FAI President Tony Fitzgerald was joined by Dundalk goalkeeper and three-time winner Gary Rogers and Irish Daily Mail Circulation Manager, David Vaz, to perform the draw.
The remaining 16 teams played eight games, with the winners entering the first round proper.
The Irish Daily Mail introduced a cash prize for the non-league team that advanced the furthest in the competition, providing extra motivation for lower-tier clubs to excel.
[3] [4] [5] [6] The draw for the first round proper was made on 4 July 2018 at the Aviva Stadium, with Damien Duff as special guest.
The second round draw was held on 13 August 2018, producing just one all-Premier Division tie.