The winners of the competition earned spots in both the second qualifying round[1] of the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League and the 2013 Setanta Sports Cup.
A total of 40 team competed in the 2012 competition, which commenced on the weekend ending on 1 April 2012.
These teams are composed of the sixteen clubs, which reached the fourth round of the 2011–12 FAI Intermediate Cup.
[5][6] The 8 winners from the first round are joined by Blarney United, Drumkeen United, Everton AFC, St. Patrick's CY, which received byes for the first round, and the 20 League of Ireland clubs.
[7] The draw was conducted with only 15 clubs due to the exit of Monaghan United from senior football.