The 2012 competition which commences on the weekend ending on 1 April 2012. The 20 teams entered from the 2011 League of Ireland Premier and First divisions received byes into the Third round stage while the remaining 24 teams entered at the First and Second round stages with all but four of these teams receiving byes into the Second round. These 24 teams composed of four 2011 A Championship non-reserve clubs, the sixteen clubs from the Fourth round of the 2011-12 FAI Intermediate Cup and the semifinalists of the 2011–12 FAI Junior Cup.
Preliminary Rounds
First round
The draw for this round was conducted by FAI President Paddy McCaul and former player Mick Neville at the FAI headquarters in Abbotstown on 6 March 2011.[2] 16 of the 20 non-League of Ireland clubs are participating in this round, with the remaining 4 clubs earning a bye to the Second round. The matches were played on the weekend ending 1 April 2011.
Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland