Stephen Bradley: 'If we're moving the FAI Cup for the Irn-Bru, or whatever it's called, you'd be worried where our priorities are'

Stephen Bradley says it would be ‘scandalous’ if FAI Cup games were to be postponed to accommodate teams’ participation in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Scottish Challenge Cup.

Shamrock Rovers are set to face Galway United in the last eight of the FAI Cup, while Sligo Rovers also host UCD, but the other two games scheduled may have to be postponed.

The FAI Cup quarter-finals are due to take place next weekend when both Waterford and Bohemians are also scheduled to face Scottish opposition in the invitational tournament.

The fifth and sixth-placed teams in the League of Ireland were invited to enter the tournament involving Scottish, Welsh, English and Northern Irish sides.

Bohemians were drawn away to Aidrieonians while Waterford got a home draw with Hearts under-21s.

Ireland under-21s are also set to face Armenia on the same weekend in Tallaght and Bohemians pair Danny Mandroiu and Darragh Leahy have been called up to Stephen Kenny’s squad.

Bohs have been drawn against Crumlin United while Waterford face Dundalk and no clarification has been offered on whether either game will go ahead.

The Gypsies are entitled to request postponement of the Crumlin game as they have two players in the international squad, but could still travel to play Airdrieonians.

Waterford, who have Zack Elbouzedi in the under-21s squad, are scheduled to host Hearts under-21s in the Challenge Cup and Dundalk in the FAI Cup.

No announcement has been made on which will go ahead, with the possibility Waterford could host Hearts on the Friday and play Dundalk on the Monday night.

That would leave Galway’s game with Rovers and Sligo versus UCD as the only two FAI Cup quarter-finals to go ahead as scheduled.

“That can’t happen,” said Bradley.

“Surely Waterford-Dundalk goes ahead. Anything other than that, it’s ridiculous. I was speaking to Alan before and he’s convinced it’s going ahead. We’ll wait and see but it’d be unbelievable.

“If you’re Alan, what are you going to do in that Irn Bru [Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer], or whatever it’s called, you’ve got to play the 19s haven’t you?

“If we’re moving the FAI Cup for that, I’d be really worried about where our priorities are. Whoever is making them fixtures and making them calls needs to look at it seriously.

“It’s scandalous if it happens.”

He continued: “If they do it, it’s actually ridiculous, if it’s moved. You talk about wanting respect and respecting the league, and then you move a game for that. If it’s moved, it’s unbelievable.

“It seriously needs to be looked at, if that’s the case, because you’re seriously undermining what is obviously one on the biggest games, cups in the country.

“Everyone wants to win it and everyone looks forward to playing in the games, so if it’s moved for that it’s unacceptable, really.”