Irish football.