THE Welsh Cup finals are returning to Rodney Parade next year after a successful pair of games last season.
Connah’s Quad Nomads stunned treble-chasing The New Saints 2-1 in the JD Welsh Cup final and Cardiff City beat Wrexham 2-0 in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup in front of a record crowd of 1,734.
The finals will return next year with the women’s final on Sunday, April 27 and the men’s showdown on Sunday, May 4, with kick-off times, ticket details and television information yet to be confirmed.
The second of those fixtures is the day after Newport County AFC's final home game of the regular season against Tranmere Rovers.
The Dragons play their last Newport fixture in the United Rugby Championship on March 22.
The journey to Rodney Parade begins this weekend in the first qualifying round of the JD Welsh Cup, while the Bute Energy Welsh Cup qualifying round takes place in September.
Jack Sharp, FAW head of domestic leagues, said: “After reviewing all the possible and available options to take our cup finals to a premier venue in Cymru, we are delighted to be taking the JD Welsh Cup and Bute Energy Welsh Cup finals back to Rodney Parade.
“Last season’s finals were both very special occasions. Now, with a full season to build marketing campaigns and engagement models, I am excited to see how this translates into two more fantastic cup finals with fan experience at the heart of our delivery.
“It was important to the FAW that clubs and supporters could see where the two competitions would conclude before they begin, providing plenty of opportunity to plan accordingly.”
Welsh Cup, first qualifying round (south)
AFC Bargoed v PILCS, Clase Social v Morriston Town, Undy v Penlan, Abergavenny Town v Treherbert, Clydach Wasps v Cardiff Bay Warriors, AFC Pontymister v Bettws, Aber Valley v Canton Rangers, Carn Rovers v Pantyscallog Village, Ynystawe Ath v Seaside, Porthcawl v Pencoed Ath, Nelson Cavaliers v West West, Risca United v Marshfield, Ton Pentre v Ely Rangers, Treforest v CKSV, Tonyrefail v Cwmamman United, Cardiff Airport v Llangennech, Ynyshir Albions v Cardiff Draconians, Giants Grave v St Josephs, Nantyglo v Bryn Rovers, Croesyceiliog v Pentwynmawr Ath, Monmouth Town v Lliswerry, Caerphilly Ath v St Athan, Blaenavon Blues v Treharris Athletic Westers, Cwrt y Vil v Cefn Cribwr, Cascade YC v Wattsville, Seven Sisters Onllwyn v Risca Town, Caldicot Town v Blaen-y-Maes, SIFIL v Newport Corinthians, Abertillery Excelsiors v Penydarren, Cwmbach Royal Stars v Goytre, Tredegar Town v New Inn, Aberdare v Tongwynlais, Cwmbran Town v Cefn Fforest, AFC Llwydcoed v AFC Penrhiwceiber, Abercarn United v Canton, Clwb Cymric v Llanrumney United, Ynysygerwn v Pontarddulais Town, Evans & Williams v Llantwit Fardre, Llangeinor v Treowen Stars, Pill v Garw, Rogerstone v Dinas Powys, Sully Sports v Cwm Wanderers, South Gower v Cwrt Rawlin, Cardiff Corinthians v Ferndale, Vale United v Chepstow Town, FC Cwmaman v Rhydyfelin, Holton Road v Bridgend Street, Cwmcarn Athletic v Newport Saints, Glynneath v Ffostrasol, Brynna v Porthcawl Town Ath, AFC Wattstown v Swansea University, Dafen Welfare v Cornelly United, Clydach v Tregaron Turfs, Pontyclun v Penygraig United, Builth Wells v Brecon Corries, Port Talbot Town v Llanrumney Ath.
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