SHELBOURNE manager Damien Richardson was treading carefully after learning that they will open their defence of the Harp Lager FAI Cup at Tolka Park on January 12th against the Munster League club Everton.

"Experience teaches that you write off non league opposition at your peril in the cup, and this tie could be tricky enough," he said.

"I know many of the Everton players from my time in charge of Cork City and there's enough experience in the team to ensure that anything we get out of the tie, we'll earn.

"In the sense that we avoided the bigger clubs in the Premier Division, it has to be regarded as a good draw for us. But I for one, will be taking nothing for granted."

Everton, quoted at 100 to 1 to win the FAI Cup in the ante post betting, are taking part in the competition for only the second time. But their manager, Tony O'Sullivan, who was on Cork City's management team during Richardson's stay at the club, is not in the mood for concession.

"If we ever needed any motivation to get our game together before the new year, this tie has provided it. I am absolutely delighted at the prospect of putting one over on Shelbourne," he said.

Much of the drama on cup draw night focused on Shamrock Rovers, now without an FAI Cup success since 1987, but still, undeniably, the club which all others want to meet and beat.

They were the second last of the 32 clubs to be drawn and it fell to Limerick to follow them in a tie which evoked some of the most evident enthusiasm of the evening.

Like the Dublin aristocrats, Limerick's stock has dwindled in recent years, but this was the tie which manager Billy Kinnane interpreted as the best of the lot.

Secretly we were hoping to get Rovers and the longer the draw went on, the greater that possibility became," he said. "In the end, we were the last two clubs left and if I am disappointed that we didn't pull home advantage, it's still very exciting."

The tie will revive memories of some famous cup ties between the clubs, notably in the 1960s, when Rovers were embarked on their record six in a row run.

In the 196 final, they were required to go to a replay before Johnny Fulham's goal saw off the team captained by Ewan Fenton, and if Rovers' 2-0 win, in a repeat pairing in the final the following year, was more emphatic, it is still recalled as one of the better cup finals.

At least two non league clubs are assured of going through to the next round following the ties which pitted Dublin University against Parkvilla and Valeview against Rockmount.

Crumlin United, included in the draw for the first time, emerged with one of the toughest assignments of all when they were, drawn away to Derry City, but Wayside Celtic, who did so well last year, will welcome the opportunity of a home game against "Finn Harp.

Bohemians are unlikely to relish the prospect of the trip to Kilkenny and their apprehension will be shared by Sligo Rovers, who are set to travel to Cobb.

This pairing will evoke memories of that marvellous semi final tie in 1983 when Sligo Rovers had to go to four meetings with Cobb before going on to beat Bohemians in the final.

St Patrick's Athletic, last season's beaten finalists have a home tie against Athlone Town, while UCD will meet Bray Wanderers at Belfield in the only all Premier Division clash.

. It was confirmed last night that Brendan Menton Junior has been appointed as the new honorary treasurer of the FAI in succession to Bernard O'Byrne.

Menton, who filled the post of acting chief executive of the association earlier in the year, saw off the challenge of his only rival for the vacancy, Fergus McArdle.