The first round of the 2018 Irish Daily Mail FAI commenced on Friday evening with Dundalk gaining revenge for their shock EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat by First Division Cobh Ramblers last Monday afternoon, with a three nil victory over their Cork visitors in Oriel Park. Drogheda United of the First Division created the first shock of the competition with the one nil defeat of Shamrock Rovers in United Park with a penalty, which resulted in the dismissal of Lee Grace, converted by Chris Lyons. Richmond Park hosted the local derby meeting of non-league Inchicore Athletic and St Patrick’s Athletic which was scoreless at half-time but became a five nil demolition following the dismissal of Inchicore defender Leon Faney Byrne in the first minute of the second half. The Carlisle Grounds was the setting for the meeting of struggling Premier Division side Bray Wanderers and in-form Finn Harps of the First Division and it was not really a surprise that the Donegal side came from behind to secure a three one victory after extra-time. Shelbourne crushed struggling Athlone Town by four goals to nil in an all First Division clash at Tolka Park while The Bowl was the venue for the meeting of First Division leaders UCD and non-league Pike Rovers with the ‘Students’ emerging as two nil victors. Ferrycarrig Park was the venue for the meeting of First Division hosts Wexford FC and Premier Division Bohemian which resulted in a resounding seven nil victory for the visiting ‘Gypsies’.